Camping cabins near Mancelona, Michigan offer natural getaway options within the Antrim County area, where elevations range from 580-1,280 feet. Winter temperatures average 14°F while summer averages reach 80°F, making cabin rentals popular year-round. The area serves as a gateway to northern Michigan's outdoor recreation areas with several state parks within 30-45 minute drives.
What to do
Hiking through old-growth forest: Hartwick Pines State Park Campground offers cabin accommodations with access to pristine forest trails. "There is an old logging community with some programming in busier months," notes a camper. The park features "beautiful new and old growth, a couple of nearby lakes," making it ideal for nature enthusiasts.
Beach activities on Lake Charlevoix: Young State Park Campground provides cabin options with access to swimming areas. "Young State Park has a large beach area with a camp store/concession stand that has food and items for rent. It is really convenient that you can rent beach chairs/umbrellas/watercraft instead of having to bring them," explains one visitor.
Lighthouse exploration: Leelanau State Park Campground offers rustic cabins near the historic lighthouse. "Campground shares a common area with the lighthouse, walking over to the lighthouse was a fun experience," says a reviewer. The lighthouse area provides "a place to sit and watch sunset, beautiful sunset!"
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Cabin campers appreciate the natural setting at many locations. At Otsego Lake State Park Campground, "Sites are nice and large with established trees," according to one camper. Another mentions, "It's a bit older, so the campsites are quite large compared to modern campgrounds. There are huge trees throughout."
Family-friendly amenities: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort offers enhanced cabin options with numerous activities. "There is a lot to do in this park, zip line, pool, walking trail, lake," notes a visitor. Another camper adds, "There is no shortage of activities here: a small pond/beach, pool, jumping pillow, dodgeball, bike trails."
Central location: Many cabins provide strategic access to regional attractions. "We enjoy the central location to places we like to visit. We went to the Straits one day, picnicked in a state forest one day, shopped in both Gaylord and Grayling," explains a visitor to Otsego Lake State Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Advance booking is essential, especially during peak seasons. Campers at Traverse City State Park Campground warn, "Expect the campground to be full on weekends, especially during the cherry and film festivals." Many cabins book months in advance.
Bathroom facilities vary: Cabin accommodations typically share communal facilities of varying quality. "The other end had nicer newer shower/bath houses," notes one camper at Traverse City State Park, while Hartwick Pines visitors mention "The shower room was very clean and well organized."
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts cabin comfort significantly. At Otsego Lake, one camper noted, "The downside is the sites are all sand. This is a problem when it rains. No matter how hard you try to clean your shoes, you end up tracking in wet, dirty sand."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated recreation areas: Families benefit from organized activities at certain locations. "They also have a playground with a cool old fashion slide. As far as state parks go, I rate this campground well," notes an Otsego Lake visitor, while another adds it's a "great bike riding park for little ones."
Consider proximity to towns: Kalkaska RV Park & Campground offers cabin options with convenient access to supplies. One visitor mentions it's "nice away from the busy areas" yet still "1/2 hr outside Traverse City." Another adds, "Staff is kind, helpful and knowledgeable. Pool is heated."
Check noise levels: Some cabin areas are quieter than others. "This campground is really busy but it's definitely worth it to be in Traverse City," says one camper, while another notes, "Expect noise increased by the very busy highway 31 in front and the airport and railroad behind."
Tips from RVers
Assess site leveling needs: Many cabin areas also accommodate RVs with varying site conditions. "Site is gravel and dirt. It is a pull through site that required us to do quite a bit of leveling," notes one Kalkaska camper. At Otsego Lake, visitors warn, "Be sure to read the site descriptions as several can be uneven."
Utility connections: For those bringing RVs to cabin areas, hookup proximity matters. "The hookups are rather far away so we needed extensions. Our site required us to pull through in such a way that the hookups were on the opposite side of our coach," explains a Kalkaska visitor.
