Glamping experiences near Eastport, Michigan center around the lake-rich region of Antrim County where elevations range from 600-1,300 feet above sea level. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak camping season between June and August. Most glamping sites remain open from May through October, though some resorts extend availability into early November depending on weather conditions.
What to do
Water sports at Elk Lake: Whitewater Township Park offers excellent boat launch facilities on Elk Lake with direct access to Torch River and Torch Lake. "We just visited this campground this past weekend and it was beautiful! I loved the clear blue water down the big dropoff hill and how heavily wooded this entire park was," notes reviewer Kelsey P.
Winery tours: Located on Michigan's 45th parallel (same as renowned European wine regions), the area boasts numerous wineries within biking distance. A visitor to Wild Cherry RV Resort shared, "The park is in a perfect location to explore the towns of Leland (and Fishtown), Lake Leelanau, Northport, and Sutton's Bay...There are three wineries within a couple of miles (one is just across the street from the entrance)."
Hiking trails: The region offers diverse trail systems through wooded areas. "The campground shares a common area with the lighthouse, walking over to the lighthouse was a fun experience," explains a reviewer at Leelanau State Park Campground. "The views and trails are beautiful, local towns are super cute and easy to get to."
Cycling adventures: The Little Traverse Wheelway stretches 23.5 miles from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix. A visitor to Petoskey KOA mentioned, "We wanted to figure out the best scenic bike route to get into Petoskey and beyond toward Charlevoix to go along the shorelines as much as possible. Customer service is amazing and they printed of a map for us as well."
What campers like
Privacy in wooded settings: Many campers appreciate secluded sites. At Whitewater Township Park Campground, "If you are looking for a no-frills secluded campground with spaced out campsites and beautiful views this is the place for you. It does not have a lot of extras but for a peaceful camping trip it has everything you need."
Lakefront access: Sites with water views remain in high demand. "Nice clean campground with a lot to do in that area. Full hookup only," notes a visitor to Wild Cherry RV Resort, which features man-made ponds and nearby lake access.
Clean facilities: Many glamping accommodations offer premium bathroom facilities. One reviewer at Thurston Park Campground stated, "Nice clean private restrooms with awesome showers that are good and hot!! About half the sites seem to be waterfront and are kind of close to one another but that didn't effect us much."
Proximity to towns: The convenience of nearby services appeals to many glampers. A guest at Young State Park Campground shared, "The pros about this park are the easy access to Lake Charlevoix and being just a few miles from Boyne City (which has a great weekly farmers market, delicious food and beer at 7 Monks Tap Room, and a weekly Friday 'Stroll the Streets' with live music)."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most glamping sites book quickly, especially waterfront locations. "Reservations can be made on-line via the Michigan DNR site. The advantage of making reservations online is that you get a really good description of the site which includes length, width, hook-ups, amount of shade, length of site, distance to restrooms, and best of all - pictures," advises a Young State Park visitor.
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for local wildlife. At Leelanau State Park, one camper noted, "Perfect views, secluded sites and hilariously aggressive squirrels." Another camper mentioned, "raccoons are insane! They are not afraid of anything. We were very good about putting everything away so we only had them visit our site a few times."
Seasonal considerations: Weather can impact glamping experiences. A visitor to Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort mentioned, "We were here off season, daily rate was $40. There is a lot to do in this park, zip line, pool, walking trail, lake."
Varying levels of amenities: Glamping accommodations range from basic to luxurious. "This is not a typical campground for people looking to get lost in the woods. There are trails if you want to get away from all the action, however the main campground area is usually quite busy," observed one visitor at Timber Ridge.
Tips for camping with families
Look for organized activities: Some resorts offer structured programming. At Timber Ridge, "There is no shortage of activities here: a small pond/beach, pool, jumping pillow, dodgeball, bike trails, ATV trails, crafts, parades, etc. It's great for the active family, particularly those with elementary & middle school age kids."
Consider playground access: Not all glamping sites have equal play facilities. At Magnus Park Campground, "A short walk across the Little Traverse Wheelway bike trail that stretches 23.5 miles from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix, put you on a small sandy beach begging you to find a few of the elusive Petoskey stones."
Choose sites with beach access: Water activities provide entertainment. "Young State Park has a typical rustic campground feel. The park covers 560 acres which encompasses a campground, hiking trails, a large beach area with concessions, boat launch, picnic area, playground, baseball diamond, basketball courts, and fishing pier."
Plan for groceries: Food supplies are available in nearby towns. "Located on Intermediate lake within walking distance of a grocery store and a ice cream parlor that servers Moomers ice cream. Facilities are basic, but the town is charming and offers a lot of summer activities outdoors," noted a visitor to Thurston Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Choose sites based on your specific needs. "The sites in the Spruce loop don't have a designated 'pad' so you can arrange your RV or tent any way you like. This was the case with groups of friends who had two or three sites and arranged them so they faced each other with a common area in the center," explained a Young State Park visitor.
Utility considerations: Full hookup availability varies widely. "Site, and whole campground was clean and well maintained. Our site was a full hookup but had one small issue where the drain dump was slightly uphill from the camper, so we had to work with the drain hose to empty tanks," explained a Wild Cherry RV Resort camper.
Leveling challenges: Be prepared with leveling equipment. A visitor to Petoskey RV Resort noted, "Our site had a nice paved pad, but it wasn't level and the concrete was painted so we were slipping off the levelers."
Space limitations: Site dimensions vary considerably. "The roads in the campground are pretty narrow and when someone was backing into their site it caused a traffic jam. Sites are close together and the park has a very crowded feel," observed one RVer at Young State Park.
