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When I think of childhood vacations, I think of camping. As a pastor’s kid (PK), we vacationed the affordable way…in a pop-up trailer! No AC, toilet, or running water, you could say that we roughed it, but we still had it good! Camping brings families and friends together through meals, campfires, games, sporting activities, and close sleeping quarters. It brings back many good memories for me and for some of my Facebook friends.

The season of camping is approaching, therefore, to help you find the best campgrounds, I polled my Facebook friends. Below is a list of their 10 favorite Michigan campgrounds (and their quotes):

“Great fishing and canoeing on the Au Sable River”

Located on the historic Au Sable River floodwaters above the Alcona Dam, this 1100 acre park has three miles of shoreline on each side of this trophy fish producing river. Surrounded by the Huron National Forest and is a favorite home away from home for many vacationers. The river provides quality fishing of Walleye, Pike, Perch, Bass and Trout. Canoeing, boating, swimming, fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing are all popular activities for visitors. Over 450 campsites available. Camping cabins are available for rent.

“Close to beaches and the Big Sable Lighthouse. Also home to the S.S. Badger”

Located just 7 miles from Lake Michigan, this campground has 160 campsites in the forest. They offer a children’s playground, game room, mini golf, camp store, boat rental, and ice cream parlor.

“Activities include swimming, a water slide, arts and crafts, canoe rentals, and DJ’s on the weekends”

This campground is full of sleeping choices which include 13 group camping areas, 4 and 6 people cabins, yurts, and full hook-up campsites. The cabins and yurts are wheelchair accessible.

The activities are vast too. Activities on Stewart Lake include swimming, a spiraling waterslide, fishing, kayaking, boating, and pedal boating. The largest children’s playscape in the Oakland County Parks system is located here. Other activities include a bicycle skills course, basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, ball fields, and 18-hole mini golf course.

Jackson County’s largest campground nestled on 300 acres surrounded by woods and a private 400-acre lake. Greenwood Acres provides campers with wonderful facilities that support more than 800 seasonal campers who call Greenwood Acres Family Campground home for the summer. Additional sites are available by the night, the week, or the month, including some beautiful lakefront sites.

This campground has a swimming pool and recreation center that offers pool tables, arcade games, digital jukebox, and a great snack bar area. There are also outdoor basketball, tennis, and shuffleboard courts.

“It’s surrounded by lakes so it feels secluded. There are lots of activities for kids and teens”

Haas Lake offers 494 campsites some on the waterfront. There are 4 clean, spring fed lakes which are great for fishing! The campground also offers a recreational building with pool tables and arcade games, an activities pavilion, two hole golf course, basketball courts, and a sand volleyball pit.

“The sunrises on Lake Huron are stunning”

Lying along Lake Huron, Lakeport State Park provides southeast Michigan residents access to the Great Lakes. The park has two distinct units separated by the village of Lakeport. A total of 250 sites are divided between the two campgrounds. All sites have a picnic table, fire circle, electricity, modern toilet/shower buildings along with several pull-through sites and camp pads for ease of leveling campers.

Lakeport Camp Store offers camping accessories, firewood, groceries, toys, beach gear, logo clothing, rainy day activities and souvenirs. Treats include ice cream, slushies, pizza, and nachos.

“Pine trees and mixed natural trees, Lake Michigan, nature trails, 15 minutes from Grand Haven, 40 mins from Saugatuck, 20 mins from Michigan Adventure”

P. J. Hoffmaster State Park features over three miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, a 297 site modern campground, towering Lake Michigan dunes, and the Gillette Visitor Center. Miles of hiking and skiing trails offer stunning views of Lake Michigan and subtle beauty at every turn.

One of the main attractions at Hoffmaster State Park is the Dune Climb Stairway leading to the top of a high sand dune where an observation deck offers a panoramic view of the dunes and Lake Michigan.

“Yogi Bear Campground in Silver Lake is located near the sand dunes. They have a lot of activities for the kids”

Featuring 200 campsites and a heated swimming pool, recreation room, playground, movies, hayrides, organized games & activities, arts & crafts, billiards, shuffleboard, ping pong, and basketball.

Young State Park on beautiful Lake Charlevoix spans over 560 acres and is a mix of gently rolling terrain, lowlands and cedar swamp. The beach at Young State Park was voted the “best beach of the year” by The Petoskey News Review Graphic.

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