Dispersed camping options near Ludington, Michigan range from free rustic sites in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness to walk-in tent sites at Jackpine Campground. The region averages 32 inches of annual snowfall with summer temperatures reaching 80°F in July and August. Winter camping is available at select locations, though amenities are limited and trails may be snow-covered from December through March.
What to do
Hiking to Big Sable Lighthouse: Walk from Jackpine Hike-In Campground at Ludington State Park to reach the lighthouse. "The path to the campground is gravel so we carried all of our stuff in a wagon. The hike to the lighthouse was easy and the lighthouse was picturesque," notes Jeff B.
Beach exploration: Access secluded shorelines from the dunes. "There's a trail from the campground up over a dune to Lake Michigan. One group used kids bike trailers on the back of their bikes to make a couple extra trips," explains Sarah K. about Jackpine Campground's proximity to private beach areas.
Wildlife viewing: Watch for local fauna throughout the forests and dunes. At Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road, campers encounter diverse wildlife. "The forest is stunning and mesmerizing! 5 min hike to dunes/beach. Never want to camp at a campground again," reports Deanna A.
Winter activities: Experience snow-covered dunes and trails for cross-country skiing. "Winter camped in Pines Mini Cabin. Awesome trails for hiking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. Lots of phenomenal snow this year!" shares Kathie M. about winter options at Ludington State Park.
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: Dispersed camping areas offer more distance between sites. "We didn't see another person all weekend. That is my kind of escape!" notes Kate K. about Green Road camping near Nordhouse Dunes.
Beach access: Multiple campgrounds provide direct routes to Lake Michigan. "There is a large dune about 50 feet from the campground with a walking path over and the other side is Lake Michigan and a beach. I didn't see anyone going over the dune to that beach all weekend - so if you want your own private beach, this is a great campground," reports Sarah K.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies reveal remarkable celestial views. "We saw the greatest night sky I have ever seen for the Perseids meteor shower. Very low light pollution here!" explains Bryce J. about Kibby Creek Campground.
Large campsite options: Some campgrounds feature spacious sites. "The campground has three loops for RVs and tents and another area that is a walk-in tent only section. Sites on the outside back up to a tall wooded berm providing shade and a bit of privacy," shares a camper at Cedar Campground.
What you should know
Popularity requires planning: Peak season draws crowds to popular campgrounds. "Ludington State Park is a very popular and busy state park, as it is right on the beach," notes one visitor. During summer weekends, many campgrounds fill completely.
Sand challenges: Sandy terrain affects camping setup and vehicle travel. At Lake Michigan Recreation Area, "Campsites are HUGE! No showers, but you have the lake! No electricity either but this is how we like it," shares Liz S. However, the terrain can make gear transport challenging as "pulling just one bundle of wood was a little challenge" on sandy paths, according to Lexi G.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. "No phone service! Love that!" notes Leah M. about Jackpine Campground, while others report "Verizon and AT&T were slim to none in the campground. Had to drive into town for work."
Site privacy differences: Density varies between campgrounds. "Sites contain a fire ring and picnic table. Two clean vault toilets. Signs said the well was closed; not sure if that was seasonal or permanent," reports Cody M. about Jackpine Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose campgrounds with dedicated play areas. At Poncho's Pond RV Park, "We stayed for a 3 night stay recently with our 1 and 5 year old and we had such a nice weekend. This campground is very clean, all the sites are spacious," reports Melissa B.
Swimming options: Select campgrounds with multiple water recreation choices. "There are three heated pools on the property – two outdoor and one indoor with and two spas," notes Nancy W. about Poncho's Pond amenities.
Family activities: Look for organized events throughout summer. Kibby Creek Campground offers "rustic tent sites, tent sites with water/electric, water/electric for campers/RVs, and even a few cabins. There are two basketball courts (half courts), a volleyball court, shuffle board, mini golf, a pool, a train ride for kids, a private fishing pond, playgrounds, sand boxes, and various other planned activities," explains Amanda L.
Space requirements: Reserve larger sites for family equipment. "We got one of the few sites left, in Pines, for our first visit last week and arrived to find campers squeezed in like sardines. Our site was a patch between a huge RV and a little pop up camper," reports Rosemary P. about Ludington State Park's Pines Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site length considerations: Verify site dimensions before booking. "Our site was super long (over 100') and had a nice view of the large pond. There is pretty good separation between sites and on one side of us were large bushes that added privacy from our neighbors and the adjacent pathway," explains Nancy W. about Poncho's Pond.
Hookup availability: Confirm utility connections match your needs. "All 257 sites are full hook-up (with cable), level, and have paved patios and for a $2 up charge you can get a paved site," notes Nancy W. about Poncho's Pond amenities.
Road conditions: Check access roads for RV suitability. "Roads are great until you get to the road to camp. There are very large holes and dips, thankfully we found a spot right away before we got in far. Had a 19 foot trailer with high clearance (only trailer brave enough to camp here!)," warns Bobbi Jo K. about Green Road camping areas.
Dump station access: Plan for waste disposal needs. "Wish they had potable water faucet to fill a fresh water tank and a dumping station. Campsites were large and well spaced with lots of trees and privacy," notes Kathie M. about Lake Michigan Campground at Manistee.
