Best Glamping near Huron-Manistee National Forests

We were directed here after learning the state park was closed. I was hesitant about this campground at first, but it was an excellent stay! The staff were absolutely wonderful. We came on bicycles and they let us stay only one night even though the typical minimum stay is 2 nights. The manager even gave us a few dollar discount for our site.

It was a particularly difficult day of biking and I was in a bad mood when we arrived, but after securing a site and talking to the manager, I was smiling and laughing the rest of the night. The employees are kind folks who care about the quality of your stay.

They have a big camp shop, excellent ice cream, flush toilets, free showers, and coin laundry! Wifi throughout the campground allowed us to watch tv from inside our tent. There was an electric hook up at our site with a drinking water spout too! 

The tent sites are right off the river with docks to fish from and launch your boat from. One of the wonderful things about this campground was that because it is privately owned, it was very reasonably priced. It was significantly cheaper than the state parks. Of course, you are trading off beach access for price, but with a Lake Michigan beach under three miles away, it is worth it. Overall, it was a lovely stay and by far my favorite campground in Michigan for the price.

Park had vacancy when I called late Friday afternoon for Saturday.  So if you want to stay in the Ludington area but can't get into the State Park, this is good.  Just about 2 miles from the State Park beaches and less than 2 miles into downtown.  There is a designated paved trail that runs right through the campground.  You can easily ride bikes downtown where there is a large variety of restaurants and/or brewery.  The whole downtown area is very cool with city parks/beaches/marina/shops.  Office staff was very friendly and professional.  We camped in the "rustic" section, meaning no electric or running water on site.  Bathroom was relatively clean and near our site.  Crowd was not too rowdy and pretty chill.  Lots of kids ;-)  and dogs ;-(.  Best features are location (at nothing, but near everything).  Worst features mentioned by others - there is no fence between the campground and the busy road, road noise, the cemetery does not bother us.  Ludington State Park has MANY excellent opportunities hiking, biking, watercraft, beach bumming.  Highly recommend the State Park....but it is very hard to get into in the summer.  Stay here instead and you'll be half way between the State Park and Downtown.

Campsite is located 2 miles from downtown Pentwater, adorable small town on the water. Mears state park is 2 miles from the campground as well, Lake Michigan beaches. The playground on the beach is perfect for younger kids. There is a pavilion that serves hot food and ice cream ( hot food ends at 5pm/ ice cream till sunset.) Our kids loved walking in town and heading to the beach.

With that said, there is plenty to do at the campground . Outdoor pool, AJs (putt- putt golf, arcade, playground, go-karts) extra fee for AJs but reasonable priced, basketball court, volleyball court, small baseball diamond, tennis table, general store, shower house by pool ( very clean), private bonfire pits ( most campsites).

Seasonal’s were very friendly and helpful with local things to do. RV camp, Tent camp, or tent cabin.

Dump station available, firewood for sale, ice for sale, general store has several camping items, 15 minutes away is meijer in ludington. 2 minutes away gas station 2 minutes to Lake Michigan beaches 2 minutes to Pentwater downtown shopping

This campground is perfect for campers of most experience and age levels.  If you are looking for rugged, wilderness / secluded camping its probably not your place but for everyone else it's a hidden gem.  

Nice spots both on the river show and across the road.  Easy water access for very little children and non-motorized boats / Kayaks, etc.  Nicely equipped playground and evening activities at the Camp Store/Office on special weekends.  

This campground has the cleanest restroom/shower facilities of any campground I have been too.  Also the staff is very friendly and helpful.

One tip, fire pits do not have grill tops attached and the pit opening is pretty wide.

Ludington offers both modern campsites and backcountry hike-in sites. We opt for the hike-in sites because they're very spacious and private, with easy access to Lake Michigan. There are 10 backcountry sites, which share two pit toilets and a water pump. Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table, and the park offers firewood delivery daily so you don't have to hike with it. If you need showers or flush toilets they are a 1 mile hike away in the main campground. The hike to the sites is very easy as it's also the sand path to the Big Sable Lighthouse. Crossing the path and going over a small sand dune will land you right on the beach. These sites are very popular because they're so great, so I would highly recommend reserving 6 months in advance for any summer weekends.

I've been there several times.  This campground has been around a long time and is well known by motorcyclists in Michigan.  It's located behind their motorcycle repair shop.  It's not a fancy campground, but it is a bargain at $10.  The northern loop has electric outlets.  The southern loop is rustic camping (groups usually camp there).  Restrooms, showers and a pavilion.  Pay the $10 at their shop.  If the shop is closed either someone will come around or you can settle up in the morning.  Firewood available on site.  Village is 1.5 miles away to get supplies.

This is not my normal kind of camping but I will pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this place. Sites are close together. All sites have electric. They have lots of little cute cabins through the park as well. They have a small simple playground that my kids loved! Super close to Lake Michigan and the river. We had fun exploring the area. Bathrooms were clean and had hot water. I loved that we could buy a good breakfast right on site at the little cafe they have. The campground had an old fashioned feel if that makes sense. Very quiet and does not seem to attract the party crowd. I thought rates were very reasonable. We took a day trip to Empire and the Point Bestie Lighthouse.

This gem of a state park is phenomenal. Camped here in cabins three times over two winters. Cabins with bunks (will sleep 5 total), mini fridge, electricity and heat. Outside pit toilet. Hiking trails are some of the best. Beautiful lighthouse, dunes, beach, inland lake (Hamlin Lake), river and Lake Michigan. Very quiet and snow-covered in winter. Gets very busy in summer. So many activities for all ages. Kayak rentals in summer. Great fishing. Guided snowshoe tours and lamp light snowshoe hikes in winter are awesome. Camp store. Several playgrounds. Beautiful new beach house.