Northern Michigan's Manistee National Forest surrounds Harrietta with mixed hardwood forests and sandy terrain at approximately 1,100 feet elevation. Camping options range from rustic forest sites to full-service RV parks with water and electric hookups. Winter temperatures average 22°F while summer highs reach 80°F, creating distinct camping seasons from April through October.
What to do
River activities: Northern Exposure Campground offers direct access to the Manistee River with excellent fishing and kayaking opportunities. "Great place to take a camper with family. The campground offers clean facilities, general store, rentals for the lake, and camp events like movie night. With sites right on the water remember to bring your kayak!" reports Dalton B.
Hiking trails: Sand Lake Campground features multiple wooded trails for day hikes within 30 miles of Harrietta. "The lake is clean and quiet for the most part, although there are usually a couple of motorized boats out on weekends. Nearby Dublin has a nice general store with popular housemade jerky," notes John W.
Seasonal activities: Twin Oaks RV Campground and Cabins offers proximity to ATV trails and outdoor recreation year-round. "Nice spot near the Pine River," states Hayley B., while another camper mentions it's "definitely my favorite campground, we will be returning in 2021. We tent camped and loved how our site was surrounded by trees."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Tippy Dam State Recreation Area maintains well-kept restrooms and camping areas. "The campsites are spacious and feature trails that lead directly to the Tippy Dam Backwater. There's also convenient access for launching a boat on either the Manistee River or the backwaters side of the dam," shares J.B.
Spacious sites: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort offers larger campsites that provide privacy despite being at a busy resort. "My husband loved this place because most of the sites are pull-through ones. The trees keep your site blanketed in shade all day long," writes Michelle S.
Family entertainment: Camp Cadillac provides activities beyond standard camping with amenities for children. "Really nice little campground. Not fancy, but clean and well kept. Pool and petting zoo for the kids. Small store with ice, few necessities and ice cream. Pond in the back on the small river for fishing," explains Stacey R.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most glamping close to Harrietta, Michigan operates from April through October, with some sites closing earlier depending on weather conditions. At Orchard Beach State Park, beach access can be limited: "Due to high waters the past few years there is no beach. This is still a family favorite and perfect if you want to go into Manistee."
Reservation requirements: Book sites at popular campgrounds 3-6 months in advance for summer weekends. Northern Exposure Campground fills quickly for waterfront sites and holiday weekends.
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies widely throughout the Harrietta region. At Manton Trails RV Park, one reviewer noted: "Internet worked well using our hotspots, but, like all campgrounds, if you like being 'in the woods,' internet is always a challenge. Most of our group had AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, the best service seemed to be Verizon in the morning and Sprint at night."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with swimming areas for children, as not all lakes permit swimming. Sand Lake Campground offers "a clean beach" according to Nicole, making it ideal for families with young children.
Kid-friendly activities: Choose campgrounds with organized events for children. Northern Exposure has dedicated programming: "Easy first camping experience or when you want to low impact camp experience. Great site for first time campers or when you want to just get away quickly without having to take lots of equipment and supplies. Nice little camp store and pizza restaurant on site. Great playground, evening activities," shares Anne G.
Site selection: Request sites away from water for families with small children. As Beth G. recommends at Northern Exposure: "We asked to be away from the lake because of our young kids but the lake lots looked beautiful. We will be back."
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Many campgrounds have varying degrees of tree coverage and site orientation. At Orchard Beach State Park, RVers should note: "They pack you in. It didn't feel like camping. Yes, there are sites with fire pits, but it felt like the designers said, 'let's see just how many people can we fit into this space.'"
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited at some campgrounds near Harrietta. Irons RV Park & Campground provides complete services in a well-maintained setting. "Absolutely the cleanest campground we have ever stayed in. Office, pool, bathroom, showers and laundry facilities are spotless. Grounds are maintained. Family and dog friendly," reports Dee R.
Leveling requirements: Some sites require significant leveling. At the Traverse City KOA, located about 40 minutes from Harrietta, "Sites are close together with not a lot of trees. Cable hooked into the RV didn't work. Park is named Traverse City KOA but it is actually a half hour south of Traverse City."
