The area surrounding Custer, Michigan offers camping experiences near Lake Michigan's eastern shore, with campsites nestled between sandy beaches and forested terrain. Seasonal operation generally spans from April through October in this region, with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak camping months. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 600-700 feet above sea level, creating moderate terrain suitable for various camping setups.
What to do
Water recreation access: White River RV Park & Campground provides direct river access for various water activities. "We loved this campground! We brought our kayaks and just brought one vehicle up the river to the start point to put in and got out right at the campground," notes one visitor about the convenient paddling setup.
Hiking trails nearby: Many campgrounds in the Custer region connect to trail systems for day hikes. "Ludington State Park is about 15 minutes away and has miles and miles of hiking trails and beach access," mentions a camper about the trails accessible from nearby camping areas.
Family activities: Hill & Hollow Campground offers multiple recreation options within walking distance. "There is a pavilion that serves hot food and ice cream (hot food ends at 5pm/ice cream till sunset). Our kids loved walking in town and heading to the beach," explains one visitor about the food options and activities.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Kampvilla Park receives consistent praise for maintenance standards. "Extremely clean bathrooms n showers. So much to do right here at the campground. Very visible and friendly," reports one guest highlighting the cleanliness that exceeds expectations.
Fishing opportunities: Some campgrounds provide dedicated fishing spots with convenient facilities. "There is a stocked pond on the property but it is only for kids (17 and under) to fish in," explains a visitor about the family fishing setup at one location.
Spacious sites: Vacation Station RV Resort provides well-designed sites for comfortable camping. "The park is SUPER clean and well-maintained. 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 a camper about the attention to site maintenance.
What you should know
Reservation timing: During peak season (June-September), most campgrounds fill quickly. "Hard to get a reservation," comments one visitor about the popularity of certain locations during summer months.
Road conditions: Interior roads at some campgrounds remain unpaved. "The sites were so dirty and dusty as everything is dirt including the roads," warns one camper about dust issues affecting comfort during dry conditions.
Visitor policies: Some campgrounds maintain strict day visitor policies with fees. "They are extremely strict on their visitor policy. We had some friends show up that were camping near by...The office wouldn't let them in unless they paid $5 per person which would of cost them $30," explains one camper about unexpected costs for guests.
Seasonal limitations: Twin Oaks RV Campground operates from April through November with varying amenities based on season. "Campground offers rustic sites and electric and water and can be enjoyed by tent campers and large RVs. I love the wooded rustic sites!" notes a visitor about the range of accommodation options.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Many campgrounds schedule seasonal events for children. "We stay during their Halloween weekend. They had all kinds of activities going on including haunted hayrides, trick-or-treating, and site decorating contest," shares a visitor about special weekend programming.
Pool access: Several facilities maintain heated pools extending the swimming season. "There are three heated pool on the property – two outdoor and one indoor with and two spas. Since we were there in mid-October the outdoor pools were closed but the indoor hot tub and pool were open," explains one camper about the extended-season water amenities.
Playground options: Sun Retreats Silver Lake and several other campgrounds provide dedicated play areas. "The playground on the beach is perfect for younger kids," notes a visitor about age-appropriate recreational facilities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For larger RVs, requesting specific areas improves the experience. "Also loved that they gave us a choice of sites and let us drive around the campground (in their golf cart) and pick out the one we wanted," shares one RV camper about the selection process.
Hookup configurations: Most rv camping near Custer offers various utility connections. "All 257 sites are full hook-up (with cable), level, and have paved patios and for a $2 up charge you can get a paved site," explains one camper about the hookup options.
Laundry facilities: Some campgrounds provide on-site laundry with monitoring systems. "One of the cable television stations displays security camera footage around the property which was nice because I could see how full the laundry was before carrying all my stuff there," notes an RVer about the convenient amenity tracking system.
Winter storage: Most campgrounds in the Custer area do not offer off-season RV storage options, requiring seasonal relocation planning for long-term visitors.
