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    Empire Township Campground

    3.9 (10 reviews)

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    Platte River Campground

    Platte River Campground

    4.4(23 reviews)
    7.5 mi

    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!

    Photos
    Platte River Campground
    Platte River Campground
    Platte River Campground

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    Sleeping Bear Dunes

    Sleeping Bear Dunes

    4.5(6 reviews)
    7.5 mi

    Sleeping Bear Dunes is one of Michigan's true gems! Such unique landscape and along a significant…read moreportion of the coastline of one of our (best) Great Lakes, there is so much you can do here! You can hike, climb, play, swim, tube, the list goes on! These dunes are MASSIVE - some of the biggest in this country! If you're Michigan raised like I am, you were taught the legend of Sleeping Bear Dunes as a kid growing up. If you haven't heard the legend, I highly recommend that you look it up before coming here, just for some fun (perhaps a bit depressing) history, but it informs our natural landscape in this area & I hold that close to my heart. I honestly highly recommend doing Sleeping Bear in all seasons BUT summer. I personally am not a huge fan of heat, let alone hot sand, with no shade anywhere, on a summer's day! Sleeping Bear is also so popular during the summer since it's one of our biggest tourist destinations for Michiganders and non-Michiganders alike. So if you want to avoid the massive crowds and also actually enjoy exploring the extensive dune system and gorgeous views of Sleeping Bear without breaking too much of a sweat, come in the spring or the fall! If you love winter sports like cross-country skiing, DEFINITELY check out Sleeping Bear in the winter when so many of the trails switch over to cross-country skiing trails exclusively! I absolutely love Sleeping Bear Dunes and it's another reason why I'm so thankful to have been raised and continue to live in Michigan. There is so much diversity and variety in what Michigan has to offer, and I'm just so proud that Sleeping Bear Dunes is one of those things.

    I must admit that we are out of shape and climbing up the dunes was a bit tough. I suggest wearing…read moreappropriate shoes. We did bring a bag that had sone drinks in it as well. We got to part of the top and the view was beautiful. They had didferent pathways once you reached the top, but we were too tired to continue towards the water view. They have a lot if parking and a trail for bikers. There is typically a location where you can drove close to a pier and see the water. However, due to construction the road was closed off in that area which was unfortunate timing. Due to covid, there was not a lot of people when we went to the dunes. I imagine it does get packed though.

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    Sleeping Bear Dunes
    Sleeping Bear Dunes
    Sleeping Bear Dunes

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    Betsie River Canoes & Campground - Electric Loop

    Betsie River Canoes & Campground

    5.0(6 reviews)
    18.4 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Betsie River Canoes & Campground - Fishing the betsie

    Fishing the betsie

    Betsie River Canoes & Campground - Time to relax

    Time to relax

    Betsie River Canoes & Campground - Salmon fishing on the Betsie

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    Salmon fishing on the Betsie

    Paradise Cove Campground - Evening fire and sunset looking over Lake Leelanau.

    Paradise Cove Campground

    4.2(5 reviews)
    14.2 mi

    We stayed two nights at Paradise Cove Campground in July of 2021. My husband and I were looking to…read moreget away for a weekend last minute and after calling around to a handful of places for camping which were all full (last weekend of the Cherry Festival), I reached out to Jerry of Paradise Cove and he was happy to host us. He and his wife, Barb, were so incredibly hospitable and kind - they checked the sites before we booked to make sure they weren't too wet (we had just come off a week with a lot of rain) and that they would accommodate our camper. He met us at the drive when we arrived to make sure we got parked okay (sites are on the smaller side, about 20 feet wide with large trees in between). And he even brought up a fire ring and firewood to our site when we asked about a place to have a fire! As they also own the Paradise Cove restaurant and marina just down the street from the campground, I'm sure they are busy folks and that makes this level of customer service that much more special! Currently the campground is under development, so only a portion of their current 16 sites are ready for use (some don't have electric service and they don't currently take tent or pop-up campers as there are no bathroom facilities). The view of Lake Leelanau from sites 1-10 is beautiful, the road the sites share with the residential neighborhood was quiet and peaceful, and it was a perfect jumping off point for the adventures we wanted to have in the Traverse City, Old Mission Peninsula, Leelanau Peninsula, and Sleeping Bear Dunes area. We look forward to seeing how the campground grows and to a return visit!

    We stayed twice last year and it's nice to see how they improved. New owners are really nice…read more Amazing views!

    Photos
    Paradise Cove Campground - Site 8 mid morning overlooking Lake Leelanau.

    Site 8 mid morning overlooking Lake Leelanau.

    Paradise Cove Campground - Morning light over site 8 view of Lake Leelanau.

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    Morning light over site 8 view of Lake Leelanau.

    Betsie Riverside Resort - Children's playground

    Betsie Riverside Resort

    4.8(10 reviews)
    13.8 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Betsie Riverside Resort - Cabin 9 bedroom- queen bed

    Cabin 9 bedroom- queen bed

    Betsie Riverside Resort - C10_11 deck with night lighting

    C10_11 deck with night lighting

    Betsie Riverside Resort - Cabin 9 bedroom- twin bed

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    Cabin 9 bedroom- twin bed

    Empire Township Campground - campgrounds - Updated May 2026

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