The Northport area of Michigan features numerous camping locations along the 45th parallel with shoreline elevation ranging from 577 to 620 feet above sea level. Camping sites near Northport, Michigan typically experience warm summers with average July temperatures of 80°F and cooler nights around 55-60°F. Most campgrounds operate seasonally, generally closing from late October through early May due to northern Michigan's harsh winters.
What to do
Kayaking on Lake Leelanau: Visitors staying at Leelanau Pines Campground can easily access water activities. "We launched the kayak & could keep it there on the grass at the lake. We kayaked the lake Leelanau then went up into Victoria Creek it was so cool. There was a duck blind in there and shore birds," reports one camper.
Lighthouse exploration: The historic lighthouse at Leelanau State Park Campground provides educational opportunities. "Awesome campground with lots to do. Can check out the lighthouse. Close to Northport with cute shops. A great way to experience Lake Michigan," notes Jami M.
Wine tasting tours: The Leelanau Peninsula features numerous wineries within short driving distance. "We went to several wineries. Loved Chateau De Leelanau good wine & hard cider. Next door to there was another winery Fires it was good more expensive though," shares a Leelanau Pines visitor.
Petoskey stone hunting: The shoreline provides opportunities for finding these unique fossilized corals. "If you can, get a campsite right on the water, you won't be disappointed and be sure to look out for Petoskey Stones as your walk the shoreline, there are tons!" advises an enthusiast at Fisherman's Island State Park.
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Fisherman's Island State Park Campground offers premium shoreline camping. "There are plenty of sites all along the shore of Lake Michigan! It gave the illusion of our own private beach and even though we had a camper at the site next to ours it was still very private because of all the trees in between," explains Magy C.
Night sky viewing: The relative seclusion from major urban centers creates excellent stargazing opportunities. "We got there late, put tents up in the dark, ate dinner late from a local watering hole. But once we got situated, we went to the beach to skywatch and it was beautiful and worth every second," shares a D.H. Day Campground visitor.
Well-spaced campsites: Multiple campgrounds maintain good site separation. "The sites are spaced decently far apart. Some of them are so close to Lake Michigan, you can just walk on a path through some trees right up to the water!" notes Kelly Z. about Barnes County Park Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Morning visits from local wildlife add to the camping experience. "Daily visits by the local duck families were entertaining," mentions a Leelanau Pines camper, while another notes the "hilariously aggressive squirrels" at Leelanau State Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most popular waterfront sites fill months in advance. "Reservations are extremely hard to get for this park. If you want a weekend campsite, you must book six months in advance!" advises a camper at Platte River Campground.
Weather preparation: Late season camping requires proper gear. "Went there in late October of 2022 and man was it a cold night to stay in a tent," reports a D.H. Day Campground visitor.
Beach conditions vary: Not all waterfronts are suited for swimming. "There is no beach, you have water front which is beautiful but no beach. The water front is very rocky, and full off a brown sticky film that smelled bad," warns a Leelanau State Park visitor.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby facilities. "Driving in to the campground, wear your blinders as there's a concrete plant right next door," notes a Fisherman's Island visitor, while another mentions "the cement factory, accompanied with its sounds, polluting the shoreline to the right."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly beaches: Barnes County Park Campground offers gradual water access. "Great for kids, as a sand bar goes out quite a distance. Ring road through the park is quiet enough to bike around, and they are many hiking paths to choose from," explains Rachel M.
Educational programs: Some campgrounds feature ranger-led activities. "The amphitheater with kid focused programs was a great bonus," notes Jeffrey R. about D.H. Day Campground.
Playground access: Campground playgrounds provide entertainment options. "The new playground was a hit for the kids, one of the best playgrounds we have experienced at a state park," shares a Leelanau State Park visitor.
Wildlife education opportunities: Children can observe local animals safely. "Loved this campground. The sites in the three loops are nicely placed so that you have foliage and space between sites but also close enough for larger groups to spread out and still feel like they are camping in a group," reports a Platte River Campground camper.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: D.H. Day Campground offers limited services for RVs. "Great rustic campground with a short boardwalk to the beach," notes Jeffrey R., highlighting that facilities are more basic.
Leveling requirements: Some sites require additional effort to position RVs properly. "Site 69 was large enough for our class C 31ft motorhome, didn't take much to level. It did rain pretty hard plus wind and with lots of trees many branches and such on top of our rig afterwards," explains a Barnes Park camper.
RV size restrictions: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. "The roads are very wide and there are not too many trees so maneuvering big-rigs is not a problem," notes a visitor to Wild Cherry RV Resort, while others mention limited space at some parks.
Water and waste disposal: Limited hookups require planning. "Potable water from hand pump and was unable (water bandit didn't fit) to fill camper water tank which was my only complaint," shares a Fisherman's Island State Park RVer.
