Kalkaska, Michigan sits at 1,017 feet above sea level and receives approximately 33 inches of annual precipitation, creating moderate camping conditions from late spring through early fall. The area features primarily sandy loam soil with scattered stands of northern hardwood and conifer forests. The camping season typically runs April through October at most parks, with temperatures ranging from 45°F to 85°F during this period.
What to do
ORV trail access: Several campgrounds offer direct connections to Michigan's extensive ORV trail network. Manton Trails RV Park provides convenient trail access directly from campsites. "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," reports one visitor to Manton Trails RV Park.
Lake activities: Many campgrounds feature lake access for swimming, fishing, and boating. Lake Billings RV Park & Campground offers a dedicated swimming area on their lake. "They have a really nice area whether it's fishing or swimming, playground or just plain camping, etc.," notes a visitor to Lake Billings RV Park & Campground, who also mentioned their "very nice swimming/play area for small children."
Social events: Weekend entertainment options are available at select parks. "Over the weekend they had a concert! Live band and food truck....free to all campers and their friends! It was a great time and the owners and manager are very friendly," shared a visitor about weekend activities at Manton Trails RV Park.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of bathrooms and shower facilities. "Showers were amazing. Bath house was very nice with plenty of hot showers with great water pressure. That's a number one seller for me, that and if they are clean, which they were," noted one reviewer at Manton Trails RV Park.
Spacious sites: Many parks offer large sites that can accommodate bigger camping setups. "We camped in a 40' motor coach for a week," noted one camper at Kalkaska RV Park & Campground, while another mentioned, "Pull through full hook up, everything worked great. Nice level gravel spot."
Family amenities: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort is particularly noted for its family-friendly features. "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," shared a visitor to Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort.
What you should know
Cell service and WiFi: Connectivity varies by location but is generally reliable. "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," reported a visitor to Manton Trails RV Park.
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate from April/May through October, with limited winter options. At Honcho Rest Campground, the season runs "May 1 to Oct 1," and while some sites are seasonal, they "have a few spots for 'transients' (as they call them) as well."
Bug considerations: During summer months, insects can be prevalent in the area. "Bugs/gnats were a small issue and bug spray was needed," noted one camper at Vista Green RV Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Activity centers: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreation facilities. "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," reported a visitor to Vista Green RV Resort.
Swimming options: Pools and lake access provide cooling options during hot summer days. "They have a large heated Swimming pool and an adults only hot tub," noted a visitor to Vista Green RV Resort, while another mentioned the "several ponds throughout the campground."
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Some parks specifically cater to families with children. "There was a lot for the kids to do and we never really left the campground the 2 weekend we camped here. The pool is clean. Kids loved the activities they had scheduled," shared a visitor at Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for varied site conditions that may require adjustment. "It is a pull through site that required us to do quite a bit of leveling. The hookups are rather far away so we needed extensions," shared one RV camper at Kalkaska RV Park & Campground.
Transportation within large resorts: Consider your mobility needs at larger parks. "You are allowed to ride personal golf carts. They also allow you to rent golf carts. It is beneficial to have a golf cart to get around since it is a large campground. We have our own e-bikes which helped," noted a visitor to Vista Green RV Resort.
Reservation timing: Book early for prime summer dates, especially for full hookup sites. "We have spent six weeks at this park for the last 6 years... Because they are such a popular place to stay during the show (July - mid August), they sites book up a year in advance," advised a visitor to Traverse Bay RV Resort.
