The best camping in Petoskey State Park, MI

·
94% (16)

Bask on golden-sand beaches and hunt for rare fossils at Petoskey State Park.  

The best camping in Petoskey State Park, MI

Public campgrounds here are often sold out.
Grateful Acres Welcome Hut
 
 This is the welcome Hut. You will find at the top of the driveway upon entering the property. Notice the recent upgrade of a communal refrigerator and freezer for campers use. The refrigerator has one large shelf for each campsite. Also newly available within the refrigerator, are some small amenities available for purchase.

3. Grateful Acres

94%
(82)
4.8mi from Petoskey State Park · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Harbor Springs, MI
Hello and Welcome to Grateful Acres!! *Update* Wifi has been installed at Grateful Acres and is included with each booking. Message me prior to arrival for current password. Also new this year is a small bathroom house with a flush toilet (in season only) located on the back side of campsite #1 for use by all guests. 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 for purchase 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.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$51
 / night
80 acres of Secluded Camping

8. 80 acres of Secluded Camping

94%
(24)
14mi from Petoskey State Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · 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.
Pets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night
Blissfest Festival Farm

9. Blissfest Festival Farm

95%
(117)
15mi from Petoskey State Park · 74 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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-up 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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$20
 / night
Full Bucket Farmstead

10. Full Bucket Farmstead

100%
(26)
16mi from Petoskey State Park · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Harbor Springs, MI
Over 7 acres of gentle sloping meadow with views of Lake Michigan, beside a growing family farm and homestead. Our gently sloped meadow and shady pine grove are perfect for campers seeking more private, quiet camping, and the Upper Room invites you indoors, while enjoying the outdoors. In the pine grove, a freestanding deck overlooks Lake Michigan, with views of Beaver Island and Great Lakes freighters. On clear nights you can glimpse beams from a handful of lighthouses. The pine trees offer shade and protection from weather without blocking the breeze (and the pine duff creates a spectacularly soft ground for sleeping on). Or set up your tent on the hillside--open your flap to Lake Michigan's famous sunsets, or face south to see a blanket of treetops. Near the barn, your RV has a flat spot to park at the base of the "Southern Slope" meadow full of wildflowers and monarch butterflies. For guests wanting more creature comforts, the Upper Room Glamp Apartment has all the amenities--television, queen bed, dry kitchenette, and access to the main house bathroom and shower. All options have access to fire rings and views of countless stars on a clear night. You'll be staying minutes from multiple beaches for swimming, boating, fishing, and rock-hunting. Our sites make a great HQ for day trips to Mackinac Island, Beaver Island, Mackinaw City, Petoskey, and Charlevoix, or a way-point on Fall Color Tours or drives up the Tunnel of Trees on M-119. The famous Legs Inn and Petoskey Brewing Company's 2nd location are only a mile away, Moose Jaw Junction is close, and one can walk to the Crow's Nest Restaurant. From here, it's only a short drive to downtown Harbor Springs for additional fine dining and shopping. We are a young family of four, starting a family farm, and we are eager to share our homestead with you.
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$26
 / night
Rooster Ridge

12. Rooster Ridge

100%
(10)
17mi from Petoskey State Park · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · Wolverine, MI
Come relax on our 20 acres of wooded paradise, surrounded by thousands of acres of State land. You can enjoy any of our well maintained campsites in peace and quiet! We offer a common area with games, bathroom facilities, hand washing station, picnic tables, and a gas grill for cooking. We have four campsites available and each site has a fire pit and cooking grate. We have 2 tent only sites, one site that'll fit a pop-up camper and/or a tent, and a fourth that will fit a tent, pop-up, or camper/RV. One of our sites is very remote and is walk-in only, so we do provide wheeled carts to make hauling your gear easy! The other 3 allow for vehicle access. Stop by our storefront for firewood, fresh organic chicken eggs, local honey, and more for purchase. You can also find wild strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries during the spring/summer months. We are dog friendly, but all pets must be on a leash at all times, to respect other campers. With the maps provided, feel free to walk our cut trails that wind throughout the property. Enjoy the serenity of our rippling creek, and watch for wildlife such as grouse, deer, bear, bobcat, elk, and more! We do raise pheasants for release, so don't be shocked if you spook one up on the trail! You can also hit the public trails next door on State Land and walk for miles and miles. We are only 4.4 miles to and from I75, with easy access to Gaylord, Petoskey, Mackinac, and just down the road from downtown Wolverine and Indian River. Check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566756576617 *Note: Tents are not provided. Used for staging purposes in photos only.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$22
 / night
Heart of Lake Charlevoix

13. Heart of Lake Charlevoix

99%
(64)
18mi from Petoskey State Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · Charlevoix, MI
A quaint 70 acre family run horse/ hobby farm nestled in the hills of Northern Michigan, a retired couple that wanted to get away from the metro area after 30+ years in the factories and live year round were many call a four season paradise, Come enjoy what their retirement dream location has to offer! Learn more about this land: Beautiful parcel that overlooks Lake Charlevoix and the Northern Michigan hillsides, the parcel resides in a mowed hay field behind a horse farm, when you step outside your tent or camper you have a million dollar view of Lake Charlevoix, 5 minute walk to the historic ironton ferry and the Landing bar and grill, there is a state boat launch just over a mile away (perfect for kayaks) 15 minutes away from downtown Charlevoix, and 25 minutes from Boyne City with the ferry crossing. Perfect off grid solitude, there is a fire pit with provided wood, picnic table also a clean tidy outhouse on the property and fresh water can be provided in 7 gallon containers upon request Pet are allowed but please respect the property owners request and keep them within the camping sites boundaries *also host has a camper listed on rvshare and outdoorsy that can be arranged to be rented on the property as well for the full accommodation experience, just show up and camp! Get out and explore what Northern Michigan has to offer!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$60
 / night
Silverleaf

15. Silverleaf

93%
(14)
18mi from Petoskey State Park · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Boyne City, MI
Learn more about this land:Named after a hilltop of poplar trees visible from the front of the property, Silverleaf is a relaxing and serene camping area perfect for appreciating all that Northern Michigan nature has to offer, while still being close to nearby entertainment and dining. Summer offers grassy fields and lush green treetops, long summer nights, big skies for stargazing, and plenty of wild berries--strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are plentiful depending on the season. In the winter, appreciate the crunchy frozen landscape and the contrast of dark sleeping hardwood forests against the snow-covered sparkling rolling hills. Choose a campsite near the road in the wide open meadow for easy access to nearby amenities. If you prefer more privacy, follow either driveway to the valley for a cozy spot to set up camp. Or follow a trail and choose a backcountry site deep in the forest. The property is located 5 minutes to Boyne City, with access to outdoor activities such as fishing, swimming, and boating. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, or cook at your campsite. In winter, Boyne Mountain is very close or stay on the property for snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
Pets
from 
$40
 / night
Farm yard camping close to the bathrooms and shower located in the barn.

18. Dhaseleer Farm

98%
(211)
21mi from Petoskey State Park · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · Charlevoix, MI
Established in 1874 Dhaseleer Farms is a century old organic produce farm located on Northern Michigans scenic bike route 35 just 3 miles from downtown Charlevoix and its beaches. The farm features an old 1874 dairy barn converted into an event and wedding location. Flower and vegetable gardens to enjoy, fresh produce usually available. Mens and Women's bathrooms w/ shower are located inside the Events Barn. Electricity is available. Sites 1, 2 3 have a fire ring and fire wood included. Site 4 does not include a fire ring but there is usually access to one in front of the Events Barn. Extra tables and chairs are provided. Coffee and refrigeration available inside the Events Barn. A sink for washing dishes is provided inside the barn. NO cooking equipment provide. No cooking allowed inside the Events Barn any cooking needs to be done at your campsite. Wifi works at the campsites.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$60
 / night
94% (16)

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Grateful Acres

94%
(82)
4.8mi from Petoskey State Park · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Harbor Springs, MI
Hello and Welcome to Grateful Acres!! *Update* Wifi has been installed at Grateful Acres and is included with each booking. Message me prior to arrival for current password. Also new this year is a small bathroom house with a flush toilet (in season only) located on the back side of campsite #1 for use by all guests. 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 for purchase 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.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$51
 / night

80 acres of Secluded Camping

94%
(24)
14mi from Petoskey State Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · 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.
Pets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night

Blissfest Festival Farm

95%
(117)
15mi from Petoskey State Park · 74 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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-up 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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$20
 / night

Full Bucket Farmstead

100%
(26)
16mi from Petoskey State Park · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Harbor Springs, MI
Over 7 acres of gentle sloping meadow with views of Lake Michigan, beside a growing family farm and homestead. Our gently sloped meadow and shady pine grove are perfect for campers seeking more private, quiet camping, and the Upper Room invites you indoors, while enjoying the outdoors. In the pine grove, a freestanding deck overlooks Lake Michigan, with views of Beaver Island and Great Lakes freighters. On clear nights you can glimpse beams from a handful of lighthouses. The pine trees offer shade and protection from weather without blocking the breeze (and the pine duff creates a spectacularly soft ground for sleeping on). Or set up your tent on the hillside--open your flap to Lake Michigan's famous sunsets, or face south to see a blanket of treetops. Near the barn, your RV has a flat spot to park at the base of the "Southern Slope" meadow full of wildflowers and monarch butterflies. For guests wanting more creature comforts, the Upper Room Glamp Apartment has all the amenities--television, queen bed, dry kitchenette, and access to the main house bathroom and shower. All options have access to fire rings and views of countless stars on a clear night. You'll be staying minutes from multiple beaches for swimming, boating, fishing, and rock-hunting. Our sites make a great HQ for day trips to Mackinac Island, Beaver Island, Mackinaw City, Petoskey, and Charlevoix, or a way-point on Fall Color Tours or drives up the Tunnel of Trees on M-119. The famous Legs Inn and Petoskey Brewing Company's 2nd location are only a mile away, Moose Jaw Junction is close, and one can walk to the Crow's Nest Restaurant. From here, it's only a short drive to downtown Harbor Springs for additional fine dining and shopping. We are a young family of four, starting a family farm, and we are eager to share our homestead with you.
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$26
 / night

Rooster Ridge

100%
(10)
17mi from Petoskey State Park · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · Wolverine, MI
Come relax on our 20 acres of wooded paradise, surrounded by thousands of acres of State land. You can enjoy any of our well maintained campsites in peace and quiet! We offer a common area with games, bathroom facilities, hand washing station, picnic tables, and a gas grill for cooking. We have four campsites available and each site has a fire pit and cooking grate. We have 2 tent only sites, one site that'll fit a pop-up camper and/or a tent, and a fourth that will fit a tent, pop-up, or camper/RV. One of our sites is very remote and is walk-in only, so we do provide wheeled carts to make hauling your gear easy! The other 3 allow for vehicle access. Stop by our storefront for firewood, fresh organic chicken eggs, local honey, and more for purchase. You can also find wild strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries during the spring/summer months. We are dog friendly, but all pets must be on a leash at all times, to respect other campers. With the maps provided, feel free to walk our cut trails that wind throughout the property. Enjoy the serenity of our rippling creek, and watch for wildlife such as grouse, deer, bear, bobcat, elk, and more! We do raise pheasants for release, so don't be shocked if you spook one up on the trail! You can also hit the public trails next door on State Land and walk for miles and miles. We are only 4.4 miles to and from I75, with easy access to Gaylord, Petoskey, Mackinac, and just down the road from downtown Wolverine and Indian River. Check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566756576617 *Note: Tents are not provided. Used for staging purposes in photos only.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$22
 / night

Heart of Lake Charlevoix

99%
(64)
18mi from Petoskey State Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · Charlevoix, MI
A quaint 70 acre family run horse/ hobby farm nestled in the hills of Northern Michigan, a retired couple that wanted to get away from the metro area after 30+ years in the factories and live year round were many call a four season paradise, Come enjoy what their retirement dream location has to offer! Learn more about this land: Beautiful parcel that overlooks Lake Charlevoix and the Northern Michigan hillsides, the parcel resides in a mowed hay field behind a horse farm, when you step outside your tent or camper you have a million dollar view of Lake Charlevoix, 5 minute walk to the historic ironton ferry and the Landing bar and grill, there is a state boat launch just over a mile away (perfect for kayaks) 15 minutes away from downtown Charlevoix, and 25 minutes from Boyne City with the ferry crossing. Perfect off grid solitude, there is a fire pit with provided wood, picnic table also a clean tidy outhouse on the property and fresh water can be provided in 7 gallon containers upon request Pet are allowed but please respect the property owners request and keep them within the camping sites boundaries *also host has a camper listed on rvshare and outdoorsy that can be arranged to be rented on the property as well for the full accommodation experience, just show up and camp! Get out and explore what Northern Michigan has to offer!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$60
 / night

Other options near Petoskey State Park

The best camping in Petoskey State Park, MI guide

Overview

About

On the inside shore of Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay, Petoskey State Park welcomes campers with over 300 acres of beaches perfect for swimming and paddling. The waters are tame due to the lack of a boat launch (but you can head to nearby Harbor Springs if you’re looking for a liftoff). Two excellent campgrounds draw overnight tent and RV camping trips, while a  concession stand with kayak and canoe rentals operates during the summer season. Just outside the park, art and culture boom in Harbor Springs. This is the only place on earth where the rare Petoskey stone fossil is found.

Notable campgrounds

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Tent and RV campsites at Petoskey State Park can be reserved six months in advance, but the two mini cabins in the Tannery Creek Campground can be reserved 12 months in advance. 
  • Reservations must be made online or by calling (800) 447-2757.
  • We recommend booking as early as possible for the park’s busy summer season.

When to go

The Petoskey State Park campgrounds are typically open from May through October, as Memorial Day to Labor Day marks the park’s summer season. During this time, visitors can take advantage of rentals for kayaks, standup paddleboards, and bikes from the concession stand. Even outside of summer, Petoskey is worth a visit—fall is a popular time as many of the area’s deciduous tree leaves alight in hues of red, orange, and yellow. The park’s day-use parking lot is typically open from the end of April to the beginning of November, depending on the snow pack.

Know before you go

  • Rockhounders flock to the shores of Lake Petoskey in hopes of locating a rare Petoskey stone, a rock covered in hexagonal, tessellated coral fossils that can only be found in this area. Keep your eyes peeled along the shore and you may find one too!  
  • The park contains a few short trails to stroll through dunes and woods (Portage and Old Baldy), but it also links up to two long-distance paved trails that cyclists and joggers love—the 26-mile Little Traverse Wheelway and the 32-mile North Western State Trail.
94%
16 ratings · 3 reviews