Leelanau State Park Campground provides rustic camping experiences on the northernmost point of the Leelanau Peninsula. Situated 45 minutes from Traverse City at the tip of Michigan's "little finger," the park features 51 campsites and 3 cabins with vault toilets but no showers. The campground sits at an elevation of approximately 600 feet above sea level, with sites nestled among mature hardwood forests overlooking Lake Michigan.
What to do
Explore lighthouses and trails: Leelanau State Park Campground features a historic lighthouse accessible from the campground. "Lighthouse is breathtaking. Rangers friendly. Highly highly recommend!" notes reviewer Kathie M. The park offers hiking opportunities through forested areas with lake views.
Visit small towns: Take advantage of Betsie River Campsite's location near charming lakeside communities. "The town of Frankfort is very close by and has some amazing restaurants and ice cream stores. The marina is nice to walk around, and you are able to walk out the pier to the lighthouse," shares Marc W. The campground connects to a paved bike path leading directly into town.
Paddle local waterways: Turtle Lake Campground provides lake access for water activities. "There is a small lake that is fun for short kayak/canoe rides and fishing. It's called Turtle Lake for obvious reasons- when my kids went fishing, they pulled up large snapping turtles both times," explains Allison H. The small lake offers protected waters suitable for beginners.
Beach access: Whitewater Township Park Campground sits on Elk Lake with swimming areas. "Nice quiet township park between Traverse City and Charlevoix. Clean restrooms and spacious lake view sites," reports Patty W. The elevated campground provides views overlooking the water.
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Many campers praise the direct water access at Leelanau State Park. "Tent camping on the water, it does not get any more beautiful than this! Close to town, fire pits, no hook up at the tent sites," shares Melissa M. Waterfront sites allow campers to hear lake sounds throughout their stay.
Family-friendly environments: Holiday Park Campground maintains exceptionally clean facilities with landscaped grounds. "The campground is beautiful. So many plants and flowers. We had a elevated firepit patio, malibu lights it was so cool," notes Tara T. The park provides lake access to Silver Lake for swimming and boating.
Quieter alternatives to popular areas: Campers appreciate Thurston Park Campground's small-town charm. "Cute little quiet RV park located in a cute little town. There's a party store and small grocery store within walking distance. There's a playground and a little public beach at the end of the property," describes Stephen K. The campground offers waterfront sites on Intermediate Lake.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the upkeep of restrooms. "Bathrooms were clean and had great ventilation (important when camping during a pandemic like this summer)," shares Debra O. about Betsie River Campsite. Many campgrounds in the region prioritize facility maintenance.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds in the Leelanau Peninsula operate seasonally. Duck Lake Campground at Interlochen State Park remains busy during peak times: "Crowded with families making use of the last couple weeks before schools return. Rained well one night and our grass less site turned nasty," cautions Rick G.
Water conditions: Some lakes in the region have water quality considerations. "Beach is beautiful but has swimmers itch," warns Joie V. about Duck Lake Campground. Check local advisories before swimming.
Reservation requirements: During summer months, securing campsites requires advance planning. "We were lucky and found an open site but they filled up by mid afternoon. Reservations might be the best way to go here," advises Art S. about Leelanau State Park.
Weather preparedness: The peninsula's climate can change quickly with proximity to Lake Michigan. "It can be rather loud at times," notes Allison H. about Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, referring to both activity noise and weather conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused camping: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort offers extensive recreation options. "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 selection: Choose campgrounds with child-friendly water access. "The beach here is ideal for children, staying very shallow out to the buoy markers for the swimming area," notes Edward C. about Duck Lake Campground.
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature play areas. "The new playground was a hit for the kids, one of the best playgrounds we have experienced at a state park," shares Melissa M. about Leelanau State Park.
Wildlife opportunities: Incorporate wildlife viewing into your trip. "Awesome campground with lots to do. Can check out the lighthouse. Close to Northport with cute shops. A great way to experience Lake Michigan," recommends Jami M. about Leelanau State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Wild Cherry RV Resort, site placement affects functionality. "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," explains Robert T. Check site layouts before booking.
Shade availability: Tree coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. "Only other negative is that there are no trees for the majority of sites for shade cover," notes Robert T. about Wild Cherry RV Resort.
Hookup options: RV sites throughout the region offer various utility configurations. "Each RV site comes with water and electrical hook-ups and many with sewer hook-ups as well," explains Shari G. about Wild Cherry RV Resort.
Site spacing: Some campgrounds provide more separation than others. "Our site was a pull-in that faced a large pond on a corner that overlooked a four-acre lake. We never had a neighbor on the site next to us during our stay and since we were on a large corner there was nobody on that side either so we never felt crowded," shares Nancy W. about her experience at Wild Cherry RV Resort.
