Camping accommodations near Suttons Bay, Michigan range from waterfront sites to forested retreats throughout the Leelanau Peninsula. Campers have direct access to Grand Traverse Bay's eastern shore while inland options provide proximity to local wineries and cherry orchards. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-70s with nighttime lows in the 50s, creating comfortable camping conditions from late spring through early fall.
What to do
Wine tasting tours: 2-3 miles from campgrounds. Several campgrounds sit within minutes of the region's renowned wineries. While staying at Wild Cherry RV Resort, visitors discover "three wineries within a couple miles" with one reviewer noting that "Forty-Five North Vineyard and Winery has a great walking/mountain biking trail in addition to a nice selection of very accessible wines." The Leelanau Peninsula offers over 20 wineries within a 15-20 minute drive.
Kayaking Lake Leelanau: accessible from multiple waterfront campsites. The lake provides protected waters ideal for paddling with several put-in locations. A camper at Leelanau Pines Campground shared: "We brought our kayaks on the lake. Also great for swimming! The water was practically a sand bar along the shoreline." Another visitor explored beyond the main lake: "We kayaked Lake Leelanau then went up into Victoria Creek it was so cool. There was a duck blind in there and shore birds."
Biking the peninsula: miles of paved trails connect towns. The region features dedicated bike paths connecting campgrounds to nearby communities. One camper reported: "The bike paths from Sutton's Bay to Traverse City and from Pyramid Point to Empire were fantastic!" Many campgrounds are positioned with direct access to these routes, allowing for car-free exploration of the peninsula's towns and beaches.
What campers like
Beach access: varies by campground location. Waterfront camping sites offer immediate lake access though amenities differ between locations. At Barnes County Park Campground, visitors appreciate the proximity: "There are campsites here with direct access to the beach. The campsites are relatively close together but there a lot of tall trees and it was nice and quiet." Another camper noted the "beautiful white pines and wonderful beach."
Private, wooded sites: most common in state and county parks. Campers seeking seclusion gravitate toward parks with natural buffers between sites. At Leelanau State Park Campground, reviewers praise the "waterfront which is beautiful but no beach. The water front is very rocky" while enjoying "nice distance between the next camp." Another visitor commented on the park's layout: "Sites near water are great. Far enough away but close to town if needed."
Proximity to small towns: 5-15 minute drives to shopping and dining. The area's campgrounds provide convenient access to Leelanau Peninsula's charming communities. Visitors note: "Sutton is a cute town with some great shopping" and appreciate being "close to Northport with cute shops." Campgrounds serve as central bases for exploring the region's communities, with most within a 15-minute drive of at least one town.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: most campgrounds open May-October. The prime camping season runs from late spring through mid-fall with limited winter availability. Traverse City State Park Campground remains open year-round but most campgrounds in the immediate Suttons Bay area close for winter. Reviewers caution about seasonal considerations: "Reservations are extremely hard to get for this park. If you want a weekend campsite, you must book six months in advance!"
Site privacy varies significantly: research specific campground layouts. The spacing between sites differs dramatically between campgrounds and even within the same facility. Some campers note sites are "small and pretty close together" while others report sites with "nice distance between." At privately owned campgrounds, reviews often mention: "The sites are very close to each other, but the view is so beautiful."
Wildlife awareness: proper food storage required. Bears have been spotted in certain campgrounds, requiring vigilance with food storage. One camper at Platte River Campground warned: "DO NOT LEAVE FOOD OUT!! There was a bear spotted in the group area during our stay." Additionally, ticks can be problematic: "The ticks are bad this year and we heard several people in the park talking about having a tick on them."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: limited at rustic sites. Families should research which campgrounds offer playground equipment before booking. A camper at Platte River Campground noted: "My only 'complaint' is that once we had children there wasn't a playground for easy access to entertainment." Meanwhile, others mentioned that Barnes Park offers "kids play ground" facilities among its amenities.
Swimming conditions: variable by location. Beach quality and swimming access differ substantially between campgrounds. Some lakefront sites feature rocky shorelines unsuitable for swimming while others provide sandy beaches. One family reported: "The beach was clean and made for a great time" while another noted their disappointment that "Lake was lined of film so you couldn't even rinse off."
Educational programs: available at select parks. Some campgrounds offer organized activities for children, particularly national and state parks. A visitor to D.H. Day Campground mentioned: "The amphitheater with kid focused programs was a great bonus" while another family appreciated "daily visits by the local duck families were entertaining" at their lakeside campsite.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: research site utilities before booking. Available hookups differ significantly between campgrounds in the region. Lake Leelanau RV Park offers full hookups with "level cement sites" while other campgrounds provide only electric and water. One RVer advised: "Each RV site comes with water and electrical hook-ups and many with sewer hook-ups as well."
Site levelness: pack leveling blocks. RVers report varying experiences with site grading throughout the area. A visitor noted: "When we checked in she said they had a different site for all 4 nights. It was great she remembered. We rented a power fishing boat and the guy helping us was very willing to tell us his favorite fishing spots."
Width restrictions: measure before booking. Site dimensions vary considerably, affecting larger RVs' ability to navigate certain campgrounds. A camper mentioned: "My husband loved this place because most of the sites are pull-through ones" but others cautioned about tight turns and narrow access roads at some facilities. Advance research on specific site dimensions prevents arrival surprises.
