Camping facilities around South Boardman, Michigan benefit from the region's moderate summer climate with average July temperatures around 79°F, making the area ideal for outdoor recreation from May through September. The surrounding Manistee National Forest creates a backdrop for camping excursions with elevations ranging from 800-1,200 feet. Winter camping options remain limited due to heavy annual snowfall averaging 120 inches in this part of Northern Michigan.
What to do
Trail access: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort provides direct connections to ATV and bike trails through wooded areas. "Access right to trails. Only 10 mins from the great wine tasting!!" notes Jason C., highlighting the proximity to both motorized recreation and vineyard tours.
Water recreation: Lake Billings RV Park & Campground features a dedicated swimming area on its lake. A reviewer mentioned "They have a really nice swimming/play area for small children" while Dakota R. added it has "a beautiful lake" with good fishing opportunities.
Local dining: Small towns surrounding South Boardman offer authentic Michigan dining experiences. A visitor to Vista Green RV Resort mentioned "We ate at Yankee Boy where all of the locals hangout. Excellent food (no alcohol served)," pointing travelers to authentic regional cuisine within driving distance of camping areas.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Kalkaska RV Park & Campground receives praise for site quality. "Nice level gravel spot" reported Robert O., while another camper noted "The camp sites are a nice firm gravel and pretty level. We didn't even have to use leveling blocks."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain exceptional standards for bathrooms and common areas. Tammey B. observed that "Facilities were very very clean and well kept" at Kalkaska RV Park, while a visitor to Manton Trails RV Park stated "Bath house was very nice with plenty of hot showers with great water pressure."
Organized activities: Starlight Campground includes structured recreation for all ages. "They have an app you can download and do everything from ordering firewood and ice to seeing what's going on during their theme weekends," Victoria S. explained, noting how the park "kept my kids busy while still allowing for relaxing time."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Summer bookings require advance planning, especially for premium sites. Traverse Bay RV Resort fills quickly, with a reviewer noting "Because they are such a popular place to stay during the show (July - mid August), they sites book up a year in advance."
Varying hookup arrangements: Site configurations differ between parks. Hope C. reported at Kalkaska: "Our site required us to pull through in such a way that the hookups were on the opposite side of our coach. They only have 15 full hookup sites and none were available for our time frame."
Pest management: Starlight Campground and RV Park and other facilities take measures to control insects. At Indigo Bluffs, a reviewer mentioned "They spray for bugs so there's not too many creepy crawlies or biting bugs in the campground. Plus there's no poison ivy!"
Site placement: Expect variable privacy between campgrounds. A visitor to Indigo Bluffs observed "The spaces are tight unless you get into the back rows set back sites," while at Timber Ridge, Michelle S. noted "The trees keep your site blanketed in shade all day long."
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Timber Ridge caters specifically to active children. Allison H. explained "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."
Kid-friendly swimming: Many parks feature swimming areas with gentle entry points. "They have a very nice swimming/play area for small children" noted a Lake Billings visitor, making it suitable for young families needing shallow water access.
Consider noise levels: Some parks are livelier than others. At Timber Ridge, a camper observed "This definitely isn't a campground for people who like quiet and solitude" while another mentioned "It can be rather loud at times" due to the many activities.
Tips from RVers
Extension needs: Be prepared with utility extensions at some parks. At Honcho Rest Campground, hookups may require additional equipment, similar to Kalkaska where a visitor noted "The hookups are rather far away so we needed extensions."
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on your privacy preferences. At Timber Ridge, a reviewer appreciated that "most of the sites are pull-through ones," while at Vista Green, Julia H. explained "We were in Site #4A (premium site). We had Full hook-up with a blacktop pull-through. We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site along with my jeep."
Fire restrictions: Policies vary by park regarding campfires. Julia H. noted at Vista Green, "There was not a fire ring since only propane fires are allowed," indicating campers should check fire policies before arrival and bring appropriate equipment.
