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."
