Best Cabin Camping near Carp Lake, MI

If you have a big Class A RV and need a full hook up and a pool, this place will work. We paid $165 a night and were surprised that it was just a gated community for RVs with a pool. Lots of the amenities were broken or not available (hot tub jets broken, no hot water for showers, movie room broken). Some of these may be due to covid or just like of upkeep. Our site had a nice paved pad, but it wasn’t level and the concrete was painted so we were slipping off the levelers. The coach house had very limited hot water. Gas fireplace and grill was provided. The vibe of this place was gated community and not camping- wry little trees in property. A fine location to access the Petosky are. Overall we found it overpriced and boring. We thought it would be luxury for the price, and it was “meh.”

Lime Island Recreation Area is located in the St. Mary’s River at the very east end of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It sits in the middle of the river with Canada on one side and Michigan on the other. Raber, Michigan is the nearest shore town, 2 miles across the river. The only way to reach the park is by boat but there are no designated ferries, so the only way to reach it is by using your own boat or finding someone in the area with a boat willing to charter you and your gear. Non-motorized boats are not recommended due to the many freighters and choppy water conditions.

Overnight accommodations include six cabins that can sleep between four and seven guests each, as well as 10 tent sites on wooden platforms that look out over the river. The park is a favorite among fishermen, couples, and large families who like to rent out all the cabins for annual reunions. 

A boat slip comes with your reservation. The island has limited electricity (solar-powered only) and no running water. Portable toilets are provided and there is a pump for a potable-water well. Cabin guests need to provide all their own gear, including sleeping and cooking supplies and equipment.

Approximately 7 miles of hiking trails traverse the island, providing guests the chance to wander, explore and possibly encounter wildlife. With so little human activity you never know what you’ll find.

One of the favorite pastimes of guests is sitting and watching the large Great Lakes freighters pass by at all hours of the day. They pass so close to the island you feel you could almost touch them. It’s quite a sight!

There's a ton of history on the island, some of which is still visible. According to the Michigan DNR, “Lime Island provides a significant representation of early 20th-century industrial and maritime history. The coal dock, fuel storage tanks, Quonset hut with bunker, fuel heating and pumping equipment, other supporting buildings, and scattered industrial equipment, provide a complete picture of the island’s use as a ship refueling depot. The schoolhouse, superintendent’s house (that was brought to the island by dragging it across the frozen river), cottages, and fruit trees remind visitors of island life for the workers that supported the depot.”

It's not an easy state park to reach, but if you can find a way to get there, the seclusion should make for some great camping on the tent platforms (or hanging out in the cabins if you're into that sort of thing.)

We have been going yearly to the cabins in Cheboygan State Park for many years and have stayed at each cabin they offer.  All of them are great, vault toilet and hand pump for water, drive up (although the road in can be a little rough).  Some have better beach access then others, 2 of them have firepits on the beach to enjoy the amazing sunsets.  Excellent view of the bridge and many large boats going by, perfect photo opportunity!

Clean restrooms and showers, cozy little cabins of all different sizes. Would go there again.

Pickerel lake views are the best. The houses and cabins have beach views. The campground is off the water a small walk but very nice sites with different hookup options. Can accommodate large RVs in the drive through lots and the smaller sites have nice privacy.

This is a great campground South of Gaylord on Otsego Lake. I believe all sites have electric. The park is beautiful with a many sites having lake views. The playground is the classic old playground with swings and slides and some big tires to climb on. The water was mostly sand with some rocks. The campground has 4 cabins to rent right on the lake.

This lovely Michigan state park juts out on a small peninsula into the waters of north Lake Michigan within site of the Mackinaw bridge, connecting the lower and upper parts of the state. With over 26 miles of coastline there are no shortages of beaches to walk and find solitude.

The campsite we stayed in offered more than expected: paved campsite, electricity, solid picnic table and the beefiest campfire pit ever to come standard in a state park – Michigan is serious about their campfire pits. There is a uniformity to the water-side sites that would please even a middle child --everyone gets the same share. So, searching out the “best site” isn’t necessary, though that won’t likely stop folks from trying.

The bathrooms were clean and modern, though the pit toilets are typical Michigan State Park stinky. There is a small campground with RV full-hookups, water, electricity and sewer, in addition to a few rustic cabins which are all reserve-able on the MI DNR website, https://www.midnrreservations.com/.

The park offers miles of hiking and skiing/snowshoe trails for year-round enjoyment. The string of small islands as well as the coast would make for interesting and scenic kayaking. The area is also a wonderful place to cycle, especially in the fall with the autumn colors in full bloom.

Camp site fees vary, but keep in mind that non-residents pay an additional $9 per day for use of Michigan State Parks.

This campground is a must do. Electric site campground with a short walk to the beach on Lake Huron. One of few campgrounds you can view both sunrise over Lake Huron and sunset from the beach. Showers and flush toilets. Great biking and hiking trails. Really nice day use area with pavilion. Mini cabin and Sears Roebuck house for rent for those wanting more comforts. One of MI State Parks original campgrounds but well taken care of. Would have given it 5 stars except for the extremely rude Ranger on check in. I’ve never encountered this level of rudeness anywhere- I’d suggest he find another career. Other rangers were great. Rogers City, 40 Mile Lighthouse and waterfall all within easy drive from campground. Does have nice water tank filling station and dump station. Does not have water nor sewer hookups at sites.

 If you've camped at a KOA before, then you know what you're getting here. Easy on, easy off I-75. It's close to the interstate, but the noise was never intrusive. Mostly because of the stiff wind blowing out of the North. 

  The sites are tight, particularly the inside pull throughs. The back in sites are more spacious, though that's relative. Site 7 is a very spacious back in site. 1-6 are by Trails End Road, but it isn't really that busy or noisy. I would get a back in site, especially if you can get away with 30 Amp service. 16-20F  are back in sites with 50 Amp. There are some deluxe pull throughs with patio & grill on site. There are some extra long pull through sites.

   There are the usual KOA amenities like a heated pool, playground, a game area & bike rental. There's a nice hiking trail in the back. It takes you to the bike trail, so back track back to the campground unless you want to walk on the bike trail/road. 

 What makes KOAs & this KOA special are the clean bathrooms & showers. It's always a pleasure to know that a shower will be KOA clean!

 Staff was courteous & efficient. They delivered ice & wood to your site. 

This is a good base camp for the area. I would stay again if in Mackinaw City!

Located on Michigan’s sunrise side, Hoeft State Park offers a unite getaway for tent campers and RV campers alike. Many trees for hammocking! Short trek across sandy dunes brings you to the beach of Lake Huron. Shallow in parts for the kids but deep enough to snorkel for pudding stones. Rock hounds will slight in the fossil, Petoskeys and puddings along the shoreline. Excellent paved bike trail takes you to town or north to the lighthouse. Campground has excellent activities for the kids. Firewood for ale. Currently updating the electric and bathhouses.

Make reservations early! This is a beautiful state park with the best of pure Michigan woods and Lake Huron sandy dunes and beaches . Very family and pet friendly but also quiet and peaceful for couples who just wanna get away . Only drawback is low signal cell service but hey getting off the grid is what’s its all about. Unplug and recharge yourself.  Electric hook up availability  20/30 amp . Hiking and biking paths , a cute play ground , sandy beach with volleyball area all walking distance from campsites!  Friendly staff , we love this park !