Best Campgrounds near Pentwater, MI

Pentwater camping areas include several solid options for both new and experienced campers. Pentwater City Park Campground sits close to town shops and has good Lake Michigan access. Pentwater Area State Park balances natural surroundings with clean, functional facilities. National Forest Sites around Pentwater let you camp with fewer neighbors if you prefer quiet and a more basic camping setup. Always check if fire bans are active before lighting a campfire in this region. Summer spots fill up fast, so book ahead if you're planning a trip between June and August. The woods here have plenty of wildlife, so hang your food properly to keep bears and smaller critters away from your site. Pentwater Recreation Area has good trail systems if you want to hike or bike during your stay. Families often choose Pentwater County Park Campground for its kid-friendly setup with play equipment and group eating areas. Most sites limit stays to 14 days, which helps with trip planning. You can typically reserve spots 3-6 months ahead of your arrival date. Pentwater draws many campers because of its mix of developed and more remote camping locations.

Best Camping Sites Near Pentwater, Michigan (199)

    1. Silver Lake State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Mears, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 873-3083

    "But the location is awesome due to its proximity to the Silver Lake Off Road Vehicle Area, Lake Michigan, Silver Lake and the Little Sable Point Lighthouse. "

    "Silver lake is one of the most beautiful areas you can go in all of Michigan. With dunes of it's own, & a perfect, calm crystal lake - it's great for swimming, kayaking and photography."

    2. Cedar Campground — Ludington State Park

    40 Reviews
    Ludington, MI
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 843-2423

    $25 - $65 / night

    "It is situated between Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan with several miles of beautiful shoreline along both lakes."

    "You have easy access to Lake Hamlin and Lake Michigan for great swimming. Float down the creek to Lake Michigan or go hiking to the light house."

    3. Mears State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Pentwater, MI
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 869-2051

    "Easy walk to the beach for beautiful views, or into Pentwater to go to boutiques, restaurants and ice cream shops. We loved our time here! Awesome campground, and I cannot wait to go back!"

    "The campground is located next the beach near the town of Pentwater. The location is beautiful and sandy with easy access from the paved road."

    4. Dunes Harbor Family Camp

    11 Reviews
    Mears, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 873-3662

    "The tent sites and full-hookup camper sites are separate (but there were a couple campers and plenty of pop-ups in our area) and the tent sites are grassy/wooded and on the edge of the campground."

    "There is a nice lake for fishing and kayaking. This is campground is part of a Christian camp near by and is a dry campground. "

    5. Kibby Creek Campground

    10 Reviews
    Pentwater, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 843-3995

    $40 - $160 / night

    "It’s close to Pentwater and Ludington for shopping, restaurants and breweries. They are currently expanding the campground to add on another 100 sites or so."

    "Wonderful location right in between ludington and pentwater. Updated bathrooms. Nice little mini golf course. Seem to keep improving it. Will be booking many more trips there."

    6. Hill & Hollow Campground & RV Park

    9 Reviews
    Pentwater, MI
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 869-5811

    "Campsite is located 2 miles from downtown Pentwater, adorable small town on the water. Mears state park is 2 miles from the campground as well, Lake Michigan beaches."

    "The little town of Pentwater is close by. It is a neat place with shops and treats as well as art and a fancy grocery store. Plan to spend a day strolling the sidewalks there."

    7. Sandy Shores Campground

    9 Reviews
    Mears, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 873-3003

    "Silver Lake is a popular destination for off road vehicles, so this campground is always full of vehicles and traffic."

    "Grocery store immediately off site within walking distance. Sand beach across the street on the shore of a beautiful lake or use the heated pool on site."

    8. Dune Town Camp Resort

    9 Reviews
    Mears, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 873-4502

    $38 - $60 / night

    "We didn’t have a second vehicle so was trapped at the resort and close surrounding shops. The best thing about this park is the proximity to Silver Lake."

    "Right in the heart of Silver Lake, this campground is the walking distance or a short drive to shopping, food and fun! the campground itself has a pool and game room for the the family."

    9. Whispering Surf Campground at Bass Lake

    5 Reviews
    Pentwater, MI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 869-5050

    $46 - $69 / night

    "The staff does drive by checks on everyone throughout the day and this not only helped us develop a relationship with the staff but also made us feel very safe."

    "Whispering Surf has a private beach on Bass Lake--great fishing, sandy bottom, kayak and canoe rentals--plus 2 Lake Michigan beaches within walking distance."

    10. Poncho's Pond RV Park

    9 Reviews
    Ludington, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 308-6602

    "very friendly from the get-go willing to help you if you needed any help. the lots are very clean and the level and the bathrooms are very clean great place to camp with the family with Ludington and Pentwater"

    "There are a few trees among the tent sites but they are not very private and located near the garbage dumpsters/recycle bins and on a main exit thoroughfare. "

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Showing results 1-10 of 199 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Pentwater, MI

826 Reviews of 199 Pentwater Campgrounds



Guide to Pentwater

Camping near Pentwater, Michigan, offers a fantastic mix of beautiful landscapes, family-friendly activities, and cozy campgrounds. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there's something for everyone in this scenic area.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Trails: Explore the miles of trails in the area. Many campers enjoy the hiking options at Hoffmaster State Park Campground, where one reviewer mentioned, "Miles of trails if you are into hiking."
  • Beach Access: Spend a day at the beach! Campers at Lake Michigan Campground at Muskegon State Park rave about the beautiful beach access, with one saying, "Just steps from Lake Michigan. Literally walk down some steps, and you’re at the beach."
  • Fishing and Water Sports: Enjoy fishing or kayaking in the nearby lakes. A visitor at Cedar Campground — Ludington State Park noted, "The surrounding area is beautiful with hiking, biking, kayaking etc."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Orchard Beach State Park Campground highlighted, "The bathrooms and showers are clean."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many campgrounds cater to families. One reviewer at Hoffmaster State Park Campground said, "Very family friendly not for people that stay up past 10pm."
  • Natural Beauty: Campers love the scenic views. A visitor at Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness remarked, "The dunes are amazing! A short walk from the camping loops, the dunes open to the amazing shore of Lake Michigan."

What you should know:

  • Site Proximity: Many campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Grand Haven State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are VERY tight."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A review for Silver Lake State Park Campground noted, "The sites were not that big and most of the sites are electric only."
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for potential noise from nearby activities. One camper at Newaygo State Park Campground expressed frustration, saying, "Two nights of brain damaging laughter and frivolity by campsite 21 ruined the whole experience."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for kids. A reviewer at Cedar Campground — Ludington State Park said, "Excellent playground if you have little ones."
  • Plan for Bathroom Breaks: Some campgrounds have bathrooms that are a bit of a walk. A visitor at Orchard Beach State Park Campground mentioned, "The bathroom is a pretty distant walk so prepare for that."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Keep the kids happy with snacks. One camper at Betsie River Campsite appreciated the nearby café, saying, "There is a DELICIOUS little café serving up inexpensive, filling breakfasts each morning."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Silver Lake State Park Campground advised, "Make sure you check your rig size against the site you are planning on reserving."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds have narrow roads and tight spots. A review for Grand Haven State Park Campground noted, "This is a parking lot on the beach - sites are extremely tight and small."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on essentials before arriving. A visitor at Lake Michigan Recreation Area mentioned, "Bring enough supplies for your stay unless you don’t mind a 1/2 hour drive to get resupplied."

Camping near Pentwater, Michigan, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a memorable experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Pentwater, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, Pentwater, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 199 campgrounds and RV parks near Pentwater, MI and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Pentwater, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pentwater, MI is Silver Lake State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 23 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pentwater, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Pentwater, MI.

What parks are near Pentwater, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Pentwater, MI that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.