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Best Campgrounds near Indian River, MI

877 Reviews

The Indian River area in northern Michigan provides a range of developed campgrounds and natural settings for outdoor recreation. Indian River RV Resort offers 150 sites with full hookups for RVs and cabins just minutes from town, while nearby Burt Lake State Park Campground features lakefront access with modern amenities including showers, electric hookups, and sanitary facilities. Several state forest campgrounds like Haakwood and Maple Bay provide more rustic experiences with pit toilets and drinking water but fewer amenities, appealing to tent campers seeking a more natural setting within the region's mixed-use campgrounds.

Camping season in northern Michigan typically runs from April through October, with most campgrounds closing during winter months. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when waterfront sites fill quickly. The region experiences warm summers with daytime temperatures in the 70s-80s°F and cool evenings, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. Many campgrounds in the area connect to the region's extensive water system, including Burt Lake, Mullet Lake, and the Indian River waterway, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and paddling. According to one visitor, "Haakwood State Forest Campground is right on the Sturgeon River, allowing an easy drive to Wolverine and a couple hour float back to camp or drive to Indian River and go to the lakes."

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers visiting the Indian River area. Maple Bay State Forest Campground on Burt Lake features lakeside sites with direct water access, though one camper noted these sites "are very uneven" for tent camping. The campground's boat launch provides convenient water access, allowing boaters to "anchor your boat in the water if you choose." Several visitors highlighted the interconnected waterways as a key attraction, with one mentioning, "If you have a boat you can access the Indian River which takes you to Mullett lake." For those seeking more amenities, Aloha State Park Campground near Cheboygan consistently receives high ratings, with one camper describing it as "Great Park, we always try to park in the boat basin. Indian River is the best area to cruze on the water."

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Best Camping Sites Near Indian River, Michigan (137)

    1. Burt Lake State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Indian River, MI
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 238-9392

    "We stayed at site 145 which was large but there is a path to the beach right next to it so it's not very private.  The park store was closed Labor Day weekend."

    "The area we swam in was very shallow quite a ways into the lake. The showers and bathrooms are pretty close to the campsites."

    2. Petoskey State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Conway, MI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 347-2311

    "We were here two days and fell in love with the town, the surrounding area, and never got tired of beautiful views of Lake Michigan. "

    "There were a number of hiking trails that take you into the woods and up the dunes. Some are more difficult than others, but nothing miserable."

    3. Aloha State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Mullett Lake, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 625-2522

    $30 - $34 / night

    "Indian River is the best area to cruze on the water."

    "Right on Mullett Lake, close to town for easy access to food, but really enjoyed kayaking lake"

    4. Petoskey KOA

    15 Reviews
    Conway, MI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 347-0005

    "Lake Michigan beach is about a 5 minutes drive."

    "The KOA campground is close to Petoskey, but outside town enough to be a bit quiet.  A short drive to breweries, wineries, and dinner. "

    5. Camp Petosega

    8 Reviews
    Alanson, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 347-6536

    "The best place to camp in northern Michigan. Should be more well known."

    "This park is operated by Emmet County and offers a very remote feel yet it is only 15-20 minutes from Petoskey, Michigan. "

    6. Indian River RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Indian River, MI
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 238-0035

    $50 - $95 / night

    "Close to stores, tubing, able to ride atv/utv in and out."

    "Location is central to several activities; Mackinac Island, Petosky, Burt Lake, Mullet Lake etc.. 55 gallon trash bins throughout campground so you don’t have to go all the way to front of campground for"

    7. Maple Bay State Forest Campground

    8 Reviews
    Brutus, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 732-3541

    "Then, for $15 a night, we found this beauty along the northwest shore of Burt Lake, one of the larger inland lakes in northern Michigan. "

    "Pros: Location! 25 minutes from Mackinaw City, 10 Minutes from Pellston for supplies. Right on Burt Lake. Clean pit toilets. Generally not too crowded."

    8. Wilderness State Park Camping

    76 Reviews
    Cross Village, MI
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 436-5381

    "Pretty secluded campsites with trees surrounding each site. Private little sandy trail from the site down to Lake Michigan allows for good distancing from others. Can’t beat the sunsets."

    "You are within walking distance of Lake Michigan and the beach is nice and sandy. The sites are well maintained but there is not much distance between them so be prepared for that."

    9. Haakwood State Forest Campground

    7 Reviews
    Wolverine, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 732-3541

    $15 - $20 / night

    "Right on the sturgeon river you get away from the main camps of Burt lake and mullet lake."

    "This campground is right on the north central bike path and I came to this here for that easy access."

    10. Magnus Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Petoskey, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 347-1027

    "The park is run by the City of Petoskey and sits on 21 acres in downtown Petoskey overlooking Lake Michigan.  "

    "The location makes this campground. Stayed 6 nights as it was so relaxing."

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Recent Camping Photos near Indian River, MI

252 Photos of 137 Indian River Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Indian River, MI

877 Reviews of 137 Indian River Campgrounds

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Castle Rock Ponds

    Perfect Hidden Gem

    We came in Mid September, the weather was still warm but 60/70. No bathrooms or hook ups, but perfect for tent or car campers. There was one other camper with a pop up camper and looked to be doing great. The road was long but worth the drive back!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    French Farm Lake Rd

    Close to Mackinaw City

    Nice to find some free dispersed camping near mackinaw city. Came in early September and it was pretty packed - gotta imagine it’s even busier in the peak of summer.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Search Bay Dispersed

    Beautiful spot on the lake.

    Nice Camp sites, pretty beach. I was there in October, so I don’t know what it would be like in warmer weather. I had the place to myself on a Saturday.

  • Kurt and Mary Ann C.
    Sep. 6, 2025

    St. Ignace-Mackinac Island KOA

    KOA

    Haven’t been here but 9 hours but appears to be well run. Great front office employees. Staying tonight and one more.

  • Hannah W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Carp River Boat Launch

    Easy to get to !

    We drove a 24 ft RV at night to the site and the road is decent but has MANY deep potholes. So you need to watch for that ! No one else at the site! Just parked off to the side of the road near the boat launch and had a view of the water ! Very secluded feeling and peaceful !

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    St. James Township Campground

    Incredibly quiet, relaxing spot

    I have camped at St James on Beaver Island numerous times, typically for 5-8 days. Beaver Island is a designated dark sky area and I’ve seen the aurora multiple times. My favorite thing to do is paddle my kayak out into the bay, anchor up, and sit for hours in the gentle waves reading a book.

  • Deb M.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Aloha State Park Campground

    Big. Beautiful lake. Nice open sites.

    There’s LOTS of sites at this state park. There’s 3 different sections, the first 2 being older with mostly “no camping pad” electric sites, and the 3rd is newer with gravel full hookup sites. The lake is easily accessible and wonderful. There are no bathrooms or showers in the new section. AT&T and T-Mobile service was fairly good. Easy access to lots of things to do during the day.

  • Vidalia S.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Search Bay Dispersed

    Busy because it's perfection

    Beautiful large dispersed camping area on the shores of lake Huron. Note camping on the beach is not permitted, but there are plenty of beautiful campsites overlooking the lake. There were only four or five other overnight campers, although during the day several groups came to use the beach and to ride ATVs, but very quiet by late afternoon. Several campsites at the end of an excellent gravel road, more further down if you have four-wheel drive. Active logging in the area when we were there. No. T-Mobile, no bugs or mosquitoes when we were there.

  • D
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Burt Lake State Park Campground

    Nice campground

    Pretty nice campground.   The sites vary is size - some are close together.  We stayed at site 145 which was large but there is a path to the beach right next to it so it's not very private.  The park store was closed Labor Day weekend. There is a vending machine for firewood at the entrance. One bundle is $10 which is expensive. The campground is close to I-75 but we couldn't hear any traffic noise.

Guide to Indian River

Camping near Indian River, Michigan, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, this area has something to offer.

What to do

  • Explore the beaches: Many campgrounds, like Wilderness State Park Camping, have stunning beaches. One camper mentioned, "The beach was beautiful, the water clear, and just a short drive from Mackinaw City!"
  • Hiking and biking: Trails abound in the area. A visitor at Young State Park Campground said, "There are lots of hiking and biking trails."
  • Fishing and kayaking: The lakes around Indian River are perfect for fishing and kayaking. A camper at Fisherman's Island State Park Campground shared, "Bring your kayaks, boats, and fishing gear."

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Straits State Park Campground noted, "The bathroom and shower facilities were nice and clean!"
  • Scenic views: Many campgrounds offer beautiful views. One camper at Hoeft State Park Campground said, "It is close to Rogers City shops, a really cool lighthouse a few miles away, and Ocqueoc Falls."
  • Family-friendly atmosphere: Campgrounds like Burt Lake State Park Campground are great for families. A visitor mentioned, "Wonderful campground that is great for the family."

What you should know

  • Crowded sites: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak season. A camper at Burt Lake State Park Campground noted, "When the campground is full, you are quite close to your neighbors."
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive facilities. A review for Fisherman's Island State Park Campground mentioned, "No toilets, no showers, but the location is gorgeous."
  • Weather considerations: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. A camper at Otsego Lake State Park Campground said, "The gnats were relentless... it was cold so didn’t get to check out the lake."

Tips for camping with families

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Mackinaw City / Mackinac Island KOA said, "The sites are tight, particularly the inside pull-throughs."
  • Use the dump station wisely: Be aware of the location of dump stations. A review for Otsego Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "There is a dump station on the exit side."
  • Bring extra cords: Some sites may have limited electrical outlets. A camper at P.H. Hoeft State Park Campground noted, "Most of the electrical outlets are shared between 2 or 3 sites."

Camping near Indian River, Michigan, has its perks and quirks. With beautiful parks and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot for your next outdoor adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds near Indian River, Michigan?

The Indian River area boasts several exceptional campgrounds. French Farm Lake Rd offers primitive camping with just six sites featuring fire pits - perfect for those seeking solitude. For those who prefer camping by the water, Thurston Park Campground provides lakeside sites with fishing and paddling opportunities, though sites can be close together. Burt Lake State Park is another excellent option with modern facilities and beach access. These campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities and natural settings, with the forest campgrounds typically providing more privacy and the state parks offering more facilities.

What camping options are available in Indian River, Michigan?

Indian River offers diverse camping experiences ranging from state parks to rustic forest campgrounds. Aloha State Park Campground provides developed camping with easy water access for boating enthusiasts. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Haakwood State Forest Campground offers peaceful sites along the Sturgeon River with clean pit toilets and ample space between sites. The area also features private options like Indian River RV Resort for those wanting more amenities. Most campgrounds in the region provide good access to local waterways including Burt Lake and Mullet Lake, making them ideal for water recreation activities.

How far is Indian River camping from popular Michigan attractions?

Camping around Indian River provides convenient access to numerous northern Michigan attractions. Maple Bay State Forest Campground on Burt Lake is centrally located for exploring the region. From most Indian River campgrounds, you're within a 30-minute drive to Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island ferries. Cheboygan State Park Campground is just outside Cheboygan, providing easy access to Lake Huron and excellent hiking trails. The campgrounds also offer convenient proximity to the Inland Waterway, Petoskey (about 35 minutes), Cross Village, and the North Central State Trail for cycling enthusiasts.

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