Best Campgrounds near Lewiston, MI

The forested areas around Lewiston, Michigan provide a range of camping experiences in the heart of northern Michigan. Little Wolf Lake State Forest Campground offers tent and RV sites within walking distance of lake access, while Muskrat Lake State Forest Campground features similar accommodations with a season running from April to October. Several state forest campgrounds in the region maintain rustic sites with basic amenities like vault toilets and drinking water, situated among lakes and woodland trails characteristic of Michigan's northern lower peninsula.

Road access to most campgrounds involves paved highways with short stretches of well-maintained gravel roads leading to the camping areas. Winter camping is limited as many state forest campgrounds close after November. "This is a cute little campground located in Central Lake. Many of the water sites are very close together, but it offers you access to the lake for fishing, paddling and more," noted one visitor. Cell phone coverage varies throughout the region, with better service closer to Gaylord and spotty coverage in more remote forest areas. Most campgrounds require a Michigan Recreation Passport for entry, with sites available on a first-come, first-served basis at many locations.

Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the Lewiston area. Campers particularly value the combination of wooded privacy and lake access available at several state forest campgrounds. A camper mentioned that "it was just before Labor Day and we had hoped to make it up to the Upper Peninsula before nightfall. This didn't happen, so we tried a couple of state parks, but everything was already full." The proximity to both Gaylord and Atlanta provides convenient access to supplies while maintaining a sense of woodland seclusion. Seasonal considerations include heavy mosquito activity in early summer and beautiful fall colors in September and October. Many campers report the best experience in late summer when water temperatures are warmer for swimming and fishing while bugs have typically diminished.

Best Camping Sites Near Lewiston, Michigan (206)

    1. Otsego Lake State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Gaylord, MI
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 732-5485

    "A great campground about 20 min south of gaylord, on otsego lake, as with most michigan state parks they have nicely taken care of campsites and easy access to bathrooms, the beach from our site was a"

    "Otsego Lake provides a needed escape from the city while still being close enough to a happening town that one can camp and get into town for a nice dinner. The lake and campsite are clean."

    2. Avery Lake State Forest Campground

    5 Reviews
    Atlanta, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 785-4251

    $15 / night

    "It’s on a beautiful lake that is great for swimming and boating. It has a few walk in sites that have beach access. All sites include picnic table and fire pit. Shared rustic vault toilets available."

    "The lake is amazing with several islands to explore and one of the islands has a campsite. No busy roads near by so you really feel like you’re deep in the woods."

    3. Big Bear Lake State Forest Campground

    4 Reviews
    Johannesburg, MI
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 732-3541

    "Bait and convenience store across from entrance. Good hub for local hiking and activities around the area."

    "Ramps to walk down to water.

    Amazing sunsets"

    4. Little Wolf Lake State Forest Campground

    3 Reviews
    Lewiston, MI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 732-5485

    "Bathrooms are pretty far away from the camp spots in the front, fire pits are a little on the small end, and picnic tables HAVE to have a covered(plants growing out of them and very old)."

    "Each site is large and separated by trees and green space…pit toilets are clean and well equipped with tp… lake access fir fishing & swimming"

    5. Hartwick Pines State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Frederic, MI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 348-7068

    "A few trails walking distance from the campground.

    The old growth trail is beautiful and really well maintained. The trees are crazy TALL."

    "Some full hookups, unusual for Michigan state parks that I’ve seen."

    6. Muskrat Lake State Forest Campground

    4 Reviews
    Mio, MI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 473-2258

    $20 / night

    "I stayed here and rode dirt bikes from jere and swam in the lake afterwards. It was refreshing and there is a small sandy area to swim out of.

    The lake is very peaceful and quiet."

    "Lake is cute and ORV trails were great."

    7. Au Sable River Primitive Camping

    12 Reviews
    Mio, MI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 362-8961

    $10 / night

    "The absolute BEST campsite I have ever camped at in Michigan! The perfect morning and evening view of the river. Directly across from the best fishing spot and shoreline to soak up the summer sun."

    "You are surrounded by forest and dunes and the sites themselves provide ample space for a group of 5 or more."

    8. Gaylord KOA

    10 Reviews
    Gaylord, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 939-8723

    $61 - $95 / night

    "While it was pricey at $65 night, we had a very spacious full hookup site within easy walking distance of pool. Shower house was very nice and modern, with 4 shower stalls."

    "The CG is pretty heavily wooded, so access to satellite TV and/or Starlink is highly dependent on location."

    9. Shupac Lake State Forest Campground

    2 Reviews
    Lewiston, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 348-6371

    "There’s 30+ spacious campsites all lake side! Multiple bathrooms along the way. Beach is clean and Sandy! And has tons of places to hike and explore."

    "All sites are along the lake, most (all?) are on a small bluff above the lake with stairs or trail down to the shore. Arrived on a Saturday in July to find 75% full, but was able to get in."

    10. Clear Lake State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Atlanta, MI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 785-4388

    "Had a site next to the woods. Nice walking paths. Lots of orv's in other sites."

    "The Guest Host is a character and extremely friendly and will be happy you chose Clear Lake State Park. He has plenty of games from cornhole to frisbee to playing cards, etc..."

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Showing results 1-10 of 206 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Lewiston, MI

668 Reviews of 206 Lewiston Campgrounds



Guide to Lewiston

Camping near Lewiston, Michigan, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore the beaches: Many campgrounds, like Harrisville State Park Campground, have sandy beaches perfect for swimming. One camper noted, "Loved being right by the water, and bathrooms were so clean."
  • Hiking and biking: Trails are available at places like Young State Park Campground, where one visitor said, "The beach is long and sandy and there are lots of hiking and biking trails."
  • Fishing: Campgrounds near lakes, such as Burt Lake State Park Campground, provide great fishing spots. A reviewer mentioned, "Bring your kayaks, boats, and fishing gear."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Traverse City State Park Campground said, "If you have your own camper, the showers are nice."
  • Convenient locations: Many campgrounds are close to town, making it easy to grab supplies or explore local attractions. One camper at Fisherman's Island State Park Campground noted, "You can't beat the location because it is absolutely gorgeous right on Lake Michigan."
  • Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds like Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort offer plenty of amenities for kids. A reviewer shared, "My son is having a blast making friends and playing at the pool."

What you should know:

  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds, such as Harrisville State Park Campground, are near busy roads or airports. A camper mentioned, "There are cars passing by frequently, but less in the evening."
  • Site sizes: Campers at Traverse City State Park Campground found that "the spots are very small and you have to park sideways," which can be tricky for larger RVs.
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Fisherman's Island State Park Campground, are rustic and lack modern facilities. A visitor noted, "You could hear the hum of the factory at night, but it didn’t drown out the experience."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like Burt Lake State Park Campground, where one camper said, "Camp site was HUGE! I believe ours was like 40x65!"
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to bring gear for swimming, fishing, and biking. A family at Young State Park Campground enjoyed the "beautiful sandy beach with a shallower swim area for younger kids."
  • Check for family events: Some campgrounds offer organized activities. A camper at Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort mentioned, "Park hosts on site with daily activities for campers."

Tips from RVers:

  • Be prepared for tight spaces: Many campgrounds have narrow roads and close sites. A visitor at Otsego Lake State Park Campground noted, "The campground is very close to the main road and you can hear the traffic."
  • Bring leveling blocks: Some sites may not be level, so having leveling blocks handy is a good idea. A camper at Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort mentioned, "The lots were not very level so the setup was a bit more difficult."
  • Check for electric hookups: Ensure your site has the necessary hookups for your RV. A camper at Harrisville State Park Campground appreciated the "electric hookups" available at the campground.

Camping around Lewiston, Michigan, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Lewiston, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, Lewiston, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 206 campgrounds and RV parks near Lewiston, MI and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Lewiston, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lewiston, MI is Otsego Lake State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 24 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lewiston, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Lewiston, MI.