Rapid City, Michigan sits in the northwest region of Michigan's Lower Peninsula about 20 miles east of Traverse City. The area experiences warm summers with temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F and cold winters with significant snowfall. Camping options near Rapid City include numerous RV parks with full hookup sites, many operating from May through October when nighttime temperatures remain above freezing.
What to do
Water recreation: Bass Lake at Honcho Rest Campground offers fishing and paddling opportunities within walking distance of campsites. "Bass Lake which is great for a quick paddle around, fishing, etc., but if you are seeking larger bodies of water, the Elk Rapids Marina on Grand Traverse Bay and Elk Lake are just a couple miles away," notes one visitor.
Hiking trails: 3-mile path near Vista Green RV Resort provides exercise options without driving. As one camper mentioned, "There is supposedly a mowed trail to hike off of the campground (about 3 miles) but I was unable to locate it."
Golf: Multiple courses are available within a short drive of camping areas, with one course located directly across from Honcho Rest Campground. A reviewer points out, "This campground is across the street from a large golf course and just down the road from historic downtown Elk Rapids."
Wine tasting: Local vineyards on the Leelanau Peninsula are accessible from Wild Cherry RV Resort. "The park is in a perfect location to explore the towns of Leland (and Fishtown), Lake Leelanau, Northport, and Sutton's Bay. The park is on the Leelanau Peninsula which is one of Michigan's most well-known and revered wine region."
What campers like
Cleanliness standards: Impeccable facilities at Lake Leelanau RV Park receive consistent praise. "The bathrooms are absolutely immaculate and each family bathroom includes a toilet, sink, and shower. There is a very nice laundry room with multiple washers and dryers."
Community feel: Seasonal residents create a welcoming atmosphere at many RV parks. "Though the campground is filled with friendly, older seasonal residents, they have a few spots for 'transients' (as they call them) as well as things for families with kiddos to do," mentions a visitor to Honcho Rest Campground.
Location convenience: Strategic positioning between attractions makes camping near Rapid City practical. One camper at Wild Cherry RV Resort noted, "The park is in a perfect location to explore the towns of Leland (and Fishtown), Lake Leelanau, Northport, and Sutton's Bay. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the town of Glen Arbor are a 20 minute drive."
Variety of site options: Different camping styles are accommodated at many parks. "They have everything from basic tent sites to high end sites for newer Class A motorhomes and fifth wheels," explains a visitor to Indigo Bluffs RV Park.
What you should know
Reservation lead time: Book early for summer stays, especially for rv sites near Rapid City, Michigan. Some parks like Traverse Bay RV Resort fill up far in advance: "Because they are such a popular place to stay during the show (July - mid August), they sites book up a year in advance."
Site leveling requirements: Gravel pads at some campgrounds need adjustment. One camper at Kalkaska RV Park noted, "Site is gravel and dirt. It is a pull through site that required us to do quite a bit of leveling. The hookups are rather far away so we needed extensions."
RV restrictions: Some parks limit which types of RVs are permitted. Traverse Bay RV Resort "is limited to Class A, Fifth Wheels and Class C only. This park is dominated by big, very nice class A's."
Seasonal operation: Most parks close between October and May. Timber Ridge RV Resort is an exception, operating "All year" according to their listing information.
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Varied options for different age groups at Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort. "There is no shortage of activities here: a small pond/beach, pool, jumping pillow, dodgeball, bike trails, ATV trails, crafts, parades, etc. It's great for the active family, particularly those with elementary & middle school age kids."
Playground facilities: Equipment quality varies between parks. At Honcho Rest Campground, they have "a small playground with a climbing wall," which provides entertainment for younger children.
Noise levels: Activity-focused parks can be louder. A visitor to Timber Ridge noted, "This is a very large campground that is usually full during the summer... It can be rather loud at times."
Swimming options: Pools and beaches provide water recreation. As one reviewer at Timber Ridge mentioned, "The pool is clean. Kids loved the activities they had scheduled."
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Width varies dramatically between parks for rv sites near Rapid City, Michigan. At Starlight Campground and RV Park, "Roads are narrow but most sites are ample," while others report tighter conditions at different parks.
Hookup positioning: Some sites require extensions for water, electric, and sewer connections. "The hookups are rather far away so we needed extensions," noted one RVer at Kalkaska RV Park.
Leveling challenges: Bring blocks for uneven sites. "Site is gravel and dirt. It is a pull through site that required us to do quite a bit of leveling," according to a visitor to Kalkaska RV Park.
Wi-Fi availability: Signal strength varies between campgrounds. Starlight Campground offers paid Wi-Fi through "a third party and very inexpensive at $2 a day."
