Petoskey is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Petoskey is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
"If you have not been to Petoskey, Michigan you really should make a point to visit this area. "
"This campground is Pure Michigan. From enjoying beautiful sunsets, to Petoskey stone hunts, you’ll enjoy your stay."
$20 / night
"Driving in to the campground, wear your blinders as there's a concrete plant right next door. I camped this past week and there were signs the park hadn't been used by many at all just yet."
"If you want to stay on the water (Lake Michigan), which is highly recommended, be sure to book early. The sights go fast!"
"The facilities were clean and the grounds themselves were a pleasure to walk around. The camp store was the best stocked one I’ve seen yet."
"Some sites were not in use because of high lake levels and park water problems. Leaking pipe? The small dune area leading up to Lake Charlevoix makes you feel like you are at Lake Michigan."
"The location makes this campground. Stayed 6 nights as it was so relaxing."
"The park is run by the City of Petoskey and sits on 21 acres in downtown Petoskey overlooking Lake Michigan. "
"The campground is convenient to Petoskey, the Little Traverse Wheelway and the Northwestern State Trail. We enjoyed being able to access the bike trails from the campground."
"The KOA campground is close to Petoskey, but outside town enough to be a bit quiet. A short drive to breweries, wineries, and dinner. "
"This very popular state park is a real winner due to its gorgeous remote location, sandy beaches, and crystal clear waters along the shores of Lake Michigan-- located just southwest of the iconic Mackinac"
"Pretty secluded campsites with trees surrounding each site. Private little sandy trail from the site down to Lake Michigan allows for good distancing from others. Can’t beat the sunsets."
"Close to Petoskey"
"He told us everything is closed but to call in the am and he’ll move some things around and get us in."
"The area we swam in was very shallow quite a ways into the lake. The showers and bathrooms are pretty close to the campsites."
"Have great paths, boat launch, and beaches. Have a dog beach too. Lots of boats in that area of the beach not paying attention."
"This park is operated by Emmet County and offers a very remote feel yet it is only 15-20 minutes from Petoskey, Michigan. "
"The best place to camp in northern Michigan. Should be more well known."
"I stayed in the corner lot next to the playground. I spent a lot of time off the campsite during the day but at night the view was great. There was more than enough room for my tent."
TravelerPaved roads good for bike riding. Nice and level site. Well maintained grounds, with a fire pit and picnic table. State park, so no WiFi. AT&T is 1 bar. Restroom and showers are updated and clean.
GuideThere's a good road that leads to the shore road that isn't terrible. My 2wd Tacoma had no issue. People have cleared sites and set up fire rings down the shore road. Bring bugspray
ScoutFriendly staff very accommodating. Pet friendly has small dog enclosure at front as well as mini golf and playgrounds. Lots of trees and wooded areas to feel more remote without the driving. Very peaceful.
ScoutGreat sites here(so many to choose from all across the water. Each have their own fire pits. We are here in late April so with the chilly weather there isn’t a soul in site. Highly recommend
ScoutFeels more remote than it really is. Lots of room for multiple vehicles/sites. Very near a handful of private residences. Can hear the state route from the site but it was low volume traffic. Didn't see anyone else during the stay.
Beautiful lake, blessed by the Elk bugles nearby.
Posted on Southern entrance: Michigan Rec Passport Required
ScoutGet ready, Gaylord! Alpen Bluffs is shaping up to be an incredible new resort destination in Otsego County, set to open its doors in May 2025. With a whopping 271 sites, including a fantastic mix of 30 cabins and 14 yurts, there's something for everyone. RV enthusiasts will appreciate the full hookups, convenient concrete pads, and versatile 30/50/20 electric outlets. But Alpen Bluffs isn't just for RVers– the whole family will be thrilled with the impressive list of amenities already planned, including pickleball, a dedicated bark park for furry friends, the exciting Inukshuk Shores aquatic playground, gem mining, and mini golf, with promises of even more to come! While we eagerly anticipate the late 2025 opening of The Bluff Club with its resort pool and unique container bar with a smoker, the initial offerings alone make Alpen Bluffs a must-watch and likely a must-visit for a fantastic family getaway in Northern Michigan.
RangerWe stayed here with friends for four days in July. The grounds are very well cared for. All the utilities were well placed. We stayed in sites 82 and 83 overlooking the pond. Our sides were gravel pull in with a small concrete patio and walkway on the passenger side. As a few others noted, there is no bath house or restrooms. We don’t mind as we never use the facilities at campgrounds. Wineries abound in the area but we chose to visit 4 lighthouses and Sleeping Bear Dunes. Buy some cherries when in season!
ScoutThis review is probably useless for anyone, but my parents brought my sister and I here more than 50 years ago. The park was terrific. The fishing from our 14’ boat was lively every day. The fresh donuts made at the store were delicious. I am so happy that they are still in business. Thank you Aloha for several years of wonderful memories.
LegendWe looked forward to our stay at this campground so close to Mackinaw City. We arrived just before 5 pm behind another camper. Walter was having difficulty handling both of our check-ins: he couldn’t find the other camper’s reservation (apparently not a one-off) and then his computer kept freezing while processing ours. The process to get both of us checked in took almost 30 minutes.
The advertised group gathering gazebo seemed to have been taken over by the office; I saw no other covered gazebo. And the fire pit was horrible! It spewed toxic smoke the entire time we were checking in (I had to keep stepping outside). As Becky’s review mentioned, there was junk surrounding the “office” and close by area.
The RV sites did not have any separation/privacy between them. We had reserved a water/electric site but in the end, chose one of the tent sites that faced the lake. We didn’t even see a number indicating what site it was– it was mostly a large grassy area.
The mosquitos were horrible (I realize this is not the fault of the campground although the grass was a bit tall).
Although I’ve seen worse, the restrooms were just passable. The floor was wet. At least there was soap and paper towels. Did not use the shower so cannot comment on that.
The best part of this campground is the view of Lake Huron. As advertised, there is a (far-off) view of the Mackinaw Bridge from the beach, but you have to look through the wall of mosquitoes.
It’s my understanding this is a city-run campground and if that is correct, we expected better. In order for me to give this more than two stars, it would have to:
• cost less ($50 was way too much money to pay for this campground),
• have a more efficient check-in system, and
• be cleaned up of all the junk lying around.
If we would not have lost all our money, we would have ditched and looked elsewhere. We didn’t even cook in our van, opting instead to eat in town. We were up and out early the next morning.
Camping near Petoskey, Michigan, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Petoskey, Michigan, has something for everyone, from stunning views to family-friendly activities. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Petoskey, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 140 campgrounds and RV parks near Petoskey, MI and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Petoskey, MI is Petoskey State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 28 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Petoskey, MI.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 parks near Petoskey, MI that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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