Cabin camping near Higgins Lake, Michigan provides access to one of Michigan's clearest inland lakes with depths reaching 135 feet. The lake spans approximately 10,000 acres with a shoreline of nearly 21 miles. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from November through March, while summer highs average in the mid-70s—ideal for water recreation.
What to do
Lake activities: Higgins Lake offers swimming in crystal-clear water that maintains cooler temperatures even in summer months. "The beach was nice, water is crystal clear," notes a visitor at North Higgins Lake State Park Campground, who enjoyed the park despite a brief power outage "due to a squirrel chewing through a wire somewhere."
Hiking trails: Explore the forest trails around Hartwick Pines State Park Campground, which features old-growth forest sections. A camper mentioned, "There are lots of trails for biking and hiking, a day use/mucc logging museum that's kinda throughout this one area of woods. Beautiful new and old growth, a couple of nearby lakes."
River tubing: Book a 4-hour tubing trip on the nearby river through Paddle Brave Canoe Livery & Campground. "We did the 4-hour tubing trip and rented tubes from Paddlebrave—it couldn't have gone better. The river was beautiful and the whole experience was smooth and well-organized," a recent visitor reported.
What campers like
Beach access: The sandy beaches at South Higgins Lake provide safe swimming areas for all ages. A guest at South Higgins Lake State Park Campground noted, "The beach is clean and the water clear. The beach is great for kids to play in safely while the parents chill at the shore."
Spacious wooded sites: Many cabins and campsites around Higgins Lake feature mature trees providing privacy and shade. At North Higgins Lake State Park, a camper recommended: "If we stayed again - we'd pick site 101. Little more privacy than the rest. We stayed at 137 which backed up to the woods which was lovely."
Organized activities: Seasonal events add variety to your cabin stay. A visitor at South Higgins Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "One of my favorite parks in Michigan. Beautiful beaches and always a fun week during Harvest Fest!" while others noted Halloween-themed weekends with trick-or-treating at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park & Resort.
What you should know
Booking windows: Reservations for cabin accommodations should be made 6 months in advance for peak summer dates. A camper at South Higgins Lake State Park Campground advised, "Getting a site here during the summer can be very difficult. You will want one of the sites closer to the lake. If you want one of these sites, you will need to be ready to book the site 6 months in advance."
Site conditions: Many campsites have sandy or dirt surfaces that can become muddy during rain. "Sites can get messy since ground is a dirt/sand mix," reported one guest at North Higgins Lake State Park. Another noted, "The downside is the sites are all sand. This is a problem when it rains. No matter how hard you try to clean your shoes, you end up tracking in wet, dirty sand."
Noise considerations: Some cabins may experience road noise depending on location. A camper staying in a cabin at North Higgins Lake mentioned, "We stayed at site 169 this whole side is next to a busy road cars and logging trucks all day and night way noisy." Cell service is also spotty in some areas, with one visitor noting "Don't expect to make phone calls, the cell service (AT&T) was very spotty."
Tips for camping with families
Biking opportunities: Paved paths at several campgrounds provide safe biking areas for children. "Nice paved path through the campground, great for kids riding bikes around camp. They also have a playground with a cool old fashion slide," shared a visitor at Otsego Lake State Park Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Campgrounds like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offer numerous family activities. A camper described it as "Super clean. Lots of activities. Themed weekends. Kids have a blast." Another visitor elaborated: "This campground has very nice amenities for families. There is a pool, outdoor movies, horseshoes, inflatable blob (kids love the blob), putt putt, sand box, small bikes to rent."
Quieter camping options: For families seeking a more peaceful experience, consider Wooded Acres Campground. A visitor noted, "Great quiet campground. Loved the pool," while another mentioned the campground is "Clean and friendly owners."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Check the position of utility connections before setting up. At Kalkaska RV Park & Campground, an RVer advised, "The hookups are rather far away so we needed extensions. Our site required us to pull through in such a way that the hookups were on the opposite side of our coach."
Leveling requirements: Sites may require leveling equipment for RVs. One RVer noted, "We camped in a 40' motor coach for a week. Site is gravel and dirt. It is a pull through site that required us to do quite a bit of leveling."
Pump-out services: Some campgrounds offer scheduled waste services for extended stays. "They have a pump out service twice a week for $10 each time," reported a visitor at Kalkaska RV Park, which can be convenient for those staying in one location longer than their tanks allow.
