5 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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.
"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. "
"The campsite next to us was empty except for a pontoon boat and a float that were parked there."
from $30 - $45 / 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."
Available next weekend
from $11 - $90 / 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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $40 - $105 / 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."
from $20 - $100 / night
"Office, pool, bathroom, showers and laundry facilities are spotless. Grounds are maintained. Family and dog friendly."
from $36 - $39 / night
"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."
"Ideal location to explore Manistee county, just north of city. The trolley bus offers rides to town and back. New bath house, updated facilities and most sites include electric."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $36 - $120 / night
"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."
from $60 - $120 / 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."
from $38 - $999 / night
"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."
"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."
"Cabins with bunks (will sleep 5 total), mini fridge, electricity and heat. Outside pit toilet. Hiking trails are some of the best."
Available next weekend
from $20 - $60 / night
ScoutVery rustic and remote. Bring wood or a saw there are tons of down trees but not a whole lot of places to get wood. For pit toilets they where clean and well kept. If your in need of help it comes within 45 mins (bring solar chargers) out of the way enough to not have a good cell signal (what we where looking for) but enough signal to call for help...we killed our car battery charging phones.. must check out if your into remote areas
TravelerThis is a beautiful park for a getaway ( hiking, fishing and the beach. )Cell service here is VERY limited ( if at all) and little to no OTA television
TravelerIt’s an easy camp to get your car tucked in but the road is used. Unsure if it was other campers or people using the end of the road as a landing. We didn’t get bothered and slept well also.
GuideCute RV park, mostly people set up to stay the summer. Called ahead, was offered a “lake view” site for an extra $10. Arrived, site was at the very front, between two roads, like sleeping in a fishbowl. We were across a road and grassy patch and canoe storage from the lake. We could in fact see it, but lake view was really a stretch. Our site was at least two city blocks from a very small bath house. We camped on a site with no trees, no privacy and a hike to the shower room. Not recommended for tent camping.
ScoutI had previously read reviews about the bathrooms being less than desirable. If you’re not downwind, it isn’t so bad. They are definitely not maintained as well as other state campgrounds we’ve been to in the past.
You are central to ORV trails, so at times you can hear those passing through, otherwise a few neighbors driving through here and there and quiet the rest of the time.
The dock is out of order, but there are other ways of reaching the river.
We came for fly fishing, and were told the fish are all stopped at a damn right now. That would have been nice to know before planning a fly fishing trip for that specific river. 😫
Still rating it a four, it would have been amazing if we could have fished.
ScoutNice Park with a nice river and Lake Michigan nearby. Lovely sand dunes too. Family oriented with lots of kids having fun riding bikes etc. tents and rv’s welcome. The town of Ludington is a quintessential lake town with all the places to eat and shop you’d expect. Highly recommended.
GuideIdeal location to explore Manistee county, just north of city. The trolley bus offers rides to town and back. New bath house, updated facilities and most sites include electric. Nice hiking trails across the road, the outer loop is a 2mile walk. Just north of here are the largest sequoia trees east of the Mississippi River. Park offers Hammocks for daytime use over looking the Lk Michigan bluffline. Pet friendly.
GuideInterlochen SP is one of my favs. Very low key, quiet camping. The bath houses are clean and well kept, rangers are helpful and you're so close to Traverse City for day trips or seasonal outdoor concerts across the road at World Class Interlochen Center for the Arts. Great CG for fishing, swimming & boating on Duck Lake. I would have given them a 5 if there were someplace to fish from shore. enjoy
ScoutI have been a returning guest at Timber Ridge RV& Recreation Resort for two years, and until now, I genuinely believed this campground would become my family’s yearly vacation spot. We enjoyed the amenities, the convenience of the on‑site store, and the community atmosphere. My husband and I even brought additional guests with us and encouraged others to stay here. The Halloween activities were especially memorable for my grandkids, and for a long time, Timber Ridge felt like a second home. Unfortunately, my recent experience with their strict cancellation policy has changed my view of the park entirely. Timber Ridge enforces a non‑refundable policy for any reservation canceled within 30 days of arrival, regardless of circumstances. This policy is applied exactly as written, with no flexibility. Even when cancellations are caused by unavoidable life events— such as work obligations or family emergencies— Timber Ridge does not offer partial refunds, reduced fees, credits, or reasonable compromises. In 2022, management exercised discretion and issued me a partial refund with a$25 processing fee, even though that cancellation was also inside the 30‑day window. That experience made me believe Timber Ridge valued loyalty and understood that life can be unpredictable. However, they have now stated that this past accommodation does not set any precedent, and they no longer consider similar situations eligible for exceptions. Their current stance reflects a strictly business‑first approach, with no meaningful consideration for returning guests or individual circumstances. I also attempted to negotiate a fair compromise that would benefit both myself and the business— including partial credit, a reduced refund, or a courtesy reschedule. My attempt at negotiation was ignored entirely, and their reply treated the suggestion as though it were inappropriate. Their emails included snide, dismissive remarks that reframed my words, minimized my reservation history, and implied I had mischaracterized my experience. This tone made it clear that customer‑focused problem‑solving is no longer part of their approach. The FAQ mentions the possibility of a one‑time courtesy reschedule, but Timber Ridge clarified that this is optional and not guaranteed. In my case, no reschedule, credit, or refund was offered. While I understand the need for clear policies, the rigid enforcement of this one— without empathy, discretion, or any willingness to work with guests— significantly impacts the guest experience. Policies that prioritize revenue protection over customer satisfaction can discourage repeat visitors and undermine the sense of community that many families value in a long‑term camping destination. Based on this experience, I will be seeking other accommodations in the future. I hope Timber Ridge considers how strictly applying this policy affects guests who previously viewed the resort as a second home.
Glamping near South Branch, Michigan extends beyond traditional canvas structures. The area sits within the sprawling Manistee National Forest, part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, with elevations ranging from 600 to 900 feet and a humid continental climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. Camping options include rustic forest sites, riverfront campgrounds, and family-friendly RV parks with varying amenities depending on location and season.
River access for fishing: Tippy Dam State Recreation Area provides direct access to premium fishing spots. "The campsites are spacious and feature trails that lead directly to the Tippy Dam Backwater. There's also convenient access for launching a boat on either the Manistee River or the backwaters side of the dam," notes a recent visitor.
Hiking trails: The Sand Lake area within Manistee National Forest has several established trails for day hiking. "Sand Lake is a quiet wooded campground. Most of the sites have a good amount of trees between them, but there is a loop with fewer trees that is ideal for a group/family camp trip," shares a camper.
Outdoor recreation: Twin Oaks RV Campground and Cabins provides good access to multiple activities. "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," reports one visitor who enjoyed the diverse recreation options.
Private lake sites: Campers at Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park appreciate the waterfront options. "Great place to take a camper with family. The campground offers clean facilities, general store, rentals for the lake, and camp events like movie night. With sites right on the water remember to bring your kayak!" advises one reviewer.
Clean facilities: Consistent maintenance is frequently mentioned across several campgrounds. "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. A well stocked thoughtful camp store had those last minute forgotten items," notes a visitor to Cadillac Woods Campground.
Wooded surroundings: Many glamping sites near South Branch offer nature immersion. "We tent camped and loved how our site was surrounded by trees. The owners were wonderful as well!" shares a camper who stayed at Twin Oaks, highlighting the natural setting that many visitors seek.
Site selection matters: At many campgrounds, some sites are more suitable for certain camping styles than others. "While you can book online, I would call the office and talk to the owners because not all sites are easy to maneuver a camper into and may not be a good choice for your size camper," advises a visitor to Cadillac Woods Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Most glamping options in the South Branch area operate seasonally. "Sites 1 - 30 being well spaced with vegetation between most sites and quite spacious. Sites above 30 are on another loop and are much closer together with less privacy between sites," notes a camper about Sand Lake Campground.
Weather preparation: Michigan's variable climate means campers should come prepared. "Due to high waters the past few years there is no beach. This is still a family favorite and perfect if you want to go into Manistee," reports a visitor about Orchard Beach State Park, showing how conditions can change.
Kid-friendly amenities: Manton Trails RV Park offers numerous activities for children. "Lots of things for the kids, basketball, volly ball, a beach area, pond with fishing... so much more. Very clean, very kind and helpful staff!" shares a satisfied family camper.
Evening activities: Look for campgrounds that organize structured activities. "Great park to take a camper with family. The campground offers clean facilities, general store, rentals for the lake, and camp events like movie night," notes a visitor to Northern Exposure Campground.
Spacious sites for families: When glamping with children in South Branch, site size matters. "This place was wonderful. The staff was all very nice, the grounds were clean, and our lot was huge. We asked to be away from the lake because of our young kids but the lake lots looked beautiful," reports a family who prioritized safety for young children.
Site orientation challenges: RV campers should be aware of potential parking issues. "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," advises an RVer about Sand Lake Campground.
Pull-through availability: Irons RV Park & Campground offers convenient access for larger rigs. "Great campground, larger sites, pull thru sites available. Low rates even on holidays," notes a camper who appreciated the ease of parking.
Full hookup options: For RVers seeking amenities, some parks offer complete services. "Great rates especially for full hookups. This was our first time at this park, we originally had a site next to the pool, but quickly realized our TT would not fit due to the trees. The front desk quickly changed our site and we were good to go," shares a visitor to Camp Cadillac, highlighting both the hookups and customer service.
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 4.8-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near South Branch, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 58 glamping camping locations near South Branch, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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