Northern Michigan's Gaylord area sits at around 1,350 feet elevation, making it one of the highest points in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The region receives significant snowfall in winter months, while summer temperatures typically range from 70-80°F during the day. Camping opportunities near Gaylord include traditional tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and several yurt camping options with varying levels of amenities.
What to do
Hiking at Hartwick Pines: Explore old-growth forest trails at Hartwick Pines State Park Campground, home to one of Michigan's largest stands of virgin white pine. "There are lots of trails for biking and hiking, a day use/mucc logging museum that's kinda throughout this one area of woods. Beautiful new and old growth, a couple of nearby lakes, it was beautiful," notes Rachel K.
ATV trail access: Rent equipment directly at Chandler Hill Campground to explore the extensive northern Michigan trail system. "Nice campground. The hosts were very nice. Clean pool. Recommend the on site ATV rental lots of trails to ride," shares Brad F.
Lake activities: Fish, swim, or boat on Otsego Lake, with easy access from the county park. "The park is beautiful with many sites having lake views. The playground is the classic old playground with swings and slides and some big tires to climb on. The water was mostly sand with some rocks," according to Lydia T. from Otsego Lake County Park.
Cycling routes: Ride the paved trail system connecting nearby towns. "Cycling dream trails," comments Geri Lynn P. about the Petoskey area, with routes that can be accessed within short driving distance of Gaylord.
What campers like
Quiet, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy at Haakwood State Forest Campground just off I-75. "This campground is right on the north central bike path and I came here for that easy access. The camp sites are spread out and many offer complete privacy. Most are shaded," notes David C.
Yurt camping options: Glamping in yurts near Gaylord, Michigan provides comfort while maintaining the outdoor experience. "The KOA campground is close to Petoskey, but outside town enough to be a bit quiet. A short drive to breweries, wineries, and dinner," reports Cody S., who enjoyed staying in one of the cozy structures at Petoskey KOA.
Lakeside camping: Bear Lake provides waterfront sites with direct lake access. "A rustic campground right on Bear Lake. Most sites are directly on the water. There is a 4 foot breakwall between the sites and the lake. You could anchor your boat in front of your campsite," explains Lydia T. about Big Bear Lake State Forest Campground.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Parents appreciate the welcoming environment at many campgrounds. "We've camped here for two years in a row and we LOVE it! Everyone is so friendly. Camp sites are nicely spread out and our 4 kids have a ball. They just updated their playground area as well!" shares Holly K. about her experience at Chandler Hill.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: During peak summer months, especially weekends, advance booking is essential at most established campgrounds. "We camped there in July and our first impression when we drove in was 'wow, this place is busy!' It is a very family-friendly park and you feel like every other site is having a family reunion," reports Nancy W. about Petoskey KOA.
Rustic vs. modern options: State forest campgrounds offer basic facilities compared to private campgrounds. "Rustic campground. Most sites are private. Some premium spots back up to river. Stars are amazing," explains Joie V. about Haakwood State Forest Campground's minimal amenities.
Weather considerations: The area's elevated location means cooler temperatures, especially at night, even in summer. "Winter offerings are more limited, though some sites offer cold-weather yurt camping options near Gaylord, Michigan for hardy travelers," according to local sources.
Wildlife viewing: The region offers unique wildlife opportunities. "You're right by Michigan's only area to view free roaming wild elk! We went and tried, but unfortunately didn't see any elk. I think it was mostly due to my 7 and 10 year old talking too much," shares Ryan L T. about camping near Haakwood.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose campgrounds with updated play areas. "They just updated their playground area as well!" mentions Holly K. about Chandler Hill Campground, which offers family-friendly amenities beyond the traditional camping experience.
Swimming options: Otsego Lake County Park provides a sandy beach area perfect for children. "Nice for a state park campground. Lots of trees, sandy beach, updated playground and good boat launch," says Amy W.
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds offering organized children's events. "They had kids activities over the 4th of July weekend, and our kid loved it," explains Kim L. about Gaylord KOA's summer programming.
Site selection: For families needing more space, certain campgrounds offer larger sites. "Large sites, amazing hosts, does charge for a band for kids to do activities like jumping pad etc. this includes a bike rental and golf but was an additional charge," notes Lindsey S. from Gaylord KOA.
Tips from RVers
Site sizes and access: Gaylord KOA accommodates large rigs but requires careful navigation. "We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 107 for 3 days in mid July. This is a relatively large CG, just under 100 wooded sites, which are reasonably spaced for a private CG," shares Ray & Terri F.
Hookup considerations: Water access varies significantly between campgrounds. "Small sites but full hookups. Nice activities and mini golf. Bathrooms soso. Easy access to Otsego state park and Hartwick pines state park," notes debra S. about Gaylord KOA.
Site leveling: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "Our site had a fair bit of slope side to side, which I mentioned to the person that led us to our site. He said they'd look into it," reports Ray & Terri F.
Connectivity options: Internet and cell coverage can be limited. "AT&T coverage fair, with 2 Bars of service that fluctuated between 5G and LTE, with speeds up to 4.3 MB/s. The CG is pretty heavily wooded, so access to satellite TV and/or Starlink is highly dependent on location," advises Ray & Terri F. about connectivity limitations.
