Cabin camping near Conway, Michigan offers camping options across several temperature zones due to the area's location near Lake Michigan, which moderates summer temperatures. The inland lakes of Pickerel Lake and Lake Charlevoix provide additional water recreation opportunities with summer water temperatures typically reaching 70-75°F. Cabin options range from basic structures to premium lakeside accommodations with varying levels of amenities depending on location.
What to do
Beach activities at Petoskey State Park: The beach at Petoskey State Park features both stone and sand areas with clear water that's popular for swimming and hunting Petoskey stones. "The beach is really nice and looks like the ocean. The water is very clear and has lots of small colorful pebbles and Petoskey rocks. We enjoyed walking up and down the beach looking for these fossils," notes one visitor at Petoskey State Park Campground.
Biking on local trails: The Little Traverse Wheelway stretches 23.5 miles from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix, offering scenic rides along the shoreline. A camper at Magnus Park Campground mentioned, "The town has a great bikeway path for pedaling to Charlevoix in one direction and Harbor Springs to the other direction." Several trails connect directly to campgrounds in the area.
Stargazing at designated dark sky areas: The region offers exceptional night sky viewing opportunities, especially at Wilderness State Park. "Best star gazing in the LP. If you want to explore some gorgeous dark night skies in Northern Michigan, I suggest checking it out," shares one visitor. For meteor showers, a camper recommends, "Worth sleeping on the beach during meteor shows."
Fishing in inland lakes: Multiple lakes in the Conway area provide good fishing opportunities. Pickerel Lake at Camp Petosega is known for "game species like largemouth bass, walleye, pike and trout being favorite target species." The 1,080-acre lake has a floating dock that extends into the water for easy access.
What campers like
Proximity to towns and attractions: Many campgrounds offer convenient access to nearby towns. "Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga offers a very remote feel yet it is only 15-20 minutes from Petoskey, Michigan," writes one camper. Another mentions Magnus Park is "convenient to downtown Petoskey but the traffic on Hwy. 31 can be horrible at peak times."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain clean shower and bathroom facilities. At Indian River RV Resort, "The bathroom and shower facilities were clean and in working order and just a short walk from any site." Another visitor noted, "We used the campground showers and they were clean and well maintained."
Variety of camping cabins: The region offers diverse cabin options. "The KOA campground is close to Petoskey, but outside town enough to be a bit quiet. There is a stream that runs through the middle of the cabins for a peaceful setting," explains a visitor at Petoskey KOA. Some cabins include amenities like electric heaters for cooler weather.
Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds frequently offer scheduled events for families. "We were here for the halloween weekend. They did a great job with the trick or treating by shutting down all vehicle traffic and by having a site decorating contest," shares a camper at Petoskey KOA. Swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities are available at several locations.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Bug activity varies by season and location. "Very buggy in June, come prepared," warns a visitor to Wilderness State Park Camping. Another camper noted, "Gnats and fishflies were bad while we were there" at Aloha State Park Campground.
Site spacing and privacy: Site dimensions and spacing between campsites vary significantly across campgrounds. One camper at Young State Park Campground observed, "Sites are close together and the park has a very crowded feel." Another noted that Camp Petosega has "nice privacy" with smaller sites having "nice privacy."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak season. Some implement minimum stay requirements: "There is a two night minimum" at Camp Petosega. State parks can be reserved through the Michigan DNR website, while private campgrounds have their own reservation systems.
Water levels affect some sites: Lake levels can impact waterfront sites. A visitor to Young State Park noted, "waterside sites which were flooded due to the high lake levels lately." Check current conditions when booking waterfront sites.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated kid-friendly spaces: Several campgrounds offer specific amenities for children. "There was a small playground for the kids. There was also a nice heated pool for them to swim in," reports a visitor to Mackinaw City/Mackinac Island KOA. Young State Park has "a large beach area with concessions, boat launch, picnic area, playground, baseball diamond, basketball courts, and fishing pier."
Consider cabin options for easier family trips: Cabins reduce packing requirements for families. "We've chosen to rent a cabin. Simple yet clean," notes a visitor to Petoskey KOA. Some cabins include amenities like patios, grills, and furniture, though bedding and pillows are typically not provided.
Check site layouts when traveling with multiple families: Some campgrounds offer buddy sites designed for group camping. Indian River RV Resort includes "'buddy sites' so families and friends can face each other" which helps create shared spaces for group activities.
Verify bathroom proximity: When traveling with children, bathroom location matters. The Michigan DNR reservation system provides details including "distance to restrooms" for state park cabins and sites, which helps families select appropriate locations based on their needs.
Tips from RVers
Site surface types vary by campground: RV sites range from gravel to paved surfaces. "Sites were level, paved and had a paved patio and was full hook-up with cable and WiFi," reports one RVer about Petoskey KOA. At Magnus Park Campground, sites were described as "somewhat unlevel but blocks worked."
Premium sites offer enhanced amenities: Some campgrounds offer upgraded RV sites. At Indian River RV Resort, "'premium' sites include options like concrete/brick patios, paved sites, pergolas, BBQ grills, etc." These sites typically cost more but provide additional comfort features.
Check for escort services when arriving: Several campgrounds assist with site setup. "Owners lead you to your site and assist getting your rig lined up with water/sewer connections," notes one RVer about Indian River RV Resort, which can be helpful for those less experienced with backing into sites.
Verify capacity for larger rigs: Site dimensions vary significantly across campgrounds. Petoskey RV Resort accommodates larger Class A motorhomes, while Camp Petosega notes they are "NO big-rig-friendly" in their amenities list. Check length restrictions before booking.