Pretty basic camping if you are using a tent. Wide open prairie nestled around by rock formations; you see for miles to one direction; rock formations to another, just hundreds of yards away. And clear skies on moonless nights to view the galaxies and remind you of the insignificance that you hold in the universe. 

Shower house is cozy and be certain to bring quarters. At least you have water. And electricity at the shower house.

My partner wanted a waterfront site. Check. Convenient. Check. Feeling like staying in a trailer park? Check.

So on that last item, as a tent camper, she wasn't very sold. Sitting between the town and the water, the backside of the camp area is the hospital with loud cooling fan towers running constantly. Not much of a campground feel to it. Particularly with the dominant number and sizes of the motorhomes and fifth wheels.

I stayed here several years ago in September (after Labor Day) and the campground was much more sparse and comfortable. The shower house is decently clean, and for the price and location, I'm fine with it. It's a different kind of place, so know that going into it.

The town has a great bikeway path for pedaling to Charlevoix in one direction and Harbor Springs to the other direction.

The neat thing about Young State Park is its site on Lake Charlevoix. Three miles away is the lovely and cute town of Boyne City.

This is a typical state park campground designed to pack in the numbers. Sites are close to one another, no to little vegetation between the sites. Not much comfort for tent camping. The shower houses are not large for the number of campers and despite daily cleaning, there's a lot of use. By the end of the day, early evening, it's a bit dirty. There are lots of other things going for it that includes hiking trails, boating, beach area with concessions, picnic areas and playgrounds.

Location, location, location. In addition to easy access to Lake Charlevoix, there's traveling through the other quaint towns that include East Jordan (where the manhole covers were cast), Ironton (where you cross the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix on a ferry) and of course, Charlevoix.

Nearby, Boyne City has developed nicely over the past few years. The town's supporters are doing a great job of sustaining this village. Seven years ago, it was a fine little town that seemed to "get along" with its harbor and a couple restaurants. Now, its center has many nice and newer restaurants and pubs, a great weekly farmers market and weekly summer events with a really nice, spacious town park on the lakeside. A grocery store is also located here, with a Starbucks inside for those who have to have it.

Lots of campsites 30 to 50 feet away from the roadway offering appropriate privacy. Woods and bushes separating campsites. Shower houses in excellent condition and clean. Pads for tents in place. Plenty of trails and access to waterfront of Lake Michigan.

Take your time and enjoy the dunes.

Pretty isolated from any grocery and convenience stores, fuel. So, plan ahead your meals.

Straits State Park is a handy place to camp if visiting Mackinac Island. Just a three miles away to the ferry in Saint Ignace. Convenient access to grocery store, a fair choice of restaurants if you're inclined to eat (the other way) out.

Plenty of grassy lots, especially nice for tents. Several waterside spots and access to the shoreline/beach. Scenic views of the Mackinac Bridge, especially nice to see it lit at night.

Shower house is very clean and well maintained. Hard to say anything adverse about this park, other than to suggest it can be busy and crowded. Interstate 75 can be a bit noisy. I would go back.