Petoskey offers diverse camping options across northern Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Seasonal operation typically runs from April through October, with most facilities closing for winter. Temperatures range from daytime highs of 75-80°F in summer to lows in the 50s at night. The region features a mix of wooded and open sites with varied terrain.
What to Do
**Lake activities: Fishing and boating are accessible from several campgrounds. At Indian River RV Resort, campers appreciate the central location. "Location is central to several activities; Mackinac Island, Petosky, Burt Lake, Mullet Lake etc.," notes Steve W. The resort provides convenient boat trailer parking.
**Wine tours: The Leelanau Peninsula wine region is within easy reach. Wild Cherry RV Resort offers an ideal base for exploration. "We visited Wild Cherry RV Resort on the recommendation of some friends... The park is on the Leelanau Peninsula which is one of Michigan's most well-known and revered wine region and there are three wineries within a couple of miles," a reviewer explains.
**Hiking options: Natural areas provide trails for all skill levels. Several campgrounds offer on-site trails. One reviewer at Kalkaska RV Park & Campground mentions, "We enjoyed the hiking provided onsite." The campground's wooded setting creates a natural environment for walking and nature observation.
What Campers Like
**Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. The bathrooms at Lake Leelanau RV Park receive consistent praise: "The bathrooms are absolutely immaculate and each family bathroom includes a toilet, sink, and shower." This attention to detail extends to other amenities.
**Site quality: Level, well-maintained sites reduce setup hassles. "Our site, #20, had an improved gravel parking area for camper with a concrete pad with a picnic table. Site, and whole campground was clean and well maintained," notes a guest at Wild Cherry RV Resort.
**Quiet atmosphere: Many parks maintain peaceful environments despite being full. At Indian River RV Resort, a visitor observed, "What is also amazing is how quiet the park is. Even with families and dogs it's very peaceful and relaxing. The vibe is contagious and all the neighbors are friendly and considerate."
What You Should Know
**Reservation timing: Summer months require advance planning. A Petoskey KOA visitor advises, "Be sure when you book that you put down the correct size of your rig as they have site management down to a science."
**Seasonal operation: Most facilities close from late October through April. Starlight Campground operates from "May 20th and close September 5th," while Wild Cherry RV Resort stays open slightly longer from "May 1 to October 31."
**Campground sizes: Parks range from intimate to larger resort-style operations. Antrim Meadows Campground represents the smaller end of the spectrum, with one camper noting: "We love these smaller campgrounds. In just one evening, we met and talked at length with 4 families."
Tips for Camping with Families
**Recreation options: Consider campgrounds with on-site activities. "Starlight Campground and RV Park has "Swing set, walking trail, ORV trail, pool, volleyball, pickle ball court and other games!" according to one reviewer. These amenities keep children entertained without leaving the property.
**Kid-friendly sites: Some campgrounds specifically design spaces for families. At Indian River RV Resort, facilities include "a large playground, a large heated swimming pool, plus volleyball, horseshoes, corn hole, basketball and pickleball courts."
**Theme weekends: Check for special events during peak season. One camper at Petoskey KOA shared: "We were here for the halloween weekend. They did a great job with the trick or treating by shutting down all vehicle traffic and by having a site decorating contest."
Tips from RVers
**Site leveling considerations: Check site specifications when booking. A visitor to Wild Cherry RV Resort mentioned, "Our site was level, paved and had a paved patio and was full hook-up with cable and WiFi (which worked well at our site)."
**Hookup placement: Some parks require extended hoses or special positioning. At Kalkaska RV Park & Campground, one RVer reported, "The hookups are rather far away so we needed extensions. Our site required us to pull through in such a way that the hookups were on the opposite side of our coach."
**Big rig access: Access varies by facility. For larger motorhomes, Tiki RV Park offers accommodating sites: "It met our needs for a day trip to Mackinac Island. It's within biking distance to the Shepler's Ferry dock which is super nice of you're planning to take bikes along. Most of the sites are partially shaded and fairly spacious. We stayed in site 32 which worked out perfectly for our 36' trailer."