The Prudenville area offers diverse camping opportunities within Michigan's northern forest region, situated at elevations between 1,150-1,200 feet. Local camping areas provide access to Higgins Lake, known for its exceptional clarity reaching depths of 90 feet, and Houghton Lake, Michigan's largest inland lake at 20,044 acres. Seasonal considerations are important, with most forest campgrounds operating from mid-April through mid-September while larger established sites remain open year-round.
What to do
Kayak the Mason Tract: North Higgins Lake State Park offers excellent access for kayaking adventures down the nearby Mason Tract with takeout at Smith Bridge. "The highlight of our stay was kayaking the nearby Mason Tract and getting out at Smith Bridge. I certainly want to do that again," shared one visitor to North Higgins Lake State Park Campground.
Explore dispersed river sites: For primitive camping along moving water, the Muskegon River offers peaceful alternatives to lake-centered options. "A great place for dispersed camping. Don't forget the bug spray! Only 20 minutes from town if you did!" noted a camper at Muskegon River Canoe Camp.
Berry picking and fishing: Trout Lake provides family-friendly natural food gathering opportunities. "There is plenty of fishing and exploring. Also amazing berry picking in the grow season. They do have outhouses and a decent beach," according to a visitor at Trout Lake.
Evening wildlife observation: The wooded settings around Prudenville campgrounds support diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. "We saw a lot of wildlife including deer, turkey, herons, black squirrel, frogs, and crayfish!" reported a camper at White Birch Canoe Trips & Campground.
What campers like
Crystal clear lake water: Campers consistently praise Higgins Lake's exceptional water clarity. "The beach was nice, water is crystal clear," reported one visitor at North Higgins Lake State Park Campground.
Spacious waterfront sites: Reedsburg Dam offers larger-than-average campsites with direct water access. "The campsites are very large and clean. Most sites have waterfront with pretty views," noted a camper at Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground.
Evening firefly displays: The natural hardwood forests create ideal habitat for summer light shows. "Firefly evening strolls on sandy trails through the woods," was highlighted by a visitor at Great Circle Campground as a special feature.
Fall camping tranquility: Off-peak seasons offer exceptional solitude for campers seeking quieter experiences. "We stumbled on this campground accidentally but I am sure happy that we did! We were there in the late fall, so I imagine it most likely gets busy in the summer... Although, for a beautiful fall weekend there was wasn't more than 3 other campers," shared a visitor at Trout Lake.
What you should know
Reservations strategy: For prime locations, advanced planning is essential. "We stayed in the East loop of the campground and were by the boat launch which was very convenient because we could put in and leave our boat in overnight!" explained a camper at South Higgins Lake State Park.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity can be problematic in the forested areas. "Don't expect to make phone calls, the cell service (AT&T) was very spotty," warned a visitor at North Higgins Lake State Park Campground.
Site surface conditions: Many campsites feature natural ground that can become problematic in wet weather. "Sites can get messy since ground is a dirt/sand mix," noted a camper at North Higgins Lake State Park.
Seasonal water warnings: Water quality advisories can affect swimming plans. "When we visited there was a warning about water quality for some reason so we never actually went swimming, I think it had something to do with bacteria or bugs," shared a visitor at North Higgins Lake State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Shallow water beaches: Higgins Lake features exceptionally gradual entry points ideal for young swimmers. "The beach is great for kids to play in safely while the parents chill at the shore," reported a camper at South Higgins Lake State Park Campground.
Halloween weekend activities: Seasonal programming enhances family camping experiences. "They have a really nice Halloween weekends," mentioned a visitor at South Higgins Lake State Park.
Kid-friendly river floats: The Muskegon River offers gentle floating experiences suitable for young children. "River was very cool and clean. Not too deep in July and we had lots of places to swim and fish. Slow enough that my 4 yr old was able to wade without problems many places," shared a family who visited White Birch Canoe Trips & Campground.
Campground recreation options: Some private campgrounds provide additional structured play areas. "They had a big inflatable slide for kids and movies playing at night," noted a visitor at Higgins Lake-Roscommon KOA.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra preparation for level setups. "Site 61 did take some time to get all leveled out almost didn't have enough blocks. But very nice once set up," advised an RVer at Higgins Lake-Roscommon KOA.
Hookup positioning awareness: Utility placement may require additional equipment. "Our water hook up was on the opposite side of the site from the power and sewer hook up so we had to have a hose running across our site; glad we had an extra hose to use as an extension," shared a camper at Higgins Lake-Roscommon KOA.
ORV trail access: Select campgrounds permit direct vehicle trail access. "Close enough to the ORV trails that you can ride to them from the park which is a huge bonus as many parks won't let you unload or ride out of the park," noted an RVer at Higgins Lake-Roscommon KOA.
Alternative accommodations: Cabin options provide comfort for those without camping equipment. "One nite stay in cabin. Cabin had electricity, mini fridge, electricity and bunk beds. Only complaint was cabin was close to fairly busy road," reported a visitor at North Higgins Lake State Park.
