Discover the best campgrounds near Vanderbilt, Michigan with wildlife watching

United States
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Michigan
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Vanderbilt

93% (988 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Vanderbilt

Star Hosts in Vanderbilt

Dog-friendly getaways

100%

(23)

Motorcycle Tent Camp

2 sites · Tents2 acres · Boyne City, MI

Learn more about this land:A motorcycle only campsite. Spent way too many nights on the road searching for a place just like this! 🏍️ Partially shaded, private, quiet. Great trees for hammocks. Outdoor furniture on site. Firewood available! 🔥 Close to town and the famous ride - The Tunnel of Trees.

Million $ Sunset Camp

3 sites · Tents4 acres · Harbor Springs, MI

Pitch your tent and listen to the waves of Sturgeon Bay on Lake Michigan. Fantastic Sunsets. Located half way between Harbor Springs and Mackinaw City. Walking distance to famous Legs Inn in Cross Village, MI.

Camp 437 in the Sturgeon Valley

5 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Vanderbilt, MI

We book only 2 sites at a time on our 40 acre property so you can enjoy a more secluded experience in the woods. Our property is undeveloped, so you will need to bring drinking water, but there's no need to worry about finding firewood before your arrive as we supply you with a free bundle waiting for you when you get here! There are 1 1/2 miles of marked, wooded trails that will guide you to the river's edge where you can enjoy the beauty and wildlife along the West Branch of the Sturgeon River. It will feel as if you are in the middle of nowhere, yet the convenience of the small town of Vanderbilt is just three miles away. We are located just three miles off of I-75. The larger town of Gaylord is only a 15 minute drive south. There's lots to do here in beautiful Northern Michigan! Only a few miles from our camp you can go for a swim at Thumb Lake Park or take a bike ride along the North Central State Trail in Vanderbilt. Drive 15 minutes north and you can canoe or kayak the main branch of the Sturgeon River in Wolverine. There are many great hiking trails in the Pigeon River State Forest and the North Country National Scenic Trail is only 6 miles away. This 40 acre parcel has been in our family since the 1950s. My grandparents originally designated it as a tree farm and planted and harvested lumber from it. As a boy scout leader, my grandfather hosted many boy scout troops here and even hosted a boy scout Jamboree in the 1970s. Back then the property was referred to as the "Tree Farm", but after my husband John and I inherited it in 2014 we started calling it Camp 437. Before we inherited the property we spent time camping there and building trails. One of the trails we built was named the "Burns Trail" in honor of my grandparents. Since we acquired the property we have added a one mile loop that circles the perimeter of the property, and a total of about 1 1/2 miles of trail.

94%

(26)

CampBliss | Blissfest Festival Farm

74 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents200 acres · Cross Village, MI

Welcome to the picturesque countryside of rural Northern Michigan and the Blissfest Festival Farm. Campers have access to 200+ acres including an 18-hole disc golf course and many trails, including North Country National Scenic Trail which passes through the property. Active agricultural projects include an orchard, vineyard and shitake garden. Immerse yourself in the beauty of our hardwood forests, witness stunning fall colors and marvel at the abundant wildlife that calls this area home. Choose from 25 drive-in or 10 walk-in sites with access to potable water, regularly serviced portajons and solar showers. Within five miles, you'll find great restaurants and craft brews, sandy Lake Michigan beaches and the famous Tunnel of Trees. Sunsets paint the western horizon in beautiful displays of magenta and gold; our dark and starry skies are a sight to behold.

93%

(20)

80 acres of Secluded Camping

1 site · RV, Tent80 acres · Boyne Falls, MI

Learn more about this land:Tired of campground crowds? Get away from it all with complete privacy on 80 acres connected to Gaylord State Forest. Just outside of Boyne Falls, 15 min from Petoskey and close to many lakes, our property is located at the end of a dead end road. Enjoy Boyne Valley and Boyne Mountain views from easy to access private and primitive camping. Appreciate all that Northern Michigan has to offer with serene and relaxing wooded trails that can be followed onto state land (miles of hiking/ORV/Snowmobile trails). Visit nearby Lake Charlevoix, Walloon Lake, or Thumb Lake for boating/swimming/paddling, or Bear Creek Nature Preserve for additional hiking/natural areas. Choose the main meadow for van/car/trailer/RV camping, or take a short hike through the woods and over a creek to camp on the second meadow or back 40 acres (you pick your spot!). Plenty of nature to explore with quick drives to town for shopping/food. Property is 80% wooded, lots of hills, two open meadows and a beautiful flowing creek. Property map provided upon reservation.

12 top campgrounds near Vanderbilt with wildlife watching

99%

(189)

Camp 437 in the Sturgeon Valley

5 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Vanderbilt, MI

We book only 2 sites at a time on our 40 acre property so you can enjoy a more secluded experience in the woods. Our property is undeveloped, so you will need to bring drinking water, but there's no need to worry about finding firewood before your arrive as we supply you with a free bundle waiting for you when you get here! There are 1 1/2 miles of marked, wooded trails that will guide you to the river's edge where you can enjoy the beauty and wildlife along the West Branch of the Sturgeon River. It will feel as if you are in the middle of nowhere, yet the convenience of the small town of Vanderbilt is just three miles away. We are located just three miles off of I-75. The larger town of Gaylord is only a 15 minute drive south. There's lots to do here in beautiful Northern Michigan! Only a few miles from our camp you can go for a swim at Thumb Lake Park or take a bike ride along the North Central State Trail in Vanderbilt. Drive 15 minutes north and you can canoe or kayak the main branch of the Sturgeon River in Wolverine. There are many great hiking trails in the Pigeon River State Forest and the North Country National Scenic Trail is only 6 miles away. This 40 acre parcel has been in our family since the 1950s. My grandparents originally designated it as a tree farm and planted and harvested lumber from it. As a boy scout leader, my grandfather hosted many boy scout troops here and even hosted a boy scout Jamboree in the 1970s. Back then the property was referred to as the "Tree Farm", but after my husband John and I inherited it in 2014 we started calling it Camp 437. Before we inherited the property we spent time camping there and building trails. One of the trails we built was named the "Burns Trail" in honor of my grandparents. Since we acquired the property we have added a one mile loop that circles the perimeter of the property, and a total of about 1 1/2 miles of trail.

80 acres of Secluded Camping

1 site · RV, Tent80 acres · Boyne Falls, MI

Learn more about this land:Tired of campground crowds? Get away from it all with complete privacy on 80 acres connected to Gaylord State Forest. Just outside of Boyne Falls, 15 min from Petoskey and close to many lakes, our property is located at the end of a dead end road. Enjoy Boyne Valley and Boyne Mountain views from easy to access private and primitive camping. Appreciate all that Northern Michigan has to offer with serene and relaxing wooded trails that can be followed onto state land (miles of hiking/ORV/Snowmobile trails). Visit nearby Lake Charlevoix, Walloon Lake, or Thumb Lake for boating/swimming/paddling, or Bear Creek Nature Preserve for additional hiking/natural areas. Choose the main meadow for van/car/trailer/RV camping, or take a short hike through the woods and over a creek to camp on the second meadow or back 40 acres (you pick your spot!). Plenty of nature to explore with quick drives to town for shopping/food. Property is 80% wooded, lots of hills, two open meadows and a beautiful flowing creek. Property map provided upon reservation.

Motorcycle Tent Camp

2 sites · Tents2 acres · Boyne City, MI

Learn more about this land:A motorcycle only campsite. Spent way too many nights on the road searching for a place just like this! 🏍️ Partially shaded, private, quiet. Great trees for hammocks. Outdoor furniture on site. Firewood available! 🔥 Close to town and the famous ride - The Tunnel of Trees.

91%

(29)

Kruz Camping

4 sites · Tents4 acres · Boyne City, MI

This is a unique piece of property inside of the beautiful. City limits of Boyne city. There is plenty of open space and wetlands for wildlife. This was once a horse farm.Learn more about this land:Pitch your tent. Enjoy your walk to the lake nearby. Enjoy wildlife and peaceful vibes at our great property! We are excited to welcome you to visit with us.

CampBliss | Blissfest Festival Farm

74 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents200 acres · Cross Village, MI

Welcome to the picturesque countryside of rural Northern Michigan and the Blissfest Festival Farm. Campers have access to 200+ acres including an 18-hole disc golf course and many trails, including North Country National Scenic Trail which passes through the property. Active agricultural projects include an orchard, vineyard and shitake garden. Immerse yourself in the beauty of our hardwood forests, witness stunning fall colors and marvel at the abundant wildlife that calls this area home. Choose from 25 drive-in or 10 walk-in sites with access to potable water, regularly serviced portajons and solar showers. Within five miles, you'll find great restaurants and craft brews, sandy Lake Michigan beaches and the famous Tunnel of Trees. Sunsets paint the western horizon in beautiful displays of magenta and gold; our dark and starry skies are a sight to behold.

Million $ Sunset Camp

3 sites · Tents4 acres · Harbor Springs, MI

Pitch your tent and listen to the waves of Sturgeon Bay on Lake Michigan. Fantastic Sunsets. Located half way between Harbor Springs and Mackinaw City. Walking distance to famous Legs Inn in Cross Village, MI.

pineleaf.

4 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Mancelona, MI

Pineleaf is a private setting in the forest with rolling hills and trails on the property. There's an abundance of wildlife consisting of, but not limited to bears, bobcats, porcupines and deer. It's a true nature lover's dream! For the rockhounds, there are Petoskey Stones, Emeralds, Opals and many other gems to enjoy finding among the trails and beaches. Our trails lead right off the property among the lakes and streams. All side x sides, ATVS, dirt bikes, kayaks, paddle boards, or fishing boats Welcome! We are located close to Torch Lake, Elk Lake, Otsego Lake, and many more! Come enjoy Lake Michigan beaches, lighthouses, parks, restaurants, casinos, and local shopping. Nearby cities include Traverse City, Petoskey, Gaylord, and Boyne City. Pineleaf has a total of 4 campsites! 3 are primitive and 1 rustic cabin with more cabins to come in the near future. The primitive sites sleep up to 15 people and 8 tents. The cabin sleeps up to 5 guests and is handicap accessible! and can also put tents near the cabin. The camp is cannabis friendly for 21+ with id and complimentary with the exception if you dont want to smoke/cunsume cannabis its optional. No alcohol allowed at the camp but you may go up town or down to The Hideaway Bar & Grill for a bite and a drink!

Saved 6 times

Erickson Road Homestead

1 site · Tent16 acres · Boyne City, MI

The main attraction nearby are the School Forest mountain biking trails, which are across the road. There are 13 miles of single track mountain bike trails available. Four miles East of the homestead is the Village of Walloon, which has a public beach and park. Three miles South is the town of Boyne City, located on Lake Charlevoix. Young State Park is also three miles south, and has a beautiful public beach.

92%

(51)

Grateful Acres

2 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Harbor Springs, MI

Hello and Welcome to Grateful Acres!! I have two sites available that will accommodate both travel trailers, as well as tents. Both have 30amp RV and 120v outlets, as well as lights for late arrival setup. In the welcome Hut, you will find dry firewood for purchase, as well as a refrigerator and freezer for use by our guests. Each site has its own labeled shelf to keep your perishables fresh. Also available are organic farm fresh eggs, cold soda, and bottled water, as well as bags of ice in the freezer. At Grateful Acres we aim to make your stay with us, as enjoyable as possible. The two sites sit on 3 beautiful, quiet acres in Northern Michigan. Site #1 is flat, open, and spacious, while site #2 is a bit more enclosed and private tucked into the trees. Both sites come furnished with a picnic table, a fire ring with attached grill for cooking and 2 adirondack chairs. The Star gazing at night is absolutley Amazing!! The property is centrally located between Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Alanson. Nearby are many lakes, rivers, state forests, mountain biking trails, golf courses and ski resorts. Come on up. Stay at Grateful Acres and enjoy all that Beautiful Northern Michigan has to offer.

92%

(25)

South Torch Lake Sugarbush

1 site · Tent5 acres · Rapid City, MI

Learn more about this land:Located a few hundred feet from blue ribbon trout stream the Rapid River. Also less than a mile away is the carribean of the north, south torch lake sandbar. Nestled in a 5 acre grove of maples, You can find the perfect quiet spot in the woods for wildlife viewing or camp closer to the road with easy access to camp van on the property incase of inclement weather. Three sites to choose from. Potable water from my well and firewood from my woods are also available. Please note: you may hear deer and other animals walking around your site, remember, they were here first. :-) Please leave a note in the guestbook provided and happy camping. (Guest tour of the floura/fauna upon request).

Mackinaw Camp Inn

1 site · RV10 acres · Mackinaw City, MI

Mackinaw City Campinn is located just 2 miles from historic Mackinaw City, a destination filled with nature, history, beaches, and fun. This is a 5 acre private camp, surrounded by woods, for self contained RV campers with a 30 or 50 amp hook up. This is a densely wooded area with some wetlands behind you.

The Lucky Clover Farm

1 site · RV, Tent80 acres · Gaylord, MI

Our farm sits atop the second highest point in Gaylord, MI. On our 80 acres, we live a simpler life, wildcrafting + foraging for wonderful wild edible plants, enjoying nature, and I could be bias, but the Sunrise + Sunset are like no other up here. Also, The Lucky Clover is a working Lavender Farm, we focus on small intimate events where we can truly make people feel at home on the farm. Our lavender is special because we focus only on the best culinary cultivars of Lavender, they are organically grown and hand harvested... every part of our process is labor intensive, and done with respect + care! Our surrounding area is phenomenal as well, their are many dining establishments to choose from, fun local bands or comedy shows, and much more... I'd be happy to guide you to the best stops in town.

from

$65

/ night

Available this weekend

97%

(295)

Million $ Sunset Camp

3 sites · Tents4 acres · Harbor Springs, MI

Pitch your tent and listen to the waves of Sturgeon Bay on Lake Michigan. Fantastic Sunsets. Located half way between Harbor Springs and Mackinaw City. Walking distance to famous Legs Inn in Cross Village, MI.

Kruz Camping

4 sites · Tents4 acres · Boyne City, MI

This is a unique piece of property inside of the beautiful. City limits of Boyne city. There is plenty of open space and wetlands for wildlife. This was once a horse farm.Learn more about this land:Pitch your tent. Enjoy your walk to the lake nearby. Enjoy wildlife and peaceful vibes at our great property! We are excited to welcome you to visit with us.

Grateful Acres

2 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Harbor Springs, MI

Hello and Welcome to Grateful Acres!! I have two sites available that will accommodate both travel trailers, as well as tents. Both have 30amp RV and 120v outlets, as well as lights for late arrival setup. In the welcome Hut, you will find dry firewood for purchase, as well as a refrigerator and freezer for use by our guests. Each site has its own labeled shelf to keep your perishables fresh. Also available are organic farm fresh eggs, cold soda, and bottled water, as well as bags of ice in the freezer. At Grateful Acres we aim to make your stay with us, as enjoyable as possible. The two sites sit on 3 beautiful, quiet acres in Northern Michigan. Site #1 is flat, open, and spacious, while site #2 is a bit more enclosed and private tucked into the trees. Both sites come furnished with a picnic table, a fire ring with attached grill for cooking and 2 adirondack chairs. The Star gazing at night is absolutley Amazing!! The property is centrally located between Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Alanson. Nearby are many lakes, rivers, state forests, mountain biking trails, golf courses and ski resorts. Come on up. Stay at Grateful Acres and enjoy all that Beautiful Northern Michigan has to offer.

80 acres of Secluded Camping

1 site · RV, Tent80 acres · Boyne Falls, MI

Learn more about this land:Tired of campground crowds? Get away from it all with complete privacy on 80 acres connected to Gaylord State Forest. Just outside of Boyne Falls, 15 min from Petoskey and close to many lakes, our property is located at the end of a dead end road. Enjoy Boyne Valley and Boyne Mountain views from easy to access private and primitive camping. Appreciate all that Northern Michigan has to offer with serene and relaxing wooded trails that can be followed onto state land (miles of hiking/ORV/Snowmobile trails). Visit nearby Lake Charlevoix, Walloon Lake, or Thumb Lake for boating/swimming/paddling, or Bear Creek Nature Preserve for additional hiking/natural areas. Choose the main meadow for van/car/trailer/RV camping, or take a short hike through the woods and over a creek to camp on the second meadow or back 40 acres (you pick your spot!). Plenty of nature to explore with quick drives to town for shopping/food. Property is 80% wooded, lots of hills, two open meadows and a beautiful flowing creek. Property map provided upon reservation.

Camp 437 in the Sturgeon Valley

5 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Vanderbilt, MI

We book only 2 sites at a time on our 40 acre property so you can enjoy a more secluded experience in the woods. Our property is undeveloped, so you will need to bring drinking water, but there's no need to worry about finding firewood before your arrive as we supply you with a free bundle waiting for you when you get here! There are 1 1/2 miles of marked, wooded trails that will guide you to the river's edge where you can enjoy the beauty and wildlife along the West Branch of the Sturgeon River. It will feel as if you are in the middle of nowhere, yet the convenience of the small town of Vanderbilt is just three miles away. We are located just three miles off of I-75. The larger town of Gaylord is only a 15 minute drive south. There's lots to do here in beautiful Northern Michigan! Only a few miles from our camp you can go for a swim at Thumb Lake Park or take a bike ride along the North Central State Trail in Vanderbilt. Drive 15 minutes north and you can canoe or kayak the main branch of the Sturgeon River in Wolverine. There are many great hiking trails in the Pigeon River State Forest and the North Country National Scenic Trail is only 6 miles away. This 40 acre parcel has been in our family since the 1950s. My grandparents originally designated it as a tree farm and planted and harvested lumber from it. As a boy scout leader, my grandfather hosted many boy scout troops here and even hosted a boy scout Jamboree in the 1970s. Back then the property was referred to as the "Tree Farm", but after my husband John and I inherited it in 2014 we started calling it Camp 437. Before we inherited the property we spent time camping there and building trails. One of the trails we built was named the "Burns Trail" in honor of my grandparents. Since we acquired the property we have added a one mile loop that circles the perimeter of the property, and a total of about 1 1/2 miles of trail.

Under $50

93%

(20)

80 acres of Secluded Camping

1 site · RV, Tent80 acres · Boyne Falls, MI

Learn more about this land:Tired of campground crowds? Get away from it all with complete privacy on 80 acres connected to Gaylord State Forest. Just outside of Boyne Falls, 15 min from Petoskey and close to many lakes, our property is located at the end of a dead end road. Enjoy Boyne Valley and Boyne Mountain views from easy to access private and primitive camping. Appreciate all that Northern Michigan has to offer with serene and relaxing wooded trails that can be followed onto state land (miles of hiking/ORV/Snowmobile trails). Visit nearby Lake Charlevoix, Walloon Lake, or Thumb Lake for boating/swimming/paddling, or Bear Creek Nature Preserve for additional hiking/natural areas. Choose the main meadow for van/car/trailer/RV camping, or take a short hike through the woods and over a creek to camp on the second meadow or back 40 acres (you pick your spot!). Plenty of nature to explore with quick drives to town for shopping/food. Property is 80% wooded, lots of hills, two open meadows and a beautiful flowing creek. Property map provided upon reservation.

Kruz Camping

4 sites · Tents4 acres · Boyne City, MI

This is a unique piece of property inside of the beautiful. City limits of Boyne city. There is plenty of open space and wetlands for wildlife. This was once a horse farm.Learn more about this land:Pitch your tent. Enjoy your walk to the lake nearby. Enjoy wildlife and peaceful vibes at our great property! We are excited to welcome you to visit with us.

CampBliss | Blissfest Festival Farm

74 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents200 acres · Cross Village, MI

Welcome to the picturesque countryside of rural Northern Michigan and the Blissfest Festival Farm. Campers have access to 200+ acres including an 18-hole disc golf course and many trails, including North Country National Scenic Trail which passes through the property. Active agricultural projects include an orchard, vineyard and shitake garden. Immerse yourself in the beauty of our hardwood forests, witness stunning fall colors and marvel at the abundant wildlife that calls this area home. Choose from 25 drive-in or 10 walk-in sites with access to potable water, regularly serviced portajons and solar showers. Within five miles, you'll find great restaurants and craft brews, sandy Lake Michigan beaches and the famous Tunnel of Trees. Sunsets paint the western horizon in beautiful displays of magenta and gold; our dark and starry skies are a sight to behold.

Motorcycle Tent Camp

2 sites · Tents2 acres · Boyne City, MI

Learn more about this land:A motorcycle only campsite. Spent way too many nights on the road searching for a place just like this! 🏍️ Partially shaded, private, quiet. Great trees for hammocks. Outdoor furniture on site. Firewood available! 🔥 Close to town and the famous ride - The Tunnel of Trees.

Camp 437 in the Sturgeon Valley

5 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Vanderbilt, MI

We book only 2 sites at a time on our 40 acre property so you can enjoy a more secluded experience in the woods. Our property is undeveloped, so you will need to bring drinking water, but there's no need to worry about finding firewood before your arrive as we supply you with a free bundle waiting for you when you get here! There are 1 1/2 miles of marked, wooded trails that will guide you to the river's edge where you can enjoy the beauty and wildlife along the West Branch of the Sturgeon River. It will feel as if you are in the middle of nowhere, yet the convenience of the small town of Vanderbilt is just three miles away. We are located just three miles off of I-75. The larger town of Gaylord is only a 15 minute drive south. There's lots to do here in beautiful Northern Michigan! Only a few miles from our camp you can go for a swim at Thumb Lake Park or take a bike ride along the North Central State Trail in Vanderbilt. Drive 15 minutes north and you can canoe or kayak the main branch of the Sturgeon River in Wolverine. There are many great hiking trails in the Pigeon River State Forest and the North Country National Scenic Trail is only 6 miles away. This 40 acre parcel has been in our family since the 1950s. My grandparents originally designated it as a tree farm and planted and harvested lumber from it. As a boy scout leader, my grandfather hosted many boy scout troops here and even hosted a boy scout Jamboree in the 1970s. Back then the property was referred to as the "Tree Farm", but after my husband John and I inherited it in 2014 we started calling it Camp 437. Before we inherited the property we spent time camping there and building trails. One of the trails we built was named the "Burns Trail" in honor of my grandparents. Since we acquired the property we have added a one mile loop that circles the perimeter of the property, and a total of about 1 1/2 miles of trail.

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Camping near Vanderbilt with wildlife watching guide

Overview

Looking to go camping near Vanderbilt, Michigan in the United States? Look no further than Hipcamp, where you'll find over 500 options for your outdoor adventure. From scenic campsites to cozy cabins, Hipcamp has got you covered. With an average price per night of $47 and options as low as $12, there's something for every budget. Check out some of the top campsites with rave reviews: House of Bear (179 reviews), Camp 437 in the Sturgeon Valley (100 reviews), and Llama Meadows Eco Farm BaseCamp (97 reviews). Plus, popular amenities like trash disposal, potable water, and toilets are available. If you're into off-roading, paddling, or wind sports, you'll find plenty of opportunities for adventure. Start planning your camping trip today!