Situated on Michigan's 45th parallel, Lake Leelanau's camping options extend beyond the vineyards mentioned in the area's marketing materials. The region features a diverse range of accommodations from rustic lakefront sites to upgraded glamping facilities, with most campgrounds open from May through October. Winter temperatures typically range from 14°F to 28°F, making seasonal planning essential.
What to do
Lighthouse exploration: Leelanau State Park Campground offers access to a historic lighthouse with educational tours. "Awesome campground with lots to do. Can check out the lighthouse. Close to Northport with cute shops. A great way to experience Lake Michigan," shares Jami M.
Kayaking on Elk Lake: Whitewater Township Park Campground provides access to Elk Lake with boat launch facilities. Julie V. notes, "Loved this campground. Quiet and surrounded by lake shore. Not a lot of sites and they are well spaced. Some are right on the lake...bring your kayak!"
Hiking nearby trails: Enjoy walking paths and nature trails within short distances from most camping areas. "The views and trails are beautiful, local towns are super cute and easy to get to," comments one camper about Leelanau State Park, while Timber Ridge offers "bike trails, ATV trails" according to visitors.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Wild Cherry RV Resort offers secluded tent camping areas away from RV sections. "The tent camping area has 10 sites, is nestled in the trees, with a picnic table and fire ring at each site," notes a reviewer.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and amenities. "Their bathrooms are very clean daily. Very happy with our stays at this campground," writes Zebadee about Whitewater Township Park.
Small-town proximity: Thurston Park Campground offers walkable access to local services. "Located on Intermediate lake within walking distance of a grocery store and a ice cream parlor that servers Moomers ice cream. Facilities are basic, but the town is charming and offers a lot of summer activities outdoors," reports Rachel M.
What you should know
Seasonal timing matters: Most Lake Leelanau yurt accommodations close during winter months. Wild Cherry RV Resort operates from "May 1 to October 31," while similar facilities follow comparable schedules.
Limited bathroom facilities: Some campgrounds have minimal washroom options. At Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds, "They have electric on all sites, both water and electric on some sites and a dump station. There's a bathhouse with limited individual showers," notes Lorie F.
Wildlife awareness: Local wildlife may visit camping areas. "Raccoons are insane! They are not afraid of anything. We were very good about putting everything away so we only had them visit our site a few times but the dumpster is full of them," warns a camper at Leelanau State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort offers numerous child-friendly features. "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. It's great for the active family, particularly those with elementary & middle school age kids," recommends Allison H.
Beach considerations: Lake conditions vary between locations. One camper notes about Leelanau State Park: "The water front is very rocky, and full off a brown sticky film that smelled bad, if you went over to the lighthouse it got better but still nasty. Nearest beach was a 5 minute drive and a 2 mile hike."
Yurt camping for beginners: Yurt accommodations near Lake Leelanau provide an entry point for families new to camping. Timber Ridge offers "yurts and a lot of RV/tent sites" with "a mix of seasonal sites, a small 'village' of tiny houses, yurts, and a lot of RV/tent sites."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Turtle Lake Campground offers various site configurations. "Open sites but easy access and large sites so you have your own space. We had a blast there. Close to traverse city and sleeping bear dunes!" reports Jason C.
Hookup arrangements: Water access varies between campgrounds. At Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds, "Some sites are electric only, some include water. Not busy and quiet," notes Ron S., while at Wild Cherry RV Resort, "The water, sewer, and electric were all placed appropriately in the site so no extended hoses were needed."
Generator policies: Rules about generator use differ across the region. Some Lake Leelanau yurt camping options have noise restrictions, with several campgrounds maintaining quiet hours between 10 pm and 8 am.