Ludington and Manistee offer diverse camping experiences along Michigan's western shoreline where Lake Michigan meets sandy beaches, forested dunes, and river systems. The region experiences warm summers with average temperatures in the 70s and cold winters that drop to the 20s. Winter camping requires proper insulation and preparation for snow conditions, with many campsites remaining accessible year-round.
What to do
Cross-country skiing trails: Orchard Beach State Park provides winter recreation opportunities even when beach access is limited. "Guided snowshoe tours and lamp light snowshoe hikes in winter are awesome," notes one visitor about activities at Ludington State Park.
River activities: The Manistee River offers excellent fishing access near Tippy Dam Recreation Area. "Steps go right down to the river. Good fishing," shares a camper. The dam creates different fishing environments with both river and backwater access points.
Bicycle touring: The paved trail system connects several campgrounds to nearby towns. At Betsie River Campsite, campers appreciate "a nice bike path that runs right in front of the campground" with one reviewer noting it's "less than a 3 mile walk/bike ride to downtown Frankfort and the lakeshore."
Dune hiking: The region features multiple dune systems with varying difficulty levels. "The hike to Big Sable Lighthouse was beautiful as it wound through the woods and out over the dunes," reports a visitor who explored the 18+ miles of trails accessible directly from their campsite.
What campers like
Spacious rustic sites: Lake Michigan Recreation Area offers generous camping areas despite lacking electricity. "Campsites are HUGE! No showers, but you have the lake! No electricity either but this is how we like it," writes one reviewer who preferred the more natural setting.
Bathroom facilities: Despite being a rustic campground, Lake Michigan Recreation Area maintains clean facilities. "Bathrooms very clean. Flush toilets a plus," notes a camper, while another mentions "nice bathrooms and private showers that are clean" at Ludington State Park.
Winter cabin amenities: Mini cabins provide essential comforts during colder months. A visitor staying at the Pines Campground describes, "Mini cabin has mini fridge, coffee pot, ceiling fan, and I think a heater for winter. 2 sets of sturdy bunk beds."
Seasonal activities: Beechwood Campground at Ludington State Park offers access to both Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake. "Miles and miles of hiking trails, dunes, and beaches. We stayed for 9 days and still hadn't done all of the exploring we wanted to do," reports one enthusiastic camper.
What you should know
Beach access changes: Water levels fluctuate and affect shore access. At Orchard Beach State Park, campers report "due to high waters the past few years there is no beach" and "the stairway down to the water level is closed and it appears to have been closed for some time."
Site privacy varies: Many state park campgrounds have densely arranged sites. "Sites are as compact and close together as possible," notes one camper at Orchard Beach, while another mentions at Ludington, "sites in the center of the loops are more open whereas those on the outside back up to a tall wooded berm providing shade and a bit of privacy."
Reservation timing: Poncho's Pond RV Park fills quickly during peak season. "Hard to get a reservation," reports one camper, reflecting the popularity of luxury camping near Manistee, Michigan.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. One camper notes, "Biggest downfall was lack of cell service. Verizon and AT&T were slim to none in the campground. Had to drive into town for work."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: At Insta-Launch Campground & Marina, site selection can enhance the experience. "Owner went above and beyond to put us in a site that would work for our RV and kids. We stayed close to the playscape, which ended up being awesome for our kids."
Beach timing strategy: Morning arrivals avoid crowds at popular swimming areas. "10 minutes from several beaches, I would recommend getting to the beach before 10am (they get busy fast)," advises a family camper at Cartier Park.
Family gathering spaces: Some campgrounds offer common areas that facilitate group activities. At Ludington State Park, a camper observed, "There's an awesome grass avenue that runs down the middle of the sites in the inner loop, marked off so there are no tents in the area, but it gives you great removal from the campers behind you, and allows for all manner of games."
Educational opportunities: Ranger programs enhance the camping experience for children. At Lake Michigan Recreation Area, "They have weekly ranger programs for kids as well. The beach is clean and the swimming is amazing!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RV campers should prepare for uneven terrain. At Cartier Park Campground, campers note it was "pretty crowded and noisy. The facilities were nice, but very hard to keep clean when that full of people."
Electric service differences: Not all sites offer the same electrical options. "Some sites only have 20 amp service," notes a camper at Betsie River Campsite, important information for RVers with higher power requirements.
Dump station availability: When planning glamping close to Manistee, Michigan in an RV, note that some campgrounds lack this service. One camper at Lake Michigan Recreation Area wished "they had potable water faucet to fill a fresh water tank and a dumping station."
Off-season value: Shoulder season camping offers better rates. A visitor at Poncho's Pond RV Park shared, "During our stay we fell into low season and nightly rates were discounted 50%. So for $28/night we got a really nice site with lots of amenities in a great location."
