Traverse City's unique position on Michigan's 45th parallel offers favorable summer camping conditions with average temperatures ranging from 70-80°F during peak season. The surrounding area features over 400 campground sites within a 20-mile radius of downtown, providing access to both Grand Traverse Bay and inland lakes. Most glamping accommodations near Traverse City have availability from May through October, with July and August being peak reservation months.
What to do
Trail access: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort provides direct access to mountain biking opportunities not found at other area campgrounds. "We never left the campground the 2 weekend we camped here. The pool is clean. Kids loved the activities they had scheduled," notes one visitor who appreciated staying on-site.
Lighthouses: Explore the region's maritime history with day trips to nearby lighthouses. "We chose to visit 4 lighthouses and Sleeping Bear Dunes," reports a camper from Wild Cherry RV Resort who enjoyed these educational excursions just 20-30 minutes from their campsite.
Watersports: Smaller inland lakes provide alternatives to busy Lake Michigan beaches. "There is a small lake with fishing. There is an indoor pool & game room," explains a visitor to Timber Ridge, while Turtle Lake Campground offers "a small lake that is fun for short kayak/canoe rides and fishing."
Winery tours: The Leelanau Peninsula wine region surrounds many campgrounds. "Only 10 mins from the great wine tasting!" explains a camper who stayed at Timber Ridge, while others mention "three wineries within a couple of miles" of Wild Cherry RV Resort.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Whitewater Township Park Campground receives praise for its spacious sites. "If you are looking for a no-frills secluded campground with spaced out campsites and beautiful views this is the place for you," shares one reviewer who appreciated the quieter setting.
Water features: Beyond just beach access, several glamping options feature unique water amenities. Duck Lake Campground has "a beach that is ideal for children, staying very shallow out to the buoy markers for the swimming area," explains a visitor who found it perfect for families with young children.
Extended stay options: Some glamping accommodations encourage longer visits. "We stayed here for four days in July. The grounds are very well cared for," notes a camper at Wild Cherry RV Resort, while Holiday Park Campground offers weekly discounts according to a reviewer who noted, "We took advantage of their 'Big-Rig Special' which gave a 25% discount if you booked 4 nights."
Off-season value: Holiday Park Campground offers special fall events. "We stayed here for a fall weekend get away! Because it was after season we got to camp on someone's seasonal lot which was awesome! We had a beautiful site with a look out area and nice fire place," reports a satisfied camper.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Many glamping sites have significant differences in quality based on location. "Long, level, pull through. A lot of wonderful things to say - but you'll have to see for yourself!" mentions a visitor to Traverse City KOA, while another camper notes, "The front part of the campground is very well shaded, however, many sites are only a few feet away from M37, which can get noisy from the traffic."
Bathroom situations: Scheck's Place State Forest Campground offers a more rustic experience. "Primitive means vault toilets, no power and hand pump water. No reservations — FCFS," explains a camper, which contrasts with Wild Cherry RV Resort where a visitor noted, "There are very few amenities. There is no swimming pool, no tennis courts, no shuffleboard, no fitness center, no playground, in fact there were not even bathrooms/showers."
Reservation timing: Campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "We were searching for a super last minute campground near Traverse City for Memorial Weekend and everything within a quick drive seemed booked," shares a visitor who was lucky to find space at Timber Ridge through a last-minute cancellation.
Weather considerations: Terrain can affect site conditions during rain. "Rained well one night and our grass less site turned nasty," reports a camper at Duck Lake Campground, while another notes, "A couple of the sites flooded after an unusually heavy rain today, so I would avoid any site that looks low if rain is expected."
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Turtle Lake Campground offers family-friendly amenities without overwhelming crowds. "Very family friendly, there is fishing and canoeing, fire pits and swimming in the lake," says one visitor, while another notes it's "a perfect mix of campers! Very family friendly, but spaced out well enough for privacy."
Kid-friendly beaches: Several campgrounds feature shallow swimming areas. "The lake is great for kayaking or small fishing boats. Office staff super nice. Small, but nice beach," explains a Turtle Lake visitor who brought children along.
Playground access: Some glamping sites include play equipment. "This campground is great for active kids. There is no shortage of activities here: a small pond/beach, pool, jumping pillow, dodgeball, bike trails, ATV trails, crafts, parades, etc. It's great for the active family, particularly those with elementary & middle school age kids," shares a Timber Ridge visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Educational opportunities abound for children. "It's called Turtle Lake for obvious reasons- when my kids went fishing, they pulled up large snapping turtles both times. A bit of a surprise to see their size!" reports a family who enjoyed this unexpected nature lesson.
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds offers economical options with varied amenities. "Some sites are electric only, some include water. Not busy and quiet," explains an RVer, while another notes, "Water is a shared spigot on most sites, but some sites have water. There is a good dump station. Sites are level."
Site leveling: Various campgrounds require different setup strategies. "Power 50/30 were fine," reports an RVer at Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds, while a visitor to Wild Cherry RV Resort found "Our site had one small issue where the drain dump was slightly uphill from the camper, so we had to work with the drain hose to empty tanks."
Length limitations: Some glamping accommodations have restrictions on RV types. "The park is limited to Class A, Fifth Wheels and Class C only. This park is dominated by big, very nice class A's," notes a reviewer at Traverse Bay RV Resort, highlighting the upscale nature of certain properties.
Pull-through availability: For easier maneuvering, certain sites offer advantages. "My husband loved this place because most of the sites are pull-through ones," shares a Timber Ridge visitor, making arrival and departure simpler for larger rigs.
