RV camping near Elmira, Michigan provides access to northern Michigan's diverse lake country and wooded terrain. The area sits at the headwaters of the Sturgeon River with elevations ranging from 800-1,200 feet, creating varying camping microclimates. Summer nights typically cool to the mid-50s even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s, making sleeping conditions comfortable at most campgrounds.
What to Do
Kayaking on nearby lakes: Lake Leelanau RV Park offers direct access to water recreation. "Lake Leelanau is a large enough lake to spend the day exploring, but protected enough for swimming, kayaking, small sailboats, and paddle boarding. Lots of great fishing, cycling, and hiking in the area, too," notes camper Shari G.
Golfing opportunities: The region features several courses within short driving distance. At Vista Green RV Resort, campers mention "the local wineries/vineyards, and the DNR Outdoor Shooting range (5 miles away & free to the public)" as nearby attractions.
Wine tasting tours: Northern Michigan's vineyard region surrounds Elmira. "The campground is located in the heart of wine country, with about 6 vineyards/wineries within 15-20 minutes (all with tasting rooms) and just a short drive to Leland's historic fishing village," according to a Lake Leelanau RV Park visitor.
Trail access for ATVs: Several campgrounds provide direct trail access for off-road vehicles. "Access right to trails. Only 10 mins from the great wine tasting!" reports Jason C. about Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort.
What Campers Like
Clean, modern bathroom facilities: Indian River RV Resort consistently receives praise for maintenance. "We used the campground showers and they were clean and well maintained. Hosts were friendly and the store was stocked with most things you might need," writes Tracy K.
Family-friendly activities: On-site recreation keeps children entertained. "They have an app you can download and do everything from ordering firewood and ice to seeing what's going on during their theme weekends. They kept my kids busy while still allowing for relaxing time," explains Victoria S. about Starlight Campground and RV Park.
Central location for regional exploration: Many campers value proximity to attractions. "This is a nice family-friendly campground. It was centrally located to Mackinac Island and Petoskey, etc," notes a reviewer at Indian River RV Resort.
Peaceful, quiet atmosphere: Smaller campgrounds offer tranquil experiences. "Guests were all very polite and quiet during our visit as well," reports Jaime from Starlight Campground.
What You Should Know
Reservation timing matters: Book well in advance, especially for holiday weekends. "We were searching for a super last minute campground near Traverse City for Memorial Weekend and everything within a quick drive seemed booked," shares one Timber Ridge visitor.
Site leveling may be required: Some campgrounds have uneven sites. At Kalkaska RV Park & Campground, a visitor noted, "Site is gravel and dirt. It is a pull through site that required us to do quite a bit of leveling. The hookups are rather far away so we needed extensions."
Wi-Fi availability varies: Some parks offer free service while others charge. "There is free WiFi. They do not offer Cable TV but there are many local channels," reports a Vista Green camper.
Seasonal operation limitations: Most campgrounds in the region operate May through October. "We camped here and it was an amazing experience! The park was clean and the staff were very nice," writes a Starlight visitor who stayed during the operational season.
Tips for Camping with Families
Look for parks with dedicated recreation areas: Honcho Rest Campground offers "a small playground with a climbing wall. There are also 2 different styles of cabins available for rent, clean bathrooms with showers, and a laundromat on site," according to reviewer Shari G.
Consider parks with swimming options: Water activities keep children entertained. "Swing set, walking trail, ORV trail, pool, volleyball, pickle ball court and other games! This campground is extremely clean and has beautiful bathrooms/showers," notes Jaime at Starlight Campground.
Check for family bathrooms: Individual bathrooms offer privacy for families with small children. At Lake Leelanau RV Park, "The bathrooms are absolutely immaculate and each family bathroom includes a toilet, sink, and shower."
Plan for evening activities: Some parks offer organized entertainment. "Often times when I stay with my grandparents, I will use the campground bathrooms over the camper bathroom because they are SO clean you never have to worry about anything," writes Sarah P. about Honcho Rest Campground.
Tips from RVers
Measure site dimensions before booking: Site sizes vary significantly between parks. "Our site, #20, had an improved gravel parking area for camper with a finished concrete pad with a picnic table," notes Robert T. at Wild Cherry RV Resort.
Check hookup placement: Some sites require extended cords or hoses. "Our site had a nice paved pad, but it wasn't level and the concrete was painted so we were slipping off the levelers," cautions a Petoskey RV Resort visitor.
Verify cellular service: Coverage can be spotty in northern Michigan. "Cellphone service with Verizon was great and WiFi was available at the campground," confirms a Starlight Campground reviewer.
Consider propane fire restrictions: Some parks limit wood fires. At Wild Cherry RV Resort, "Sites are either pull-in (which we had) or back-in. There are no pull-thrus. Set back in a wooded area are a scattering of rustic tent sites, rental cabins and yurts with potable water, grills, fire pits, and picnic tables."