4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Betsie River Campsite and Camp Squid Off The Grid offer distinctive glamping accommodations set within Michigan's northern countryside. Both locations house comfortable yurts and custom cabins that provide modern comforts while maintaining an outdoor experience. Camp Squid features thoughtfully designed spaces with access to free morning coffee and comfortable sleeping arrangements, making it ideal for visitors seeking a unique retreat. The glamping campsites around Elberta provide easy access to Crystal Lake, Lake Michigan beaches, and the Betsie River. Both campgrounds include drinking water, toilets, and showers while maintaining their off-grid charm. "Kendra and her team have created a unique glamping experience in northern Michigan. They have thoughtfully designed spaces that are comfortable and fun," one guest shared.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore lies within easy driving distance of these glamping destinations, offering spectacular hiking and scenic views. The boutique accommodations serve as excellent base camps for exploring the charming waterfront town of Frankfort with its lighthouse, marina, shops, and restaurants. Guests can take advantage of the nearby paved bike path that connects directly to Frankfort from Betsie River Campsite. The glamping pods provide a more comfortable alternative to traditional camping while maintaining a connection to the natural surroundings. According to a visitor, "We stayed in 2 yurts and were comfortable in the summer. Kendra is planning to add further dwellings over the next year to make winter stays more possible." Most glamping sites in the area operate seasonally, with peak availability from late spring through mid-fall, when northern Michigan's outdoor recreation opportunities are at their finest.
"All sites have electric. They have lots of little cute cabins through the park as well. They have a small simple playground that my kids loved! Super close to Lake Michigan and the river."
"Location is close to so many great towns and attractions: Glen Arbor/Sleeping Bear Dunes, many Lake Michigan beaches, kayaking/canoeing/tubing river trips, great fishing if that's your thing."
from $33 - $85 / night
"Pretty standard Michigan State Park campground. Nice staff. Park maintenance is currently building a wood fence to keep folks away from steep bluff edge. Views of Lake Michigan fairly limited."
"Ideal location to explore Manistee county, just north of city. The trolley bus offers rides to town and back. New bath house, updated facilities and most sites include electric."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $36 - $120 / night
"Family friendly, there is fishing and canoeing, fire pits and swimming in the lake. They have a camp for horses too."
"Turtle Lake is a perfect mix of campers! Very family friendly, but spaced out well enough for privacy. They have a nice beach area and areas to fish. All sites provide a good amount of shade."
"Kendra and her team have created a unique glamping experience in northern Michigan. They have thoughtfully designed spaces that are comfortable and fun."
"Stayed here for a few night whilst visiting friends at Crystal Lake. The Camp Squid team were at hand to solve and issues."
from $135 - $499 / night
"If you are looking for rugged, wilderness / secluded camping its probably not your place but for everyone else it's a hidden gem. Nice spots both on the river show and across the road. "
"The campsite next to us was empty except for a pontoon boat and a float that were parked there."
from $30 - $45 / night
"Typical rustic camper, so camping close to others is not my typical cup of tea, but I messed up my rustic campsite reservation by week and managed to get the last open spot for the weekend in the main"
"Just spent 5 nights at site 185 that borders along the north trail. Had an issue with noise one night but a ranger took care of it. Buildings were clean and staff was very nice."
from $27 - $90 / night
"little tricky to get to but if you have a vehicle good for two tracking you shoukd be fine. we stayed at the 5th spot we seen because it is an active location. spots were occupied and a few cars drove"
"Trails and a sizeable lake made it even better. Great location and only about 15 minutes from Sleeping Bear dunes."
"We opt for the hike-in sites because they're very spacious and private, with easy access to Lake Michigan. There are 10 backcountry sites, which share two pit toilets and a water pump."
"Cabins with bunks (will sleep 5 total), mini fridge, electricity and heat. Outside pit toilet. Hiking trails are some of the best."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $60 / night
"A short walk from the camping loops, the dunes open to the amazing shore of Lake Michigan. Take a stroll on the sandy beaches or wade into the sandy-bottom cool waters of the lake."
"Lake MI Rec area is a perfect spot for rustic camping close to Lake MI. Sites are nicely sized and well spaced from each other. A 10 minute-ish level walk leads to a beautiful Lake MI beach."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $40 - $115 / night
"Campground has lake access on silver lake, very nice. Rented a pontoon boat from an outside company and spent the day on the beautiful lake. Staff is friendly and helpful."
"Was able to check in early...because campers had checked out early and they had time to check the site...very clean...close to all the great sites around Traverse City...the only thing was where our site"
TravelerThis is a beautiful park for a getaway ( hiking, fishing and the beach. )Cell service here is VERY limited ( if at all) and little to no OTA television
TravelerIt’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.
GuideCute 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.
ScoutI had previously read reviews about the bathrooms being less than desirable. If you’re not downwind, it isn’t so bad. They are definitely not maintained as well as other state campgrounds we’ve been to in the past.
You are central to ORV trails, so at times you can hear those passing through, otherwise a few neighbors driving through here and there and quiet the rest of the time.
The dock is out of order, but there are other ways of reaching the river.
We came for fly fishing, and were told the fish are all stopped at a damn right now. That would have been nice to know before planning a fly fishing trip for that specific river. 😫
Still rating it a four, it would have been amazing if we could have fished.
ScoutNice 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.
GuideIdeal location to explore Manistee county, just north of city. The trolley bus offers rides to town and back. New bath house, updated facilities and most sites include electric. Nice hiking trails across the road, the outer loop is a 2mile walk. Just north of here are the largest sequoia trees east of the Mississippi River. Park offers Hammocks for daytime use over looking the Lk Michigan bluffline. Pet friendly.
GuideInterlochen SP is one of my favs. Very low key, quiet camping. The bath houses are clean and well kept, rangers are helpful and you're so close to Traverse City for day trips or seasonal outdoor concerts across the road at World Class Interlochen Center for the Arts. Great CG for fishing, swimming & boating on Duck Lake. I would have given them a 5 if there were someplace to fish from shore. enjoy
ScoutI have been a returning guest at Timber Ridge RV& Recreation Resort for two years, and until now, I genuinely believed this campground would become my family’s yearly vacation spot. We enjoyed the amenities, the convenience of the on‑site store, and the community atmosphere. My husband and I even brought additional guests with us and encouraged others to stay here. The Halloween activities were especially memorable for my grandkids, and for a long time, Timber Ridge felt like a second home. Unfortunately, my recent experience with their strict cancellation policy has changed my view of the park entirely. Timber Ridge enforces a non‑refundable policy for any reservation canceled within 30 days of arrival, regardless of circumstances. This policy is applied exactly as written, with no flexibility. Even when cancellations are caused by unavoidable life events— such as work obligations or family emergencies— Timber Ridge does not offer partial refunds, reduced fees, credits, or reasonable compromises. In 2022, management exercised discretion and issued me a partial refund with a$25 processing fee, even though that cancellation was also inside the 30‑day window. That experience made me believe Timber Ridge valued loyalty and understood that life can be unpredictable. However, they have now stated that this past accommodation does not set any precedent, and they no longer consider similar situations eligible for exceptions. Their current stance reflects a strictly business‑first approach, with no meaningful consideration for returning guests or individual circumstances. I also attempted to negotiate a fair compromise that would benefit both myself and the business— including partial credit, a reduced refund, or a courtesy reschedule. My attempt at negotiation was ignored entirely, and their reply treated the suggestion as though it were inappropriate. Their emails included snide, dismissive remarks that reframed my words, minimized my reservation history, and implied I had mischaracterized my experience. This tone made it clear that customer‑focused problem‑solving is no longer part of their approach. The FAQ mentions the possibility of a one‑time courtesy reschedule, but Timber Ridge clarified that this is optional and not guaranteed. In my case, no reschedule, credit, or refund was offered. While I understand the need for clear policies, the rigid enforcement of this one— without empathy, discretion, or any willingness to work with guests— significantly impacts the guest experience. Policies that prioritize revenue protection over customer satisfaction can discourage repeat visitors and undermine the sense of community that many families value in a long‑term camping destination. Based on this experience, I will be seeking other accommodations in the future. I hope Timber Ridge considers how strictly applying this policy affects guests who previously viewed the resort as a second home.
TravelerThe park has 53 campsites I was satisfied with site size and separation from other sites. Camped on a Ridge View site. Site had picnic table and firepit.
I normally don't use electric hook-up, but all sites had them. There are scenic paths down to Elk Lake. The bathhouse has showers and restrooms. All were clean and showers had ample hot water. Some people have complained about only one bathhouse. Normally camping in rustic or dispersed areas I had no problem with that. I thought $45. was expensive for a township park but I guess it was in line with other parks' sites having electric hook-ups. As I said I normally do rustic or in dispersed camping. There are no water hook ups but there is a water fill station next to bathhouse. and 2 others near office. The campground has a dump station. It also has a boat launch with a large parking area in the lower park area. The campground was well kept.
The Township Park is only 10 miles, or 15 minutes west of Elk River where the Paddle Antrim group have a recently completed a beautiful Kayak/Paddle board launch site which is part of the "Chain of Lakes Waterway," at Rotary Park. It has wonderful water access with a handicap or "Easi-launch". There are also restrooms and a boat-wash and a posted map.
I was there for a celebration of that completion.
The only other campground close is expensive, (I believe the cheapest site was $75 per night), and packed tightly.
Dispersed camping options near Elberta provide ready access to Lake Michigan's eastern shore, sitting at approximately 600 feet above sea level. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak camping months from June through August. Winter brings significant snowfall, making most glamping facilities seasonal operations that close by mid-October.
Beach access at Lake Michigan Recreation Area: Just 30 miles south of Elberta, this rustic campground offers spacious sites with toilet facilities. "A 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)," notes Rachael S. after her stay at Lake Michigan Recreation Area.
Hiking trails to lighthouses: Many campgrounds provide access to coastal trails leading to historic lighthouses. "The hike to Big Sable Lighthouse was beautiful as it wound through the woods and out over the dunes," shares a camper from Ludington. The northern Michigan coastline features multiple lighthouse access points that offer different perspectives of Lake Michigan.
Biking on paved trails: Campers staying near Frankfort can enjoy easy biking access to town. "There is a paved trail that runs by the campground, and it's less than a 3 mile walk/bike ride to downtown Frankfort and the lakeshore, which has a ton of things to do," explains Chris W. after visiting Betsie River Campsite.
Morning cafe service: Several sites near Elberta offer more than basic camping amenities. "There is a DELICIOUS little café serving up inexpensive, filling breakfasts each morning," writes Allison H. about Betsie River Campsite. This convenience adds value for glampers not wanting to cook every meal.
Family-friendly atmosphere: The area draws many families during summer months. "This tiny little family owned campground is one of our favorites. The sites are smaller, but comfortable with lots of shade trees and a handful of cabins," notes another camper. Most glamping facilities operate with families in mind, offering communal spaces and activities.
Lake and river recreation options: Campers enjoy multiple water access points. "This campground feels like campgrounds should! Location is close to so many great towns and attractions: Glen Arbor/Sleeping Bear Dunes, many Lake Michigan beaches, kayaking/canoeing/tubing river trips, great fishing if that's your thing," reports Debra O. The variety of water bodies provides different experience levels for paddlers.
Site proximity considerations: Many campgrounds in the region feature close quarters. "The sites are pretty close together, and with many people having a boat, and/or extra canopies, etc., on their sites, it seemed so very crowded," cautions Deb M. about Turtle Lake Campground. When glamping in Elberta, research site layout before booking.
Seasonal operation limitations: Most glamping operations close by mid-fall. "We stayed in 2 yurts and were comfortable in the summer," shares one visitor. Facilities typically operate from May through October, with limited winter availability in the region.
Water access challenges: Lake Michigan water levels fluctuate. "Due to erosion, the stairs to the beach have been closed which forces campers to conglomerate even more closely together," notes one reviewer about a nearby state park. Check beach access conditions when booking glamping accommodations around Elberta.
Playground facilities: Certain campgrounds offer better facilities for children. "What I liked best about this park was that my children were not caked in dirt. While I understand that comes with the territory of camping, this campground provides a bit more of a grassy setting and offers a nice playground," writes Ann D. about Northern Exposure Campground.
Swimming options for children: When glamping with kids near Elberta, consider beach safety. "The beach here is ideal for children, staying very shallow out to the bouy markers for the swimming area," notes Edward C. about a nearby state park. Lake Michigan can have strong currents, making inland lakes safer alternatives for younger swimmers.
Evening activities: Some campgrounds organize special events. "Nicely equipped playground and evening activities at the Camp Store/Office on special weekends," mentions Anne G. These structured activities provide entertainment options when glamping with children in the Elberta region.
Site leveling realities: RVers should be prepared for uneven terrain. "Sites look level but it's deceiving," warns Sharon H. about one nearby campground. When glamping in an RV near Elberta, bring leveling blocks and stabilizers.
Electric service limitations: Power capabilities vary between sites. "Some sites only have 20 amp service," reports Kristine E. Most glamping facilities provide electric hookups, but capacity differences can affect which appliances you can run simultaneously.
Reservation timing strategy: The popularity of glamping in Elberta means planning ahead. "If you make plans, book early," advises George W. about Holiday Park Campground. The most desirable sites at glamping facilities typically book 6-9 months in advance, especially for summer weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Elberta, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Elberta, MI is Betsie River Campsite with a 4.6-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Elberta, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 36 glamping camping locations near Elberta, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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