RV parks near Good Hart, Michigan operate primarily between May and October due to northern Michigan's harsh winter climate. The region sits along the Lake Michigan shoreline with mixed forest terrain and sandy lakefront areas at elevations between 600-750 feet. Seasonal temperature swings impact camping options, with summer highs averaging 75-80°F and winter lows frequently below freezing.
What to do
Paddle nearby waterways: Campers at Wild Cherry RV Resort have access to excellent kayaking opportunities on Lake Leelanau. "The park is in a perfect location to explore the towns of Leland (and Fishtown), Lake Leelanau, Northport, and Sutton's Bay," notes one visitor who appreciated the proximity to water activities.
Wine tasting: The Leelanau Peninsula features numerous wineries within short driving distance of campsites. "There are three wineries within a couple of miles (one is just across the street from the entrance). That being said, there are nearly some 20 wineries within 15 – 20 minutes of the park," reports a camper who enjoyed the vineyard access.
Biking on paved trails: The region offers excellent cycling opportunities on dedicated paths. A visitor at Petoskey KOA mentioned, "Cycling dream trails" and another noted "There is a great paved biking trail located nearby that runs from Charlevoix to Harbor Springs."
Beach days: Lake Michigan shoreline access provides swimming opportunities during summer months. "Lake Michigan beach is about a 5 minutes drive," notes a camper who stayed at Petoskey KOA, making it convenient for day trips to the water.
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Many campgrounds in the region prioritize cleanliness. At Indian River RV Resort, campers appreciate that "The grounds and facilities are very well keep up." Another visitor noted, "55 gallon trash bins throughout campground so you don't have to go all the way to front of campground for dumpsters and they collect regularly."
Helpful staff service: Campground personnel often provide above-average assistance. "Staff escorts you to your site and lines you up with water/sewer," reports a camper at Indian River RV Resort. Another visitor shared, "We woke to a call in the am after I sent an email in the middle of the night to the staff member with a site ready for us."
Quiet camping atmosphere: Despite being popular vacation destinations, many parks maintain peaceful environments. "Even with families and dogs it's very peaceful and relaxing. The vibe is contagious and all the neighbors are friendly and considerate," notes a visitor to Indian River RV Resort.
Waterfront views: Lakefront sites provide scenic vistas. At Lakeshore Park Campground, "We had some great views of the mighty mack bridge and even saw the northern lights one night!"
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Most campgrounds in the region close during winter months. As one camper at Wild Cherry RV Resort noted, "We took advantage of their 'Big-Rig Special' which gave a 25% discount if you booked 4 nights" during the May to October season.
Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more spacious sites than others. At Tiki RV Park & Campground, a camper observed, "The sites are tight in this campground but with our teardrop we had no problem." Meanwhile, at Indian River, "Nice wooded campsites with back-in and pull-through options, plus buddy sites so families and friends can face each other."
WiFi quality differs between parks: Internet connectivity can be unreliable. "We never got connected to the Wi-Fi in the site we were in," reported a visitor at Tiki RV Park, while others found better connections at different parks.
Reservation challenges during peak season: The popular summer months require advance planning. A camper shared their experience: "Traveling along the western border Michigan on our motorcycle over the 4th of July, we were in in the Traverse City area and finding a hard time finding an open campsite."
Tips for camping with families
Off-site activities: Plan day trips to nearby attractions. "Great location to stay if you are planning to head over to Mackinac Island!" notes a visitor at Lakeshore Park Campground. The island ferries provide a popular excursion for families.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer better child-friendly amenities than others. At Starlight Campground and RV Park, families appreciate the "Swing set, walking trail, ORV trail, pool, volleyball, pickle ball court and other games!" A visitor noted, "They kept my kids busy while still allowing for relaxing time."
Swimming options: Pool facilities provide alternatives to lake swimming. "There is a large heated swimming pool, plus volleyball, horseshoes, corn hole, basketball and pickleball courts," notes a camper at Indian River RV Resort, making it suitable for families with children of different ages.
Dog-friendly facilities: Many campgrounds welcome pets with designated areas. Indian River RV Resort offers "a HUGE dog park with lots of room for pups to run off-leash, chase balls and make friends!"
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Check exact measurements when booking. At Wild Cherry RV Resort, "Sites are gravel with paved patios with the average lot being 45x70 (according to their brochure)." This information helps determine if your rig will fit comfortably.
Leveling requirements: Some sites require additional adjustment. A visitor to Petoskey RV Resort noted, "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 placement: Connection locations vary between parks. At Wild Cherry RV Resort, "The water, sewer, and electric were all placed appropriately in the site so no extended hoses were needed," which simplifies setup.
Satellite reception: Tree coverage affects signal strength. "Sites are very open allowing for good satellite reception and we were able to get over a dozen antenna channels," reports a visitor at Wild Cherry RV Resort, a consideration for RVers who rely on television service.
