The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Ludington. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Ludington. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
Lake Michigan Campground is perched on the shores of Lake Michigan, 15 miles south of Manistee. The area creates an incredible setting with a scenic overlook of the lake and a sandy swimming beach. This family campground provides an array of hiking and biking trails, plus swimming, fishing and kayaking.
A hardwood forest gives way to a beautiful sandy beach at the shores of the lake with a playground for younger campers. Trout fishing in Lake Michigan is another big draw. Bird watchers delight in seeing unique species like the piping plover and prairie warbler. The Arrowhead Trail, a short loop trail created by Boy Scouts, forms a loop between the campground and the beach. A trailhead for the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area is also within the recreation area.
The recreation area sits on the eastern banks of Lake Michigan along Porter Creek, due north of Hamlin Lake. As the second largest of the five Great Lakes, Lake Michigan provides stunning views and limitless options for water recreation. It covers a whopping 22,400 square miles and ranks as the fifth largest lake in the world. The Huron-Manistee National Forests encompass nearly a million acres of public protected land. Nearly 6,000 acres is wetlands that extend over the northern portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
The nearby Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area has abundant trails for hiking and backpacking.
$27 - $32 / night
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
$40 - $160 / night
Poncho’s Pond is situated on 37 grassy acres. Our sites include city water, sewer, 30 & 50 amp electric service and television service at no extra charge. Tent sites have water & electric only. All sites have a picnic table and a fire pit. For those without a camper of their own, we offer rental Haciendas that sleep up to 8 people.
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
Guide
Beach was big and beautiful but you had to drive to get to it unless you love walking with a bunch of beach stuff in a bathing suit. Hamlin lake is close by and is a good spot for fishing.
Guide
We had one of the sites closest to the beach access which was very nice for us, but since we were there Labor Day weekend(my mistake lol) we had a lot of traffic come through our campsite. We tend to enjoy more peaceful stays with less crowding. The beach had plenty of room for everyone to spread out and was not crowded at all which made up for it. Highly recommend watching the sunset from the beach. We also loved the lost lake trail. The group camping area is shut down.
Guide
Great location away from everything. Spacious sites that are spread out. We stayed in the Oak Loop. Only 5 minute easy walk to beach. Quiet. Enough cell reception to send a text but that's it. Pit toilets only in Oak and Violet loops. Flush toilets in hemlock and orchid loop. No showers, but showers available at convenience store down the street during the summer.
Guide
It’s a little cramped making it a bit overwhelming but the sites are nice and kept.
Guide
Camp staff very friendly and park is well maintained. Nice hiking trails nearby and a 20 minute drive to a whole lot of entertainment!
Guide
Our site was great, easily fit a 17 foot trailer and a tent. Trails down to the water were appreciated by our kids. Neighbors are pretty close all around but that didn't matter until our last night. Several new campers rolled in at 10pm and proceeded to throw an absolute rager of a party until 4am - on Labor Day weekend. So overall a great campground but I wish there had been enforcement of quiet time or some kind of consequence for such horrible camping manners.
Scout
I can't say enough about this place. They where so nice, polite and friendly. We had some R.V. Issues and they where there to help. The camp site was very nice. There bathroom and shower were so clean. We will stay there again.
GuideWe loved this park and the atmosphere. So much room for all size campers, bathrooms and showers were clean and spacious. Beach access super close and plenty of roaming for our dog. Fire rings were the nicest we've seen and the park was kept clean and today, the rangers were on top of everything.
TravelerThe campsites are spacious and feature trails that lead directly to the Tippy Dam Backwater. There’s also convenient access for launching a boat on either the Manistee River or the backwaters side of the dam
GuideNice campsites with enough space between sites. Our site wasn’t level. Most sites are level and have large picnic tables and fire pits with fold away grills. Bring enough supplies for your stay unless you don’t mind a 1/2 hour drive to get resupplied in Ludington or Manistee. Mice and mosquitoes can be a nuisance in the campsite even if you’re careful about crumbs etc. We had a mouse going under our ground tarp under the tent
Scout
It was a nice campground. Nestled in nature, quiet, clean, WiFi only at the clubhouse. Private beach with a steep paved walkway accessible across the street. Absolutely the best sunsets over Lake Michigan! Friendly staff, Pool was clean, refreshing, and hot tub as well. Game room for the kids. Various outdoor games-usual horseshoes, shuffleboard, basketball, small playground. Many, many, many speed bumps throughout. Firewood was wet. Other campers we talked to said it’s always wet, that they don’t buy it there. Spent $70 for weekend rate, I think it was $60? For weekday? Just for electric, water, no WiFi, 4 days. With all the campgrounds MI has to offer, this was a very nice campground, and would recommend it, but we personally look forward to exploring other options.
ScoutCrazy fun Sex Naked
Legend
Great cabin for winter camping. Electricity, heat, microwave, mini fridge. 2 sets of bunks, sleeps 5. Table with chairs. Wonderful hiking.
Guide
Other than the storm cutting the power and running water at the campground for over a day, we had an amazing time. This was the most beautiful campground I’ve been to thus far! The trails were also amazing. :)
GuideGreat dunes covered in dune grass, beautiful water next to the pier where we can got to go fishing. Great Michigan sunsets, clean bathrooms and nice fire pits. Big lake and inlet lake available. Bait machine was so fun for me, it being my first. Showers really nice and clean. Sites close together hence the 4 not 5 stars but ppl are nice so no big deal. Camp activities for kids, all around great camp grounds.
TravelerGreat campground with beach access. It’s great to be in the forest, then take a quick walk over to the beach.
Campground was busy, but very quiet. Neighbors were friendly.
TravelerBeautiful campground right on Lake Michigan. Clean facilities. Beach access.
Scout
Large open spaces, partially shaded Nice breeze off the Lake Michigan Great sunsets
Traveler
My family and I stayed over Labor Day weekend. The sites were so dirty and dusty as everything is dirt including the roads. It is also very loud and was not regulated. The camp store was very clean and well stocked. The bathrooms were okay, not very clean but not awful. All in all, we will not be returning.
Scout
Stayed on pull through site, did require some leveling as driver side was considerably lower. Delivered firewood to your site. No TMobile cell service & limited TV reception. Dropped a set of keys and they mailed them back to me at no charge.
Traveler
We were on a waitlist and did not expect to get in but received a call a week later that there was a cancellation. All staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The grounds are very well maintained. Tons of activities for kids. We were lucky to get a shaded spot but several are pretty exposed. Can’t recommend Dunes Harbor enough if you’re looking for a resort/family style campground.
Traveler
Park had vacancy when I called late Friday afternoon for Saturday. So if you want to stay in the Ludington area but can't get into the State Park, this is good. Just about 2 miles from the State Park beaches and less than 2 miles into downtown. There is a designated paved trail that runs right through the campground. You can easily ride bikes downtown where there is a large variety of restaurants and/or brewery. The whole downtown area is very cool with city parks/beaches/marina/shops. Office staff was very friendly and professional. We camped in the "rustic" section, meaning no electric or running water on site. Bathroom was relatively clean and near our site. Crowd was not too rowdy and pretty chill. Lots of kids ;-) and dogs ;-(. Best features are location (at nothing, but near everything). Worst features mentioned by others - there is no fence between the campground and the busy road, road noise, the cemetery does not bother us. Ludington State Park has MANY excellent opportunities hiking, biking, watercraft, beach bumming. Highly recommend the State Park....but it is very hard to get into in the summer. Stay here instead and you'll be half way between the State Park and Downtown.
TravelerOur family and I stayed in campsite B at Orchard Beach, it is a new rustic campsite and it is on top of a hill. It was clean and spacious. The bathroom is a pretty distant walk so prepare for that. But the bathrooms and showers are clean. You will need some good tent stakes as the ground is hard clay. We would absolutely stay again.
GuideIt is a nice spot to quick stop and sleep. It’s is nice and close to town. However right next to the cemetery, so if you have superstitions and are weirded out by post death. Our spot was butted up to the road too which was busy most of the night.
Traveler
I was able to snag the last established spot before the ascent up to the clear cut. The spot was big and beautiful overlooking the river valley. Acces to the river from the site down a 70 degree descent, so not ideal for small kids or old folk. Myself and the hound were able to wade across the river in late spring but it was damned cold. It was a nice spot to wash up. There was ALOT of ORV traffic at all hours and locals/campers harvesting wood that had been clear cut previously.
Traveler
We only saw camp host once the restrooms were not in the best shape and when we booked it said there was only one site available but our whole stay there was only 4 campers in the entire park and two of them were empty one was a relative of mine
ScoutPeople are complaining that there is no beach access anymore at this campground. That's correct. Because of erosion you can no longer access the beach from the campground. But a short drive up the road leads to a wonderful local beach. A short drive south gets you into Manistee with a great river walk and restaurants and brew pubs. The best part about about this campground is the availability of sites because people no longer come because they can't waddle 100 yards and put their feet in the sand. The campground is quiet, clean, and right on the water with fabulous sunsets. If you love to camp, and aren't looking for a beach vacation, you will love this park!
Camping near Ludington, Michigan, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes, fun activities, and a chance to unwind in nature. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Ludington, Michigan, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RV enthusiast seeking adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Ludington, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Ludington, MI is Ludington State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 40 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Ludington, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 47 glamping camping locations near Ludington, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
