The scenery was beautiful in the fall. The leaves really give it a gorgeous picturesque appeal. This trail/campground is very versatile. You are able to kayak to campsite directly on the river but also do through hikes or backpack, and camp in different atmospheres. Hike in and do a 2-3 day hike or hike in for the day and enjoy the beautiful scenery if you’re crunched for time. Though a very popular spot, going on the weekdays allows some solitude but also comraderie when seeing the fellow hiker.
We stayed here last fall for a Halloween weekend. There were a lot of kids, it was pretty full. It was nice of the staff to take us to our site and ask if we needed anything.
Almost like home. Just a relaxing place by the lake if you dress right! Cool in the late summer/early fall but beautiful!
Open all year, nice park, big rig friendly, has full hookups. We enjoy hiking here. The old logging museum is interesting to walk around & check out.
Stayed. For 6 days. Staff was awesome. Sites were neat. Park was clean. Lots do do for kids. Loved it here. Definitely coming back.
This place was really nice and not very busy. It’s on a beautiful lake that is great for swimming and boating. It has a few walk in sites that have beach access. All sites include picnic table and fire pit. Shared rustic vault toilets available. There is a nice boat launch located within the campground as well.
I was super excited to visit this place because I heard good things… but I was a bit disappointed. The campground itself is more of an open field and there isn’t much for privacy or even tree cover. The lake was nice but pretty weedy and there were only 1 or two campsites that even had lake access. All the sites had the standard fire pit and picnic table but nothing else very exceptional about this place.
It’s been a tradition passed down that some stay at the Reedsburg dam that’s just down the road from Merritt Speedway. The drive is easy enough and close enough to both the track and town. Always satisfied with our camping there.
Found this place as a fluke, but what a great find! We were the ONLY people there on Labor Day weekend… not even sure how that is possible. Nice sized wooded sights, with fire pit and picnic table. Walk down lake access at our site. Rustic toilets and shared water pump. No houses on the lake other than one that is being built. National forest campground means only $10.00 per night. Gorgeous little place.
I was pretty surprised this place was as cool as it was given the area it’s in. It’s kinda smack in the middle of a neighborhood on a somewhat residential lake, but it was a really great campground! We were basically the only ones there other than a family all the way at the end. We had a giant site that had lake view and very clear access. Lots of trees for hammock hanging and shade for the tent. Shared rustic pit toilets and water pump in the middle of the grounds. The morning on the water was amazing. Steamy sunlight kissed the morning while the loons sang their beautiful song. I was very pleased with this campground!
Got into the park late (around 1030) but it was a great clear night. Spacious campsites with both a bench and picnic table. Bathroom with showers was clean. Great views and access to the lake but much closer to Hwy 27S than we thought…could hear cars starting in the AM. Also the Park Ranger Sam was very nice and stayed open a few minutes past close so we were able to register. Thanks!
While it was pricey at $65 night, we had a very spacious full hookup site within easy walking distance of pool. Shower house was very nice and modern, with 4 shower stalls. Full coin laundry was helpful too! They had kids activities over the 4thof July weekend, and our kid loved it. The KOA is about a 5 min drive to Otsego Lake and the state park, where there's a nice beach and easy lake access. There's also a newly paved bike trail right by the lake for you to log some miles on. Nearby towns of Gaylord and Boyne provided us with ple ty to do, and only a couple hours to get to Sleeping Bear sand dunes. We thought this place was worth the expense- big, flat, level sites with fire pit and full hook up. Nice pine trees and plenty of space for kids to play. Did not like the additional fee for kid to get wrist band for jump pillow and mini gold, but did it anyways.
A nice park that has a lot of amenities. Basketball court, volleyball net, fishing pier, and bike trails. Bathrooms were kept neat and tidy. Showers were clean and water was hot. Camp staff were friendly and around to answer any questions. Some cons to the state park. The sites are close together, which is to be expected with modern sites. If you want super quite this place won’t be that, there is a busy road old 127. Though the place has a lot of options and things to do. Fishing, biking , boating, and playing at the beach.
There are campsites here with direct access to the beach. The campsites are relatively close together but there a lot of tall trees and it was nice and quiet. We stumbled upon this campground completely by accident just in time for sunset and it was absolutely spectacular.
While I typically prefer more rustic camping, this was a fantastic and easy way to enjoy Traverse City. The campground was very family oriented and offered plenty of amenities - power outlets, bathrooms (including showers). The camp sites were large and spacious (we fit 3 tents on one) with a picnic table and fire pit. While we didn't have time, the campground is located directly across the street from Lake Michigan. There is a pedestrian bridge for easy crossing.
I'd highly suggesting bringing your bicycles. There is a paved path right from the campground into downtown TC (about 20-30 min ride). You avoid parking and have access to the fantastic food and breweries in town.
If you're looking to for more of a more rustic, nature-oriented camping experience this may not be the best option for you. You could hears the cars from the road and the airplanes started flying overhead at 7am sharp.
Was able to check in early…because campers had checked out early and they had time to check the site…very clean…close to all the great sites around Traverse City…the only thing was where our site was….you could hear traffic from a near by road…but not to bad…would stay here again..thanks
Long, level, pull through. A lot of wonderful things to say - but you'll have to see for yourself! Kids love it here!
Love this park, right down the street from our family cabin and you get the best views of the Au Sauble river for miles around. Right in the heart of Mio, and if you're in the area be sure to check out "the bakery" (Amish bakery that is unbelievably delicious)
This forest is massive, so much to explore. Had a blast back country camping, really nice to see such large areas still undisturbed for the most part.
We were on sight 169 this whole side is next to a busy road cars and logging trucks all day and night way noisy, campground was filthy trash everywhere on the trails and sights! Plus no dogs allowed on the beach.
Camp host ??? Unfriendly set with his back to the road and never even waved
Mother's Day weekend was our first trip to this park, but we'll surely be back.
At check in we got a bag of homemade cookies tied with a sprig of evergreen. It was such a great touch. The folks that operate the campground really take great care & it shows. We spoke to a fellow camper that has been camping there for 50+ years and he had nothing, but rave reviews for the current caretakers.
The sites are beautiful and spacious. The park itself is positioned on a hillside next to a lake. We had a site at the top of the hill which I recommend.
There were bathrooms and showers on site; Tent & RV sites; a small playground; boat launch; hiking trails and fire rings and picnic tables at every site.
Stayed here for a marathon race because EVERYTHING was all booked up given the time of year. First, it’s an older couple who owns it and they are pretty funny about check in / out times because I’m pretty sure it’s just their yard you are camping on. Either way, we wouldn’t be getting in until SUPER LATE and the husband was really nice and accommodating. They also were cool with our three dogs running around and he made sure to put us as far off the beaten path as possible. So overall, it served its purpose for what we needed. Not really sure I’d call it “camping” but more of a backyard hangout? 🤷🏼♀️ The RV sites do have hookups and there is a bathroom. Not sure about showers though.
This campground was larger than expected and had some very nice lake front sites. It also surprisingly had a campground host, which is rare at state forest campgrounds. There are only about 10 lake front sites, but they were all very nice. A few even had their own beach (but those were taken). The lake itself was gorgeous and had a nice launch for paddling, fishing, and swimming. Campground had all the usual rustic state forest amenities, pit toilets, water pump, picnic tables, and fire rings. I think there might have even been a place to buy firewood near the host.
This is a nice little state forest campground that has a beautiful lake for paddling and a handful of beautiful lakefront sites. The sites include their own picnic table and fire ring, along with shared pit toilets and water pump for drinking water. The campground is also attached to a large system of ORV trails and has a beautiful scenic picnic area. The only thing I didn’t like is how close to the highway it was, at night you could hear the cars driving by. Overall, it’s a nice place though.
Looking for something off the beaten path? Well, here it is (if you can find it). This place is dropped right in the middle of the incredible Pigeon River State Forest and you better bring your compass and map to find it. Zero cell service for miles and limited road signs. Nothing but unmarked dirt roads and two-tracks for miles. The campground wraps around the lake, so most of the sites overlook the lake with some beautiful views. Shared rustic toilets and well pump for drinking water. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. The lake was perfect for swimming, paddling, or fishing.
Nice large state forest campground with plenty of space and sites. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Shared rustic toilets and hand pump for water are also available. The sites are large but only a few are close to the lake and even those require taking a trail down to the water. The lake is beautiful and clear, perfect for a paddle or morning swim.
Young State Park was a quiet gem of a campground for us. The facilities were clean and the grounds themselves were a pleasure to walk around. The camp store was the best stocked one I’ve seen yet. All the sites were well sized with the exception of the waterside sites which were flooded due to the high lake levels lately. Other than that the campground has a lot to offer, especially being so close to Charlevoix and Petoskey.
Went camping with family and friends this weekend and we loved it here. Had two sites on the hill and our view was the lake and beautiful sunsets. I haven’t been camping since I was little, over 20 years, so I haven’t been to a lot of campgrounds. Staff was very nice, bathrooms weren’t bad, had two small showers but they get the job done.
Campground Review:
First, let me just say, this state forest campground is probably one of my new favs! So quiet and peaceful, tons of trails, and little lakes all tucked around. There are only about 10 sites here, but they are all a really nice size. About half of them have a nice lake view. Each site has the standard picnic table and fire ring and there is a shared rustic toilet as well. At night the sky was incredible and there is even areas along the trails for elk viewing. Great little spot!
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Product Review:
Now that I have become a Ranger for the Dyrt, I sometimes receive products to test from time to time. On this trip I have the opportunity to try out my first (and not last) Morsel Spork. Before this trip, I was under the assumption that all sporks were somewhat the same (confession: I think until now I’ve always bought really cheap sporks). Either way, eating with this beauty was not only comfortable, but it actually handled like a normal piece of cutlery. It's also extremely lightweight and easy to clean, making it perfect for backpacking or lightweight ventures.