Camping opportunities near Lake Leelanau extend across 45 square miles of freshwater shoreline in Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula. The region features moderately sandy soil with mixed hardwood forests and elevation changes between 580-700 feet above sea level. Summer daytime temperatures average 75-85°F with overnight lows dropping to 55-65°F, creating comfortable camping conditions from May through October.
What to do
Kayaking Lake Leelanau: Launch from Leelanau Pines Campground and explore Victoria Creek. "We launched the kayak & could keep it there on the grass at the lake. We kayaked the lake Leelanau then went up into Victoria Creek it was so cool. There was a duck blind in there and shore birds," notes a camper at Leelanau Pines Campground.
Hiking lighthouse trails: Visit Leelanau State Park for coastal hiking paths. "There are some very nice hiking trails here. They are wide and go in loops giving options for distance. We went to the overlook and then down to the beach," shares a visitor who appreciated the trail system's accessibility.
Winter camping: Experience late-season camping at D.H. Day Campground. "Went there in late October of 2022 and man was it a cold night to stay in a tent. We got there late, put tents up in the dark, ate dinner late from a local watering hole. But once we got situated, we went to the beach to skywatch and it was beautiful and worth every second," reports a camper who braved the elements.
Wine touring: Visit multiple wineries within cycling distance of Wild Cherry RV Resort. "The park is in a perfect location to explore the towns of Leland (and Fishtown), Lake Leelanau, Northport, and Sutton's Bay. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the town of Glen Arbor are a 20 minute drive and Traverse City is about 45 minutes."
What campers like
Lakeside camping sites: Barnes County Park Campground offers direct lake access. "There are campsites here with direct access to the beach. The campsites are relatively close together but there a lot of tall trees and it was nice and quiet," explains one visitor who appreciated the proximity to Lake Michigan.
Clean modern facilities: Campground bathrooms vary in quality, but Traverse City State Park stands out. "Sites are small and pretty close together but shaded with electric at site (134) and centrally located bathhouse with hot water and well kept. Dish washing station available," notes a camper who appreciated the thoughtful amenities.
Dog-friendly beach areas: For pet owners seeking dog friendly campgrounds near Lake Leelanau, not all beaches permit dogs. "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," shares a Barnes County Park visitor, highlighting the importance of checking pet restrictions.
Night sky viewing: D.H. Day Campground offers exceptional stargazing. "We went to the beach to skywatch and it was beautiful and worth every second," states a fall camper who found the night skies particularly memorable despite cold temperatures.
What you should know
Site reservation timeline: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially Platte River Campground. "Reservations are extremely hard to get for this park. If you want a weekend campsite, you must book six months in advance! Ever since Good Morning America put the spotlight on Sleeping Bear Dunes, it has been extremely busy!" warns a visitor about planning ahead.
Wildlife precautions: Bears are present in some campgrounds. "DO NOT LEAVE FOOD OUT!! There was a bear spotted in the group area during our stay. Bring bug spray! The ticks are bad this year and we heard several people in the park talking about having a tick on them," cautions a Platte River camper.
Campsite noise levels: Traverse City State Park Campground can be busy. "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," explains a camper who still enjoyed their stay despite the activity level.
Pet-friendly limitations: Not all beaches allow dogs near pet friendly camping areas in Lake Leelanau. "Dogs aren't allowed on the beach so Dakota rolled in the sand at the edge and we continued hiking," reports a Leelanau State Park visitor who found alternatives to beach access with their pet.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access evaluation: Choose campsites based on swimming conditions. "The water front is very rocky, and full of 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, it was fun but not ideal with tons of little kids," advises a family who stayed at Leelanau State Park Campground.
Playground options: Some campgrounds offer better play facilities than others. "The new playground was a hit for the kids, one of the best playgrounds we have experienced at a state park," shares a visitor at Leelanau State Park, noting this amenity for families with young children.
Junior ranger programs: Take advantage of educational activities. "The amphitheater with kid focused programs was a great bonus," notes a D.H. Day Campground visitor who found the ranger-led activities enriching for children.
Quiet camping alternatives: For families seeking less crowded options, consider specific campground sections. "Most of the sites in the three loops are nicely placed so that you have foliage and space between sites but also close enough for larger groups to spread out and still feel like they are camping in a group," reports a Platte River Campground visitor.
Tips from RVers
Level site selection: At Lake Leelanau RV Park, cement sites provide stability. "Level Cement sites. Well mowed grass. We could only reserve 3 nights in a row then move to a second site for the last night. When we checked in she said they had a different site for all 4 nights. It was great she remembered."
Full hookup availability: Wild Cherry RV Resort offers full connections. "The water, sewer, and electric were all placed appropriately in the site so no extended hoses were needed. There was no cable but sites are very open allowing for good satellite reception and we were able to get over a dozen antenna channels."
Interior bathroom needs: Wild Cherry RV Resort doesn't have shared facilities. "While most RV campgrounds have centralized bathrooms with flush toilets, sinks, and showers, this one is lacking those amenities," notes a visitor, emphasizing the need for self-contained systems.
Dump station placement: Consider drainage logistics when selecting sites. "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. 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."
Traveler
