Camping near Mackinaw City, Michigan offers camping options on both the lower and upper peninsulas, connected by the 5-mile Mackinac Bridge with its $4 toll. The area experiences wide temperature swings, with summer highs averaging 75°F and lows around 55°F, while fall brings cooler temperatures and fewer insects. Many campgrounds provide ferry shuttles to Mackinac Island, saving visitors the hassle of finding parking in town.
What to do
Night sky viewing: Wilderness State Park serves as Michigan's designated dark sky park, offering exceptional stargazing opportunities. One camper noted, "Beautiful expansive night views of the sky from the beach. Worth sleeping on the beach during meteor shows," while another mentioned, "If you want to explore some gorgeous dark night skies in Northern Michigan, I suggest checking it out!"
Ferry to Mackinac Island: Many campgrounds offer convenient transportation to ferry services. At Mackinaw City / Mackinac Island KOA, "They offer a free shuttle to mackinaw ferry. That was really helpful," and Mill Creek Camping provides similar services: "If you choose to visit Mackinaw Island there is a shuttle van (free) that comes to the campground and will transport you and your bikes to the ferry."
Biking trails: The area features extensive biking opportunities both on and off campgrounds. Near Tiki RV Park & Campground, "There are great places to ride bikes outside of campground. From the campground, there is a nature trail that you can take your bike that leads you to the North Western State Trail."
What campers like
Bridge views: Many campsites offer views of the iconic Mackinac Bridge, especially appreciated at night. At Tee Pee Campground, campers enjoy the "Great beach with a view of the Mackinaw bridge!" One visitor described, "The beach front has a good view of the bridge. We realized we forgot pillows (of all things) and a few other essentials and were able to make a 20-30 minute drive to Cheboygan to Walmart."
Waterfront camping: Lakefront sites rank among the most popular options in the area. At Mill Creek Camping, "For our families these were the best sites because they are on the water with beach sand. If you choose to stay on the side with the bridge view the shore line is rocky. We stayed in sites 176-178 and all three were spacious."
Community beach fires: Some campgrounds offer shared fire areas along the shoreline. One camper at Mill Creek Camping described, "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."
What you should know
Campground layout variations: Sites within the same campground can differ dramatically. At Straits State Park Campground, "The campground is pretty cramped, but the sites are well maintained," and another camper noted, "The site we had was really small and close to others. It was a short walk down to the lake and a great view of the bridge."
Insect issues: Bugs can be problematic, especially in early summer. One camper warned about Wilderness State Park, "Very buggy in June, come prepared," while another at Straits State Park mentioned, "Lots of bugs." At French Farm Lake Rd, a reviewer advised, "Nice area with good road in. has between 4-6 spots. Lots of mosquitoes is my only mark against it."
Reservation challenges: Campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. One camper at Wilderness State Park reported, "Lost our reservation" and advised "Bring paperwork." For free camping at French Farm Lake Rd, timing is critical: "We showed up late Wednesday morning and just perfectly timed it when a couple had been packing up their camp, as there are only 6 or so sites and all were full."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer facilities specifically for children. The Mackinaw City/Mackinac Island KOA features "a small playground for the kids. There was also a nice heated pool for them to swim in," while St. Ignace-Mackinac Island KOA provides "Mini golf, carpet ball, volleyball, etc."
Halloween events: Some campgrounds host special seasonal activities. At Wilderness State Park Camping, one family mentioned, "We went during the Halloween party. Had lots of fun," noting the campground is "Very family friendly."
Beach access: Waterfront campgrounds offer family-friendly swimming opportunities. At Castle Rock Lakefront Mackinac Trail Campground, "They have a nice beach for families," and Mill Creek Camping provides similar amenities: "Huge campground in a wonderful location. They have everything here- huge playground, pool, beach, great store, lots to do."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV sites vary significantly in quality and accessibility. At French Farm Lake Rd, "There are a few sites that would accommodate big rigs, the only way to know is to come check. Beware of sandy roads and make sure to scout before pulling in with your big rig."
Hookup variations: Different sites offer varying levels of utility connections. One RVer at Tiki RV Park explained, "We reserved 50 amp full hook up. We were charged an additional $15 to guarantee our site. We arrived today to find a tight sloping site with only 30 amp service for our 34 ft motorhome."
Campground navigation: Some campgrounds are easier to navigate with large rigs. At the Mackinaw City/Mackinac Island KOA, campsites are "shady. Most are pull through. This campground was easy to drive our camper through and easy to find," while Mill Creek Camping requires more caution: "definitely need to know the campground a little bit IF you're planning on bringing a very large RV. But if not, call the office they'll put you in a good spot."
