My 1st experience with Tentrr convinced me that this is the way to have my own private oasis! Upon arrival at Pine Meadows, we followed the short red bark path through the trees to our cabin tent, which was next to a lovely meadow and near a small pond. Heidi, the property owner briefly stopped by to welcome us and assure us that she was available by text for any needs we might have- yet, Heidi said the property was ours for the duration, and we wouldn’t see her unless necessary. Wow! This was such a cool experience! We felt like we had our own personal pond, meadow, and cabin tent! The cabin tent comfortably sleeps three in regular mattresses. I believe there is a cot available. Nearby is a large tent that will sleep four more people. A picnic table and Adirondack chairs are next to the firepit. Heidi has many yard games available, such as cornhole and badminton, making this a great location for families. There is a spot among the pine trees with a large fairy display and little hide-aways for kids. Honesty, I can’t wait to bring my grandchildren to this! The nearby town, Interlochen, is minutes away and has a grocery store, a few restaurants, and a nationally famous music camp. Within driving distance is Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, which National Geographic rated as one of the best 21 beaches in the world. My hubby and I camp a lot, and in addition to the positives mentioned above, we truly LOVED NOT HAVING AN OVERLOADED CAR! We didn’t need to pack a tent, bedding(we paid the extra$10 for their bedding- totally worth it!); nor did we need a tent and chairs! We actually had room in the car this trip! Yes, Tentrr costs more than a regular campsite; however, you get the privacy and convenience of Glamping! Totally, worth it!
Too much to say about this!
Start at Red Bridge Access, and you can do a 23 mile loop covering miles on the North Country Trail (west side) and the Manistee River Trail (on the east side).
Note; NCT side allows camping anywhere. MRT has specific spots.
My review describes some of the MRT spots.
Stayed here while visiting Marquette!
Honestly, the campground is not the best. Most sites too open.
We did enjoy the pool and hot tub… plus the walk up bar with pizza. They also have a deck and patio to hang out at. There is an area down by the creek with chairs.
A walking trails meanders by the creek.
The best part was the 3/4 mile ish trail that goes up to the Marquette Mountain. We walked up at night (bring flashlights!!!) and the view was breathtaking! We overlooked all of Marquette and the stars were incredible!!
night
Located adjacent to Lake Michigan, this park has two loops. We stayed at the South loop because nothing else was available…
South loop is prettier with its rolling hills in the dunes: however, it has fewer flat areas for tents and some sites can be overwhelmed by water during heavy thunderstorms… we saw that one night… While we had no issues in site 94A, site 95 was flooded - all their bedding was wet!
North Loop is pretty flat- better for tents. Plus, BONUS: the local ice cream stand is adjacent to the property, meaning you can walk 10 feet from the campground to get ice cream!!!
Dog owners: (which means me!)… the campground allows dogs on leash on its beach. The other state park public areas don’t!
I loved how the beach access area has handicapped accessible overview areas (see my pictures). When I go back, I will definitely bring a chair down there in the morning to hang out, read a book, and embrace the magic of Lake Michigan!
So many campgrounds are on the roadway… not Pines Point!
Quickly, you will be among all the pine trees that earned its name… away from the road - and city/ you won’t hear traffic and best of all, you will be able to see the stars!!!
The campground had about 30 sites and a great friendly host couple! Most sites are flat and wooded enough to hang a hammock.
BEWARE: forget anything, and you have a 45 minute to an hour drive to get replacements!
Best part of this area: TUBING!! Yes! You can get in the water, tube about 30 minutes, get out, AND walk 200 yards to get back to your original entry place! YES! We do that many times In a day!
FYI: there is a backcountry where you can camp for free. We used to go there for years; however, now they require you to be in specific sites and the two track roads aren’t in as good of shape.
Ok… we camp in “backwoods” to all woods…
But, I must say that this place is the most UPSCALE campground I have ever experienced! We are planning our next family reunion to be here!!
Yes, their prices are a bit higher (ranging from $33-37 a night); however, the amenities make up for that 10 fold!!
Amenities include basketball court, playground, horseshoe pits, walking trails, heated pool, etc.
Plus, you can “float” in tubes, kayaks, or canoes (your own or rented) from a launch site two miles away!
We loved just hanging out in the local creek with friends!
We only spent one night there this year, but after meeting people there who were returning for multiple years with extended family, we hope to get our family to “reunion” there in 2021!
(FYI: this campground is the CLEANEST one I have EVER seen. We went into what appears to be put toilets, but they were flush toilets with TILE floors!! They have Multiple “dog poo” bag stations with bags and disposal sites… Bath houses were the best I have ever seen!!!
Ok. This is a place that I need to be “prepared mentally to visit.”
Located in downtown On Muskegon Lake, this campground is not much; HOWEVER, it offers all the ability to experience much!!!
OK: campground: sites are close, few trees. Some on water. Playground. Dock fishing for kids.
What makes this cool?
My hubby went fishing with a buddy… and I went shopping with my friend, had lunch and drinks in downtown Muskegon, which is about a half mile away (by the bike path). We also “enticed” our men to go back after fishing for dinner and drinks!
COVID-19 comment: city of Muskegon has closed off Western Avenue to allow businesses to expand into outdoor seating! LOVE this! Food trucks are also in the area… but check out the local eats first! They are Awesome!!!
Many bugs here!!!
No showers! Porta toilets were “acceptable.”
Next to The Village of Christmas and directly across the street from Kewaden Casino (albeit a super small casino), this campground offers a nice access to Lake Superior as well as the Bay Furnace historical site, which has a short trail (maybe 1/4 mile) that winds around the remains of a blast furnace used during the Industrial Revolution to make pig iron.
On the beach, you might find some glass that is a remnant from that time…
This has easy access to US-2 not far from Saint Ignace; however, right now it doesn’t have guaranteed access to the Big Lake.
With the day beach: picnic area closed due to high water, your only chance to be beachside is to have a camping site in the beach.
The beach side sites are AWESOME; however, please note that they all have stairs. All beach side sites are great for ham-mocking! We “mocked” here for a short night on our way to other ventures!
The sites here have a nice “private” feel, and the campground host is exceptional! (At least in 2020).
Sadly, the Village closed this park last year. They have plans to have the area host a farmers market and community area in a few years (not sure why they closed it years before those plans are implemented). The docks are still available.
As woods lovers, we never thought we would like this… but - consider it! If you like the beach! Yes, the sand in the tent sucks… however, the sun, sand, and water are awesome if you like that sort of thing! Plus, GH State Park has access to a great boardwalk to stroll and a downtown with restaurants, ice cream/fudge, breweries, and shopping! They have a farmers market too!
During normal years (non pandemic), the musical fountain is a nightly draw -/ is the Coast Guard Festival with its parades, special events, and fireworks!
COVID-19 info: the Main Street is a one way as half of it has been blocked off for more outside seating!!! (Love the outside!). The beach is “iffy” about social distancing… The musical Fountain, parades, and festivals are not happening; yet, this is still a cool place if you like beaches.
Cons: sites are Way too close, a lot of people.
Oof! One thing to note: you MUST BRING your own fire pit that sits above the ground and has a cover! We didn’t know this. Luckily, we found one at a local big box store for about $60… but, yes, it was $60 extra that we didn’t plan on nor did we need the item in the future (gave it to one of our kids).
Helpful hint: sites book up 6 months in advance. Cancellation has to happen 14 days before the reservation starts, so you can often book a site (from someone who cancelled) when you start checking daily between 30-15 days out.