T
Terry A.
Traveler
TravelerIndian Lake Campground
Walk in Sites
Nice small lake. Sites a little rough
Camping near Custer, MI
237 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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The landscape around Custer, Michigan features a range of camping experiences from established campgrounds to wilderness areas along Lake Michigan and inland waterways. Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness provides dispersed camping opportunities with primitive facilities, while developed options like Poncho's Pond RV Park and Ludington State Park offer more amenities. Several locations accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some properties like Kibby Creek Campground also featuring cabin rentals. The area's mix of public and private campgrounds creates varied price points, from free dispersed sites along Green Road to full-service resort-style camping with modern facilities.
Most campgrounds in the Custer region operate seasonally, typically from April or May through October, with limited winter accessibility. Campers should anticipate varying levels of amenities, from the basic facilities at Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness to full hookups at locations like Vacation Station RV Resort with concrete pads and full-service sites. The region's proximity to Lake Michigan creates a distinct camping season influenced by moderate summer temperatures and potential for spring and fall precipitation. Reservations are recommended during peak summer months, especially for waterfront sites. A visitor noted, "Most were in pretty good shape and not too muddy even though we were there at the end of the camping season."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the region, with sites along Lake Michigan, Pere Marquette River, and various inland lakes receiving consistent praise. Many campgrounds offer direct water access for fishing, paddling, and swimming opportunities. The Pere Marquette River, known for salmon and trout fishing, attracts anglers throughout the season. Developed campgrounds generally maintain clean facilities with regular maintenance. According to one camper, "The park is SUPER clean and well-maintained. Lots of things to do in the park and being in Ludington, lots to do in the area." Mixed-use campgrounds supporting both tent and RV camping are common throughout the region, with varying levels of privacy between sites depending on the property's layout and vegetation.
Best Campgrounds near Custer (237)
1. Cedar Campground — Ludington State Park
"It is situated between Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan with several miles of beautiful shoreline along both lakes."
"You have easy access to Lake Hamlin and Lake Michigan for great swimming. Float down the creek to Lake Michigan or go hiking to the light house."
from $40 - $80 / night
Check Availability2. Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness
"Lake Michigan rec area is adjacent with beach access and trails to walk. Hamlin Lake at Ludington State Park is not far and has an interpretive canoe trail."
"Beautiful campground within walking distance from Lake Michigan and a beautiful beach. Flushable toilets and potable water. No hookups."
from $14 - $27 / night
Check Availability3. Lake Michigan Recreation Area
"It was clean and spacious, with great access to Lake Michigan. The dunes were great for relaxing and offered speculator sunset and star gazing views."
"Very short walk to the beach and very nice bathrooms. Also very close to Nordhouse Dunes (but the beach accessed by the trail in this campground is very beautiful with dunes)."
from $40 - $115 / night
Check Availability4. Sulak Campground
"Great campsite with trails nearby and amazing fishing opportunities! Close to Baldwin!"
"Short 5-10 min walk from the river where we were able to see a ton of spawning salmon. Just be careful walking on the road, locals fly down it."
5. Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road
"Spent a few nights here enjoying Manistee National Forest and Lake Michigan. During our stay we relocated from our original site to a bigger site further down the road heading south."
"This was our first time trying out dispersed camping and this location was perfect! We loved being a short drive away from Lake Michigan and plenty of hiking trails."
6. Kibby Creek Campground
"Close to Lake Michigan and very clean! Will definitely come back"
"Locally there is a few lighthouses, parks, views of Lake Michigan. Ludington Bay Brewing was an excellent place for dinner and a drink."
from $40 - $160 / night
Check Availability7. Poncho's Pond RV Park
"There are a few trees among the tent sites but they are not very private and located near the garbage dumpsters/recycle bins and on a main exit thoroughfare. "
"Conveniently located close to downtown Ludington Michigan."
8. Pines Campground — Ludington State Park
"We could walk right from our campsite up the sandy hills to see Lake Michigan in the distance. We went paddle boarding and biking, hiking and swimming. There is just so much to do there."
"It also has a nice general store close by as well as a nice Bathroom area with large clean restrooms and showers."
from $45 - $80 / night
Check Availability9. Cartier Park Campground
"Nice campground, very close to Ludington and Lake Michigan Beaches. Well maintained and friendly staff too."
"Site is right next to the road and loud at times from traffic. (Annoying) Our friends used site 32 with no issues, site 33 is right next to a fence with the cemetery on the other side."
10. Mears State Park Campground
"Clean facilities and closely located to Lake Michigan. Only drawback was how close the sites were to each other."
"Awesome location for camping, and is right on Lake Michigan. However, there is no grass and is pretty much all sand. As long as that doesn’t bother you, you will have a great time camping here."
from $45 - $236 / night
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Drive Time
- 56 min from Muskegon, MI
- 1 hr 26 min from Grand Rapids, MI
- 1 hr 27 min from Traverse City, MI
- 3 hrs 11 min from Sheboygan, WI
Recent Camping Photos near Custer, MI
391 Photos of 237 Custer Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Riverside Park Campground
Henry's Landing CampgroundT
Whelan Lake CampgroundN
Elk Canoe Campground
Ludington East - Pere Marquette River KOA
Poncho's Pond RV Park
Ludington East KOAL
Manistee National Forest Sulak Campground
Mason County CampgroundE
Kibby Creek Campground
Lakeview Campsite
Cartier Park Campground
Recent Reviews near Custer, MI
991 Reviews of 237 Custer Campgrounds
- TTerry A.Traveler
Twinwood Lake Campground
Very Private
Only 5 sites has a boat launch to a small lake
- TTerry A.Traveler
Platte River State Forest
Platte River
Nice on the river easy access. Shady sites not on top each other. Barred owl not even dark
- TTerry A.Traveler
Old Grade Campground
Little Manistee
Old Grade Campground awesome. Barred Owl and a pack of coyotes yipping in the middle of the nite very close. Nice site too on the water
- Michelle B.
ScoutIvan’s Campground
Hidden Gem in Baldwin Michigan
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We stayed at Ivan’s Campground& Cabins in Baldwin over Labor Day weekend and had a wonderful experience. We were in Site 5 with 30-amp electric and water. The site was spacious, level, easy to get into, and had plenty of shade. The entire campground was very clean, quiet, and quaint. The bathrooms and showers were especially clean and well maintained. The campground also has a camp store, firewood available, picnic tables, and other conveniences that make your stay comfortable. What really stood out to us, though, were the owners, Melissa and CD Taylor. They are incredibly friendly and welcoming and were very present around the campground. We regularly saw them taking care of the property, picking things up, and making sure everything was in good shape. They were always willing to lend a hand or answer a question. They were also happy to share information about local fishing spots, ORV trails, and other things to do in the Baldwin area. The atmosphere is peaceful, laid-back, family-friendly, and very welcoming. If you're looking for a quiet campground where you can relax and where the owners genuinely care about their guests and their property, this is a great place to stay. We enjoyed our stay so much that we're already planning our next trip back! Highly recommend Ivan’s Campground& Cabins.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Devin T.TravelerRainbow Camp
Rainbow Camp
It’s an easy camp to get your car tucked in but the road is used. Unsure if it was other campers or people using the end of the road as a landing. We didn’t get bothered and slept well also.
- Emily S.Traveler
Platte River State Forest
Relaxing river stay
Was able to find a nice clean area! Can walk to a small river about 200 yards away!
- GGayle B.
GuideTurtle Lake Campground
RV park not great for tent camping
Cute RV park, mostly people set up to stay the summer. Called ahead, was offered a “lake view” site for an extra $10. Arrived, site was at the very front, between two roads, like sleeping in a fishbowl. We were across a road and grassy patch and canoe storage from the lake. We could in fact see it, but lake view was really a stretch. Our site was at least two city blocks from a very small bath house. We camped on a site with no trees, no privacy and a hike to the shower room. Not recommended for tent camping.
- mmickScout
Pines Campground — Ludington State Park
Ludington State Park
Nice Park with a nice river and Lake Michigan nearby. Lovely sand dunes too. Family oriented with lots of kids having fun riding bikes etc. tents and rv’s welcome. The town of Ludington is a quintessential lake town with all the places to eat and shop you’d expect. Highly recommended.
Guide to Custer
The landscape surrounding Custer, Michigan sits about 700 feet above sea level in the western portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Winter temperatures typically range from 15-30°F, while summer averages between 65-80°F. Several campgrounds in the area offer fishing access to the Pere Marquette River, known for its cold-water fishery that supports trout, salmon, and steelhead runs through different seasons.
What to do
Hike the dunes: At Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, visitors can explore Michigan's only federally designated wilderness area within the Lower Peninsula. "This is a 2 mile hike in beach spot with beautiful views. Lots of variation in how great each spot is, but absolutely worth it. No amenities at all. Great beach walks on lake Michigan," shares Nicole B.
Fish for salmon: The Pere Marquette River near Sulak Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities during fall spawning season. "Spent 2 nights here and it was awesome. Privacy between campsites but not much from the road itself. Short 5-10 min walk from the river where we were able to see a ton of spawning salmon," notes Hunter G.
Winter camping: The area offers year-round camping options with heated facilities. "Winter camped in Pines Mini Cabin. Bunk beds with one a double- sleeps 5 total. Heat, electricity, mini fridge, microwave, table and 4 chairs. Well built and very clean. Outside fire pit and BBQ grill for summer. Awesome trails for hiking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing," reports Kathie M.
What campers like
Beach access: Lake Michigan's sandy shores are a major draw. "Beautiful and diverse spots! Awesome beach and/or forest locations for camping! Spots near the parking are but also some spots you can hike to. Beautiful all around. And pet friendly!" explains Clair M. about Lake Michigan Recreation Area.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spaciousness at certain campgrounds. "Not a bad spot. Only 3 people here week of Memorial Day. Sites aren't bad. All will accommodate at 25ft RV and some a 30. Sites have picnic table and fire ring with cooking (rusty) thing over it," according to Jordan A.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers can find no-cost sites. "There are plenty of really rustic pull-offs north and south of those coordinates on Green Rd. There are actually quite a few that are harder to find or even get a vehicle to without 4WD, but most of it is easily accessible in a 2WD vehicle," notes Andrew G. about Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connection can be spotty throughout the region. "A beautiful Park with lots of biodiversity. Miles of hiking trails that take you through dense forests into sand dunes and then the beach and lake shore. Biggest downfall was lack of cell service. Verizon and AT&T were slim to none in the campground. Had to drive into town for work," reports Jim & Sarah S.
Crowded summer weekends: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. "The walk from the parking lot wasn't bad. Due to how busy it was, we ended up parking a half mile down the road. By the time we left there was about a mile of cars parked after us. Seems to be a very busy spot on the weekends," shares Bradley B.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Custer, MI?
What camping is available near Custer, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Custer, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 237 campgrounds and RV parks near Custer, MI and 12 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Custer, MI?
Which is the most popular campground near Custer, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Custer, MI is Cedar Campground — Ludington State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 42 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Custer, MI?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Custer, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Custer, MI.
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