Higgins Lake sits at 1,154 feet elevation in north-central Michigan, with water depths reaching 135 feet in some areas. The lake covers nearly 10,000 acres and maintains cooler water temperatures than many surrounding lakes due to its spring-fed nature. Camping options near Higgins Lake range from rustic tent sites to upscale luxury camping accommodations with varying amenities and proximity to water recreation.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: North Higgins Lake State Park Campground provides access to excellent fishing spots. "We stayed in a travel trailer on site 73 the week before the 4th of July week. The park and bathrooms were always clean, showers were clean and had good water pressure," notes visitor Jay T.
Biking trails: The area offers paved paths near some campgrounds that make for family-friendly cycling. According to one camper at Gaylord KOA, "The KOA is about a 5 min drive to Otsego Lake and the state park, where there's a nice beach and easy lake access. There's also a newly paved bike trail right by the lake for you to log some miles on."
Winter recreation: Some campgrounds remain open year-round for cold weather activities. "Open all year, nice park, big rig friendly, has full hookups. We enjoy hiking here," reports a visitor to Hartwick Pines State Park Campground about the winter options.
Historical exploration: Visit the logging museums and historical sites near campgrounds. One reviewer at Hartwick Pines explains, "The old logging museum is interesting to walk around & check out," making it a good educational stop between outdoor adventures.
What campers like
Crystal clear water: Campers consistently praise the water clarity. As one South Higgins Lake State Park Campground visitor notes, "Stayed here before the 4th of July for the weekend and was really impressed with the facilities and size of spaces at the campground... If you aren't familiar with this lake it is extremely clear (see video) and very large."
Themed weekend events: Many campgrounds host special activities throughout the season. According to a visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park & Resort at Grayling, "I love going to the Halloween themed weekends with trick-or-treating at the campground. People decorate their sites, dress up, and hand out candy."
Spacious campsites: Several campgrounds offer larger-than-average sites. One camper at South Higgins Lake reports, "For being such a busy campground (since there is a boat launch) the sites are still quite large! We were able to fit 2 large tents, a small tent, 2 cars, 1 boat trailer and a sun shade for our gear with plenty of room to spare."
Cabin options: For those seeking luxury camping in Higgins Lake, Michigan, various cabin styles are available. At Jellystone Park, a reviewer shared: "We actually stayed here in a cabin to celebrate our anniversary. It is a nice campground with well spaced out sites. I would recommend the single room cabins, they are affordable and have a cute front porch - the bed was even comfortable."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage can be spotty in the region. A camper at North Higgins Lake State Park Campground cautions, "Don't expect to make phone calls, the cell service (AT&T) was very spotty."
Site conditions vary: Some campgrounds have dirt or sand surfaces that can get messy. "Sites can get messy since ground is a dirt/sand mix," reports one North Higgins Lake visitor.
Traffic noise: Certain campground sections may experience road noise. One camper warns, "We were on sight 169 this whole side is next to a busy road cars and logging trucks all day and night way noisy."
Reservation timing: Popular sites book quickly, especially waterfront options. A camper at South Higgins Lake advises, "Getting a site here during the summer can be very difficult. You will want one of the sites closer to the lake. If you want one of these sites, you will need to be ready to book the site 6 months in advance."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with scheduled family programs. At Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, a visitor shares, "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."
Beach selection: Choose beaches with gentle entries for younger children. A visitor to North Higgins Lake notes, "The beach was great, soft sand bottom, water was clear & cold!" making it ideal for families with small children.
Evening entertainment: Some campgrounds offer evening activities. A Jellystone visitor mentions, "One of my favorite parts is the outdoor cartoon theater. You sit on logs, blankets or camp chairs if you're in the back and watch cartoons on the big screen. It reminds me of the drive-in movie theaters."
Amenity access: Check whether all activities require additional fees. One visitor to Gaylord KOA notes, "Did not like the additional fee for kid to get wrist band for jump pillow and mini gold, but did it anyways."
Tips from RVers
Dump station timing: Plan your departure around busy checkout times to avoid wait lines at dump stations, especially on Sundays when most weekend campers leave.
Hookup placement: Be prepared for unusual utility arrangements. At Higgins Lake-Roscommon KOA, a camper noted, "Our water hook up was on the opposite side of the site from the power and sewer hook up so we had to have a hose running across our site; glad we had an extra hose to use as an extension."
Leveling needs: Some sites require significant leveling. As one Higgins Lake-Roscommon KOA visitor explained, "Site 61 did take some time to get all leveled out almost didn't have enough blocks. But very nice once set up."
Full hookup options: Premium glamping in Higgins Lake area often includes full hookups. A visitor at Timber Ridge noted, "All sites are full hookup and there are just enough cabins, cottages, and yurts for our non-camping family to tag along!"
