North Branch, Michigan sits in the eastern Lower Peninsula, featuring gently rolling landscapes at approximately 830 feet elevation. The area experiences four distinct seasons with warm, humid summers and cold winters that impact camping availability. Most glamping accommodations near North Branch operate seasonally from April through October, with peak season running June through August.
What to do
Water activities beyond kayaking: Lakeport State Park Campground offers excellent rock collecting opportunities along Lake Huron's shoreline. "I have found the most beautiful Petoskey Stones at Lakeport. I have also found a large pudding stone. My husband brings his chair down to the water and I walk the short for hours and hours looking for rocks," notes Stephanie C.
ORV trails for motorized recreation: Otter Lake Park Campground provides direct access to designated ORV trails. "ORV trail butts up to the campground so bring your dirt bikes! We had a small trailer and they had no issue with us at all," reports Alyssa C., highlighting opportunities for off-road enthusiasts.
Disc golf courses: Addison Oaks County Park features well-maintained disc golf courses as part of its recreational offerings. According to Joe S., "I enjoyed the trails, disc golf and overall wonderful Park staff! Extremely clean and well-kept."
What campers like
Christian-focused environment: Covenant Hills Camp offers glamping close to North Branch, Michigan in a faith-based setting. "Definitely recommend to families w kids that are on the conservative side and would like to keep their faith religiously on sundays with service and etc.," shares Tammy P., noting the camp's religious orientation.
Multi-generational appeal: Wesleyan Woods Camp provides glamping accommodations that work well for extended family gatherings. "We had a large group of families with varying ages and abilities. We used multiple different styles of cabins and a few RV sites, as well as various buildings for activities. All in all, it was an incredible time," reports Heather M.
Budget-friendly options: Otter Lake Park Campground offers affordable glamping options with good value. "Very good swimming beach with tons of places to take in the peaceful views. Oh and I love how affordable it is :)" mentions Alyssa C., emphasizing the cost-effectiveness.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular glamping sites near North Branch book quickly, especially for summer weekends. For Lakeport State Park Campground, "My suggestion is to book six months in advance because it is extremely hard to get into this campground on the weekends," advises Stephanie C.
Site differences within campgrounds: Many properties have distinct camping areas with very different experiences. "There are two sections to this campground. The northern section seems to be the louder section and the southern section seems to be the more laid back quiet section," explains Stephanie C. about Lakeport State Park.
No-alcohol policies: Some glamping venues near North Branch prohibit alcohol consumption. "Nice family/Christian campgrounds... ok for those who care not enjoy alcohol beverages while vacationing," points out Tammy P. about Covenant Hills Camp.
Tips for camping with families
Age-specific activities: Holly State Recreation Area offers specialized recreation for different age groups. "This is a giant recreation area that features a campground, 3 lakes, tons of trails, and even a splash zone for kids. The campground has it all, electric, cabins, playgrounds, basketball courts, etc...," explains Kate K.
Kid-friendly attractions: Covenant Hills Camp provides unique recreation specifically designed for children. "Lots of things to do. climbing wall, zip line, swimming, fishing alot of pike," shares C P., highlighting the variety of activities available.
Weekend programming: Evergreen Park Campground runs special weekend events for families. "Stayed there over Labor Day weekend and had awesome time. Horseshoe and cornhole tournament was the best," reports Phil T.
Tips from RVers
Site selection awareness: Genesee Otter Lake Campground requires careful site selection for RVers. "If you are looking to stay here, all of the decent waterfront sites have seasonal campers in them," warns Tara W., suggesting inland sites might be a better option.
Hookup limitations: Some glamping facilities near North Branch have electrical system limitations. At Lakeport State Park, staff explained they "have to upgrade the electrical system this fall on the southern side and they have closed some campsites in the south in order to help with the electricity issue. Apparently, some sites were losing power because there wasn't enough energy to support all of the lots."
Dump station setup: Several campgrounds have unusual dump station arrangements. "The dump station is at the north campground and to get to it, you have to enter the north campground and drive all the way through it, come back out, and then go to the dump station! It is the weirdest set up ever," reports Stephanie C. about Lakeport State Park.
