The Kewadin area sits at an elevation of 630 feet along the eastern shore of Grand Traverse Bay, with a humid continental climate characterized by warm summers reaching 80°F and cold winters averaging 15°F. Camping options spread across both sides of Torch Lake, with the majority of dog friendly campgrounds near Kewadin positioned within a 20-minute drive of water access points. Sites typically open from May through September with limited winter availability.
What to do
**Paddling opportunities: Boat launch access at Whitewater Township Park for direct water entry. "Our site was easy access in and out. Clean bathrooms super close. Best of all the beach area. The views are stunning. Grocery, wood, and supplies nearby," notes Meara H. about Barnes County Park Campground.
**Hiking trails: Explore marked paths through northern Michigan woodlands near Kewadin. "There are hiking trails nearby and the campground is about 15 minutes away from the quaint town of Elk Rapids and a very touristy Traverse City. The playground isn't much, but offers the kids a place to go," shares Ann D. about Whitewater Township Park.
**Lighthouse tours: Visit Leelanau State Park's historic lighthouse with educational exhibits. "Wonderful time at Leelanau at a waterfront site in a tent. Rangers were so nice and helpful, the sites in great condition, and the 'outhouses' always clean. While most supplies, including firewood, are available through the rangers and camp store, the town of Northport, with Tom's Grocery, is only 10 mins away," mentions Kenneth K. about Leelanau State Park Campground.
What campers like
**Lakefront access: Direct water views from multiple campsites around Kewadin. "We stayed on a small camper site near the lake (spot 22 if you look on a map) although we had nice view of the lake, the spot where we camped was next to the area where your allowed to bring your dog to go to the bathroom, so theres a decent amount of foot traffic in that particular area," describes Phil M. from Leelanau Pines Campground.
**Spaced-out sites: More privacy than typical commercial campgrounds. "If you are looking for a no-frills secluded campground with spaced out campsites and beautiful views this is the place for you. It does not have a lot of extras but for a peaceful camping trip it has everything you need," reports cheyanne P. about Whitewater Township Park Campground.
**Water recreation: Swimming, fishing, and boating options throughout the region. "We just visited this campground this past weekend and it was beautiful! I loved the clear blue water down the big dropoff hill and how heavily wooded this entire park was. Made it perfect for hammock camping! Will definitely be staying here again in the near future," shares Kelsey P. about Whitewater Township Park.
What you should know
**Insect preparation: Northern Michigan's forested areas require good bug spray, especially at dusk. "Great spots near lakeside, hiking nearby, quiet, hardly saw anyone," mentions Roger V. about Sand Lakes Quiet Area Backcountry Campsites, where mosquitoes can be plentiful in less-sprayed wilderness areas.
**Site variations: Campgrounds near Kewadin offer significant differences in site privacy and amenities. "Nice quiet township park between Traverse City and Charlevoix. Clean restrooms and spacious lake view sites," notes Patty W. about Whitewater Township Park.
**Weather considerations: Northern Michigan experiences rapid weather changes, especially near water. "It even thunderstormed while we were there and it's still one of my favorite camping trips ever! Plus nice hiking trails as well!" shares Magy C. about Fisherman's Island State Park.
Tips for camping with families
**Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "This campground is great for what it is, a resort type campground with tons of activities and opportunities for fun. It is not a typical campground for people looking to get lost in the woods. There are trails if you want to get away from all the action, however the main campground area is usually quite busy," explains Jay J. about Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort.
**Safety considerations: Choose sites with good separation from water for younger children. "Super lively campground with lots of people and campsites close to each other. The airport is nearby as is the main road so don't expect much peace and quiet. If noise isn't an issue, this campground is clean, fun, and cozy! Bathrooms are all nearby," warns Aakifah A. about Traverse City State Park.
**Dog-friendly swimming areas: Some beaches allow dogs while others restrict access. "Super quiet, right on the beach with a path beside our site. Dogs welcome here but the bummer was that they aren't allowed on their beach at all. Would def come back!!" mentions Erin about Barnes County Park.
Tips from RVers
**Site leveling: Bring blocks as many campsites require adjustment. "Site 69 was large enough for our class C 31ft motorhome, didn't take much to level. It did rain pretty hard plus wind and with lots of trees many branches and such on top of our rig afterwards. That doesn't bother me but if it bothers you, you may want another place being this has lots of trees," advises Clint G. about Fisherman's Island State Park Campground.
**Tree clearance: Watch for low-hanging branches at some of the more wooded campgrounds. "We were late arriving but they had friendly staff that met us to check us in and guide us to our site (T). The site had full hookups and was considered to be one of the premium sites. It included electric, sewer, water, cable, and WiFi when it worked," explains Kimberly C. about Leelanau Pines.
**Seasonal availabilities: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Kewadin have limited openings during peak summer months. "Honcho Rest Campground is a little gem on Bass Lake in Elk Rapids, MI. The grounds are mostly well maintained and clean. Some of the sites are a little on the small side but still nice and fairly level, some have concrete pads and all of them have a concrete patio," notes Steve F. from Honcho Rest Campground.
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