The Leelanau Peninsula region near Lake Ann, Michigan sits within the glacial terrain of the northwestern Lower Peninsula. Most RV campgrounds in the Lake Ann area operate between May and October due to Michigan's seasonal climate patterns. Winter snowfall averages 120 inches annually in this region, making summer and fall the primary camping seasons with temperatures typically ranging from 65-80°F.
What to do
Fishing access: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort includes a small pond perfect for casual fishing. "There is a small lake with fishing. There is an indoor pool & game room. There are activities all the time. Bingo every weekend," notes a visitor from Timber Ridge.
Trail exploration: Located near multiple trail networks, campers can access hiking and biking routes from several campgrounds. "This is a very large campground that is usually full during the summer. There is no shortage of activities here: a small pond/beach, pool, jumping pillow, dodgeball, bike trails, ATV trails, crafts, parades, etc." writes an experienced Timber Ridge camper.
Winery visits: The Lake Ann region offers numerous vineyard experiences within short driving distance. At Wild Cherry RV Resort, guests appreciate the location: "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)."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Kampvilla Park receives consistent praise for roomy campsites. "Great park and very friendly employees! The sites are nice and big, they constantly ride around emptying the trash, they have activities (it was candy bar bingo when we stayed), and the kids loved the pool!" reports one family.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds prioritize cleanliness in bathhouses and common areas. "The showers are located in the activity center. These are typical stalls. There is a great area to hang clothes and store your toiletries in the shower stall. These are kept very clean," noted a visitor at Vista Green RV Resort.
Atmosphere variety: Each campground offers distinct environments. At Manton Trails RV Park, campers appreciate the peaceful setting: "A hidden gem near Cadillac. It's nice and quiet and clean, bathrooms aren't too far from campsites. Electrical hookups are provided and fire pits. We even got free firewood."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Summer weekends fill quickly at popular locations. "We were searching for a super last minute campground near Traverse City for Memorial Weekend and everything within a quick drive seemed booked. I called up Timber Ridge to check if anything came available and they offered an RV site that we could use for our tents."
Site variations: Campgrounds often have different sections with varying levels of privacy. At Lake Leelanau RV Park, "The sites at this campground are lush with grass, but on the smaller side. It's right on Lake Leelanau, and they even rent boat slips. There is a tiny beach, fun for an afternoon dip with the kids."
Water access: Waterfront RV campgrounds near Lake Ann offer different types of water recreation. "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."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Focus on campgrounds with structured programming. "Great campground with lots of activities for kids, but we have none. It was not high season, so it was not crowded and it was quiet. Our site was full service, but we only need electric for our van."
Swimming options: Some campgrounds feature pool facilities while others have beach access. "There is a tiny beach, fun for an afternoon dip with the kids. A large number of campers here are seasonal residents, so keep that in mind if that's not your vibe."
Safety considerations: Choose sites that balance outdoor exploration with security. "Ken and Becky run the perfect campground! Spacious, level sites. Great family atmosphere! Very clean and well kept. Close to every kind of recreation you can think of."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Look for pull-through accessibility at larger campgrounds. "The roads are very wide and there are not too many trees so maneuvering big-rigs is not a problem. The water, sewer, and electric were all placed appropriately in the site so no extended hoses were needed."
Parking configurations: Different RV campgrounds near Lake Ann offer various setup options. "Our site, #20, had an improved gravel parking area for camper with a finished concrete pad with a picnic table. Site, and whole campground was clean and well maintained."
Leveling challenges: Some sites require additional work to level properly. "Our site was a full hookup but had one small issue where the drain dump was slightly uphill from the camper, so we had to work with the drain hose to empty tanks."
