Camping near Good Hart offers both rustic and modern options within 20 miles of this northern Michigan coastal community. The area sits at approximately 700 feet above sea level with shorelines dominated by sandy beaches and limestone formations. Winter temperatures commonly drop below freezing from November through March, with summer daytime averages reaching 75-80°F in July and August.
What to do
Stargazing at dark sky sites: Wilderness State Park is recognized for exceptional night sky visibility. "Best star gazing in the LP," notes Ted B., while another visitor adds, "I believe the only dark park in Michigan. Beautiful expansive night views of the sky from the beach. Worth sleeping on the beach during meteor shows."
Seasonal activities beyond summer: Young State Park Campground offers year-round accessibility. "We visited Young State Park in the summer but in talking to locals this place is wonderful in the winter and great for cross-country skiing with trails that wind through wooded areas," explains one visitor. The park covers 560 acres with multiple trails.
Biking on established trails: The region features extensive paved paths connecting coastal communities. At Magnus Park Campground, visitors appreciate the "Little Traverse Wheelway bike trail that stretches 23.5 miles from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix." Another camper notes it's "a great area to relax and explore with a nice walk/bike trail along the bay."
Ferry access to Mackinac Island: Tee Pee Campground provides convenient transportation options. "The shuttle for the island ferry picks you up right at the campground," reports one camper, making day trips hassle-free. Another visitor appreciates that the campground is "conveniently located to Mackinaw City and the shuttle boats to Mackinac Island."
What campers like
Private beach access: Fisherman's Island State Park Campground offers waterfront sites with personal shoreline access. "If you are lucky enough to score one of the dozen or so sites right on the water, you will be treated to easy beach access and beautiful sunsets over Lake Michigan," reports one visitor. Another camper describes how "it gave the illusion of our own private beach."
Petoskey stone hunting: The unique fossilized coral rocks draw many visitors to shorelines. "There are tons of Petoskey stones as you walk the shoreline," notes one camper at Fisherman's Island. Another visitor at Petoskey State Park Campground mentions "The water is very clear and has lots of small colorful pebbles and Petoskey rocks. We enjoyed walking up and down the beach looking for these fossils."
Campground amenities: Young State Park features practical services that campers appreciate. "The park has a large beach area with a camp store/concession stand that has food and items for rent. It is really convenient that you can rent beach chairs/umbrellas/watercraft instead of having to bring them," explains one visitor.
Bridge views: Tee Pee Campground offers unique vistas of the Mackinac Bridge. "Great beach with a view of the Mackinaw bridge!" shares one camper. Another visitor confirms the "beach front has a good view of the bridge."
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: At Young State Park, "the sites can be very close to your neighbor, so must be a people person and know that kids will be noisy. There's a more rustic secluded section for camping where the sites aren't as close and there's actually trees."
Seasonal insect concerns: Bug activity peaks in summer months. At Wilderness State Park, one visitor warns of "Very buggy in June, come prepared." Another camper cautions about "millions of dead fish flies in the water and shore line" during certain periods.
Water levels affect campsite availability: Fisherman's Island experienced flooding impacts in recent years. "The waterside sites were flooded due to the high lake levels lately," reports a visitor, limiting prime location availability.
Reservation requirements: Magnus Park fills quickly during peak seasons. One visitor noted, "Book early—it fills up fast!" Wilderness State Park similarly requires advance planning, particularly for waterfront sites.
Tips for camping with families
Halloween events: Several campgrounds host seasonal activities. At Straits State Park Campground, "We went during the Halloween party. Had lots of fun," shares one family. Another visitor to Wilderness State Park similarly notes, "We went during the Halloween party. Had lots of fun."
Playground options: Young State Park includes multiple recreation facilities. "The park has a large beach area with concessions, boat launch, picnic area, playground, baseball diamond, basketball courts, and fishing pier."
Beach safety considerations: Water depth variations require supervision. At Fisherman's Island, "Those with small kiddos may want to opt for interior site as lake sites are RIGHT ON THE WATER," warns one parent.
Family-friendly campground layouts: At Young State Park, "Spruce loop sites 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."
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Access to Fisherman's Island requires caution with larger vehicles. "Roads are narrow and there are low-hanging tree limbs," notes one RVer. "Some of the sites say they will fit a 40' RV but be careful."
Leveling challenges: Site terrain varies considerably. At Petoskey RV Resort, "Our site had a nice paved pad, but it wasn't level and the concrete was painted so we were slipping off the levelers."
Hookup availability: Magnus Park offers practical amenities for larger rigs. "Sites large enough for our 42 ft motor home! Level, quiet, close to shopping and a nice walk/bike trail along the bay. Great area to relax and explore."
Seasonal considerations: Magnus Park serves as a convenient base camp during shoulder seasons. "As it was cold and windy, we didn't have any noise from the hospital or smells from the waste treatment plant! Park is good for a quick overnight but the rates were still $30 E/W $32 full hookups off season."
