Interlochen State Park offers year-round camping access with both modern and rustic options across Duck Lake and Green Lake. The campground features 30-amp electric service at select sites, with many positioned on sloped terrain requiring leveling equipment. Sites fill quickly during summer months when water temperatures reach their warmest points in July and August.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: At Leelanau State Park Campground, trails connect directly to the campground with excellent forest walking routes. "There is a paved trail that runs by the campground, and it's less than a 3 mile walk/bike ride to downtown Frankfort and the lakeshore, which has a ton of things to do," notes Chris W. about Betsie River Campsite.
Fishing for various species: The region's lakes provide diverse fishing opportunities. "Betsie river runs behind the campground. Wildlife is present in area," explains Nancy C. Turtle Lake Campground has unique fishing challenges as "when my kids went fishing, they pulled up large snapping turtles both times. A bit of a surprise to see their size!"
Visit historic lighthouses: The area features multiple lighthouse access points for day trips. "Lighthouse is breathtaking. Rangers friendly," writes Kathie M. about Leelanau State Park Campground. Visitors can tour lighthouses and learn about Great Lakes maritime history while enjoying scenic lake views.
What campers like
Spacious natural sites: Many campgrounds provide well-separated camping spaces. "Sites were fine, good size and maybe could have been some planting between sites," notes a camper at Whitewater Township Park Campground. Another visitor describes "Very quiet campground and close to the small town of Frankfort. The campground is along the Betsie river and they offer a fish cleaning station."
Winter camping options: Some campgrounds remain open during colder months. "I stayed in Cedar Cabin, sleeps 5, with heat, lights, fridge, microwave. Love that this cabin has a covered awning porch," explains Kathie M. This makes glamping close to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore viable even during snowy seasons.
Accessible water activities: Many sites provide direct water access. "Tent camping on the water, it does not get any more beautiful than this!" shares Melissa M. Kayaking, fishing, and swimming are common activities with varying access points depending on the campground. Some sites feature "a small pond/beach, pool, jumping pillow, dodgeball, bike trails, ATV trails."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Swimmers itch affects some lakes during warmer months. "Beach is beautiful but has swimmers itch," warns Joie V. about Duck Lake Campground. Prepare accordingly with proper showering after swimming and consider alternative swimming locations.
Bathroom facilities vary greatly: Some campgrounds have limited facilities. "Vault toilets so clean!" notes one camper, while another mentions "Bathrooms were redone and are very nice!" Many campgrounds have pay showers requiring quarters, so bring change.
Wildlife awareness needed: The area has active wildlife populations. "Raccoons are insane! They are not afraid of anything. We were very good about putting everything away so we only had them visit our site a few times but the dumpster is full of them," warns one camper. Another mentions "hilariously aggressive squirrels."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly beaches: Look for gradual-entry swimming areas. "The beach here is ideal for children, staying very shallow out to the bouy markers for the swimming area," explains Edward C. Many campgrounds have designated swimming areas with varying depths and bottom conditions.
Activity-focused campgrounds: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort offers extensive recreation options. "This is a very large campground that is usually full during the summer. 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," notes Allison H.
Reserve early for peak season: Family-friendly sites fill quickly from June through August. "Reservations are first come first serve and aren't taken until early April. So book early," advises Jennifer B. For glamping options near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, booking months in advance is often necessary.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require substantial leveling equipment. "Our first site was pretty unlevel but we were able to move without issue," reports Barbara P. Bring adequate blocks and leveling systems, especially for larger rigs at older campgrounds.
Limited full-hookup options: Only certain campgrounds offer sewer connections. "Our site was a full hookup but had one small issue where the drain dump was slightly uphill from the camper, so we had to work with the drain hose to empty tanks," explains Robert T. at Wild Cherry RV Resort. Sites with water and electric are more common than full-hookup sites.
Shade considerations: Tree cover varies significantly between campgrounds. "Only other negative is that there are no trees for the majority of sites for shade cover," notes Robert T. about Wild Cherry RV Resort. This can affect comfort during summer months when temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during daytime hours.
