Harbor Springs RV parks offer full-service camping options from May through mid-October, with most facilities closing for winter. Located along the northern tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, this region features elevation changes of 300-600 feet above Lake Michigan, creating unique microclimates. Cell coverage strengthens near waterfront areas while inland campgrounds often have spotty service depending on your carrier.
What to do
Paddling and boating: Lake Leelanau provides excellent water recreation opportunities with boat rentals available at several campgrounds. "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 a reviewer at Lake Leelanau RV Park.
Winery visits: The Leelanau Peninsula is known for its vineyards, accessible from multiple campgrounds. "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," reports a camper from Lake Leelanau RV Park.
Northern lights viewing: The northern Michigan location offers opportunities for astronomical events. "We had some great views of the mighty mack bridge and even saw the northern lights one night!" shares a reviewer at Lakeshore Park Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Reviewers consistently mention the cleanliness of bathroom facilities across campgrounds. "The bathroom/shower building is okay but seems to have been built decades ago without any updates. It seems like some money should be spent on facilities upgrades at some point," notes a visitor at Tiki RV Park & Campground.
Lakefront settings: Many parks offer water access and views. "This campground is well maintained, everything functioned properly, and the staff are friendly. My only complaint is that the sites are VERY narrow, putting you right next to your neighbors," reports a camper from Lakeshore Park Campground.
Recreation amenities: On-site activities enhance the camping experience. "Very kid-friendly, including a large playground, a large heated swimming pool, plus volleyball, horseshoes, corn hole, basketball and pickleball courts," comments a visitor to Indian River RV Resort.
What you should know
Site layouts vary: Some campgrounds have tight spacing between sites. "The sites at this campground are lush with grass, but on the smaller side. It's right on Lake Leelanau, and they even rent boat slips," explains a reviewer at Lake Leelanau RV Park.
Seasonal options: Most parks operate from May through October with limited availability during peak times. "We were passing through the area at end of season (it definitely dumped snow and sleet all over us!) Grateful to have a place to stop, and to be able to stay hooked up!" shares a Lakeshore Park visitor.
Reservation timing: For popular weekends, book well in advance. "This is a nice family-friendly campground. We appreciated that they squeezed us in on a weekend, short notice! Although busy, it was very quiet at night and we slept well," notes an Indian River RV Resort camper.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Some parks offer extensive recreation options. "The park is a typical KOA with tons of amenities and things going on. We chose not to use the pool because it was overrun with kids and seemed way too small for the number of people in the park," explains a visitor to Petoskey KOA.
Consider Halloween weekends: Special events create memorable experiences. "We were here for the halloween weekend. They did a great job with the trick or treating by shutting down all vehicle traffic and by having a site decorating contest," notes a Petoskey KOA camper.
Evaluate shower facilities: Family-friendly bathrooms make a difference. "The showers were clean and well maintained. Hosts were friendly and the store was stocked with most things you might need," reports an Indian River RV Resort visitor.
Tips from RVers
Check site levelness: Many parks have uneven terrain. "Our site had a nice paved pad, but it wasn't level and the concrete was painted so we were slipping off the levelers," mentions a reviewer at Petoskey RV Resort.
Consider utilities placement: Some sites have awkward hookup locations. "Our site was a full hookup but had one small issue where the drain dump was slightly uphill from the camper, so we had to work with the drain hose to empty tanks," explains a Wild Cherry RV Resort visitor.
Utilize escorted parking: Some parks offer arrival assistance. "Owners lead you to your site and assist getting your rig lined up with water/sewer connections," notes an Indian River RV Resort camper.