Best Glamping near Johannesburg, MI

Big Bear Lake State Forest Campground and Otsego Lake County Park offer glamping accommodations on beautiful lakefront settings near Johannesburg, Michigan. Big Bear Lake provides glamping options with direct water access, where sites are positioned right along the lake with a four-foot breakwall separating accommodations from the water. "This was a nice and quiet spot," one visitor noted, "with amazing sunsets" visible from the lakeside glamping areas. Otsego Lake County Park features four rental cabins situated directly on the lake, providing a more refined camping experience with electricity in all accommodations. Both locations offer picnic tables, drinking water, and toilet facilities while maintaining a natural setting with mature trees providing shade and privacy. The glamping sites allow guests to anchor boats directly in front of their accommodations for convenient water access during their stay.

Visitors to these glamping destinations can enjoy water-based activities on both Big Bear Lake and Otsego Lake, with swimming beaches, boat launches, and fishing opportunities. The surrounding area provides numerous hiking trails through Michigan's northern forests, making it an ideal base for outdoor adventures. A recent visitor mentioned, "The park is beautiful with many sites having lake views," highlighting the scenic quality of the glamping experience. Both locations are open seasonally, with Big Bear Lake operating from May through Labor Day and Otsego Lake County Park available from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The area serves as a convenient hub for exploring local attractions, with bait shops and convenience stores located nearby for supplies. Winter visitors can access additional glamping options at campgrounds like Gaylord KOA and Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park that offer extended seasons.

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Rainbow Bend State Forest Campground & Canoe Camp

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Best Glamping Sites Near Johannesburg, Michigan (38)

1. Gaylord KOA
10 Reviews
Gaylord, MI
10 miles
Website
+1 (989) 939-8723
$61 - $95 / night
"While it was pricey at $65 night, we had a very spacious full hookup site within easy walking distance of pool. Shower house was very nice and modern, with 4 shower stalls."

"This is so great koa with no road noise. The trees are mature and beautiful. This is a great laid back, family campground. The sites are bigger than other campgrounds in the area."
2. Big Bear Lake State Forest Campground
4 Reviews
Johannesburg, MI
5 miles
Website
+1 (989) 732-3541
"Reservation side has sites up to split rail fence. Ramps to walk down to water.

Amazing sunsets"

"Bait and convenience store across from entrance. Good hub for local hiking and activities around the area."

3. Hartwick Pines State Park Campground
18 Reviews
Frederic, MI
20 miles
Website
+1 (989) 348-7068
"Well maintained grounds, with a fire pit and picnic table. State park, so no WiFi. AT&T is 1 bar. Restroom and showers are updated and clean."

"A few trails walking distance from the campground.

The old growth trail is beautiful and really well maintained. The trees are crazy TALL."
4. Otsego Lake County Park
5 Reviews
Gaylord, MI
12 miles
Website
+1 (989) 731-6448
"This is a great campground South of Gaylord on Otsego Lake. I believe all sites have electric. The park is beautiful with a many sites having lake views."

5. Elkwood Campground
3 Reviews
Wolverine, MI
17 miles
Website
+1 (231) 445-0801
$40 - $50 / night
6. Haakwood State Forest Campground
7 Reviews
Wolverine, MI
23 miles
Website
+1 (989) 732-3541
$15 - $20 / night
"You can’t beat $15 a night, each rustic site is fairly secluded with privacy, and you’re right by Michigan’s only area to view free roaming wild elk!"

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

7. Burt Lake State Park Campground
21 Reviews
Indian River, MI
31 miles
Website
+1 (231) 238-9392
"Large, level electric sites. Very large campground in general. Since we were there in September and mid week, it was quiet. Bath house clean, but a bit outdated. Nice beach and swimming area."

"Staff was helpful, neighbors were friendly, bathrooms were clean, and it's right on the lake! Very pet-friendly, very busy. Reserve in advance."
8. Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground
4 Reviews
Millersburg, MI
22 miles
Website
+1 (989) 785-4251
"Butting up to Tomahawk Lake and surrounded by the Atlanta State Forest Area, you are close to Oqueoc Falls, hiking trails, and other natural wonders northern Michigan has to offer."

"Only maybe 12 sites and about half with waterfront access to the little lake. Lake tomahawk is attached to the first unit."

9. Young State Park Campground
19 Reviews
Boyne City, MI
33 miles
Website
+1 (231) 582-7523
"Very friendly staff and clean park. Family friendly and pet friendly, beach was close by and clean. Reservations were very easy to make online and allows you to pick your site."

"The facilities were clean and the grounds themselves were a pleasure to walk around. The camp store was the best stocked one I’ve seen yet."
10. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park & Resort at Grayling
7 Reviews
Grayling, MI
28 miles
Website
$37 - $68 / night
"There is a pool, outdoor movies, horseshoes, inflatable blob (kids love the blob), putt putt, sand box, small bikes to rent and a nice store and lodge on site."

"People decorate their sites, dress up, and hand out candy."

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Recent Glamping Photos near Johannesburg, MI

18 Photos of 38 Johannesburg Campgrounds

Glamping Reviews near Johannesburg, MI

288 Reviews of 38 Johannesburg Campgrounds

Robert M.
Scout
Aug. 3, 2020
Black Lake State Forest Upper ORV Campground
Terrible camping experience
I just saw a review from another camper who experienced the same as me; generators everywhere, no peace and quiet, no rangers to tell people to turn down their music, no one to police the crazy orv drivers who treated the 10 mph roads as race tracks. Do not go here if you're looking for a nice time. This campground is horrible, loud, dirty, and not managed. It’s full of drunk yahoos who use it as a cheap place to stay in northern Michigan.
Rodger M.
Guide
Sep. 3, 2021
Devoe Lake Rustic Campround — Rifle River Recreation Area
Spacious, Quiet, Relaxing
We were greeted at the gate by an extremely helpful and knowledgeable gentleman. He provided good directions, and helped us with our Rec Pass.

The site was easy to find, spacious, and had adequate distancing from other campers. It included a fire pit and picnic table too.

The lake was serene in the early mornings and evenings. Listen for the woeful call of the loons. What a treat!

Word of caution, the raccoons start partying as soon as you bed down. Make sure your food and trash is adequately covered/contained.

Campground has vault toilets. We never used them but good to know they have them.
Kathie M.
Legend
Jun. 20, 2020
North Higgins Lake State Park Campground
Overnite stay in cabin
One nite stay in cabin. Cabin had electricity, mini fridge, electricity and bunk beds. Only complaint was cabin was close to fairly busy road.
A
April P.
Scout
Jun. 24, 2019
Hoeft State Park Campground
Clean ,breathtakingly beautiful and peaceful
Make reservations early! This is a beautiful state park with the best of pure Michigan woods and Lake Huron sandy dunes and beaches . Very family and pet friendly but also quiet and peaceful for couples who just wanna get away . Only drawback is low signal cell service but hey getting off the grid is what’s its all about. Unplug and recharge yourself. Electric hook up availability 20/30 amp . Hiking and biking paths , a cute play ground , sandy beach with volleyball area all walking distance from campsites! Friendly staff , we love this park !
Christie L.
Traveler
Aug. 8, 2020
North Higgins Lake State Park Campground
Nice overnite stay
We stayed for a quick overnight and wish we could have stayed longer. 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. This is a very bustling and full campground with lots of groups and families. Lot’s of kids on bikes. We were surprised to see a group with a full bar right out front on their site. We’re used to Texas parks where that would NOT fly😆 But everyone respected the quiet hours so we had no noise issues at night. Easy access to the water from everywhere thanks to groomed paths. Nice long but narrow sandy beach great for the kids to swim. Busy but very fun place to camp!
Nancy W.
Legend
Jun. 24, 2017
Magnus Park Campground
Great Location to Downtown and Lake Michigan
This park has some strong positives that outweigh the negatives so depending on what really annoys you about a campground determines whether you may or may not like this place. The park is run by the City of Petoskey and sits on 21 acres in downtown Petoskey overlooking Lake Michigan. Petoskey has a really cool downtown with great restaurants (we liked Beard’s Brewery, Palette Bistro, and Grand Traverse Pie Company), shopping, a free art center (Crooked Tree), parks, and a pretty marina with a scenic breakwater lighthouse. If you have never been to this part of Michigan, you should definitely come for a visit.

The campground is very popular because of the price and location with about 1/3 of the park occupied by seasonal or monthly rentals of people that have been coming for many years. There are 71 sites which can be used for RVs or tents. Roads are paved and sites are grass/sand. There are fire pits and picnic tables at each site and a nice large grassy area in the front of the park near Lake Michigan with multiple picnic tables in a common space.

There are many positive attributes of this park. The location of this park could not be better and the price of $30/night (water, sewer, 30 amp electric; $28 for electric and water only) is a great deal. (Especially because other private campgrounds in the area are easily $60+/night in the summer season.) They have free wifi that worked well and we were able to get over-the-air antenna television channels. You are really in a prime location with Lake Michigan in front of you. Many of the sites in this park have a great view of the lake (especially sites 1-16). Running through the park is the Little Traverse Wheelway which is a paved bike path spanning from the cute towns of Charlevoix to Harbor Springs. (If you don’t have a bike with you there are plenty of rental places nearby.)

Now for the negatives. The bathroom/shower houses are old and tired but were clean. The park sits between a hospital and water treatment plant, one of which can be smelly on warm days the other of which has a very loud HVAC system generating lots of noise. The park is located close to the busy road M-31 so there is a bit of road noise. The sites are very close together so there is not much privacy. The park is open to day-use and has a heavily used bike path running right through it so there are lots of people coming and going.
Sean R.
Traveler
Jul. 5, 2021
South Branch Trail Camp Group Site
Nice Large Private Site #21
Bathroom was clean, site was large surrounded by tall pine trees. Picnic table was HC accessible. Fire pit ring. I'm a motocamper and suited my needs. No trash, so take what you brought in plus some.
C
Corrie
Guide
Jul. 21, 2022
Whitewater Township Park Campground
Perfect camping
Great sites with electric and water. Dump on site, very clean bathrooms and helpful staff. The campground has great Elk Lake access and some sites have views of the lake. Well kept, ice and firewood for sale on site.
Kim L.
Ranger
Aug. 28, 2019
Gaylord KOA
Very well kept KOA
While it was pricey at $65 night, we had a very spacious full hookup site within easy walking distance of pool. Shower house was very nice and modern, with 4 shower stalls. Full coin laundry was helpful too! They had kids activities over the 4thof July weekend, and our kid loved it. The KOA is about a 5 min drive to Otsego Lake and the state park, where there's a nice beach and easy lake access. There's also a newly paved bike trail right by the lake for you to log some miles on. Nearby towns of Gaylord and Boyne provided us with plenty to do, and only a couple hours to get to Sleeping Bear sand dunes. We thought this place was worth the expense- big, flat, level sites with fire pit and full hook up. Nice pine trees and plenty of space for kids to play. Did not like the additional fee for kid to get wrist band for jump pillow and mini gold, but did it anyways.