Williamsburg, Michigan sits within the Grand Traverse region, where elevations range from 580 to 1,290 feet above sea level. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with warm summers averaging 80°F and cold winters dropping to 14°F. Camping options span from rustic forest sites to full-service RV parks with lake access, creating diverse accommodation choices for visitors seeking anything from primitive tent sites to luxury glamping in Williamsburg, Michigan.
What to do
Hiking trails near lake access: Scheck's Place State Forest Campground offers secluded camping with beautiful river frontage. "This campground is in some lower ground, with a beautiful river running though it. It's fairly wide open, with trees around, but this was great as it made stargazing easy," notes Judy B. The campground provides access to the Boardman River and miles of trails through state forest land.
Mountain biking opportunities: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort features mountain bike training courses and trail access. According to Jay J., "This campground is great for what it is, a resort type campground with tons of activities and opportunities for fun. It is not a typical campground for people looking to get lost in the woods. There are trails if you want to get away from all the action." The resort connects directly to regional trail systems.
Wine tasting excursions: Local wineries surround many campgrounds within 15-20 minutes driving distance. Jason C. from Timber Ridge notes, "Only 10 mins from the great wine tasting!" The Leelanau Peninsula wine region offers nearly 20 wineries with tasting rooms open seasonally, typically 11am-5pm with some requiring reservations for larger groups.
What campers like
Spacious camping options: Whitewater Township Park Campground provides large, well-spaced sites in a wooded setting. "The sites are beautiful and spacious. The park itself is positioned on a hillside next to a lake. We had a site at the top of the hill which I recommend," shares Sarah S. Sites include electric hookups, with some seasonal options available.
Low-cost rustic camping: Scheck's Place State Forest Campground offers primitive sites with vault toilets and hand pump water at affordable rates. "Rustic campground with access to the Boardman river and many miles of trails in the state forest. Bring cash, no state park workers onsite, honor pay system. Lots of shade and when we were there not busy at all," reports Anna B., highlighting the self-service payment system.
Upscale glamping accommodations: Holiday Park Campground provides luxury camping options with exceptional landscaping. "We had a elevated firepit patio, malibu lights it was so cool. Gravel and level sites. Bathroom exceptionally CLEAN. A sliver of a View of Silver Lake from our site," mentions Tara T. Sites include full hookups and custom features for upscale glamping in the Traverse City area.
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Most glamping resorts and luxury campgrounds operate from May through October. Wild Cherry RV Resort runs May 1 to October 31, with Shari G. noting, "Nestled in a private spot on the Leelanau Peninsula on the 45th north parallel and just a couple miles from Lake Leelanau (west) and Suttons Bay (east) beach, marina, and village is this quiet RV and tent campground." Reservations for peak summer weekends should be made 6-12 months in advance.
Limited bathroom facilities at some locations: Not all upscale RV resorts provide shared bathrooms. Nancy W. points out about Wild Cherry RV Resort, "The park is called a 'resort' which is a little misleading because 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 (except for porta john and tent shower in the rustic camping section)."
Pay shower systems: Some campgrounds use coin-operated shower facilities. Sarah L. explains about Whitewater Township Park, "This is a township campground and does NOT get funding from The state so there are lots of little fees and also the showers are quarter operated (7 min per 25cents). But its well worth the money because they keep it very well cleaned and updated bathrooms."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated activities: Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds offers camping with open spaces and proximity to attractions. "Nice people. Some sites are electric only, some include water. Not busy and quiet," notes Ron S. The fairgrounds provide level sites with good access to area attractions within 10-15 minutes driving time.
Consider campgrounds with playground options: Timber Ridge offers multiple play features for children. Allison H. shares, "This is a very large campground that is usually full during the summer. 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."
Choose family-friendly glamping sites: Holiday Park Campground provides glamping options with child-friendly amenities. "We went for the Halloween weekend. We had fun. The wooded sites were wonderful. Sites were stone and not muddy (it did rain). There were a lot of play grounds as well," reports Craig F., highlighting special seasonal events for families.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Leelanau State Park Campground offers unique waterfront camping. "Our site had nice distance between the next camp but others are closer together. We had lots of room- enough so that the dog didn't even get disturbed by other campers," explains Art S. The campground features some lakefront sites with varying levels of privacy.
RV site levelness varies by campground: Barbara P. from Timber Ridge notes, "We were here off season, daily rate was $40. There is a lot to do in this park, zip line, pool, walking trail, lake. Golf cart rentals. Lots of kid activities, in fact there was a Halloween party as we pulled in. Gated to pull back to sites, our first site was pretty unlevel but we were able to move without issue."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide sewer hookups at sites. Jennifer B. explains about Whitewater Township Park, "They have a water and dump station along with nice restroom facilities with separate pay showers that are cleaned often. Reservations are first come first serve and aren't taken until early April. So book early."
