185 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Lake Ann, Michigan provides rustic camping opportunities in a region known for its proximity to both inland lakes and Lake Michigan. Lake Ann State Forest Campground offers a peaceful setting on a ridge overlooking Lake Ann with basic amenities including outhouses and hand pumps for water. The surrounding area includes several established campgrounds within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, including Platte River Campground and D.H. Day Campground, which accommodate tent and RV camping. Most sites in the region are within 30 minutes of Traverse City, offering a mix of rustic forest camping and developed campgrounds with varying levels of amenities.
"This rustic campground is settled on a ridge overlooking Lake Ann. Camp offers outhouses and water hand pumps," notes one visitor on The Dyrt. Camping in the Lake Ann area typically runs from April through October, with some campgrounds like Platte River offering year-round access. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when the region experiences peak visitation. The Lake Ann Pathway across from the state forest campground provides hiking opportunities through forested hills and along the Platte River. Water access is available at most campgrounds, though visitors should note that Lake Ann State Forest Campground has limited waterfront sites. Cell service can be spotty in more remote areas, and campers should be prepared for mosquitoes, particularly in wooded sites during summer months.
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the region. According to one camper, "Previous times I've been here we could beach our boat right on the shoreline down from camp." Sites with Lake Michigan views tend to fill quickly, especially at D.H. Day and Platte River campgrounds within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The proximity to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore provides additional recreational opportunities, with several reviewers mentioning the convenience of hiking trails and beach access. Campers frequently note the region's natural beauty and relative quiet, particularly at the more rustic state forest campgrounds. The mixed-use campgrounds throughout the area accommodate various camping styles, from tent camping to RVs, with some locations like Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort also offering cabin and yurt options for those seeking more comfort.
"One of my Favorite places in Michigan to camp. Out of the way without being out of the way. The walk in sites are a very short walk and well away from the other sites."
"Lots of campsites 30 to 50 feet away from the roadway offering appropriate privacy. Woods and bushes separating campsites. Shower houses in excellent condition and clean. Pads for tents in place."
from $22 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Every year I camp on the Green Lake side of Interlochen State Park, and this year was the first year I allowed a guest - my fiance."
"Not super close to Michigan cities, but can drive back and forth to Traverse City."
from $20 - $120 / night
Check Availability"Pretty close to your neighbors, but our site still had some good tree cover. Easy walk to Lake Michigan through the campground. Vaulted toilets, community water and trash."
"Quiet campground with sites quite close to one another. This campground butts up to the heritage trail, which is 20 miles of hiking, biking, walking, or skiing fun."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Located on busy US-31, but with pedestrian bridge over 4 lanes to beach. TART (Traverse Area Recreation Trail) access from campground. Easy biking to Traverse City or Acme."
"Bathrooms were clean, sites were average size for Michigan state parks. Close to the bike trail, though a little noisy from the nearby airport and roads."
from $45 - $100 / night
Check Availability"It has a fire pit, nearby bathrooms, WiFi, and was in short driving distance to the Sleeping Bear Dunes and Traverse City."
"This is one of my favorite campgrounds and it’s located in our favorite vacation destination!"
"We stayed at this campground while doing the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail by horseback, therefore we were in the "horse" portion of the campground."
"Off the beaten path but has great rustic campsites with firepits and there are restrooms and fresh water close by in each circle we will be back"
"We stayed here in our little offroad teardrop camper which looked like David & Goliath when contrasted against the massive 5th wheels surrounding us."
"There is a pool, jump pad, miles and miles of mountain biking trails and hiking trails, a man made lake which has some inflatable water toys."
from $60 - $260 / night
Check Availability"Close to traverse city and sleeping bear dunes!"
"The lake is great for kayaking or small fishing boats. Office staff super nice. Small, but nice beach. We took my mom & nieces two years ago."
"Plenty of beautiful views of the lake! You’re tucked away from the main road but also close enough to enjoy nearby Sutton’s Bay ( which is worth a visit)"
"The campground was very shady and situated right on the lake. We stayed in Site #50 and could carry our kayaks across a small grassy field to put in at the edge of the lake."
from $103 - $130 / night
Check Availability"Showers available at Interlochen CG, short drive or walk a mile through the woods and cross the main road near the entrance to the boat launch."
"It was nice waking up to hearing loons calling on the lake though. The campground doesn’t have any trails or a nice beach, but there’s lots to do nearby."
from $20 - $120 / night
Check Availability
ScoutI have a Skokie conversion 44ft. The area was easy to back in to, bathrooms were clean and nice, well lit.
It’s a quiet campground for sure, but it’s nice and dark at night to see the stars and you can get good rest here.
ScoutWe looked into this location but from the information we found, it's closed and was purchased for private use. Too bad, looks like it could have had some great potential.
TravelerOur site, and most sites, we're very shaded. Bathrooms and showers were very clean. The rangers working were fantastic. In a great location to visit nearby sites!!!
LegendJuly 8, 2026, 82 degrees Make sure you goto michigan reservations as it’s confusing for first come first serve.
Site 22, 2 bars 5G on T-Mobile Flat Sandy grass, pit toilets. Trash dumpster on the way out. Good rustic camping, bugs were not bad, mostly flat and only a few campers during the week. Horse, bike and hiking trails right next to the CG. We saw a few loons near the boat launch.
GuideI camped here on my motorcycle in a tent. NO CELL PHONE SERVICE!!!It is quiet after dark, river sites all over, walkin sites at the entrance. Its $20 a night. Its a nice scenery the bugs are a little rough but there is fire wood close by for $5 a bundle. All in all a good experience except... The damn racoons!! It was like the movie the great outdoors and they come in packs!!! I had to hide everything and they stole my ketchup 😂
TravelerThis campground was absolutely breathtaking. The showers and bathrooms were so clean and easily accessible. 10/10 experience all around.
LegendJuly 3-7th, site 489, Easy check in and the water fill up was next to the dump station.
The dump station only has two drains and the cap is in the middle of the island to dump. The site was flat with trees, our 21’ fit well with our truck.
30amp, metal fire ring with old picnic table. Looks like water will puddle during rains.
Newer shower and bath facilities are amazing. The showers are separate and private from the shitters. The lots are Michigan sand and rock, very little gravel and grass, bring ant killer for the site.
Some sites are paved asphalt.
Firewood was$23 for 3 bundles Cash App or Venmo near the general store.
Water fill stations throughout the park but the spigot does not allow a house hookup. Fill up at the dump station. The south lot area was full and very crowded, narrow asphalt road with lots of trees, larger 5th wheel campers would be better on the north section.
There is a Pine Nature Trail that runs on the west side of the south area. About 2 miles but part of the trail has not been cleared from recent storms. A great place to bring your SUP and kayak. Peaceful lakes in the area.
ScoutThis was our first time in orchard beach and we will definitely return! This campground was so clean, the sites were large, the bathrooms were immaculate, and the staff was kind and helpful! We had a site backing up to the fence of the drop off and we could hear the water all night. The view is absolutely beautiful, I was bummed to miss the sunset on our first night. We took away a star because of the blocked off stairs. We were under the impression that there would be water access so that was disappointing. But! We had a blast and made friends with our site neighbor and will definitely recommend this spot to friends!
TravelerSix or so full hook up sites in the campground (several are seasonal/permanent sites). The sites are spacious, woodsy, shaded with nice grass for the kiddos to play in. The owners, Rocky and Richard were friendly and available if needed. They even filled our campfire ring with wood before we arrived. There is a porta potty on site, but otherwise expect to use your camper for bathing needs. The 25 min drive into traverse city felt easy even with toddlers in toe. The town of Cedar is small but quaint.
The Lake Ann region offers tent and RV camping opportunities within Michigan's Grand Traverse area. Located approximately 15 miles southwest of Traverse City, this inland region features rolling hills and dense forest surrounding numerous small lakes. Campsites near Lake Ann, Michigan provide access to water recreation while serving as a strategic base for exploring the Lake Michigan shoreline and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore just 20-30 minutes away.
Night kayaking on rivers: Platte River Campground provides excellent access for evening water adventures. "We camp on full moon nights and hit the river for night kayaking. We have our favorite site too!" shares Nikki M. For wildlife enthusiasts, Joyce B. advises: "Go when they release the salmon from the hatchery - you feel all the salmon brush against your kayak as they swim upstream!"
Beach exploration and hiking: Outdoor enthusiasts visiting D.H. Day Campground can access both shoreline and trails. "Great access to walking trails and the beach. There are a few spots that are more private, but you'll likely have to book in advance," notes Emmy W. The campground's beach access remains uncrowded compared to more popular areas.
Wine tasting circuits: Leelanau Peninsula offers numerous wineries within a short drive of camping areas. "We went to several wineries. Boathouse Vineyards was nice - you could do the wine tasting then sit out back facing the river & have a glass of wine. They had entertainment playing, and brought Pizza in," explains B M. from Leelanau Pines Campground.
Lake activities: Turtle Lake Campground provides water recreation options without large crowds. "The lake is great for kayaking or small fishing boats. Small, but nice beach," reports Stacey R. For fishing enthusiasts, be aware of what you might catch: "When my kids went fishing, they pulled up large snapping turtles both times. A bit of a surprise to see their size!"
Forested sites with privacy: Many campers appreciate the natural setting at Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp. "The campsites themselves have lots of space, privacy and a fire pit. This place is the bees knees," shares Caryssa R. Another camper notes: "Great rustic camping necessities. Outhouses near each circle, spickit with really good water, hiking trails, boat launch and even a nearby island you can kayak to."
Clean facilities: Despite rustic settings, many campgrounds maintain excellent facilities. According to Scott D. at Platte River Campground, "Really nice paved camping sites with fire pits and tables. Sites not too close to each other. Bathroom facilities were excellent and clean. Firewood is available to purchase in the campground."
Reservation requirements: Popular sites book extremely fast. "Reservations are extremely hard to get for this park. If you want a weekend campsite, you must book six months in advance!" advises Stephanie C. about Platte River Campground.
Wildlife considerations: Bear activity exists in the region. "There was a bear spotted in the group area during our stay. Bring bug spray! The ticks are bad this year," warns another Platte River camper. At Green Lake Rustic South, water recreation has its own challenges: "Swimmers itch in the lake," notes Sherrie P.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds close during winter months. "We stayed in the rustic sites as the modern ones were closed for the season," shares Natalie S. Late fall camping requires preparation: "Went there in late October of 2022 and man was it a cold night to stay in a tent," reports Doug P.
Activity-focused campgrounds: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort offers extensive programming. "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," explains Allison H.
Beach access amenities: Holiday Park Campground provides water recreation with amenities. "Holiday Park has lake access on silver lake, very nice. Rented a pontoon boat from an outside company and spent the day on the beautiful lake," shares Patrick. The campground also features "a great playground" according to reviewers.
Educational opportunities: Traverse City State Park offers programming and accessibility. "You can catch bus for ride into town where there are lots of shops, breweries, etc - very nice town," notes Colleen S. The campground provides "pedestrian bridge to go over to the park along the bay" and "nice roads to bike on and explore."
Site selection: RVers should research specific sites before booking. "We were lucky that hardly anyone was there. You are right next to the highway so all night you hear cars and headlights come into your tent," warns Natalie S. about rustic sites.
Level sites: Many campgrounds provide assistance with leveling. At Leelanau Pines Campground, "the staff was so helpful when they escorted us to the site & helped us back in they had levels they brought & put under one side of the travel trailer to level us," reports B M.
Hookup considerations: Verify the exact amenities needed. "All sites are full hookup," shares Phil M. about Leelanau Pines. At Indigo Bluffs RV Park, Kyle K. appreciated "shaded sites that are good size. We have a 23' travel trailer and has plenty of room. Full hook ups including sewer make it very convenient."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lake Ann Campground located in Michigan?
Lake Ann State Forest Campground is located on a ridge overlooking Lake Ann in northwestern Michigan, near Traverse City. The campground is situated in a wooded area with some sites offering views or access to the lake. The area is part of Michigan's state forest system and is proximate to outdoor recreation opportunities including the Lake Ann Pathway hiking trail, which is located across the road from the campground. Its location provides good access for boating activities on Lake Ann.
Are there photos available of Lake Ann State Forest Campground?
Yes, photos of Lake Ann State Forest Campground are available through camping platforms like The Dyrt. These images typically showcase the wooded campsites, lake views, and the natural setting. For additional visual references of similar rustic Michigan campgrounds, you might check Platte River Campground or D.H. Day Campground, which feature comparable natural settings. Most camping websites and apps allow users to upload and view photos of their camping experiences, helping prospective visitors get a sense of the grounds before their trip.
What amenities are available at Lake Ann State Forest Campground?
Lake Ann State Forest Campground offers rustic amenities typical of Michigan state forest campgrounds. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring for cooking and enjoying campfires. The campground provides pit toilets (outhouses) located in the center of the circular grounds and water is available from hand pumps. The $15 per night fee is collected through self-registration. While most sites are wooded, only a few offer direct water access or views of Lake Ann. For comparison, Thurston Park Campground and Fisherman's Island State Park Campground offer similar basic amenities with varying degrees of lake access.
Keep Exploring
