Top Notch place for us retired people who just want a quiet, clean place to stay as a jumping off…read moreplace to go and explore. Stayed in a cabin that was clean, comfortable with a picnic table for outside cooking, and a good size fire ring. Breakfast on site, firewood and ice. Clean restrooms and showers. No nonsense rules, clean and friendly.

We loved our 2-night stay at BRC. The property is well-kept, and clean. The camp store is a…read moredelight! It is well-stocked with unique, local items that you might find in a gift shop in the area. There is a breakfast/lunch cafe which we did not get to try but looked great. The owners do the cooking with fresh, local ingredients. We took advantage of the kayaking that they offer. It was one of our favorite activities of our week-long trip to northern Michigan. My husband and I were the only two people on the river at the time and it was perfect! The Bestsie river is a fairly narrow river that flows through a nature preserve. It was chock-full of Herron, Kingfisher, and waterfowl which were awesome to see. We will be back when we return to our beloved Michigan!

There's a lot to recommend this place: running water and flush toilets, plenty of firewood (for…read moresale on the honor system via Venmo, so you can grab it at any hour of the night), lots of sites, lots of trees so you don't immediately feel like there are lots of sites, and a great location in the natural beauty of the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. But: if you've been spoiled by the rugged awesomeness of southern Utah campsites, if your kids think that a good campsite has to have something interesting to climb or do within spitting distance of your tent, if you are looking for something more than basically a forested parking lot in a very beautiful place, then even this great spot will disappoint you. Alas, I am the latter kind of camper, the kind who mostly camps only as a chance to stay someplace otherwise inaccessible. So this is fine camping if you love camping, but it's not the kind of camping that makes you a camping lover.

We were unfamiliar with this campground, but we made reservations months in advance for two nights…read moreof tent camping in June, 2023 in Loop 4 (site 418). And, we're so glad that we did. It's a wonderful campground that is well-maintained by the National Park Service. The sites are huge, with a lot of space between you and your neighbors. The pads for pitching your tent are equally large, flat, and sandy -- and each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. The clean bathrooms and showers are down the road, as are heavy duty containers for trash and recycling. The Rangers at the office were very friendly, and helpful. They also warned us to be bear-aware, as bears had been spotted near the campground. (We didn't see any). Unfortunately, there weren't any nature programs during our 2-night stay but we were there mid-week. We were staying at this campground primarily to visit the main sites of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Most of the main attractions (Empire Bluffs hike, Dune Climb, Scenic Drive) are about ten or more miles away. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find a path adjacent to the campground that went down to Lake Michigan (about one mile each way). It mostly flat with walking in sand the closer you get to the lake. You could also drive down to a park at the end of the road. It's a wonderful place to watch the sunset. There are also nearby options for bicycling and kayaking. The campground is a bargain at $26 per night for tent camping. (You also need to pay the entrance fee for the national park). There was a nice mix of other campers ... solos with a dog or two; retirees; and young families. All were quiet and abided to the rules for quiet hours and no generators in loop 4. We also lucked out with respect to the lack of bugs. We had been fighting mosquitos and midges in other wooded areas in northern Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, but hardly had any insect issues at this campground. Two things worth mentioning. (1) Given the warnings about being bear aware, the NPS should consider installing bear boxes at each site for the storage of food and other scented items. (2) Firewood can be purchased at a "vending machine" for $7. While the machine for traditional firewood was working, the one for a composite substitute that we wanted to try had a broken credit card reader (and we didn't have the right denominations to pay cash). Overall, a great trip!

If I could give 6 stars I would. We stopped by without a reservation. Registration is DIY...you…read morecall and a lovely young lady named Amy will answer and talk you through making payment and filling out forms. Amy was great to work with...with a great sense of humor and was very adroit at suggesting places to get ice; a.bite to eat etc. She was like the magical hotel concierge you luck out and get when all.of your travel plans are falling apart. We loved the campground. It had direct access to the Betsie River, showers and bathrooms were very well.maintaimed a clean...hot water was never a problem. There's Frisbee golf and horseshoes available..firewood was a generous amount for the money. There's 400 acres of state land to the north directly abutting the property. Mostly trailer and tent camping ( we had hammocks and were allowed to choose the spot we liked with the best trees for setup). They do have a canoe and kayak livery that currently only operates on weekends. I rarely gush over a business that doesn't bring me hot delicious food and cocktails...this is an exception to the rule. Hands down one of the best camping experiences. I have been disperse camping the last few years in order to avoid people and some of the issues that come with group camping ( loud drunk ppl...fascist property managers etc) this was about as good as family camping will ever get and the location is incredible. There's a very clean Mobil gas w a pizza place about 2 miles from the campground...and plenty of activities in all direction. Thank you so much for helping make our fishing trip camping headache free and amazing.

it's got everything you need their website was a little confusing( booking wouldn't work) but when…read morewe got there amy figured it out with us. fire wood is a little expensive that's it.

We've camped here for years, but since the new owners took over, the experience has gone downhill…read morefast. The bathrooms are dirty, pool is slimy, there are no trash cans, and they nickel-and-dime you for everything. The owner is rude and seems more interested in reminding everyone she's "the owner" than actually running a business. It's clear they care more about money than guests. Don't waste your time or money here.

Great place! Well tree'd! Clean all the way around! Great staff! Highly recommend this place.read more

Stayed here in July with my two kids. Friendly front desk, comfy beds, nice strong AC in Cabin 9…read more I've stayed in lots of cabin places like this, in this price range, and this was by FAR the cleanest. It was small and basic but had everything we needed. Towels were actually fluffy! The pool was an excellent bonus. Seriously though, the cabin was so spotless I think they must have done updates recently. And the location was convenient to a few places to eat and an easy drive to Sleeping Bear Dunes. I don't fish but they seemed to have a nice set up and it's right on the river.

I recently spent a week at Betsie Riverside Resort, a charming escape nestled alongside a tranquil…read moreriver. The cabins and facilities are undoubtedly the highlights of this place. Each cabin is well-maintained, offering cozy interiors that perfectly complement the serene natural surroundings. The resort's attention to detail is evident, with clean and comfortable accommodations that provide a genuine sense of relaxation. The communal areas, including the indoor pool/spa, playground, and fire pits make for a perfect family getaway. However, it's worth noting a few aspects that potential visitors might want to consider. The owners are quite vigilant, with surveillance cameras placed throughout the property. While this does contribute to a sense of security, it feels intrusive, particularly if you're looking for a more laid-back and private getaway. The owners make it no secret they actively watch the cameras and will provide real-time feedback of guest's activities. The owners also have extreme cleaning requirements for checkout. If you do not meet these requirements they will send you a followup email containing details and pictures of your transgressions. For example, there is an unwritten expectation to clean the toilet before leaving even though a toilet brush is not provided. I have never encountered such expectations at other resorts, vacation rentals, or hotels. Additionally, the owners have a clear preference for individual cabin rentals. Large groups and children are discouraged, which might be a consideration if you're planning a family vacation, reunion, or a group trip. This focus on maintaining a serene environment may not suit everyone's vacation plans. However, if you're a retiree looking to go fishing or kayaking this is your place. This was our second summer at the resort and will be our last. Our family group rented 6 cabins, some traveling from out of state. Our group ranged from grandparents to young kids. We are a fairly quiet group that doesn't "party", nor do we stay up late. We did our best to stay out of other guests way and share the communal areas. The owners made us feel like a bother and unwelcome during our stay. We cleaned up after ourselves and cleaned the cabins before we left. Even still, we received emails after our stay indicating toilets were not cleaned and a couple of crumbs were left on a counter. While I can appreciate the owners' high standards for cleaning and grounds maintenance, they do not have enough staff to maintain those standards and instead push the responsibility onto their guests. Overall, Betsie Riverside Resort is a lovely destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat in well-kept surroundings. Just be mindful of the owners' preferences, expectations, and the presence of active security camera monitoring if you're looking for a more relaxed and private experience.

Very nice place, very spread out with established landscaping. Well cared for family business. Sits…read moreon Lake Leelanau and there is a small beach and boating access for the visitors. There are no full time residents but people maintain individual properties and return yearly. There is a sense of community with a good mix of people. There is a nice athletic area. The only criticism I have is that there is no dog park and there are many dogs which is a bit inept. This is a great place to visit.

The RV park has a gorgeous spot right on the lake with great amenities like ice cream socials in…read morethe evening, pipe organ concerts, and boats/kayaks you can rent for a day on the water. The people are incredibly friendly and it's only about 25 mins to sleeping bear dunes and 35 mins from downtown traverse city.

Has all the amenities you need and is nice and quiet. Love the lake and kids activitiesread more

We came here as first time visitors and 7 years later we are still here! We have became seasonal…read morecampers here at turtle lake. I love the small beaches they have, their bathrooms are the CLEANEST I've seen from a campground. For the most part not counting "big holidays" it's always peaceful for walks and dog friendly. There is a cool little walking path across the rd from camp. Full hook ups and friendly faces. GREAT for the young fishers with a fishing dock, and docks to rent if you happen to bring a fishing boat for the week! Canoes kayaks and SUPs for rent as well.

Such a beautiful scenic area with plenty of short distance hikes that offer fantasies views for the…read moreminimum effort requires. We have the national park pass which we were able to use during our visit. We stopped by numerous overlooks and of course, the main one where you can see the two land mass/bear cubs lay and the mama bear watching over them. You can read about the lore and why this area is named sleeping bear dunes. It's a cute, albeit sad story of love and loyalty and never leaving behind those you love. Now on to the wondrous nature view you'll find here. Sand dunes, yes! But also a beautiful lake view unobstructed by modern buildings. Pure nature beauty. This really is a place to visit. Don't skip it if you're in the area! It is dog friendly. There was even a kind man up on top of the dunes overlooks giving treats to pups. Our pup enjoyed the treats and the attention and I enjoyed creating memories with her and my husband in the middle of nature. Go check it out!

Sleeping Bear Dunes is a must if you are nearby! There are beaches that are free to enter, but to…read morego into the actual park and see the big dunes, you have to pay $20 per car, or you can get in with a National Parks pass. Most of it is drivable once you're in, and you can park your car off to the side of the road and view multiple different overlooks. The dunes are huge I was surprised. They're much bigger than I am used to seeing at Indiana Dunes! We stopped at the Lake Michigan overlook. There's a parking lot with plenty of parking. To get up to the overlook, you'll have to walk up a smallish sand dune. It's easier if you take your shoes off. Once you get up, there's super steep dunes that many people attempt to go all the way down then climb up on all fours. It's extremely hard to get back up!! Walking through sand is not easy. There's even a sign that warns you of the dangers of doing so and the damage it does to the dunes. There was a firetruck and ambulance on sight ready to rescue anyone.

Wonderful owners and amenities clean and safe Spacious…read morecampsites and not far from the beach straight shot in M55

Very nice and clean campground. The staff is friendly and extremely accommodating 10/10read more