Best Campgrounds near Wolverine, MI

Wolverine, Michigan provides a range of camping options within Northern Michigan's forested landscape. Haakwood State Forest Campground offers rustic sites along the Sturgeon River just 2 miles off I-75, with tent and small RV camping available at reasonable rates. The area includes several developed campgrounds like Elkwood Campground with full hookups and cabin options, along with more basic state forest campgrounds such as Pickerel Lake. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October, with mixed-use facilities supporting tent camping, RV sites, and in some locations, cabin rentals.

Camping in this region benefits from easy access to lakes, rivers and trail systems. Many rustic sites lack electricity but provide basic amenities like pit toilets and hand-pumped water. "Sites all seemed private and comfortable. This would be a nice alternative to the busier campgrounds near Indian River, Burt Lake, etc.," noted one camper about Haakwood State Forest Campground. Access to most campgrounds is straightforward with paved or well-maintained dirt roads, though some primitive sites may require higher clearance vehicles. Weather conditions become an important consideration as temperatures can drop significantly in spring and fall, with campgrounds typically closing for winter by November. Cell service varies throughout the area, with better coverage near I-75 and diminished signals in more remote locations.

Several visitors highlight the peaceful atmosphere and natural setting as key attractions. The Wolverine area serves as an excellent base for exploring Michigan's elk country, with opportunities for wildlife viewing nearby. Campsites at Haakwood State Forest Campground receive consistently positive reviews for their privacy and riverfront location. "Most sites are private. Some premium spots back up to river. Stars are amazing," shared one visitor. Weber Lake and Pickerel Lake State Forest Campgrounds feature swim-friendly waters and fishing opportunities. Campers report that weekdays offer greater solitude, while summer weekends often bring higher occupancy rates. The region's developed campgrounds provide convenient access to nearby attractions including the North Central State Trail, Burt Lake, and Mullet Lake, with many campgrounds positioned as ideal stopovers when exploring Northern Michigan.

Best Camping Sites Near Wolverine, Michigan (160)

    1. Burt Lake State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Indian River, MI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 238-9392

    "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."

    2. Petoskey State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Conway, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 347-2311

    "We were here two days and fell in love with the town, the surrounding area, and never got tired of beautiful views of Lake Michigan. "

    "There were a number of hiking trails that take you into the woods and up the dunes. Some are more difficult than others, but nothing miserable."

    3. Haakwood State Forest Campground

    7 Reviews
    Wolverine, MI
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 732-3541

    $15 - $20 / night

    "Right on the sturgeon river you get away from the main camps of Burt lake and mullet lake."

    "Just two miles off I-75 at Wolverine."

    4. Camp Petosega

    8 Reviews
    Alanson, MI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 347-6536

    "The best place to camp in northern Michigan. Should be more well known."

    "This park is operated by Emmet County and offers a very remote feel yet it is only 15-20 minutes from Petoskey, Michigan. "

    5. Petoskey KOA

    15 Reviews
    Conway, MI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 347-0005

    "Lake Michigan beach is about a 5 minutes drive."

    "The KOA campground is close to Petoskey, but outside town enough to be a bit quiet.  A short drive to breweries, wineries, and dinner. "

    6. Pigeon River State Forest Campground

    7 Reviews
    Wolverine, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 983-4101

    "The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn’t recommend for 6 and under."

    "The shingle mill pathway in Pigeon River State Forest was a nice, quiet trail. Went on a Thursday in June and saw 1 other person over 2 days."

    7. Pickerel Lake (Otsego) State Forest Campground

    5 Reviews
    Vanderbilt, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 983-4101

    "The campground is right on a small but very pretty lake in the middle of Michigan’s elk country."

    "The sites are large but only a few are close to the lake and even those require taking a trail down to the water. The lake is beautiful and clear, perfect for a paddle or morning swim."

    8. Elkwood Campground

    3 Reviews
    Wolverine, MI
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 445-0801

    $40 - $50 / night

    9. Aloha State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Mullett Lake, MI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 625-2522

    $30 - $34 / night

    "Right on Mullett Lake, close to town for easy access to food, but really enjoyed kayaking lake"

    "The lake is easily accessible and wonderful. There are no bathrooms or showers in the new section. AT&T and T-Mobile service was fairly good. Easy access to lots of things to do during the day."

    10. Indian River RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Indian River, MI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 238-0035

    $50 - $95 / night

    "Close to stores, tubing, able to ride atv/utv in and out."

    "Location is central to several activities; Mackinac Island, Petosky, Burt Lake, Mullet Lake etc.. 55 gallon trash bins throughout campground so you don’t have to go all the way to front of campground for"

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Recent Reviews near Wolverine, MI

905 Reviews of 160 Wolverine Campgrounds


  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Lake Marjory State Forest Campground

    It is not free to stay as online shows

    Lots 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

  • Therese S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Castle Rock Ponds

    Good Dispersed Camping Spot

    Nice 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.

  • Therese S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Young State Park Campground

    Nice Lakeside Campground

    Lovely 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!

  • J
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Tee Pee Campground

    Fine for the area

    It’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.

  • Byron S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Waterways Campground

    Very nice campground

    Check 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.

  • Evgeniy D.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Wilderness State Park Camping

    Clean, rustic, beautiful

    The 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.

  • J
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Castle Rock Ponds

    Perfect Hidden Gem

    We 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!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    French Farm Lake Rd

    Close to Mackinaw City

    Nice to find some free dispersed camping near mackinaw city. Came in early September and it was pretty packed - gotta imagine it’s even busier in the peak of summer.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Search Bay Dispersed

    Beautiful spot on the lake.

    Nice Camp sites, pretty beach. I was there in October, so I don’t know what it would be like in warmer weather. I had the place to myself on a Saturday.


Guide to Wolverine

Camping near Wolverine, Michigan, offers a great mix of natural beauty and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Explore the beaches: Many campgrounds, like Wilderness State Park Camping, have beautiful beaches. One reviewer mentioned, "The beach was beautiful, the water clear, and just a short drive from Mackinaw city!"
  • Hiking and biking: Trails abound in the area. A visitor at Young State Park Campground said, "There are lots of hiking and biking trails."
  • Fishing and kayaking: Lakes in the region are perfect for fishing and kayaking. A camper at Burt Lake State Park Campground noted, "Bring your kayaks, boats, and fishing gear."

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One reviewer at Hartwick Pines State Park Campground said, "Bathrooms and showers were NEVER not spotless."
  • Secluded sites: Many campgrounds offer privacy. A visitor at Fisherman's Island State Park Campground mentioned, "Each site is secluded and there are about 10 sites that are directly on Lake Michigan."
  • Family-friendly atmosphere: Campgrounds like Mackinaw City / Mackinac Island KOA have activities for kids. One camper shared, "Lots of activities for the kids and a shuttle to the ferry."

What you should know

  • Check-in times: Some campgrounds have strict check-in times. A camper at Wilderness State Park Camping warned, "Don’t try to arrive early and get in. They don’t allow early entry."
  • Crowded sites: During peak season, sites can be close together. A visitor at Otsego Lake State Park Campground noted, "When the campground is full, you are quite close to your neighbors."
  • Noise from nearby roads: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A reviewer at Otsego Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "A lot of the sites back up to the busy road and you can hear road traffic noise all day and night."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose campgrounds with amenities: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. A camper at Mackinaw City / Mackinac Island KOA said, "There is a playground. They also offer Gaga ball, horseshoe, and corn hole."
  • Book early for beach sites: If you want a beachside spot, make reservations ahead of time. A visitor at Wilderness State Park Camping advised, "Book early to get a campsite on the beach!"
  • Plan for quiet hours: Some parks attract larger crowds. A camper at Fisherman's Island State Park Campground mentioned, "The crowd that this park attracts blatantly ignores quiet time rules."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Mackinaw City / Mackinac Island KOA noted, "The sites are tight, particularly the inside pull throughs."
  • Look for full hookups: If you need electricity and water, choose campgrounds that offer full hookups. A camper at Burt Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "Large, level electric sites."
  • Be prepared for bugs: Some areas can have a lot of insects. A visitor at Otsego Lake State Park Campground warned, "The gnats were relentless."

Camping near Wolverine, Michigan, has something for everyone, from stunning lakes to family-friendly activities. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Wolverine, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, Wolverine, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 160 campgrounds and RV parks near Wolverine, MI and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Wolverine, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wolverine, MI is Burt Lake State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 21 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wolverine, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Wolverine, MI.