Best Campgrounds near Shelby, MI

Campgrounds near Shelby, Michigan concentrate along Lake Michigan's shoreline and inland waterways, offering both developed facilities and rustic camping experiences. Silver Lake State Park Campground provides established sites for tents and RVs with 30-amp hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities. Several private campgrounds like Dunes Harbor Family Camp and Silver Lake Resort & Campground offer cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping options. Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping provides a free dispersed camping alternative for those seeking a more basic experience without amenities.

The camping season for most facilities runs from May through October, with only a few campgrounds operating year-round. Many private campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during summer months when Lake Michigan beaches attract the most visitors. Access to campgrounds varies from paved roads to more challenging terrain depending on location. A visitor commented, "Rustic camping off two tracks throughout the area. We never have neighbors! Lake Michigan rec area is adjacent with beach access and trails to walk." Cell service can be inconsistent throughout the region, with Verizon typically providing the most reliable coverage while T-Mobile and Sprint connections may be limited in more remote areas.

Lake Michigan access represents a primary draw for campers in the Shelby area, with many campgrounds offering direct paths to beaches. Several visitors highlighted the ability to easily reach Lake Michigan's shoreline as a key benefit. A camper noted, "This park is a very nice RV park. All 257 sites are full hook-up (with cable), level, and have paved patios." Family-friendly amenities appear consistently in reviews, with multiple campgrounds featuring playgrounds, swimming areas, and organized activities. Campers frequently mention the region's natural features, particularly the dunes, lighthouse access, and hiking trails that complement the camping experience. Most established campgrounds maintain clean facilities with modern restrooms and showers, though more primitive options with limited amenities are available for those seeking a more rustic experience.

Best Camping Sites Near Shelby, Michigan (197)

    1. Silver Lake State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Mears, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 873-3083

    "But the location is awesome due to its proximity to the Silver Lake Off Road Vehicle Area, Lake Michigan, Silver Lake and the Little Sable Point Lighthouse. "

    "Silver lake is one of the most beautiful areas you can go in all of Michigan. With dunes of it's own, & a perfect, calm crystal lake - it's great for swimming, kayaking and photography."

    2. Dunes Harbor Family Camp

    11 Reviews
    Mears, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 873-3662

    "The tent sites and full-hookup camper sites are separate (but there were a couple campers and plenty of pop-ups in our area) and the tent sites are grassy/wooded and on the edge of the campground."

    "There is a nice lake for fishing and kayaking. This is campground is part of a Christian camp near by and is a dry campground. "

    3. Sandy Shores Campground

    9 Reviews
    Mears, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 873-3003

    "Silver Lake is a popular destination for off road vehicles, so this campground is always full of vehicles and traffic."

    "Grocery store immediately off site within walking distance. Sand beach across the street on the shore of a beautiful lake or use the heated pool on site."

    4. Dune Town Camp Resort

    9 Reviews
    Mears, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 873-4502

    $38 - $60 / night

    "We didn’t have a second vehicle so was trapped at the resort and close surrounding shops. The best thing about this park is the proximity to Silver Lake."

    "Right in the heart of Silver Lake, this campground is the walking distance or a short drive to shopping, food and fun! the campground itself has a pool and game room for the the family."

    5. Mears State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Pentwater, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 869-2051

    "Clean facilities and closely located to Lake Michigan. Only drawback was how close the sites were to each other."

    "Awesome location for camping, and is right on Lake Michigan. However, there is no grass and is pretty much all sand. As long as that doesn’t bother you, you will have a great time camping here."

    6. Silver Lake Resort & Campground

    6 Reviews
    Mears, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 873-7199

    "Sites were nice and level, we stayed at the western edge and only had neighbors to the sides of us. Campground was clean and serviced."

    "Close to the dunes and the village of Silver Creek. Rent Jeeps at the village."

    7. White River RV Park & Campground

    9 Reviews
    Whitehall, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 894-4708

    "Also very large, so lots of room to walk or ride bikes. Located next to the White River for canoeing fun too."

    "Sweet pool, good store, Great facilities, laundry, and all that Western Michigan has to offer. You won't be sorry."

    8. Lake Michigan Campground at Muskegon State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    North Muskegon, MI
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 744-3480

    "Just steps from Lake Michigan. Literally walk down some steps, and you’re at the beach. Clean bathhouse too, with plenty of hot water."

    "Clean, shady campground with easy access to Lake Michigan beach. We stayed at site 50A right across from the steps down to the beach."

    9. Lucky Lake Campground & Outdoor Center LLC

    5 Reviews
    Shelby, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 894-3500

    "Even though its next to the highway, you'll never notice!"

    "I love coming here a few times a year, it’s close to the highway but stay on the opposite side of the lake and it’s hardly noticeable. Excellent stop for a week or just for a night."

    10. Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping

    8 Reviews
    Whitehall, MI
    11 miles

    "There looks like there are trails off of the parking lot. No signs that say no overnight parking. I'm in a van and this worked great for me. Quiet area and right off the lake."

    "There are also quite a few drive in sites as well for car camping. There was running water in a creek south of Sand Road."

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Recent Reviews near Shelby, MI

920 Reviews of 197 Shelby Campgrounds


  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Fisherman's Landing & Campground

    Classic Michigan Sunsets with Lakefront Views

    Nestled along the shores of Muskegon Lake, Fisherman’s Landing Launch & Campground hums with the easy rhythm of boats, endless laughter and evening campfires over s’mores. It’s a city-run spot with around a hundred sites, a marina close at hand and the kind of well-worn facilities that feel lived-in but cared for with clean restrooms, warm showers and a big playground that kept the boys busy while my husband wrestled with the fishing rods. We spent sunset on the dock, toes trailing in the water as the boys skipped stones and tried to out-cheer one another. I’d recommend Fisherman’s Landing to families who appreciate a laid-back lakeside stay, friendly folks and those golden Michigan summer evenings that end with the smell of water and woodsmoke.

  • J
    Oct. 14, 2025

    PJ Hoffmaster State Park

    Beautiful Park

    Campground is nice, quiet, and there’s a trail that leads directly to the beach!

  • Evelyn K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Green Road Dispersed - Manistee NF

    Lots of privacy

    These dispersed sites in the national forest are fantastic! Level for tents. Spread out enough that you aren’t on top of neighbors. We couldn’t see anyone from our site. Really great biking paths. We had fun on our e-bikes. Beautiful surroundings. Good birding too. No bugs!

  • K
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Michigan Campground at Muskegon State Park Campground

    Lakeshore Campground at Muskegon State Park

    Staying in the north loop of the Lakeshore campground. Sites were level and shaded by mature trees. Road is a bit narrow which made backing out travel trailer in a bit tricky, not impossible. Family friendly campground that is a couple hundred feet away from Lake Michigan. Will definitely come back.

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

    Penny Park Campground

    Decent Little Campground

    Flat camp area on the lake. Some of the spaces have electric hookups. We came in the off season so it’s not too crowded, but the spaces are small so I imagine it would be tight in peak season. Bathrooms are currently locked, but there is a potable water spigot available. Reasonable camp fee - $20.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Sawkaw Lake

    Doesn't exist and says "no camping"

    We went down the path and it says to make it right when there's no road that goes to the right. We drove three and a half hours to get here and now we've got to figure out where we're going to stay for the night. And the only spot that looked like a campable spot says no camping. There's a stake in the ground that says it.

  • T
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Nichols Lake South Campground

    Needs to maintain standards of operation

    Facility at Office quite nice. Camp host was running his generator all night long. Women routinely take their dogs with them into the restroom. We’re not talking about outhouses but flush toilet bathroom with shower.

  • J
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Green Road Dispersed - Manistee NF

    Nice and woodsy

    The sites were easy to find and surrounded by forest. I could see other campers from my site, but they weren’t close. FCFS of course, but I had no problem finding an available site.


Guide to Shelby

Camping sites near Shelby, Michigan feature sand dunes, forested areas, and proximity to inland lakes. The White River and Silver Lake regions offer diverse terrain options with elevation changes from 580 to 650 feet above sea level. Seasonal shifts affect campground access with soft sand conditions possible on primitive roads during summer drought periods.

What to do

Fishing access: Lucky Lake Campground offers catch-and-release fishing without requiring a license. "Lucky lake is awesome with a sandbar that leads to a platform to jump off of. It was so beautiful! Kids had a blast! We even saw a bald eagle," notes one camper.

ORV adventures: The Silver Lake region serves as a hub for off-road enthusiasts with direct access to dune riding areas. A visitor to Silver Lake Resort & Campground mentioned, "We visited here for the sole purpose to use as a base camp to ride the sand dunes. Was not disappointed. Clean and quiet. Good amenities. Close to the dunes and the village of Silver Creek. Rent Jeeps at the village."

Kayaking opportunities: Several campgrounds provide river access for paddling. A visitor at White River RV Park stated, "We brought our kayaks and just brought one vehicle up the river to the start point to put in and got out right at the campground."

Winter recreation: While most campgrounds operate seasonally, some areas remain accessible year-round. A winter camper at Lake Michigan Campground noted, "Across the road is the Winter complex, sledding, skating, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and luge course. Our kids had a blast here, they have tons of bonfire pits as well."

What campers like

Beach proximity: Mears State Park Campground offers direct lake access with a short walk to Lake Michigan. A camper noted, "Beautiful small state park campground. Very well maintained, clean facilities, beautiful beach. Easy walk into town to shops and restaurants."

Primitive camping options: For those seeking solitude, several dispersed camping areas exist. A visitor to Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping shared, "Great area for those interested in back country camping and primitive camping, lots of forest to explore. There are also quite a few drive in sites as well for car camping. There was running water in a creek south of Sand Road."

Clean facilities: Campgrounds throughout the region maintain high cleanliness standards. One camper at Dunes Harbor Family Camp stated, "This private campground is the cleanest campground I have ever stayed at. The bathrooms are cleaned frequently and the grounds are well taken care of."

Swimming options: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas in addition to Lake Michigan access. A visitor to White River RV Park mentioned, "Amenities include basketball court, playground, horseshoe pits, walking trails, heated pool, etc. Plus, you can 'float' in tubes, kayaks, or canoes from a launch site two miles away!"

What you should know

Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak summer months. One camper at Dune Town Camp Resort advised, "You need to book way in advanced as Silver Lake is a very desirable destination for dune atv-ing."

Site spacing: Campsite proximity varies widely between facilities. A camper at Mears State Park noted, "The campsites are essentially a parking lot in the sand. They are short and crowded. If you like being near the beach, this might be your place."

Noise considerations: Some campgrounds enforce strict quiet hours while others may have ambient noise issues. A visitor to Lucky Lake Campground mentioned, "Close to the highway so it can be noisy at night, but nothing we couldn't handle."

Wildlife awareness: When using primitive camping areas, take proper wildlife precautions. One camper reported, "Please be aware, when camping here you may be in coyote territory, and they don't seem to like it. So, maybe not a great spot for kids, or smaller pets."

Tips for camping with families

Activity scheduling: Silver Lake State Park Campground offers numerous activities for children. A camper shared, "Great area for camping especially if you want to go play on the dunes! Great park and close to dunes."

Water features: Many family-friendly campgrounds include pools or water activities. A visitor to Dunes Harbor Family Camp noted, "The pool is not a large swimming pool but an activity pool with a kids area that is walk in shallow, a whirlpool circle, basketball area and a water slide!"

Playground options: Multiple campgrounds feature recreational equipment for children. One camper at Dune Town Camp Resort mentioned, "The campground itself had a playground for the kids and a decent sized pool with a kiddie pool next to it!! The campground does fun activities with the kids, we made tie dye shirts at one of their activity nights!!"

Campsite selection: When booking with children, consider site location carefully. A parent advised, "If you have kids with bikes, etc, it would be great. Lots of permanent/seasonal lots. Owners super nice."

Tips from RVers

Hookup locations: Check electrical hookup locations before setting up. One RVer at Silver Lake State Park mentioned, "Our electric box for our site was in the front passenger side of the lot. Aren't most RV plugs in the rear driver side? Ended up having to buy a $75 extension cord so we could stay here."

Site leveling: Some campgrounds offer better leveling than others. A visitor to Sandy Shores Campground noted, "Grass lots could be a little more level for those of us that are not equipped."

Access considerations: Vehicle type matters when selecting campgrounds. A camper at Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping stated, "This spot is wonderful, but boy howdy does it live up to its name. If you do not have AWD and good ground clearance, don't even try to get there."

Seasonal site options: RVers seeking longer stays have options. At White River RV Park, a camper observed, "Very clean nice 'asphalt' campground. Lots of permanent/seasonal lots. Owners super nice."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Shelby, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, Shelby, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 197 campgrounds and RV parks near Shelby, MI and 8 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Shelby, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shelby, MI is Silver Lake State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 23 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Shelby, MI.