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."
"We stayed at site 145 which was large but there is a path to the beach right next to it so it's not very private. The park store was closed Labor Day weekend."
"The area we swam in was very shallow quite a ways into the lake. The showers and bathrooms are pretty close to the campsites."
"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."
ScoutLots of road noise and no water or electricity and it’s not free as stated online $20 isn’t bad per night but other places near charge $27-35 per night and have water and electric hookups there is tons of random traffic through the grounds which is a little uncomfortable. They do have bathrooms and you can fish but if your looking for a peaceful place this is not it or a free campsite it is not
GuideNice bare bones dispersed camping spot. Decent gravel road leading to it, and easy to navigate to the different spots along the pond (we were in a 26’ Winnebago View). A few other campers out there, a couple looked like some more permanent fixtures of the camping area. Good fishing in pond, caught a trout. We stayed for two nights and both days/nights there were people doing target shooting in the area so there was some pretty loud gunshots, if that’s a deal breaker for you, I wouldn’t recommend this spot.
GuideLovely campground right on the water and sandy beach. Nice, clean bathrooms with showers, sites had electric hookups, camp area had potable water and black water dump. We came at the very end of the season (October 4-5) and from what I could tell, the campsite was shutting down, so I’m unsure of the availability going forward until next season. Overall a beautiful spot!
GuideIt’s a basic public campground in a busy town. Not much privacy and plenty of drunk RV’ers but I found a nice spot and had a good night. I found a nice long trail to hike that started in town.
TravelerCheck in was great and the host was very friendly and helped me with all my questions. The site is very well maintained and the bathrooms were super clean. Close to great biking trails and other amenities in Cheboygan. The wireless and cell coverage was great. I enjoyed the peace and quiet and would recommend this RV park.
RangerThis place has a lot of people driving through it, but it's a nice place to park. The beach smells like fish, but overall it's pretty nice.
Travelergreat spots near lakeside
hiking nearby
quiet, hardly saw anyone
GuideThe staff member at check-in was very pleasant even though it was past her shift time. Stayed at walk-in site 113. It was clean and had sufficient privacy especially with site 114 being vacant. Vault toilet was clean and not far.
TravelerWe came in Mid September, the weather was still warm but 60/70. No bathrooms or hook ups, but perfect for tent or car campers. There was one other camper with a pop up camper and looked to be doing great. The road was long but worth the drive back!
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
What camping sites in Petoskey are best for RVs versus tent camping?
For RV camping, Petoskey RV Resort is designed specifically for motorhomes and travel trailers with full hookup sites. French Farm Lake Rd offers the opposite experience with six primitive sites that are perfect for tent campers seeking a more natural setting. Many tent campers also enjoy Fisherman's Island State Park for its more rustic, spacious sites. Magnus Park primarily caters to RVs with back-to-back pull-through sites, though tent camping is permitted. Note that at some Petoskey area campgrounds, tent campers pay the same rate as RV campers despite using fewer amenities.
Can you camp at Petoskey State Park, and what amenities are offered?
Yes, you can camp at Petoskey State Park Campground. The park offers spacious campsites, particularly on the Tannery Creek side. Amenities include newly renovated bathrooms and shower facilities, electrical hookups, and access to stunning Lake Michigan beaches perfect for hunting Petoskey stones and enjoying sunsets. The park is conveniently located between Petoskey and Harbor Springs, providing easy access to both towns. The campground is well-maintained by staff and designed to accommodate families. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak summer months, as this Pure Michigan destination is quite popular.
What campgrounds are available near Petoskey, Michigan?
The Petoskey area offers several excellent camping options. Magnus Park Campground is located right in downtown Petoskey on Lake Michigan with 77 sites (36 full hookups). Camp Petosega provides a more remote experience on Pickerel Lake, just 15-20 minutes from town, with 90 sites offering electricity and water, including five pull-through sites with sewer hookups. Other nearby options include Fisherman's Island State Park, French Farm Lake Road for primitive camping, Wilderness State Park, Burt Lake State Park, and Whiting Park Campground. Most campgrounds in the area are open seasonally from spring through fall.
Keep Exploring
