128 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The northern Michigan region surrounding Levering includes multiple camping areas along Lake Michigan and Lake Huron shorelines. Wilderness State Park Camping in nearby Carp Lake provides year-round access to tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations with beach access. Straits State Park Campground in St. Ignace offers similar amenities with views of the Mackinac Bridge. Several private campgrounds like Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping and Mackinaw City/Mackinac Island KOA supplement the public options with additional amenities including glamping facilities and yurts approximately 10-15 miles from Levering.
Campground reservations are essential during peak summer months from Memorial Day through Labor Day when lakefront sites fill quickly. Most state parks in the region remain open year-round, though services may be limited in winter. Water and electric hookups are common at developed campgrounds, while more rustic state forest campgrounds typically offer only vault toilets and hand pumps for water. Cell service varies throughout the area, with better coverage near towns and spotty reception in more remote camping areas. A visitor noted, "The sites were spaced decently far apart. Some of them are so close to Lake Michigan, you can just walk on a path through some trees right up to the water!"
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, particularly sites with direct Lake Michigan or Lake Huron access. French Farm Lake Road offers primitive free camping with six basic sites and fire pits, providing a more rustic alternative to developed campgrounds. Campers frequently mention the quality of beaches and swimming opportunities as highlights of the region. Several campgrounds feature hiking trails connecting to shoreline areas with opportunities to find Petoskey stones. Proximity to tourist destinations like Mackinac Island, Petoskey, and Charlevoix makes the area popular for multi-day stays. As one camper described Fisherman's Island State Park, "A slice of heaven awaits you at this state park. With your own beach front on beautiful Lake Michigan, it's hard to look around and not be in awe of what surrounds you."
"Pretty secluded campsites with trees surrounding each site. Private little sandy trail from the site down to Lake Michigan allows for good distancing from others. Can’t beat the sunsets."
"You are within walking distance of Lake Michigan and the beach is nice and sandy. The sites are well maintained but there is not much distance between them so be prepared for that."
from $20 - $160 / night
Check Availability"We reserved site 83A for our family of 5. we were in close proximity to the newly constructed bathhouse complete with dish washing stations. it was a full campground on the Friday night that we were there"
"The Straits State Park in Michigan's Upper Penninsula sits on the North end of the Mackinaw Bridge in St. Ignace."
from $36 - $80 / night
Check Availability"The pool was great for swimming, and mackinaw city is a great place to walk around and explore!"
"Close to Leggs restaurant. Mackinac Island. Tunnel of Trees. Upper peninsula Michigan. All this and a great campground."
"This is a great location to camp if you are looking for proximity to Mackinac Island. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. They have electric and water but no sewer."
"Small campground but right on Lake Huron. The campsites are close to each other so I would recommend one of the outer campsites that backs up to the woods."
from $34 - $52 / night
Check Availability"We were here two days and fell in love with the town, the surrounding area, and never got tired of beautiful views of Lake Michigan. "
"There were a number of hiking trails that take you into the woods and up the dunes. Some are more difficult than others, but nothing miserable."
from $45 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Our site was just steps away from Lake Huron, so we got to enjoy swimming right from camp, which was such a bonus."
"We traveled with two other families and chose to stay on the Lake View (Mackinaw Bridge not visible). For our families these were the best sites because they are on the water with beach sand."
from $16 - $50 / night
Check Availability"We had site #16 right near the front, which meant we had some traffic noise and kids running to the adjacent playground, but the spacious lot size made up for it (and having 3 kids of our own, we didn't"
"Spent four nights here while we explored the surrounding area. Took two trips out to Mackinac Island - the ferry sompanies have free pick up at the KOA."
"We stayed at site 145 which was large but there is a path to the beach right next to it so it's not very private. The park store was closed Labor Day weekend."
"The area we swam in was very shallow quite a ways into the lake. The showers and bathrooms are pretty close to the campsites."
from $41 - $80 / night
Check Availability"We were excited to find our first real free camping in Michigan, and so close to Mackinaw City."
"Behind the site is a full-size mattress, clothes, shoes, and a remnant of a tent - it looks like it has been there for a while."
"Then, for $15 a night, we found this beauty along the northwest shore of Burt Lake, one of the larger inland lakes in northern Michigan. "
"Lots of sites to choose from ranging from wood to lake view."
ScoutLove this campground. I’ve stayed in the same site 3 times now. It’s the perfect blend of rustic, private but close enough to town. Bathrooms are always clean.
The raccoons are present and bold this year though. This is a first in my experiences here.
ScoutNice camp on the Sturgeon. Also on Old 27 which is good if you like white noise, good for getting out. Best because with the bike trail following river you can spot yourself canoeing and save big bucks.
TravelerGreat view and secluded enough
TravelerGorgeous! Easy to get to, didn’t need 4 wheel drive and potholes weren’t too awful. Definitely love it here and only downside will be leaving!
TravelerOnly stayed a night. Kinda of close together campsites. Seems like the majority have water and electric hook ups.
RangerWe really enjoyed our stay at Young State Park. Our site was just steps from the wooden walkway down to beautiful Lake Charlevoix, where we had amazing sunsets each night. The park is also a great base for exploring the area—we biked to Boyne Falls/Boyne Mountain and SkyBridge, rockhounded along Lake Michigan in Charlevoix, and canoed the beautiful Jordan River with nearby Jordan Valley Outfitters.
The sites are very close together. We stayed Sunday–Wednesday late in the summer season and had several open sites around us, which gave us plenty of breathing room. I’m not sure I’d love it during peak summer when the campground is full, as I imagine it could feel pretty crowded. The bathhouses and showers were very clean, and the water pressure and temperature were heavenly after a day outdoors.
Reserving online was easy, and the staff at check-in were friendly and helpful. Firewood at the campground was pricey, but we found a nearby home selling various-sized loads for much less. We’d definitely camp here again—especially outside the busiest part of the summer season.
GuideVisited just one night midweek. Very quiet. Quiet is good in my opinion. The washrooms were clean and in good repair. The sites are larger than most campgrounds, again a great feature. The lake is clear and there is a small beach. I have nothing negative to say about this campground
GuideWe stayed here 2 nights to visit Mackinac Island. The staff was very friendly & helpful. The facilities were kept clean, but could use a little updating.
GuidePetoskey is for the camper that is good sharing their personal space. Packed in like sardines. As my husband said, ‘to peopley for me’. Otherwise the staff was very good and the facilities were very well maintained. We did, however, find a gem of a brewery right down the road. Petoskey Brewery…..nice!
The region around Levering sits at the northern tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula where the climate features warm, humid summers and cold winters with significant snowfall—averaging 72 inches annually. Camping opportunities here extend beyond the popular lakefront sites to include rustic forest settings with varying terrain elevation changes between 600-800 feet above sea level. Campsite availability fluctuates seasonally, with dramatic differences in services between peak summer and winter months.
Dark sky viewing: Wilderness State Park offers exceptional stargazing as Michigan's premier dark sky park. "Best star gazing in the LP," notes Ted B., while another visitor observed they have "Beautiful expansive night views of the sky from the beach. Worth sleeping on the beach during meteor shows."
Biking excursions: Explore the North Western State Trail accessible from campgrounds in the area. "From the campground, there is a nature trail that you can take your bike that leads you to the North Western State Trail," one visitor shared. Trails provide varying terrain from flat paved surfaces to more challenging wooded paths.
Ferry transportation: Many campgrounds offer convenient access to Mackinac Island. "The ferry companies have free pick up at the KOA," reports a St. Ignace-Mackinac Island KOA camper. This eliminates transportation hassles when planning day trips to the island.
Beach rock hunting: Lake Michigan shorelines provide opportunities to collect distinctive rocks. At Petoskey State Park, the water "has lots of small colorful pebbles and Petoskey rocks. We enjoyed walking up and down the beach looking for these fossils," according to a recent visitor.
Campground community areas: Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping features shared lakefront spaces for socializing. "There is a beautiful grassy and rocky shoreline that is lined with fire pits for viewing the sunset and bridge lights in the evening. Very cool and communal in a good way," notes a camper.
Clean bathhouse facilities: Straits State Park receives consistent praise for bathrooms. "The showers were private, deadbolt locking individual showers with hot water. They automatically go off every five minutes and you press a button to get another 5 minutes," explains a visitor who appreciated the modern facilities.
Budget-friendly options: Free dispersed camping sites provide affordable alternatives. At French Farm Lake Road, campers find "between 4-6 spots" with basic amenities. "Nice area with good road in," reports one camper, though they warn about "lots of mosquitoes" as the main drawback.
Boat access: Maple Bay State Forest Campground accommodates boaters with convenient facilities. "You can moor your boat right at the campground. The public launch was redone a few years ago and its a great one," says Beth C., highlighting the water access for those bringing watercraft.
Seasonal insects: Bug populations vary dramatically by season. At Wilderness State Park, one camper noted it was "Very buggy in June, come prepared." Mosquitoes can be particularly intense at rustic sites during early summer evenings.
Reservation requirements: Michigan state parks require advance booking for summer weekends. "Reserve in advance," advises a Burt Lake visitor, while another notes campgrounds "fill up quickly" on holiday weekends in summer.
Site variations: Campground quality varies within the same property. At Maple Bay, "There are approximately 32-38 campsites on a first come first serve basis... The view from the front sites overlooking Maple Bay are some of the best I've seen," reports Beth C., indicating location within a campground significantly impacts experience.
Water conditions: Lake conditions impact swimming opportunities. One visitor to Maple Bay warned "The water has leeches which was a pain with my 2 year old. She got one every time she went in the water," highlighting the importance of checking local conditions.
Halloween events: Wilderness State Park holds special seasonal celebrations. "We went during the Halloween party. Had lots of fun," shares Jenafer P., making this a good option for families seeking organized activities.
Playground access: Consider campgrounds with recreational facilities. At Tee Pee Campground, a visitor noted, "Very friendly hosts! The shuttle for the island ferry picks you up right at the campground," making it convenient for families to access attractions.
Site spacing: Look for campgrounds with adequate separation between sites. At Burt Lake State Park, "Camp site was HUGE! I believe ours was like 40x65!" reports Myron M., offering families privacy and space to spread out equipment.
Kid-friendly beaches: Choose campgrounds with gradual water entry. At Burt Lake, "If you like the beach, you'll easily get out in the water over 100 yards and still be safe (roughly 3 feet or so)," notes a visitor, making it ideal for families with young children.
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. At Burt Lake State Park Campground, "Some sites are unleveled and prone to flooding," warns a camper, suggesting bringing leveling blocks.
Hookup locations: Water connections can require extra equipment. At St. Ignace KOA, "The only weird thing about the sites was the water hook ups were shared (which is tough for a pull through) so we needed three hoses to hook up," explains a visitor.
Seasonal closures: Verify campground operations during shoulder seasons. French Farm Lake Road has seasonal limitations as "The road is closed off, but there's a small area to camp off-season," according to Will E. who visited during restricted months.
Bridge access: For RVers crossing between peninsulas, Straits State Park offers convenience. "Beautiful state park, we always stop for a night when crossing the bridge," shares Cory L., making this location strategic for multi-destination trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Levering, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Levering, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 128 campgrounds and RV parks near Levering, MI and 8 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Levering, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Levering, MI is Wilderness State Park Camping with a 4.5-star rating from 78 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Levering, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Levering, MI.
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