RV Campgrounds in Michigan

About This Region

Michigan offers RV campers a unique blend of Great Lakes coastline, dense forests, and pristine inland waters across two distinct peninsulas. From the remote wilderness shores of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula to the popular beach towns along Lake Michigan's eastern shore, RV adventurers discover that Michigan camping embraces a rustic, back-to-basics ethos. State forest campgrounds like Bay View in Hiawatha National Forest and the iconic Platte River Campground in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore showcase the state's approach—prioritizing natural settings over modern amenities. The Michigan RV camping experience differs from many states in one significant way: hookups are rare to nonexistent in state forest campgrounds. Instead, campers find well-maintained sites designed for self-contained rigs, with vault toilets, hand-pump wells, and generous spacing that creates genuine privacy. Destinations like Hog Island Point on Lake Michigan's north shore and Culhane Lake in the eastern Upper Peninsula epitomize this philosophy, offering waterfront sites where your rig sits just steps from sand beaches or glass-calm lake waters. This rustic style attracts RV campers seeking authentic wilderness experiences without sacrificing accessibility. Whether you're watching Great Lakes freighters pass at Muskegon South Channel, launching your kayak at Baxter Bridge on the Manistee River, or discovering the legendary Two Hearted River where it meets Lake Superior, Michigan's RV camping invites you to slow down, disconnect, and immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful freshwater landscapes in North America.

Expect rustic, dry camping as the norm across Michigan's state forest campgrounds. Most sites accommodate trailers and motorhomes but offer no electrical, water, or sewer hookups—self-contained rigs perform best. You'll find vault toilets maintained to surprisingly high standards (reviewers consistently praise cleanliness), hand-pump well water for potable supplies, and spacious sites carved into forest settings that provide natural privacy between neighbors. A handful of developed campgrounds like Platte River and Muskegon South Channel break this mold with electric hookups, flush toilets, and hot showers, but even these maintain a nature-first atmosphere. Roads accessing campgrounds range from paved (at national forest sites) to gravel and dirt (state forest locations), with most suitable for standard RVs though tight turns may challenge larger rigs. First-come, first-served policies dominate, especially in state forest campgrounds, making early arrival essential during summer weekends and fall color season. The Upper Peninsula's remote campgrounds offer unparalleled solitude, while Lower Peninsula locations provide easier access from major metros. Cell service remains limited to nonexistent at most locations—download offline maps and embrace the digital detox.