Best Glamping near South Branch, MI

Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park and Twin Oaks RV Campground and Cabins provide luxury glamping accommodations near the picturesque Manistee River. These elevated outdoor retreats feature comfortable canvas structures with proper beds, electricity, and climate control for year-round comfort. Northern Exposure offers waterfront glamping sites with scenic views of their private lake, while Twin Oaks maintains secluded wooded settings perfect for nature immersion. Both locations provide access to hot showers, clean restroom facilities, and convenient on-site stores stocked with essentials and camping supplies. The glamping accommodations combine rustic charm with modern comforts, creating an upscale alternative to traditional camping. "This is a slice of upnorth heaven! Waterfront lot #50 perfect for fishing/swimming/boating right from your lot," noted one visitor about Northern Exposure.

The surrounding Manistee National Forest creates an ideal backdrop for glamping adventures. Guests at Northern Exposure can enjoy direct lake access for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating, with equipment rentals available on-site. The campground maintains hiking trails throughout the property and organizes evening activities like outdoor movie nights for a complete glamping experience. Twin Oaks provides excellent proximity to the Pine River for paddling excursions and offers good access to ATV trails and mountain biking at nearby Big M. According to a camper, "Super close to rivers and they provide a cleaning station for fish. Owners are great!" Both glamping destinations operate seasonally, with Northern Exposure open from May through November and Twin Oaks operating from April to late October, making summer and early fall ideal for luxury outdoor stays.

Best Glamping Sites Near South Branch, Michigan (55)

    1. Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park

    17 Reviews
    Mesick, MI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 885-1199

    $30 - $45 / night

    "If you are looking for rugged, wilderness / secluded camping its probably not your place but for everyone else it's a hidden gem.  

    Nice spots both on the river show and across the road. "

    "Nice little camp store and pizza restaurant on site. Great playground, evening activities. Nice mix of electric hook up, R.V. and tent sites. Boat rentals, etc."

    2. Twin Oaks RV Campground and Cabins

    7 Reviews
    Wellston, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 848-4124

    $11 - $90 / night

    "This campground offers rustic sites and electric and water and can be enjoyed by tent campers and large RVs. I love the wooded rustic sites!"

    "Nice private campground with good access to ATV trails as well as good proximity to big M for mountain biking. Sites are nice and spaced out as well."

    3. Tippy Dam State Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Wellston, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 848-4880

    $20 - $78 / night

    "Campsites are very clean and big, with nice trails to explore. Just a heads up, the sites with "lake access" don't actually have lake access - it's a steep drop to the water. Tumble at your own risk."

    "Beautiful quiet campground without electricity. Off the beaten path. Lovely waterfront site."

    4. Sand Lake Campground — Manistee National Forest

    6 Reviews
    Wellston, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 723-0141

    $40 - $105 / night

    "Also, the orientation of the paving for a lot of site is not correct for a travel trailer, i.e. the door to the trailer is not facing the fire pit and picnic table.  See photo.  "

    "Rustic, but with a modern bathhouse including showers. Only complaint was the pricing... $32 seems pricey for rustic."

    5. Irons RV Park & Campground

    1 Review
    Wellston, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 266-2070

    $36 - $39 / night

    "Office, pool, bathroom, showers and laundry facilities are spotless. Grounds are maintained. Family and dog friendly."

    6. Orchard Beach State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Manistee, MI
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 723-7422

    "Pretty standard Michigan State Park campground. Nice staff. Park maintenance is currently building a wood fence to keep folks away from steep bluff edge. Views of Lake Michigan fairly limited."

    "This is a clean and beautiful campground nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan however due to high water levels there is no longer beach access. You need to drive to the beach."

    7. Traverse City KOA

    9 Reviews
    Buckley, MI
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 269-4562

    "This KOA is just south of Traverse City and very centrally located to all that makes this area so awesome! Wineries, Sleep Bear Dunes, golf courses, and of course downtown Traverse City."

    "Nice pool and friendly staff! Lots of kids though as they have a massive kids playground."

    8. Rvino - Camp Cadillac, LLC

    3 Reviews
    Cadillac, MI
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 775-9724

    $37 - $999 / night

    "Pool and petting zoo for the kids. Small store with ice, few necessities and ice cream. Pond in the back on the small river for fishing. Quite a few seasonal campers."

    "Great little campground just on the outskirts of Cadillac. Great rates especially for full hookups."

    9. Cadillac Woods Campground

    4 Reviews
    Cadillac, MI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 825-2012

    "This campground is a small gem close to Cadillac, MI. The owners are friendly and go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Showers were hot and bathrooms were clean."

    "This campground is the perfect spot if you want to still have a camping experience and get away from RV parks. The terrain there makes for a beautiful view."

    10. Manton Trails RV Park, Hotel & Campground

    3 Reviews
    Fife Lake, MI
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 857-8000

    $25 - $55 / night

    "We rented a extra site, so nobody could rent near us, sooo nice! Very close to Manistee River and canoe/raft liveries, very fun family togetherness activity."

    "Very clean, very kind and helpful staff!"

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Glamping Reviews near South Branch, MI

366 Reviews of 55 South Branch Campgrounds


  • Bobbi Jo K.
    Oct. 6, 2020

    School Section Lake Veteran's Park Campground

    Nice campground

    Was a decent place to camp- lots are very close though! Luckily in the fall it wasn’t very busy. Nice little lake on property. Fire pits in odd spot near the road. No pets allowed-not even a cat that stays inside in your camper! Also- there is a $7 a day fee for out of the county. Even when you arrive late at night.

  • Kathie M.
    Feb. 16, 2021

    Pines Campground — Ludington State Park

    Pines Mini Cabin

    Winter camped in Pines Mini Cabin. Bunk beds with one a double- sleeps 5 total. Heat, electricity, mini fridge, microwave, table and 4 chairs. Well built and very clean. Outside fire pit and BBQ grill for summer. Awesome trails for hiking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. Lots of phenomenal snow this year!

  • Emily M.
    Jul. 7, 2021

    Insta-Launch Campground & Marina

    Excellent Site

    We were directed here after learning the state park was closed. I was hesitant about this campground at first, but it was an excellent stay! The staff were absolutely wonderful. We came on bicycles and they let us stay only one night even though the typical minimum stay is 2 nights. The manager even gave us a few dollar discount for our site.

    It was a particularly difficult day of biking and I was in a bad mood when we arrived, but after securing a site and talking to the manager, I was smiling and laughing the rest of the night. The employees are kind folks who care about the quality of your stay.

    They have a big camp shop, excellent ice cream, flush toilets, free showers, and coin laundry! Wifi throughout the campground allowed us to watch tv from inside our tent. There was an electric hook up at our site with a drinking water spout too! 

    The tent sites are right off the river with docks to fish from and launch your boat from. One of the wonderful things about this campground was that because it is privately owned, it was very reasonably priced. It was significantly cheaper than the state parks. Of course, you are trading off beach access for price, but with a Lake Michigan beach under three miles away, it is worth it. Overall, it was a lovely stay and by far my favorite campground in Michigan for the price.

  • Brian L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 24, 2023

    Cartier Park Campground

    Good alternative to Ludington State Park

    Park had vacancy when I called late Friday afternoon for Saturday.  So if you want to stay in the Ludington area but can't get into the State Park, this is good.  Just about 2 miles from the State Park beaches and less than 2 miles into downtown.  There is a designated paved trail that runs right through the campground.  You can easily ride bikes downtown where there is a large variety of restaurants and/or brewery.  The whole downtown area is very cool with city parks/beaches/marina/shops.  Office staff was very friendly and professional.  We camped in the "rustic" section, meaning no electric or running water on site.  Bathroom was relatively clean and near our site.  Crowd was not too rowdy and pretty chill.  Lots of kids ;-)  and dogs ;-(.  Best features are location (at nothing, but near everything).  Worst features mentioned by others - there is no fence between the campground and the busy road, road noise, the cemetery does not bother us.  Ludington State Park has MANY excellent opportunities hiking, biking, watercraft, beach bumming.  Highly recommend the State Park....but it is very hard to get into in the summer.  Stay here instead and you'll be half way between the State Park and Downtown.

  • Melissa M.
    Jun. 13, 2021

    Hill & Hollow Campground & RV Park

    Location is perfect!

    Campsite is located 2 miles from downtown Pentwater, adorable small town on the water. Mears state park is 2 miles from the campground as well, Lake Michigan beaches. The playground on the beach is perfect for younger kids. There is a pavilion that serves hot food and ice cream ( hot food ends at 5pm/ ice cream till sunset.) Our kids loved walking in town and heading to the beach.

    With that said, there is plenty to do at the campground . Outdoor pool, AJs (putt- putt golf, arcade, playground, go-karts) extra fee for AJs but reasonable priced, basketball court, volleyball court, small baseball diamond, tennis table, general store, shower house by pool ( very clean), private bonfire pits ( most campsites).

    Seasonal’s were very friendly and helpful with local things to do. RV camp, Tent camp, or tent cabin.

    Dump station available, firewood for sale, ice for sale, general store has several camping items, 15 minutes away is meijer in ludington. 2 minutes away gas station 2 minutes to Lake Michigan beaches 2 minutes to Pentwater downtown shopping

  • A
    May. 28, 2019

    Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park

    Awesome for Families & Big Groups / All Ages

    This campground is perfect for campers of most experience and age levels.  If you are looking for rugged, wilderness / secluded camping its probably not your place but for everyone else it's a hidden gem.  

    Nice spots both on the river show and across the road.  Easy water access for very little children and non-motorized boats / Kayaks, etc.  Nicely equipped playground and evening activities at the Camp Store/Office on special weekends.  

    This campground has the cleanest restroom/shower facilities of any campground I have been too.  Also the staff is very friendly and helpful.

    One tip, fire pits do not have grill tops attached and the pit opening is pretty wide.

  • Jess O.
    Jun. 24, 2018

    Cedar Campground — Ludington State Park

    Spacious and Private Hike-In Sites

    Ludington offers both modern campsites and backcountry hike-in sites. We opt for the hike-in sites because they're very spacious and private, with easy access to Lake Michigan. There are 10 backcountry sites, which share two pit toilets and a water pump. Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table, and the park offers firewood delivery daily so you don't have to hike with it. If you need showers or flush toilets they are a 1 mile hike away in the main campground. The hike to the sites is very easy as it's also the sand path to the Big Sable Lighthouse. Crossing the path and going over a small sand dune will land you right on the beach. These sites are very popular because they're so great, so I would highly recommend reserving 6 months in advance for any summer weekends.

  • D
    Nov. 25, 2023

    Cycle Moore Campground

    Motorcyclist friendly campground

    I've been there several times.  This campground has been around a long time and is well known by motorcyclists in Michigan.  It's located behind their motorcycle repair shop.  It's not a fancy campground, but it is a bargain at $10.  The northern loop has electric outlets.  The southern loop is rustic camping (groups usually camp there).  Restrooms, showers and a pavilion.  Pay the $10 at their shop.  If the shop is closed either someone will come around or you can settle up in the morning.  Firewood available on site.  Village is 1.5 miles away to get supplies.

  • Kathie M.
    Jun. 20, 2020

    Cedar Campground — Ludington State Park

    Winter cabin and snowshoeing/hiking

    This gem of a state park is phenomenal. Camped here in cabins three times over two winters. Cabins with bunks (will sleep 5 total), mini fridge, electricity and heat. Outside pit toilet. Hiking trails are some of the best. Beautiful lighthouse, dunes, beach, inland lake (Hamlin Lake), river and Lake Michigan. Very quiet and snow-covered in winter. Gets very busy in summer. So many activities for all ages. Kayak rentals in summer. Great fishing. Guided snowshoe tours and lamp light snowshoe hikes in winter are awesome. Camp store. Several playgrounds. Beautiful new beach house.


Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near South Branch, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near South Branch, MI is Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park with a 4.9-star rating from 17 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near South Branch, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 55 glamping camping locations near South Branch, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.