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!

Stayed here with my husband & our friends over the summer & had a great time! The bathrooms &…read morecampsites were clean. The sites themselves are a bit small. With 4 people, 2 tents, & a canopy, we were pretty cramped, but able to make it work! There was a trail leading to a beautiful beach area & Lake Michigan. The place for kayak/canoe rental is a super short drive & is also a general store & ice cream shop! We had such a great time & can't wait to go back! Sites book up REALLY fast, so if you are thinking of booking definitely do it well in advance!

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.

Easy to find, good communication. Good amount of bathrooms and trash cans spread out. Campsite was…read moreclean. Personally prefer above ground campfires for ease of physicality and cooking

For any outdoor enthusiasts exploring around Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore...I highly…read morerecommend staying here at Empire Township Campground!! Yes...I discovered it through the trusty ole app on my phone called CAMPENDIUM! In fact, I've used Campendium to locate plenty of campsites, RV Trailer Parks and rest stops along my plenty of travels these last few years. Definitely...if you're an adventurer...download Campendium. And what's great about it is that you can find campsites at the last minute/spur of the moment. That's how I came upon this Empire Township Campground. After driving all day to Sleeping Bear Dunes...I knew I needed a place to camp out because there weren't many accommodations offered in the area. Campendium mentioned to just show up here and it's first come, first served. I visited back in late May of this year 2021. The camp host was very friendly. She mentioned had I visited over the weekend, the campsites would have been full. So fortunately, I showed up on a Tuesday evening and there were plenty of spaces available. There were 60 campsites for me to choose from. The host handed me a map and told me to pick a site that was unoccupied and then return to the entrance where she'd secure my reservation. I picked Site #6 located right near the shower house. It was $25 per night for primitive camping. Having already planned out my Sleeping Bear Dunes itinerary ahead of time...I booked for 2 nights here for $50. So...I'd spend the first night here, hang out all day at Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore the following day, return back here for my 2nd evening, and then finish up my explorations of the area the last day and eventually move onto my next destination. For being here for 2 nights...I surprisingly planned out everything perfectly! Here are some details about this Empire Township Campground... It's located 5 miles outside the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitor Center and the quiet little town of Empire, Michigan. My cell phone reception worked perfectly so I was able to watch a movie inside my tent one night before going to sleep. They have 3 showers. But...bring quarters with you as they charge .50 cents for every 3 minutes of hot water use. I used $1.50 and took my time cleaning off for 9 minutes. Outside the shower house there were a few electrical outlets which allowed me to plug in my phone and generator to grab some power. They actually offered AMP Power at some sites. In fact, I probably should have paid extra (which I'm sure wouldn't have cost much) for the accessible AMP Power. Oh well, my bad. My campsite #6 featured plenty of space and room. I felt like I was in the heart of nature and far enough away from other campers to have some privacy. The whole setting here was really pleasant. The camp host does sell ice to keep drinks cold as well as firewood to ignite flames for chilly evenings. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. Also, charcoal grills are allowed as well. One night I barbecued some hot dogs during a scenic sunset. There's also dump stations for RV's. For locating this Empire Township Campground...simply plug the name into Google Maps and you'll have no issues finding it. They have real toilets for when using the bathroom, not vault toilets or porta potties. That's always a nice aspect. I can't think of anything else to say other than my 2 night experience here was quite memorable for all the good reasons. For anyone interested in getting ready to explore the UP (Upper Peninsula) of Michigan and heading north, I highly suggest making Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore a priority to visit and choosing this Empire Township Campground as a your place for enjoying nights in the great outdoors.

We just got home from our second year camping at Winding River and LOVED it!! We were on site #16…read morewhich is located right along the Betsie River. It's such a unique camping experience- being able to fish while hanging out at the campsite, plus hearing the river gently flowing while laying in the camper. It was SO cool! The campground staff was so kind and helpful!! We can't wait to go back!

Have been going here for 14 years as a family tradition and absolutely LOVE IT. Owners are amazing!…read moreIt's a fishing campground with lots of amazing people.

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.

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.

My second time visiting was just as spectacular as my first. There's so much beauty to see at…read moreSleeping Bear Dunes. I recommend the cottonwood trail (1.5 miles loop) and empire buff trail (1.5 mile out and back) for amazing views and mixed terrain. The dunes are a must see (climb if you dare). Don't forget to grab a souvenir in one of the park shops.

They claim to be family oriented. But allow guests and employees to drive golf carts and other…read morevehicles. Well, impaired and drinking, And seem to encourage the behavior all while having Benzie County sheriff's department in their back pocket.. Definitely a fun place, but not safe. I have several videos that I have taken just this weekend, July 2023 There has been several accidents Involving minors driving golf carts and atv's in the past. The employees don't even follow their own rules Which encourages others to do so as well.

Third year. Same site, noise level is terrible. No rules enforced. Speed limit is 7 mph. No one…read morepays attention to that rule. Round and round golf carts and side by sides ride up and down the unpaved, dusty roads. Maintenance guy has radio in golf cart up full volume. Manager Terry seems nice. Odd that several seasonal residents leave before the weekend because of noise. It's impossible to have a conversation at campsite.

If you take an impromptu trip up to Sleeping Bear Dunes don't expect to get a spot in any of the…read moreofficial campgrounds in the park. Platte River State Forest Campground (what a mouthful!) is a few miles away but still had the majority of its 26 spots open on a couple nights at the tail end of August. As with Otsego Lake State Park, where I camped out three years ago, there's a deposit box where you can fill out the pertinent information and drop an envelope with the funds and voila! you've got yourself a camping spot. It's cheap, too, $15 a night plus a similar vehicle fee but I think I covered that when I renewed my license as I always pay extra for the state park pass. Honestly, I can't remember if they sent me an extra bill after Otsego Lake. The form really should have a box to check for that and make it crystal clear. At any rate, it's still pretty reasonable either way. There's a post at the front of each campsite for you to display a stub from your payment envelope to announce your spot. This campground has a pretty thick tree cover all through it so it's not the best for stargazing but during a night walk I found a couple little clearings and visibility wasn't too great anyway. Bugs weren't bad but I came ready with my spray. The Platte River is more like a wide shallow stream by the campground. It's a short walk through the woods to get to it. There's no corner store anywhere near this place so be sure you're stocked up on essentials before you pull in. There is one house right near the entrance on Goose Road and on my second and final night camping here the occupants got into an extended shouting match at about 12:30 at night which was really annoying. (At least I'm pretty sure it was that house; it sounded too far away to be from any of the maybe 5 other occupied spots in the campground and any other houses were just too far down the road to be within earshot.) This isn't a terrible campground per se but it just didn't have anywhere as nice of a setting as Otsego Lake, the only other Michigan State Campground I've ever camped at. (The weather decided to ruin my reservation at Warren Dunes four years ago which was too bad cause that place looks great.) It's not too bad if you can't get closer to Sleeping Bear but I think there's a reason I'm the first person to bother to review it here.