Michigan

State Park Campground Guide

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Michigan is home to some of the most beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife to be found east of the Mississippi. With the longest freshwater coastline in the U.S., spring-fed lakes, rivers, dense forest, and dramatic rock cliffs, Michigan’s stunning natural beauty is home to endless outdoor opportunities all year round.

Michigan state parks are beloved by locals and can get busy, but they offer plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors in addition to convenient amenities. From Lake Michigan to the wild north, more than 70 of these park units have RV camping sites, some of them the highest-rated campgrounds in the state. Most campsites have electric hookups with centralized water and dump stations. Many parks have stores, visitor centers, and outdoor activities from hiking trails to paddleboard rentals. 

Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Reservations

To make a reservation, visit midnrreservations.com or call 800-447-2757. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance of arrival. Sites are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Campsite sizes

Campsite sizes vary per campground. The reservation system allows searching by a range of trailer or RV lengths, from up to 20 feet to over 50 feet.

Accessibility

ADA-accessible campsites are searchable and bookable in the reservation system. Each park’s website includes information on accessibility throughout the park.

Hookups

Sites with electric hookups are widespread. Water and sewer hookups are offered at only a few campgrounds. Hookups are searchable in the reservation system, but be prepared to use centralized services for water and dumping.

Connectivity

Only some Michigan state park campgrounds offer WiFi. If connectivity is a priority, contact the park for more information about WiFi and cell service coverage.

Maximum stay

Generally, the maximum stay is 15 days. Check with the specific campground for additional information if needed.

Additional facilities

Most campsites have a fire pit and picnic table. Specific campsite details are displayed in the reservation system.

Basic campground amenities include restrooms with showers, potable water, and a dump station. A wide variety of park amenities may also be available, like visitor centers, interpretive programs, stores, restaurants, lodges, and activities. Many state parks offer a Junior Ranger program and other nature programs for kids. Details are available on each park’s website. The Department of Natural Resources website also allows searching for campgrounds by “Activities and Features.”

Cost

Rates are set annually and vary by the campground. Per-night costs range from $15 for a rustic site to $45 for a full hookup site in a prime location. A Recreation Passport is required to visit Michigan state parks. Nonresident fees are $9 for daily entrance or $34 for an annual pass (good through the end of the calendar year only).

For nonresident annual pass holders, an additional $7 fee applies for towed motor vehicles that will be used in the park. 

Additional Fees:

Nonrefundable reservation fee: $8 online, $10 through the call center.

Modification/cancellation fee: $10

In order to reduce no-shows and keep inventory free for other campers, an additional fee is imposed for cancellations or reductions in nights booked, based on the length of time a reservation has been held. This ranges from 10 percent of the unused nights for a reservation held up to 2 months, to 40 percent for a reservation held 5 months or more.

Pet policies

Pets are allowed as long as they’re kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. And of course, campers should always pick up after their pet.

Additional regulations

  • Maximum occupancy per site: 6 people and 2 vehicles.
  • Check-in time: 3 p.m. Check-out time: 1 p.m.
  • Quiet hours: Check specific hours at each campground.
  • Alcoholic beverages: Possession and use are limited or prohibited at some parks.
  • Generator use: Must not create excessive noise.
  • Campfires: Allowed in designated rings or pits, following local advisories.
  • Drone use: Regulations vary; check with the specific park before operating a drone.
Ludington State Park

Featured Campgrounds

Tahquamenon Falls State Park

41382 West M-123, Paradise, MI 49768

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, or the U.P., is one of the most rugged and scenic areas of the northeastern U.S. It’s as culturally interesting as it is beautiful, with a dialect distinctive to Yoopers (U.P. residents) and a specialty cuisine based on the hearty foods brought by various immigrant groups. Tahquamenon Falls State Park fits right in, with stunning waterfalls and the Tahquamenon River flowing through pristine forest. Accessible viewpoints and miles of hiking trails are available to visitors. The well-maintained campground has large sites with electric hookups, clean restrooms, and access to the park concessions. This state park makes for a convenient home base from which to explore the area, including Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Ludington State Park

8800 West M-116, Ludington, MI 49431

One of Michigan’s best coastal destinations is Ludington State Park. Situated between Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake, with a mile stretch of the Big Sable River running through it, the park is full of opportunities for swimming, paddling, tubing, fishing, and hiking. Home to the iconic Big Sable Lighthouse, the park has more than 5,000 acres of sandy beaches, sand dunes, wetlands, and forest. RVers have their choice of three separate campgrounds with electric hookups. This is a popular park that gets busy on the weekends, so it’s best to reserve in advance.

South Higgins Lake State Park

106 State Park Drive, Roscommon, MI 48653

Though easily overshadowed by the Great Lakes shoreline, South Higgins Lake is also worth a visit. Situated near Interstate 75, the park is a convenient overnight stop when traveling to the Upper Peninsula, but also a suitable base to explore mid-Michigan. The spring-fed, crystal-clear waters of South Higgins are the perfect spot to enjoy swimming and water activities and to watch the sunset after the day-trippers leave. The campground has close to 400 spacious, shaded sites with electric and water hookups available, modern restrooms, and a central dump station. Amenities include a park store, playgrounds, sports fields, and boat rentals.

Michigan state park campgrounds that accommodate RV camping

Algonac State Park

Aloha State Park

Baraga State Park

Bay City Recreation Area

Bewabic State Park

Big Bear Lake State Park

Brighton State Park

Brimley State Park

Burt Lake State Park

Cheboygan State Park

Clear Lake State Park

Craig Lake State Park

Fayette State Park

Fisherman’s Island State Park

Fort Custer State Park

Fort Wilkins State Park

Grand Haven State Park

Harrisville State Park

Hartwick State Park

Hayes State Park

Highland State Park

Hoeft State Park

Hoffmaster State Park

Holland State Park

Holly State Park

Indian Lake State Park

Interlochen State Park

Ionia State Park

Lake Gogebic State Park

Lake Hudson State Park

Lake Margrethe State Park

Lakeport State Park

Leelanau State Park

Lime Island State Park

Ludington State Park

McLain State Park

Mears State Park

Metamora-Hadley State Park

Mitchell State Park

Muskallonge State Park

Muskegon State Park

North Higgins Lake State Park

Onaway State Park

Orchard Beach State Park

Otsego Lake State Park

Petoskey State Park

Pinckney State Park

Pontiac Lake State Park

Porcupine Mountains State Park

Port Crescent State Park

Proud Lake State Park

Rifle River State Park

Seven Lakes State Park

Silver Lake State Park

Sleeper State Park

Sleepy Hollow State Park

South Higgins State Park

Sterling State Park

Straits State Park

Tahquamenon State Park

Tawas Point State Park

Tippy Dam State Park

Traverse City State Park

Twin Lakes State Park

Van Buren State Park

Van Riper State Park

Warren Dunes State Park

Waterloo State Park

Wells State Park

Wilderness State Park

Wilson State Park

Yankee Springs State Park

Young State Park

For more information on Michigan state park campgrounds, visit michigan.gov/dnr/.