Camping cabins near Cedar, Michigan offer shelter options between tent camping and full cottages. Cedar sits on the Leelanau Peninsula at 750 feet elevation with a humid continental climate that averages 28°F in January and 70°F in July. Summer cabin rentals typically require booking 3-6 months in advance, especially for waterfront locations.
What to do
Lighthouse exploration: 45 minutes north of Cedar at Leelanau State Park Campground, visitors can tour the historic Grand Traverse Lighthouse and museum. "There are some very nice hiking trails here. They are wide and go in loops giving options for distance. We went to the overlook and then down to the beach," notes one visitor who appreciated the park's varied terrain.
Kayak the Betsie River: Betsie River Campsite offers cabin accommodations with river access. "If you bring your kayak, there are many places to put into the river. This is a very popular area/campground for fisherman," reports a regular visitor. The campground connects to a paved bike trail leading into Frankfort, about 3 miles away.
Winery tours: Multiple options within 15 minutes. Wild Cherry RV Resort provides cabin rentals in a convenient location for wine tasting. "The park is in a perfect location to explore the towns of Leland (and Fishtown), Lake Leelanau, Northport, and Sutton's Bay. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the town of Glen Arbor are a 20 minute drive," mentions one visitor who used the resort as a base for regional exploration.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Rustic Retreat offers a one-cabin property surrounded by maple trees. "Beautiful secluded cabin. Stayed out here for an art retreat and loved it. Gorgeous property with a huge canopy of maple trees, lovely campfire spot and a cute cabin," notes a visitor who appreciated the isolation.
Clean bathrooms: Lake Leelanau RV Park maintains exceptionally clean facilities. "The bathroom here is VERY clean and updated - much nicer than most campgrounds," observes one camper who compared them favorably to other parks. Family bathrooms include private toilet, sink and shower in each unit.
Recreation amenities: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort includes activities beyond basic camping. "There is a lot to do in this park, zip line, pool, walking trail, lake. Golf cart rentals. Lots of kid activities," explains a visitor. The resort maintains scheduled events throughout the season, with most activities running Memorial Day through Labor Day.
What you should know
Limited bathroom facilities at some locations: Wild Cherry RV Resort cabin areas have limited restroom access. "While most RV campgrounds have centralized bathrooms with flush toilets, sinks, and showers, this one is lacking those amenities," notes one visitor who stayed in the wooded cabin section. The tent camping area has only one pit toilet and a unique "tent shower" setup.
Seasonal operating schedules: Many cabin rentals operate from May through October. Lake Leelanau RV Park runs "May 1 to Oct 31" according to their seasonal schedule. Rustic Retreat remains open year-round for those seeking winter cabin camping options.
Booking windows: For Indigo Bluffs RV Park, which offers cabin rentals near Sleeping Bear Dunes, reservations open January 1st for the upcoming season. "The location of the campground is great. Close to Empire and Glen Arbor," mentions a visitor, highlighting its strategic position for exploring the national lakeshore.
Tips for camping with families
Shallow swimming areas: Duck Lake Campground offers family-friendly water access. "The beach here is ideal for children, staying very shallow out to the buoy markers for the swimming area," reports one family camper who appreciated the safe swimming conditions for young children.
Activity scheduling: Timber Ridge schedules regular family programs. "Kids loved the activities they had scheduled. We had no complaints regarding our weekend here! Staff was all Great. Had a well stocked camp store," notes a family who found enough to do without leaving the property.
Weather preparations: Northern Michigan cabin campers should bring layers even in summer. "We stayed in this cabin for an art retreat and loved it. Slept like a log," comments a visitor who found the nights comfortable under the tree canopy. Summer evenings can drop below 60°F even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s.
Tips from RVers
Space limitations at cabin sites: For those considering towing to a cabin site, parking constraints exist. "We had a 23' travel trailer and has plenty of room. Full hook ups including sewer make it very convenient," notes a visitor to Indigo Bluffs who found the space adequate but not spacious.
Off-site amenities: Traverse City State Park Campground cabins offer limited on-site facilities but convenient town access. "Can catch bus for ride into town where there are lots of shops, breweries, etc - very nice town. There is traffic and plane noise," reports one visitor. Public transportation runs every 30 minutes during summer peak season.
Site selection: When booking cabin camping near Cedar, always check site dimensions. "Sites are small and pretty close together but shaded with electric at site and centrally located bathhouse with hot water and well kept," reports a visitor who appreciated the park maintenance despite tight quarters.