Roscommon, Michigan sits at the heart of Michigan's northern lower peninsula at an elevation of approximately 1,150 feet. The area features two distinct geological zones with sandy, well-drained soils in the west and poorly drained clay in the eastern portions. Most campgrounds near Roscommon operate from May through October, though several sites offer year-round access with varying levels of winter services and plowed roads.
What to do
Hiking the old-growth forest: At Hartwick Pines State Park Campground, visitors can explore some of Michigan's last remaining old-growth forest. "It features old growth forest on the hiking trails, multiple ranger programs each week, hosts that give you coffee or hot chocolate in the morning, a beautiful visitor center and main trails, plus side trails that are less traveled so you rarely see anyone else," notes Lisa B.
Lake swimming: The crystal-clear waters at North Higgins Lake State Park Campground offer excellent swimming opportunities. "The beach was nice, water is crystal clear," reports Jay T. The swimming areas feature gradual entry with sandy bottoms ideal for children. Heather M. adds, "The beach was great, soft sand bottom, water was clear & cold!"
Fishing at multiple lakes: The Rifle River Recreation Area contains five distinct lakes for fishing. "You can't keep the bluegills and sunfish off your hook," mentions Dave V. about Grebe Lake. The recreation area includes Devoe Lake, Grebe Lake, Jewitt Lake, Grousehaven Lake, and Lodge Lake, each offering different fishing opportunities and environments.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacious, private campsites at Devoe Lake Rustic Campground. "Devoe campground was very private sites are open and surrounded by trees," writes Daniel C. The rustic camping areas offer a more secluded experience compared to the more developed options in the region.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities. "The park and bathrooms were always clean, showers were clean and had good water pressure," notes a visitor at North Higgins Lake State Park. Another camper at South Higgins Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The restrooms (which I am told were recently renovated) were very clean."
Family entertainment options: Parents appreciate the organized activities available, especially at family-oriented campgrounds. "This campground has very nice amenities for families. There is a pool, outdoor movies, horseshoes, inflatable blob (kids love the blob), putt putt, sand box, small bikes to rent and a nice store and lodge on site," shares Brittny B. about the Jellystone Park facilities.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Several campgrounds have spotty or non-existent cell service. At North Higgins Lake, one camper warned, "Don't expect to make phone calls, the cell service (AT&T) was very spotty." This is important for visitors needing to stay connected or work remotely.
Weekend crowds: The popularity of camping near Roscommon means weekends bring significant crowds. At Luzerne Express Campground & RV, visitors should be prepared for increased noise and activity, particularly from ATV users. "The RV trailers for rental are all used trailers circa 1995 and 'refurbished', which entails a quick coat of interior paint and laminate flooring," notes one detailed review.
Reservations required: For popular summer weekends, reservations should be made months in advance. "Getting a site here during the summer can be very difficult. You will want one of the sites closer to the lake. If you want one of these sites, you will need to be ready to book the site 6 months in advance," advises Stu E. about South Higgins Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Halloween weekends: Special Halloween-themed weekends at South Higgins Lake State Park are particularly popular with families. "They have a really nice Halloween weekends," notes Mary O. Similar events at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park & Resort include trick-or-treating throughout the campground where "People decorate their sites, dress up, and hand out candy."
Kid-friendly beaches: The shallow entry points at Higgins Lake make it ideal for young swimmers. "The beach is great for kids to play in safely while the parents chill at the shore," writes Kristi B. about South Higgins Lake. The water remains shallow for approximately 100 yards before dropping to greater depths.
Organized activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled programs specifically for children. "The jumping pillow is another great feature. Grew up here in the summers as a kid, great memories," shares Lexi G. about the attractions at Jellystone Park that keep children entertained.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: RVers should come prepared with leveling blocks as several sites require significant adjustment. At the Higgins Lake-Roscommon KOA, one camper noted, "Site 61 did take some time to get all leveled out almost didn't have enough blocks."
Full hookup availability: Unlike many Michigan state parks, Hartwick Pines offers full hookup sites for RVs. "Nice large sites. Some full hookups, unusual for Michigan state parks that I've seen," reports debra S. These sites typically fill quickly and should be reserved well in advance.
Site locations: RVers recommend requesting specific sites when booking. "If we stayed again - we'd pick site 101. Little more privacy than the rest. We stayed at 137 which backed up to the woods which was lovely," advises Christie L. about North Higgins Lake. Sites backing to wooded areas generally offer more privacy than interior locations.
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