The Leelanau Peninsula near Kewadin, Michigan sits between Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan, creating a unique microclimate for camping. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-80°F with cooler lakeside breezes, while spring and fall camping requires preparation for temperature drops into the 40s at night. Most campgrounds in this area operate seasonally from May through October due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Kayaking on Bass Lake: Honcho Rest Campground in Elk Rapids offers direct access to Bass Lake where campers can enjoy paddling. "The campground sits on the shores of Bass Lake which is great for a quick paddle around, fishing, etc., but if you are seeking larger bodies of water, the Elk Rapids Marina on Grand Traverse Bay and Elk Lake are just a couple miles away," notes one visitor.
Hiking through wooded trails: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort provides trail access for nature walks. A camper mentions, "There are trails if you want to get away from all the action, however the main campground area is usually quite busy." This offers a good balance of social camping with opportunities for solitude.
Winery tours: Multiple vineyards surround the camping areas near Kewadin. A visitor to Wild Cherry RV Resort shared, "The park is on the Leelanau Peninsula which is one of Michigan's most well-known and revered wine region and there are three wineries within a couple of miles (one is just across the street from the entrance)." Forty-Five North Vineyard offers walking trails alongside wine tasting.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Lake Leelanau RV Park maintains exceptionally clean facilities. According to one camper, "The bathrooms are absolutely immaculate and each family bathroom includes a toilet, sink, and shower." This attention to cleanliness extends to their laundry facilities as well.
Family-friendly activities: Starlight Campground offers multiple recreation options. A camper reported, "Swing set, walking trail, ORV trail, pool, volleyball, pickle ball court and other games! This campground is extremely clean and has beautiful bathrooms/showers." Their app allows campers to order firewood and ice directly to their site.
Seasonal events: Many campgrounds host special weekends with themed activities. A Timber Ridge visitor shared, "We were here off season, daily rate was $40. There is a lot to do in this park, zip line, pool, walking trail, lake. Golf cart rentals. Lots of kid activities, in fact there was a Halloween party as we pulled in." These organized activities create community atmosphere during holiday weekends.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Peak season fills quickly for rv camping near Kewadin. Some parks like Indigo Bluffs RV Park book up months in advance for summer stays. Competition for sites is particularly high during July-August.
Site limitations: Not all campgrounds offer the same hookup options. At Vista Green RV Resort, "There is not a fire ring since only propane fires are allowed." Additionally, some parks have strict pet policies regarding breeds, numbers, and leash requirements.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds near Kewadin close during winter months. Wild Cherry RV Resort operates "May 1 to October 31" while others like Starlight Campground have even shorter seasons, running "May 20th and close September 5th."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Schedule around organized events at campgrounds. A visitor to Starlight Campground shared, "They have an app you can download and do everything from ordering firewood and ice to seeing what's going on during their theme weekends. They kept my kids busy while still allowing for relaxing time."
Beach access options: Choose campgrounds with water features for children. At Honcho Rest Campground, "There are also 2 different styles of cabins available for rent, clean bathrooms with showers, and a laundromat on site. The campground sits on the shores of Bass Lake which is great for a quick paddle around, fishing, etc."
Indoor alternatives: Look for campgrounds with indoor facilities for rainy days. Antrim Meadows Campground provides "a large newer pole building that housed the check in counter was filled with games and space to meet people," making it versatile for all weather conditions.
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: Check site layouts before booking. One RVer at Kalkaska RV Park noted, "Our site required us to pull through in such a way that the hookups were on the opposite side of our coach. They only have 15 full hookup sites and none were available for our time frame."
Site preparation: Many campgrounds require leveling equipment. As a camper at Kalkaska RV Park & Campground described, "Site is gravel and dirt. 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." Bring extension cords and extra leveling blocks.
RV size considerations: Not all parks accommodate larger rigs equally well. Wild Cherry RV Resort provides "spacious sites for big rigs with full hookup capability," while other parks may have more limited maneuvering space or shorter sites unsuitable for longer RVs.
