Campgrounds near Thompsonville, Michigan offer diverse camping settings within the Manistee National Forest region. The area sits at approximately 900 feet above sea level with a climate characterized by warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Many campsites around Thompsonville provide access to the Betsie River Valley, with camping season extending through October at most locations, though availability varies by season.
What to do
Tubing and kayaking: Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park in Mesick sits on the Manistee River and provides opportunities for water activities. "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!" notes camper Dalton B.
Evening entertainment: At Northern Exposure Campground, families can participate in scheduled campground activities. One visitor mentioned, "Nice little camp store and pizza restaurant on site. Great playground, evening activities. Nice mix of electric hook up, R.V. and tent sites."
Hiking near water: Platte River Campground offers access to trails near the river and Lake Michigan. "The trail from Loop 1 is 1.2 miles to Lake Michigan. If you like to walk, be sure to walk out there. The end is complete sand so be prepared to work hard!" explains camper Stephanie C.
Biking on paved trails: The Betsie River Campsite connects to a paved bike path leading to Frankfort. A visitor shared, "There is a paved trail that runs by the campground, and it's less than a 3 mile walk/bike ride to downtown Frankfort and the lakeshore, which has a ton of things to do."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campers frequently mention the ample space at newer facilities. At Mountain Valley Lodge & Campground, visitors appreciate the layout. One camper noted, "New campground in Benzie County! Walked through to check it out and the sites are large and nice looking!"
Private bathrooms: Modern bathroom facilities with individual shower spaces are highly rated. "Bathhouse has individual showers which I love and the entire campground is surrounded by state land and close to so many attractions and things to do!" a Mountain Valley Lodge visitor shared.
Easy lake access: Multiple campgrounds feature direct water access. Turtle Lake Campground has "a nice beach area and areas to fish. All sites provide a good amount of shade," according to Chris R.
Campground amenities: Firewood delivery is available at some locations. A visitor to Mountain Valley Lodge stated, "We forgot to grab firewood, but they came around every night with a truckload of wood! $10 for a full wheelbarrow of wood and they stacked it up next to the firepit for us."
What you should know
Swimmer's itch: Duck Lake at Interlochen State Park can have water quality issues during summer months. One camper reported, "The sites are not real big, and all dirt. Not quiet time enforced. And swimmers itch in the lake. Easy check in. Nice bathrooms and showers. But sometimes the water pressure is not too good."
Site selection importance: At D.H. Day Campground, campers should review site details when booking. "When you book, make sure you look at the pictures the website gives because some flat pads are a distance from the paved pad for your car/RV and some were up hill!" advised one visitor.
Early reservations required: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season. "Reservations are extremely hard to get for this park. If you want a weekend campsite, you must book six months in advance!" notes a camper about Platte River Campground.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are occasionally spotted in the area. "DO NOT LEAVE FOOD OUT!! There was a bear spotted in the group area during our stay. Bring bug spray! The ticks are bad this year and we heard several people in the park talking about having a tick on them," warns a visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Kampvilla Park offers swimming options for children. "This campground has very clean bathrooms, a pool, park to play and close proximity to lots of things to do," reports one family. "There are all the toys to play in sand, basketballs, volleyballs and such sitting out for all the kids to play with."
Indoor options: Kampvilla Park provides activities for rainy days. "The indoor pavilion area is great for rainy days. There are board games and puzzles to do. Plus ping pong and foosball!" shares Amy Y.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "This campground is perfect for campers of most experience and age levels. If you are looking for rugged, wilderness/secluded camping it's probably not your place but for everyone else it's a hidden gem," notes Anne G. about Northern Exposure Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Family fishing spots are available at several locations. "This camp is right next to a nice lake with sand volleyball pits. Good area for hammocking and tent camping," reports Kenzie B. about Interlochen State Park.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup options: Mountain Valley Lodge offers comprehensive services for RVs. "Big spacious lots. Full Hookup on back in and pull thru lots. Restrooms and showers were both clean. Very close to the trails for ORV's," notes Brad F.
Site selection: At Indigo Bluffs RV Park, location within the campground matters. "The spaces are tight unless you get into the back rows set back sites. This is a terrific way to solve the tight spacing," advises Jeff G.
Electric hookup access: Availability varies between campgrounds. At Traverse City State Park, there are "Basic state park facilities, with a fire ring and picnic table combo at every site, as well as electric."
