Cabins near Custer, Michigan offer woodland retreats throughout the year with various levels of amenities. Located in Mason County along Lake Michigan's eastern shore, the area sits at approximately 650 feet elevation and experiences four distinct seasons. Winter accommodations remain limited as most seasonal cabin rentals operate from April through October when temperatures range from 50-85°F.
What to do
Hiking trails: Access miles of trails at Ludington State Park where visitors explore diverse ecosystems. "Miles and miles of hiking trails, dunes, and beaches. We stayed for 9 days and still hadn't done all of the exploring we wanted to do," notes Ellie C.
Water activities: Bring kayaks or canoes to Whispering Surf Campground at Bass Lake for dual-lake access. "We enjoyed renting kayaks from the campground and paddling along bass lake," shares Hailey C., adding that the campground offers "a private beach on Bass Lake--great fishing, sandy bottom, kayak and canoe rentals--plus 2 Lake Michigan beaches within walking distance."
Winter recreation: Some cabins remain available during colder months at Ludington State Park. "Winter camped in Pines Mini Cabin. Bunk beds with one a double- sleeps 5 total. Heat, electricity, mini fridge, microwave, table and 4 chairs," reports Kathie M., who enjoyed "awesome trails for hiking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing."
What campers like
Dual water access: Cabin sites at Whispering Surf Campground provide access to both Bass Lake and Lake Michigan. Greg S. describes, "You can paddle through Bass Lake and into the river straight down to the dam at the big lake, where you are met with beautiful dunes and a little swimming hole."
Exceptional cleanliness: Many cabin campers highlight the maintenance standards at Kibby Creek Campground. "The bathrooms are modern, updated, and so clean! There are two sets of bathrooms-one attached to the general store, which has 2 bathroom stalls and one small shower. The other bathroom further into the campground is larger," notes Amanda L.
Recreational amenities: On-site activities provide entertainment without leaving the campground. "There are two basketball courts (half courts), a volleyball court, shuffle board, mini golf, a pool, a train ride for kids, a private fishing pond, playgrounds, sand boxes, and various other planned activities," according to a Kibby Creek visitor.
What you should know
Shower facilities: Different campgrounds have varying shower policies. At Mason County Campground, "showers are .25 per 7 minutes," according to Heather N., while other facilities include shower costs in cabin rental fees.
Seasonal availability: Most cabins operate within limited windows. Hill & Hollow Campground runs "May 1 to Oct 31," while Vacation Station RV Resort operates "April 15 to October 31," making advance reservations essential for summer stays.
Beach access changes: Water levels affect beach availability near some cabins. At Orchard Beach State Park, "due to high waters the past few years there is no beach," reports Joie V., though it "is still a family favorite and perfect if you want to go into Manistee."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated play areas: Hill & Hollow Campground offers multiple child-friendly facilities. "There is plenty to do at the campground. Outdoor pool, AJs (putt-putt golf, arcade, playground, go-karts) extra fee for AJs but reasonable priced, basketball court, volleyball court, small baseball diamond," shares Melissa M.
Choose single-loop layouts: Some cabin areas provide safer environments for children. "The campground is in a single loop, perfect for bike riding. We've never once had an issue with people getting rowdy or experienced a 'party crowd,'" explains Bridgette W. about Mason County Campground.
Consider proximity to medical facilities: Cabins closer to Ludington provide faster access to healthcare. Vacation Station sits approximately 15 minutes from Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital, while more remote cabins may require 30+ minute drives for emergency care.
Tips from RVers
Concrete pads at premium sites: Vacation Station RV Resort offers the most stable surfaces for cabin and RV camping. "All sites are level concrete slabs and full service. Grass is trimmed around the pads, they have sprinklers that water the grass at night," notes Bob D.
Download campground apps: Some locations offer digital services for convenience. At Kibby Creek, "If you download the campersAPP, you can even have things from the store or wood delivered to your site! It was incredible and convenient," explains Amanda L.
Check site dimensions carefully: Space constraints exist at some cabin campgrounds. At Cartier Park Campground, "it was terrible. Loud traffic, very close and down hill. It was a bit dangerous for kids running around," warns one visitor about roadside cabin sites.
