Several RV campgrounds near Elberta, Michigan offer camping options from spring through fall, with most closing during Michigan's cold winter season. The region's heavily forested terrain and access to Lake Michigan make it a popular destination for outdoor recreation. Most campgrounds are within 30 miles of Elberta, situated near small towns with access to local attractions.
What to do
Golfing access: For campers who enjoy golf, Vista Green RV Resort offers proximity to local courses. "We ate at Yankee Boy where all of the locals hangout. Excellent food (no alcohol served)," notes one visitor, highlighting the local dining options near the resort.
Trail riding: Manton Trails RV Park provides direct ORV access from campsites. "Great campground. Booked two nights and had to request a third it was so perfect. We went up because it advertised orv access right from campsite. It's really handy to not have to trailer over to the trailheads," shares a camper who appreciated the convenience.
Water recreation: Lake Leelanau RV Park offers access to Lake Leelanau for boating and fishing. "Lake Leelanau is a large enough lake to spend the day exploring, but protected enough for swimming, kayaking, small sailboats, and paddle boarding," states one review. The park includes boat rentals and marina slips for those bringing their own watercraft.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Kampvilla Park receives high marks for cleanliness. "Very clean bathrooms, a pool, park to play and close proximity to lots of things to do," reports one camper. Another notes, "Bath house was very nice with plenty of hot showers with great water pressure. That's a number one seller for me, that and if they are clean, which they were."
Family activities: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort offers extensive recreation options. "We really enjoyed this campground! There was a lot for the kids to do and we never really left the campground the 2 weekend we camped here. The pool is clean. Kids loved the activities they had scheduled," shares one visitor who appreciated the on-site entertainment.
Spacious sites: Many RV parks in the region provide adequately sized sites. "The spaces are tight unless you get into the back rows set back sites. This is a terrific way to solve the tight spacing," mentions one camper about Indigo Bluffs. Another notes about Wild Cherry RV Resort, "Our site, #20, had an improved gravel parking area for camper with a finished concrete pad with a picnic table."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most rv campgrounds near Elberta, Michigan operate from May through October. Lake Leelanau RV Park has a season from "May 1 to Oct 31," while Wild Cherry RV Resort runs "May 1 to October 31." Winter camping options are extremely limited in the area.
Reservation requirements: Booking early is essential, especially for summer weekends. "Hard to get a reservation," notes one review about Poncho's Pond RV Park, indicating the popularity of well-maintained facilities in the region.
Site variations: Sites vary significantly between standard and premium sections. "The sites at this campground are lush with grass, but on the smaller side," reports a camper about Lake Leelanau RV Park. At Indigo Bluffs, "They have everything from basic tent sites to high end sites for newer Class A motorhomes and fifth wheels."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's facilities. "They have all the toys to play in sand, basketballs, volleyballs and such sitting out for all the kids to play with. The indoor pavilion area is great for rainy days," shares a visitor to Kampvilla Park.
Swimming options: Wild Cherry RV Resort has "a tiny beach, fun for an afternoon dip with the kids," according to one reviewer. For more swimming options, Timber Ridge offers "a small pond/beach, pool, jumping pillow, dodgeball, bike trails, ATV trails, crafts, parades, etc."
Off-site attractions: Proximity to natural attractions provides family day-trip options. "The location is close to many nearby attractions, M22, outdoor adventures, beaches, lake, boating rentals, rivers, restaurants, wineries, quaint lakeside towns," notes a camper about their experience at a local RV park.
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Site terrain varies throughout the region. At Pat's RV Park, "We opted for a spot with electric only. The amenities we took advantage of were great!" However, at Wild Cherry RV Resort, one camper noted a "small issue where the drain dump was slightly uphill from the camper, so we had to work with the drain hose to empty tanks."
Seasonal camper presence: Many campgrounds have a mix of transient and seasonal sites. "A large number of campers here are seasonal residents, so keep that in mind if that's not your vibe," advises one reviewer about Lake Leelanau RV Park. Similarly, at Poncho's Pond, "They have quite a few full timers, everyone seems to really love this place."
Shade availability: Tree cover varies significantly between campgrounds and specific sites. "The sites at Indigo Bluffs were quite large, well shaded and spaced a good amount apart," while at Wild Cherry RV Resort, "Only other negative is that there are no trees for the majority of sites for shade cover."
