Tent camping near Suttons Bay, Michigan ranges from forested inland sites to Lake Michigan shorelines within a 20-mile radius of town. Winter camping options are limited to dispersed sites in Huron-Manistee National Forest, with most island and backcountry sites closing from November through April. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night even during summer months, particularly on the Manitou Islands.
What to do
Hiking through old growth cedar forests: South Manitou Island at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers trails leading to 500-year-old trees. "There are three campgrounds on the island all sites are first come first pick... The Island has a Light house that has daily tours, a ship wreck and old growth ceder trees you can hike to along with the dunes," notes a camper.
Freshwater fishing: Sand Lakes Quiet Area provides multiple small lakes for anglers. One visitor at Sand Lakes Quiet Area Backcountry Campsites reported, "Literally, some of the best fishing I have ever done. We caught so many bass we lost count. Well gave up counting. Like every other cast."
Shipwreck viewing: The Corazon shipwreck near South Manitou Island provides unusual water activities. A camper mentioned hiking "to see the wreck of the Corazon, the cedar forest or the old homestead farms" during their island stay.
What campers like
Island isolation: North Manitou Island removes visitors from mainland distractions. A camper at North Manitou Island Backcountry Campsites shares, "After taking a ferry for a few hours across 12 miles of Lake Michigan, you finally arrive on North Manitou Island! The crossing helps to really remove you from the mainland you left behind."
Historical exploration: Abandoned structures throughout the Manitou Islands create unexpected camping experiences. "The old village and scattered ruins and structures make for interesting stops. Visiting the cemetery was an ethereal experience as the sun began to set," notes one North Manitou camper.
Natural lake swimming: The clear waters around Weather Station Campground offer easy swimming access. According to a camper at Weather Station Campground, "In my opinion, site 16 is the site to stay at, with relatively easy access to the lake for water. We used a carabiner to secure a line to a tree in the camp and tossed the other end down to give us a hand in climbing back up to the site."
What you should know
Water management challenges: Most backcountry sites require water filtration or long walks to potable sources. A South Manitou camper explains, "There is no access to clean drinking water at the campground, so plan on filtering water from Lake Michigan, or walking approximately 1.5 miles to the dock area to collect water there."
Challenging island access: Ferry services to the Manitou Islands operate seasonally and can be canceled due to weather. "The ferry is unable to reach the island in dangerous weather conditions," warns a visitor to Weather Station Campground.
Navigation difficulties: Some backcountry areas have confusing trail systems. A Sand Lakes camper reported, "We arrived somewhat late on the first night and had a hard time finding a proper area to camp. We eventually popped up a small tent near a hiking trail to avoid getting lost."
Tips for camping with families
Choose accessible sites: Bay Campground on South Manitou offers easier terrain for children. "This campground is near the lake and about a mile from the ranger station. Less traveled place and so much to explore. BEAUTIFUL hiking!" notes a visitor to Bay Campground.
Pack extra supplies: Weather can delay departures from islands. One parent shared, "My four year old son and I took the ferry to South Manitou Island and had planned to stay for a few days. We had numerous people gift us food they had packed over to the island and did not want to pack out. We ended up extending our trip by a couple days."
Consider wildlife encounters: Smaller animals can be problematic at campsites. A camper warned, "There are no food storage lockers, so food must be properly hung from a tree or stored in a bear canister to avoid being stolen by the microbears (aka chipmunks)!"
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: The tent camping focus near Suttons Bay means RVers must look to private campgrounds. Torch Grove Campground notes, "A clean, private campground located near orv trails. Most sites were full hook up but they had some rustic sites too."
Consider seasonal timing: Most RV-friendly sites near Suttons Bay fill quickly during summer months. Finding availability requires booking 3-6 months in advance for peak season dates.
Focus on mainland options: Since island camping requires boat transportation, RVers should concentrate on mainland locations. Private campgrounds offer the only full hookup options within 15 miles of Suttons Bay.
