297 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Cadillac, Michigan provides a mix of established campgrounds and state forest options for outdoor enthusiasts, with several facilities located between the twin lakes of Cadillac and Mitchell. Mitchell State Park Campground serves as a central camping hub situated on the canal connecting these lakes, while private operations like Camp Cadillac, Cadillac Woods Campground, and Birchwood Resort offer cabin accommodations alongside traditional tent and RV camping. Most campgrounds in the area support multiple accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals, with several also featuring glamping options.
The camping season around Cadillac typically runs from April through October, with a few locations like Mitchell State Park and Silver Creek State Forest Campground remaining accessible year-round. Most private campgrounds close for winter, reopening in mid-April to early May. Water access represents a significant feature of the region, with campgrounds positioned near lakes, rivers, and ponds for swimming, fishing, and boating. Visitors should be prepared for seasonal variations that affect water recreation and site conditions. A visitor noted, "Mitchell State Park is located between 2 lakes, Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell. If you like any water sports this is the park for you."
Waterfront campsites tend to book quickly during peak summer months, particularly those with boat access. Several campgrounds feature full hookups and amenities like showers, dump stations, and camp stores, though the more rustic state forest campgrounds like Long Lake offer a more primitive experience with vault toilets and hand-pump water. Campers report mixed experiences with site spacing and privacy. "The sites are big and with a lot of trees," mentioned one visitor about Mitchell State Park, while another noted some sites are "a ridiculous size" with awkwardly placed fire pits. Northern Exposure Campground and Coolwater on the Pine River receive consistently high ratings for their river access, while campgrounds closer to town like Mitchell State Park may experience more traffic noise and crowding during peak periods.
"Another Great Michigan State Park. This State Park is located in Cadillac MI. I love it It is located between 2 lakes, Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell. "
"Love taking the boat and enjoying both lakes with the kiddos. Careful of Lake Cadillac and the rocks in the water."
from $45 - $120 / night
Check Availability"This campground is a small gem close to Cadillac, MI. The owners are friendly and go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Showers were hot and bathrooms were clean."
"We were driving by a different cabin place and they recommended Cadillac woods to us.We called them and they had a last minute cancellation on a Saturday!"
"Great little campground just on the outskirts of Cadillac. Great rates especially for full hookups."
"Trails for walks with the dogs out away from the camp."
from $38 - $999 / night
Check Availability"We asked to be away from the lake because of our young kids but the lake lots looked beautiful. We will be back."
"I love having a view from my campsite that has a lake on it! Not many big boats on it so there was no motor noise constantly like how it is on most inland lake campgrounds."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability"The 8 mile hiking loop follows the river and intersects with some off road trails."
"It's a lovely, quiet, private, in-the-middle-of-nowhere-in-the-middle-of-Michigan place on the beautiful Pine River. We listened to it burble past us all night long and it was heavenly."
from $35 - $45 / night
Check Availability"The sites themselves are small, ours had massive roots that made walking and setting up outside a challenge. We saw a couple of people actually moving their campers to different sites."
"Very kind operators when we were in a pickle with an RV we rented and was very flexible with our situation. Clean areas and convenient to Manton area."
"Long Lake Wexford was a great little spot. The first come - first serve sites are large an spacious. Some are tree covered and more forested while others are open, grassy and lakeside."
"The campground had a boat launch and provides easy close access to ORV trails."
"Absolutely gorgeous surroundings. Great hiking. One family had over 70 pumpkins carved and set up a trail. Impressive night walk. New owners. Like 8 days. Very accommodating."
"A few trails to walk around the property, and not far to Manistee (bakery downtown is the best in the state). Will definitely be coming back here."
ScoutIf you're looking for a family oriented campground, look no further. From the park to play in for the kids and the heated pool, to the large fields and trails, you'll find entertainment to fill your days. Visit the wishing tree or porcupine tree. Swing on your trail adventure. The owners are delightful.
ScoutI have a Skokie conversion 44ft. 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.
ScoutWe looked into this location but from the information we found, it's closed and was purchased for private use. Too bad, looks like it could have had some great potential.
ScoutTons of fishing spots and trails around to ride. We come every summer with kids and they love to fish and head into town and find things to do. Its a rustic campground so no hookup. You do have to scan a code when arriving or call the state park office to get a permit before you set up! This was new to us this year but wasnt too hard to get done! We have a 30 ft 5th wheel and we fit beautifully on site 29. Most sites seem to have a small fishing access along the water and some sort of view of the water.
TravelerOur site, and most sites, we're very shaded. Bathrooms and showers were very clean. The rangers working were fantastic. In a great location to visit nearby sites!!!
LegendJuly 8, 2026, 82 degrees Make sure you goto michigan reservations as it’s confusing for first come first serve.
Site 22, 2 bars 5G on T-Mobile Flat Sandy grass, pit toilets. Trash dumpster on the way out. Good rustic camping, bugs were not bad, mostly flat and only a few campers during the week. Horse, bike and hiking trails right next to the CG. We saw a few loons near the boat launch.
GuideI camped here on my motorcycle in a tent. NO CELL PHONE SERVICE!!!It is quiet after dark, river sites all over, walkin sites at the entrance. Its $20 a night. Its a nice scenery the bugs are a little rough but there is fire wood close by for $5 a bundle. All in all a good experience except... The damn racoons!! It was like the movie the great outdoors and they come in packs!!! I had to hide everything and they stole my ketchup 😂
TravelerThis campground was absolutely breathtaking. The showers and bathrooms were so clean and easily accessible. 10/10 experience all around.
LegendJuly 3-7th, site 489, Easy check in and the water fill up was next to the dump station.
The dump station only has two drains and the cap is in the middle of the island to dump. The site was flat with trees, our 21’ fit well with our truck.
30amp, metal fire ring with old picnic table. Looks like water will puddle during rains.
Newer shower and bath facilities are amazing. The showers are separate and private from the shitters. The lots are Michigan sand and rock, very little gravel and grass, bring ant killer for the site.
Some sites are paved asphalt.
Firewood was$23 for 3 bundles Cash App or Venmo near the general store.
Water fill stations throughout the park but the spigot does not allow a house hookup. Fill up at the dump station. The south lot area was full and very crowded, narrow asphalt road with lots of trees, larger 5th wheel campers would be better on the north section.
There is a Pine Nature Trail that runs on the west side of the south area. About 2 miles but part of the trail has not been cleared from recent storms. A great place to bring your SUP and kayak. Peaceful lakes in the area.
Dispersed camping opportunities near Cadillac, Michigan concentrate primarily in the surrounding Manistee National Forest, where campers can find both established campgrounds and more primitive options along rivers and lakes. Winter temperatures in this region can drop below freezing from November through March, with summer highs averaging in the mid-70s°F. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with most forest campgrounds offering limited or no connectivity.
Water recreation on twin lakes: Mitchell State Park Campground sits between Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell, making it ideal for fishing enthusiasts. "Great park right in town. Love taking the boat and enjoying both lakes with the kiddos. Careful of Lake Cadillac and the rocks in the water," notes Edmund P. The park serves as a convenient base for anglers targeting the abundant perch and walleye populations.
Hiking forest trails: Trails in the Manistee National Forest offer varying difficulty levels for day hikers. Silver Creek State Forest Campground provides access to an 8-mile loop trail following the Pine River. "Take the time to hike up to the Lincoln Bridge State forest campground with awesome views high above the river and hike back along the water on the other side," recommends Bill W.
Kayaking and canoeing: The Pine River attracts paddlers of various skill levels. "Weekend kayakers camp here as they take a 2 day trip down Silver Creek," notes Art S. about Silver Creek State Forest Campground. Canoe rentals and guided trips operate seasonally from May through September, with several access points within 15-30 minutes of Cadillac.
Waterfront sites: Riverside camping spots rank among the most sought-after locations near Cadillac. At Northern Exposure Campground, campers appreciate the premium water access. "Large campground, with very clean restrooms and showers. Beach, boat launch, childrens playground, fish cleaning station, store, pizza place, and nice hiking trails," reports Kammy H.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds with well-maintained bathrooms receive consistently positive reviews. "Very nice showers. Bathrooms were clean. They have a very nice swimming/play area for small children. Great WiFi connection," writes Dakota R. about Lake Billings RV Park & Campground.
Walk-in riverside sites: More secluded camping options appeal to those seeking privacy. "The walk-in sites were secluded and amazing! Limited cell service in the parking lot, no service at my site. Walk-in sites are right on the river: you could see kayakers passing and I took a dip in the river in the morning," shares Kitty B. about her experience at Silver Creek State Forest Campground.
Campground differences: Facilities vary widely between state and private campgrounds. State forest campgrounds typically offer vault toilets and hand-pump water, while private operations provide more amenities. "They have a petting zoo (goats) and a store with a little game room in it," notes Macy M. about Camp Cadillac.
Site selection challenges: Many campgrounds have physical limitations that affect certain sites. At Cadillac Woods Campground, "Lots of trees here, so you have to manage your trailer pretty well here," advises Bret J. Another camper suggests, "While you can book online, I would call the office and talk to the owners because not all sites are easy to maneuver a camper into and may not be a good choice for your size camper."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April/May through October, with varying amenities. "The weekends seem to be a little heavy on the partying. The weekdays are super quiet," explains Ben L. about Coolwater on the Pine River Campground. Weekday visitors generally experience fewer crowds and noise.
Activities for children: Family-friendly campgrounds offer dedicated recreation areas. "Great place for a family vacation!! The campground offers clean facilities, general store, rentals for the lake, and camp events like movie night," recommends Dalton B. about Northern Exposure Campground. Evening programming often includes organized activities from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Swimming areas: Safe water access points benefit families with young children. "They have a very nice swimming/play area for small children," notes Dakota R. about Lake Billings. Shallow entry points and designated swimming areas provide supervised recreation options.
Playground facilities: Many campgrounds maintain play equipment for younger visitors. "Nice spots both on the river show and across the road. Easy water access for very little children and non-motorized boats/Kayaks, etc. Nicely equipped playground and evening activities at the Camp Store/Office on special weekends," explains Anne G.
Site leveling considerations: RV campers should prepare for variable terrain. "The sites are small, ours had massive roots that made walking and setting up outside a challenge. We saw a couple of people actually moving their campers to different sites," warns Amie R. about Lake Billings RV Park.
Pull-through availability: Limited pull-through sites exist at several campgrounds. "The pull through sites were great for the two 28' fifth wheels and 30 ft bumper pull in our group. There are a lot of trees but the new owners have worked hard to make sure the sites are cleared enough to park in," reports Curtis S. about Cadillac Woods Campground.
Hookup variations: Electric and water services differ between campgrounds. "I think they have a few full hookup sites but all sites have electric and water," notes Macy M. about Northern Exposure Campground. Dump stations are available at most established campgrounds but may require additional fees at state forest locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there tent camping available near Cadillac, MI?
Yes, tent camping is readily available near Cadillac. Manton Trails RV Park, Hotel & Campground offers tent sites with electrical hookups, fire pits, and even free firewood. The campground is quiet, clean, and provides bathroom facilities not far from the campsites. For a more rustic experience, Long Lake (Wexford) State Forest Campground offers tent camping in a more natural setting with basic amenities like vault toilets and water pumps. Several other options include Silver Creek State Forest Campground near Luther and Northern Exposure Campground, both offering peaceful tent camping experiences within a short drive from Cadillac.
What are the best campgrounds in Cadillac, Michigan?
Cadillac offers several excellent camping options. Mitchell State Park Campground is highly rated for its unique location between Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell, making it perfect for water sports enthusiasts. The park features a canal connecting both lakes and offers well-maintained facilities. Another great option is Cadillac Woods Campground, a small gem with friendly owners, clean facilities, hot showers, and a well-stocked camp store for forgotten items. For those seeking additional options, Long Lake State Forest Campground provides a more rustic experience, while Manton Trails RV Park offers various activities including live entertainment, all within a short drive from Cadillac.
What amenities are available at Camp Cadillac?
Rvino - Camp Cadillac, LLC offers full hookup sites at competitive rates. The campground features a swimming pool and spacious sites, though some may have tree constraints for larger trailers or RVs. The staff is accommodating and will work with you to find an appropriate site if needed. Located just on the outskirts of Cadillac, this campground provides convenient access to town while maintaining a peaceful camping atmosphere. While specific details about all amenities aren't mentioned in reviews, campers note the reasonable rates, especially considering the full hookups available. For the most current and complete information about available amenities, contacting the campground directly before your visit is recommended.
How far is Peterson Bridge Campground from Cadillac?
Peterson Bridge is located approximately 25 miles southwest of Cadillac, making it about a 35-40 minute drive. The campground sits along the Pine River in the Manistee National Forest. This gorgeous campground offers well-kept sites nestled in the woods with easy vehicle access while maintaining privacy. Each camping area is tucked into the forest, creating a secluded feel while being just a short distance from your vehicle. The campground features restrooms spaced approximately every four campsites and has a helpful grounds crew. The location provides a peaceful forest experience while remaining within reasonable driving distance of Cadillac's amenities and attractions.
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