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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
