16 campgrounds with availability this weekend
The Traverse City region features several high-quality RV parks catering to motorhome travelers. Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort offers 366 sites with full hookups including 30/50 amp service and operates year-round, making it ideal for seasonal flexibility. Vista Green RV Resort provides 93 sites with concrete pads and full hookups, specifically designed for RVs with no tent camping allowed. One visitor noted, "Our site was a blacktop pull-through. We were able to fit both our truck and 14-foot trailer along with my jeep. The site was easy to level." Lake Leelanau RV Park, open May through October, accommodates big rigs with 50 amp service and full hookups on spacious sites. Traverse Bay RV Resort in Williamsburg stands out as a luxury option with paved sites, full hookups, and landscaped grounds that one reviewer described as "more like a country club than camping."
Summer and fall seasons fill RV parks quickly throughout the region, with many requiring reservations months in advance. Most parks offer sanitary dump stations, with some providing on-site pump-out service for a fee. Kalkaska RV Park charges $10 for their twice-weekly pump service. Pet policies vary but most parks welcome pets with designated walking areas. Cell service is generally strong throughout the region, though WiFi quality fluctuates between parks. Wild Cherry RV Resort, despite its "resort" name, offers fewer amenities but compensates with excellent location for exploring the Leelanau Peninsula wine region. Indigo Bluffs RV Park divides into two sections - a standard campground and a luxury RV resort section exclusively for Class A motorhomes and fifth wheels. Roads throughout most parks accommodate large rigs, though some require extensions for hookups that are positioned far from parking pads.
"Honcho Rest Campground is a little gem on Bass Lake in Elk Rapids, MI. The grounds are mostly well maintained and clean."
"The area was easy to back in to, bathrooms were clean and nice, well lit. It’s a quiet campground for sure, but it’s nice and dark at night to see the stars and you can get good rest here."
"There is a camp store, turbo bikes, a variety of family activities, a pool, playground, bike park, equipment and rentals, laundry facility, cabins, cottages, and yurts for rent."
"There is no shortage of activities here: a small pond/beach, pool, jumping pillow, dodgeball, bike trails, ATV trails, crafts, parades, etc. "
from $60 - $260 / night
"We were in Site# 4A (premium site). We had Full hook- up with a blacktop pull-through.
We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site along with my jeep."
from $69 - $79 / night
"My goal is always to find campgrounds that are in state park or national forest settings, but with all the conveniences of a private campground."
"They offer full hookups as well as 30 & 50 amp service. Nice shower and bathroom facilities, coin laundry, pool, and camp store."
"Situated just a few miles from the village of Lake Leelanau is this truly immaculately kept, family-owned and operated RV park."
"Our site is close to the beach. Clean and right on the lake."
from $36 - $109 / night
"All sites have picnic tables but not all have fire pits (if you have your own you are allowed to use it). "
"This was a great campground, quiet and peaceful in the cherry orchard area of west Michigan, near Glen Arbor and Traverse City."
"We attend a horse show circuit near by. It is the creme de la creme of RV parks. The sites are individually owned (and leased out) and many of the owners have made their lots very nice."
"Sites are all paved with water electric and sewer, but also landscaped. Wifi is terrible but good cell coverage. There’s trash pick up at 10:00 at your site. No fire rings."
"Plenty of pull-through sites and lots of grass."
"This campground is centrally located to everything that’s going on, on the west side of the state. Whether it’s trail riding, Traverse City Cherry festival or hanging in the town of Manton."
from $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."
from $25 - $55 / night
"It is a pull through site that required us to do quite a bit of leveling. The hookups are rather far away so we needed extensions."
"Pull through full hook up, everything worked great. Nice level gravel spot. Clean restroom and laundry room. The host were friendly and helpful."
TravelerStayed in the non electric sites. Short paved driveways were nice, but if not in a tent your just in a driveway. Bathrooms were super nice, and bear proof trash and mixed recycling outside. Private outside entry showers, and a camp sink room in the shower house. Lots of trails thru out the camp to get to the shower house.
TravelerCamped right on the lake. Spots are a little small, tight and rocky.
TravelerFirst come first serve lots. Big spaces. Loops 1-3 were open in October. Nice trails all around, lake was very pretty. Can't complain for $20 a night. Outhouses were stinky but that's expected. You pay by putting cash in an envelope near the entrance and putting a tag on the site of dates you'll be there.
GuideYa got sunny and more private sites. Little lake and trails. Quick exit onto pavement between Traverse City and the dunes.
ScoutBeautiful campground. Quiet and peaceful. Large sites provide privacy. Beautiful sunsets .
GuideI was in Ellsworth for the first day of the Antrim Paddle Festival. My campsite was on the edge of a grassy bluff overlooking a park, and Lake Ellsworth beach. Lake Ellsworth is the beginning of Northern Western Michigan's Chain of Lakes water trail. A 100-mile inland flatwater trail with 12 lakes, interconnecting rivers and only one portage, a small dam in Bellaire.
Wooden Shoe is a city campground. Campsites with electric are $35. per night, $25 for tent sites. It has a building with men and women restrooms/showers, I can only speak for the men's side which had with 2 showers, sinks, 2 stalls and a urinal which was clean and in good shape. You're given the door combination to enter.
From the bluff I had a full view of the park below which had a pavilion, sand beach and a dock with a kayak launch.
My campsite was closer to the next than I like but the campground was quiet. The campground has Wi-Fi, but I never got the password, so used my T-Mobile hotspot.
Camp host was a friendly lady.
For more info on water trail: https://www.paddleantrim.com
ScoutWe went during off season, could only imagine how much fun it would be in the peak season. enjoyed the pool and hot tub. All staff was helpful and courteous! Will be our go to!
LegendMy all time favorite small, Lake Michigan front campground. Rustic (except mini cabins which have electricity). No showers, but there is potable water. Beautiful lake front sites as well as some in trees. Beautiful lighthouse, playground (including horseshoes) and picnic area. Phenomenal hiking trails south of campground-one trail leads directly to a pristine remote beach. Dogs are allowed on trails w/ leash(but not on beach mid April thru August due to Piping Plover nesting). Campground is quiet and serene. My all time favorite. Only downside is if you are in the cabins or on South sites you can hear road noise during day. Not horrible but irritating.
ScoutEach site seems to be cased in with beautiful trees and the atmosphere is relaxing. Bsthrooms are clean but be sure to bring quaters to take showers.
Traverse City camping options extend beyond the shorelines of Grand Traverse Bay to forested areas inland. Spruce and maple trees provide natural shade at many campgrounds while offering protection from Lake Michigan winds. Summer highs typically reach 80°F with nighttime temperatures dropping to 55-60°F, creating ideal sleeping conditions. Fall camping season extends through October with colorful foliage and fewer crowds.
Kayaking access points: Bass Lake at Honcho Rest Campground provides calm waters for paddling with easy shore access. "Bass Lake which is great for fishing, boating, or kayaking," shares Sarah P., who regularly visits the campground with family.
ATV trail connections: Manton Trails RV Park offers direct off-road vehicle access from campsites. "Great campground. Booked two nights and had to request a third it was so perfect. We went up because it advertised orv access right from campsite. It's really handy to not have to trailer over to the trailheads," notes Jen L.
Golf course proximity: Honcho Rest sits across from a golf course while remaining close to water activities. "The campground is across the street from a large golf course and just down the road from historic downtown Elk Rapids which has many good eats, shops, etc," according to one camper.
Wine tasting tours: Leelanau Peninsula wine region contains over 20 wineries within easy driving distance of several campgrounds. "The Forty-Five North Vineyard and Winery has a great walking/mountain biking trail in addition to a nice selection of very accessible wines," notes a visitor to Wild Cherry RV Resort.
Clean bathroom facilities: Campgrounds prioritize clean restrooms and shower houses. "The bathrooms are absolutely immaculate and each family bathroom includes a toilet, sink, and shower," writes a reviewer about Lake Leelanau RV Park. Another camper adds, "Often times when I stay with my grandparents, I will use the campground bathrooms over the camper bathroom because they are SO clean."
Shaded sites: Tree coverage provides relief from summer heat. "The trees keep your site blanketed in shade all day long," reports Michelle S. about Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort.
Live entertainment: Some campgrounds feature scheduled entertainment for guests. "Our first time there was 4th of July weekend, they have a large building for events....over the weekend they had a concert! Live band and food truck....free to all campers and their friends!" shares Sarah S. about Manton Trails.
Pond fishing: On-site fishing ponds provide recreation without leaving the campground. "Honcho Rest Campground is a little gem on Bass Lake in Elk Rapids, MI," notes Steve F., while Tammey B. mentions bug control measures: "Sprayed for bugs so the bugs were not much of a nuisance."
Senior demographics: Some campgrounds cater primarily to older campers. "'Slow, Grandparents at Play' are what the signs around the campground boast, which tells you a bit about their target audience at this lovely little RV only lakeside campground," notes a reviewer about Honcho Rest Campground.
Seasonal resident concentrations: Many parks have large numbers of seasonal campers. "Most of the seasonal people went to work during the day which made the park even quieter. And while they do have a lot of seasonal campers none of the sites were junked up," observes Nancy W.
Hookup distance issues: Some sites require extension cords or hoses. "The hookups are rather far away so we needed extensions. Our site required us to pull through in such a way that the hookups were on the opposite side of our coach," reports a camper at Kalkaska RV Park.
Limited bathroom facilities: Not all "resort" campgrounds provide restroom facilities. "While most RV campgrounds have centralized bathrooms with flush toilets, sinks, and showers, this one is lacking those amenities," notes a camper about Wild Cherry RV Resort.
Recreational variety: Campgrounds with multiple activity options prevent boredom. "In the woods finally a campground that's not a parking lot and the dodge ball court or ampatheater was awesome we never heard I am bored or what can we do ever they loved it and so did we!!" shares Mike G. about Timber Ridge.
Swimming options: Heated pools extend swimming season into cooler months. "There is a very nice laundry room with multiple washers and dryers. In addition, there are tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts, shuffle board, and horseshoe behind the office," notes a visitor to Lake Leelanau.
Playground facilities: Campgrounds vary in child-specific amenities. "There are also 2 different styles of cabins available for rent, clean bathrooms with showers, and a laundromat on site," notes one visitor about the facilities at Honcho Rest, which also includes "a small playground with a climbing wall."
Scheduled activities: Kalkaska RV Park & Campground and similar parks provide organized events. "Very family friendly with lots of children. Campground is clean and well maintained," notes Hope C.
Leveling requirements: Site conditions vary widely between campgrounds. "Site is gravel and dirt. It is a pull through site that required us to do quite a bit of leveling," reports an RVer with a 40-foot motorcoach at Kalkaska RV Park, while another notes, "The camp sites are a nice firm gravel and pretty level. We didn't even have to use leveling blocks."
Pad construction: RV-focused campgrounds typically have improved parking surfaces. "Our site was a blacktop pull-through. We were able to fit both our truck and 14-foot trailer along with my jeep. The site was easy to level," notes Julia H. about Vista Green RV Resort.
Site availability challenges: Full hookup sites book quickly, especially for longer stays. "They only have 15 full hookup sites and none were available for our time frame," reports a camper about Kalkaska RV Park, which offers an alternative: "They have a pump out service twice a week for $10 each time."
Site spacing differences: Some RV parks provide more spacious sites than others. "Our site, #20, had an improved gravel parking area for camper with a finished concrete pad with a picnic table," notes Robert T. about Wild Cherry RV Resort, while another camper mentions, "Sites are either pull-in (which we had) or back-in. There are no pull-thrus."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best RV parks near Traverse City, Michigan?
Traverse City offers several outstanding RV parks for visitors. Indigo Bluffs RV Park provides a perfect blend of natural setting with modern conveniences, featuring spacious, level, shaded sites with full hookups including 30 & 50 amp service. The park has two sections: a standard campground for various camping styles and a luxury RV resort area. Wild Cherry RV Resort is another excellent option with well-maintained grounds, nicely spaced sites, and beautiful water features including a pond and four-acre lake. Additional quality options include Traverse City State Park Campground, which offers a convenient location near downtown, and Vista Green RV Resort with premium pull-through sites and competitive pricing.
What amenities are available at Traverse Bay RV Resort?
Traverse Bay RV Resort is a premium RV destination with individually owned sites that are leased out to visitors. The resort features full hookup sites with nicely maintained grounds. Many owners have enhanced their lots with attractive landscaping and custom features. The resort offers a high-end experience for RVers, making it one of the more luxurious options in the Traverse City area. Visitors can expect well-maintained facilities in a carefully designed setting. The resort caters primarily to larger RVs and provides an upscale camping experience that appeals to those looking for comfort and quality during their stay in the Traverse City region.
Where can I find RV rentals in Traverse City?
Traverse City offers multiple options for RV rentals. Local dealerships and specialized RV rental companies operate throughout the area, providing a range of vehicles from small camper vans to large motorhomes. For those preferring to camp at an established site, Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort and Kalkaska RV Park & Campground are both accommodating to rental RVs of various sizes. Many visitors also use online peer-to-peer rental platforms like RVshare and Outdoorsy, which connect RV owners with renters. These services often provide delivery options to your chosen campground. For the best selection and rates, booking well in advance is recommended, especially during peak summer and fall color seasons.
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