Mancelona sits at an elevation of approximately 1,325 feet in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, part of Antrim County's chain of lakes region. The area experiences warm summers with temperatures averaging 75-80°F from June through August and cold winters with substantial snowfall. Camping options around Mancelona range from full-service RV resorts to more rustic sites, with most locations nestled among the region's characteristic mixed hardwood forests.
What to do
Kayaking on Bass Lake: Honcho Rest Campground in Elk Rapids offers direct access to Bass Lake. "The campground sits on the shores of Bass Lake which is great for a quick paddle around, fishing, etc., but if you are seeking larger bodies of water, the Elk Rapids Marina on Grand Traverse Bay and Elk Lake are just a couple miles away," notes camper Shari G.
Golfing nearby: Honcho Rest Campground provides convenient access to local golf courses. "In addition to water-based activities of all kinds, this campground is across the street from a large golf course and just down the road from historic downtown Elk Rapids which has many good eats, shops, etc," according to a visitor.
Off-road trails: Starlight Campground and RV Park offers direct access to ORV trails from their property. "Swing set, walking trail, ORV trail, pool, volleyball, pickle ball court and other games! This campground is extremely clean and has beautiful bathrooms/showers," writes camper Jaime.
Lighthouse tours: Campers staying near Mancelona often explore nearby lighthouses. "We stayed here with friends for four days in July... We chose to visit 4 lighthouses and Sleeping Bear Dunes. Buy some cherries when in season!" shares Tom D. from Wild Cherry RV Resort.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Guests consistently praise the cleanliness at RV parks near Mancelona. "The campground is extremely clean and has beautiful bathrooms/showers," notes a Starlight Campground visitor. Another camper at Kalkaska RV Park adds, "Facilities were very very clean and well kept. The owners are awesome and very friendly."
Family activities: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort offers extensive recreation options. "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," writes Allison H.
Quiet atmosphere: Several campgrounds maintain peaceful environments. "Honcho Rest Campground is a little gem on Bass Lake in Elk Rapids, MI. The grounds are mostly well maintained and clean," notes Steve F. Another camper at Kalkaska adds, "Nice beautiful campground situated in a nice woods setting. Sprayed for bugs so the bugs were not much of a nuisance."
Connectivity: Cell service and WiFi quality varies by location. "Cellphone service with Verizon was great and WiFi was available at the campground. Guests were all very polite and quiet during our visit as well," reports a visitor to Starlight Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the Mancelona area operate seasonally. Wild Cherry RV Resort is open "May 1 to October 31" according to their listing, and campers should plan accordingly.
Site variability: Campsite quality and amenities differ significantly between properties. "Our site was gravel and pretty level. We didn't even have to use leveling blocks," notes a camper at Kalkaska RV Park.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "This is a very large campground that is usually full during the summer," warns a Timber Ridge visitor. Another notes, "Because they are such a popular place to stay during the show (July - mid August), their sites book up a year in advance."
Pest management: Some parks take measures to control insects. "Sprayed for bugs so the bugs were not much of a nuisance," reports a Kalkaska camper, while another notes, "They spray for bugs so there's not too many creepy crawlies or biting bugs in the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Theme weekends: Starlight Campground and RV Park offers special event weekends. "They have an app you can download and do everything from ordering firewood and ice to seeing what's going on during their theme weekends. They kept my kids busy while still allowing for relaxing time," shares Victoria S.
Age-appropriate activities: Different parks cater to specific age groups. At Honcho Rest, "'Slow, Grandparents at Play' are what the signs around the campground boast, which tells you a bit about their target audience," though they "have a few spots for 'transients' (as they call them) as well as things for families with kiddos to do, including a small playground with a climbing wall."
Recreation options: Timber Ridge provides extensive family activities. "This definitely isn't a campground for people who like quiet and solitude, but if this is your style of camping, it's a great place," notes Allison H. Another camper adds, "We had a chilly Memorial Day weekend but were very impressed with the campground. Great mix of activities for the kids."
Store convenience: On-site stores eliminate trips to town. "The store is well stocked too with everything you may need," reports Victoria S. about Starlight Campground, making family camping more convenient.
Tips from RVers
Leveling needs: Kalkaska RV Park & Campground sites may require adjustment. "We camped in a 40' motor coach for a week. Site is gravel and dirt. It is a pull through site that required us to do quite a bit of leveling," reports Hope C.
Utility locations: Hookup placement varies by park. "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," notes a Kalkaska visitor.
Big rig access: Vista Green RV Resort accommodates larger vehicles. "We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site along with my jeep," shares Julia H., adding, "We had Full hook-up with a blacktop pull-through."
Waste services: Some parks offer limited garbage collection. At Vista Green, "They do not provide garbage service at your site so you must walk to garbage dumpster. This can be a long distance for some," according to a visitor. Kalkaska offers "a pump out service twice weekly for $10 each time."
