RV camping near Higgins Lake, Michigan provides access to numerous recreational opportunities within the northern Lower Peninsula. The area sits at approximately 1,150 feet above sea level with sandy soil conditions that create efficient drainage after rainfall. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, while spring and fall can see wider temperature fluctuations requiring campers to pack layers for comfort.
What to do
Trail access: Manton Trails RV Park offers direct ORV trail access from campsites, eliminating the need to trailer to trailheads. "Great campground. Booked two nights and had to request a third it was so perfect. We went up because it advertised orv access right from campsite. It's really handy to not have to trailer over to the trailheads," notes Jen L.
Watersports: Bass Lake at Honcho Rest Campground provides fishing and paddling opportunities. "The campground sits on the shores of Bass Lake which is great for a quick paddle around, fishing, etc., but if you are seeking larger bodies of water, the Elk Rapids Marina on Grand Traverse Bay and Elk Lake are just a couple miles away," writes Shari G.
Family activities: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort features numerous recreational options for children. "There is no shortage of activities here: a small pond/beach, pool, jumping pillow, dodgeball, bike trails, ATV trails, crafts, parades, etc. It's great for the active family, particularly those with elementary & middle school age kids," shares Allison H.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the well-maintained bathrooms at several parks. "Showers were amazing. Staff was fantastic!" reports Jody S. about Manton Trails RV Park. Similarly, at Lake Billings RV Park & Campground, Dakota R. mentions "Very nice showers. Bathrooms were clean. They have a very nice swimming/play area for small children."
Entertainment options: Starlight Campground and RV Park offers organized activities and weekend events. "They have an app you can download and do everything from ordering firewood and ice to seeing what's going on during their theme weekends. They kept my kids busy while still allowing for relaxing time," explains Victoria S.
Spacious sites: Several campgrounds provide ample room between sites. At Manton Trails RV Park, Tammy C. notes it's "Spacious, super clean bath house and on Saturday nights listen to live music right at your campsite!" while Robert O. at Kalkaska RV Park appreciates the "Pull through full hook up, everything worked great. Nice level gravel spot."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the region operate from spring through mid-fall. Lake Billings RV Park runs from April 15 to October 15, while Kalkaska RV Park & Campground operates from April to October 30. Winter camping options remain limited throughout the area.
Site characteristics: Kalkaska RV Park & Campground features gravel sites in wooded settings. "Nice wooded campground 1/2 hr outside Traverse City. Nice away from the busy areas," reports BC— G., while Tammey B. adds, "The camp sites are a nice firm gravel and pretty level. We didn't even have to use leveling blocks."
Connectivity: Cell service varies by location and carrier. At Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, Uncle D. observes, "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 dedicated swimming areas. Lake Billings RV Park & Campground features "a very nice swimming/play area for small children" according to Dakota R., while Timber Ridge offers "a small pond/beach, pool" as noted by Allison H.
Recreation facilities: Vista Green RV Resort provides various entertainment options for different age groups. "There is an adult pub-style game room with poker tables, a large tv, a table shuffle board, air hockey game, foosball table, and board games. There is a community catering kitchen located in their activities center," shares Julia H.
Activity planning: Schedule around organized events at campgrounds. Timber Ridge hosts regular activities as mentioned by Chris M.: "Great mix of activities for the kids. Big park but felt small, no problems with traffic and golf carts like we have experienced at other 'resort' style campgrounds."
Tips from RVers
Hookup extensions: Be prepared with extra hose and cord length at some parks. At Kalkaska RV Park & Campground, Hope C. advises, "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: Several campgrounds require leveling equipment. Tammey B. notes Kalkaska's sites are "pretty level" while Hope C. shares a different experience: "It is a pull through site that required us to do quite a bit of leveling."
Site selection: Choose sites based on your specific needs and rig size. At Vista Green RV Resort, Julia H. explains, "We were in Site# 4A (premium site). We had Full hook-up with a blacktop pull-through. We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site along with my jeep. The site was easy to level."
