The Ultimate Guide to RV Camping in Michigan

By Chelsea Gonzales

Last updated March 13th, 2024

State Travel Guides

Beautiful view at Pictured Rocks National Seashore while RV camping in Michigan

Hoping to visit Michigan soon? It’s definitely an awesome place, especially if you’re able to go RV camping in Michigan. From the attractions (like amusement parks and museums) to the beautiful natural areas, you’re sure to find some seriously amazing things to do and see while in the state.

That said, you will want a bit of information before you head out on your trip. This is where our Michigan camping guide comes into play. Here, we will give you all the information you need to enjoy a wonderful visit to this wonderful state.

Preparing for RV Camping

Before you do anything else, you will need to do a bit of prep work. For one thing, you need an RV to camp in. For another, you will need to pack that RV with camping essentials. If you already own an RV (and all the camping essentials) then this will be a cinch. And if you don’t? Well, it’ll still be pretty easy if you choose one of our Michigan RV rentals.

Choosing the Right RV for Your Needs

Wondering how in the world to go about choosing the right rental RV? We hear you, it’s not an easy task!

You might want to start by deciding whether you need the rig to be delivered to your campsite. This alone will narrow your options a bit. Don’t need a delivery? In that case, deciding whether you prefer driving a motorhome or pulling a trailer will also narrow your options down.

Other things to consider when choosing a rental RV? The number of sleeping spaces, the floor plan, any included amenities, and the size of the RV should all be taken into consideration.

Packing Essentials for a Successful Trip

Okay, so the next step is making sure you pack everything you need to be comfortable. Some of the essentials will likely be included with your rental, so make sure you know what will be packed for you. Everything else is up to you!

No idea where to start? The list below is a good foundation:

Clothes
Toiletries
Medications
First aid kit
Bug spray and sunscreen
Tools
Entertainment (books, games, movies, toys for kids)
Outdoor recreation gear
Electronics and chargers
Pots, pans, and dishes
Paper towels
Groceries
Flashlights
Folding chairs
Bed sheets
Pillows
Blankets
Pet gear
RV leveling blocks
Sewer hose and adapter
Freshwater hose
RV surge protector

In many cases however, the things on the list above won’t actually be enough. Make sure to check out this RV packing list for even more suggestions.

Considerations for Camping in Michigan

Obviously, you will want to know the laws of the land before you go driving into a new place. Fortunately, the RVing rules in Michigan are much the same as they are in any other state. That said, it never hurts to know the things that could be slightly different.

For instance, Michigan has a rule that no rig can be longer than 65 feet in total—tow vehicle included. Trailers should be 28.5 feet long or shorter, and motorhomes shouldn’t exceed 45 feet long. The max width of any RV shouldn’t be more than 8.5 feet, and the max height should be 13.5 feet or less. Triple towing is allowed, but only if the length of the entire rig is under 75 feet.

Wondering if you can park overnight in rest areas? In Michigan, the rules about this vary from one rest area to another, so you’ll need to check posted signage to find out what is and is not allowed.

Finding Campgrounds

You will of course need to find someplace to park your RV for the duration of your Michigan adventure. This is where Michigan’s many campgrounds come into play. Whether you’re looking for luxury camping, urban camping, state park camping, or boondocking, there is something for you in this beautiful place.

Exploring Public Campgrounds in Michigan

First on our list are the public camping options in Michigan. From state parks to campgrounds run by the National Park Service, you will find several great ways to get out into nature and do some camping.

National Park Camping

If NPS campgrounds are your thing, you’ll be happy to know that Michigan is home to some great ones.

In Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, you’ll find Platte River Campground. This campground has a large number of sites that can accommodate RVs, many with electric hookups for an extra level of comfort.

Meanwhile, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore plays host to three different campgrounds: Little Beaver Lake Campground, Twelvemile Beach Campground, and Hurricane River Campground. All three can accommodate motorhomes up to 36 feet in length, and vehicle/trailer combos up to 42 feet in length.

Isle Royale National Park also offers some camping opportunities, but only for tent campers. Still, we highly recommend heading to the island for a day trip or leaving your RV for one night and going on a tent camping adventure.

National Forest Camping

Michigan is home to three national forests: Hiawatha National Forest, Ottawa National Forest, and Huron-Manistee National Forest. All three are gorgeous, and all three offer camping opportunities for those who like to escape into nature.

Colwell Lake Campground is located on the Upper Peninsula in Hiawatha National Forest and is an excellent spot for small RVs and vans. Meanwhile, Horseshoe Lake Campground offers some very remote camping in the Huron-Manistee National Forest.

State Park Camping

No matter which states you visit across the US, state park campgrounds are almost always a good pick, and Michigan is no exception. In fact, the state park campgrounds here are some of the most beautiful camping areas in the entire state!

One of our favorite Michigan state parks for camping? Tahquamenon Falls State Park. This gorgeous park is home to one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi and offers RV campsites with electric hookups, as well as a dump station.

We also love Porcupine Mountains State Park. This park is enormous and offers all kinds of incredible hikes as well as several beautiful waterfalls. As far as camping goes, there are dry camping RV sites, a dump station, modern restrooms, and potable water.

Exploring Private Campgrounds and RV Parks

Public campgrounds are great, but so are private RV parks, and Michigan has its fair share of those as well. From glamping accommodations to simple family campgrounds with pools, playgrounds, hookups, and dump stations, the private park selection in Michigan is nothing to scoff at.

One great pick is the White River RV Park and Campground. This amazing place is located in scenic west Michigan, very near Lake Michigan’s sandy beaches as well as several attractions. Onsite amenities include a pool, sports courts, hiking trails, a fishing pond, canoe rentals, and more!

We also recommend Gaylord KOA Holiday. This campground is located in the town of Gaylord near many fishing spots, hiking trails, and other outdoor activities. Campground amenities are plentiful and include a pool, playgrounds, a jump pad, mini golf, banana bike rentals, etc.

Boondocking in Michigan

For some, choosing RV camping in Michigan is a way to save money. One of the best ways to save money while RVing is to choose boondocking over paying for campgrounds. Fortunately, there are some good boondocking options in the state.

Boondocking at the free campsites found in the national forests is one great way to go. One particularly good free Forest Service spot is Hovey Lake Campsites, where 4 or 5 campsites are available beside the lake. Drinking water and toilets are also available onsite, which is a major bonus.

Researching Campground Options and Making Reservations

We’ve pointed out some really good campsites so far, but these are actually only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to campgrounds in Michigan. To research even more excellent options (and to book online), consider looking at Hipcamp, BookOutdoors, Campspot, RoverPass, The Dyrt, or even membership sites such as Harvest Hosts.

Planning Your Itinerary

With an RV and campground all picked out, the next thing you’ll need to do is figure out what you want to do while RV camping in Michigan. The good news? There are tons of wonderful choices! The bad news? Picking and choosing can be a bit overwhelming.

Fortunately, we’re here to help. Whether you’re looking to explore Detroit, Grand Rapids, Royal Oak, Sault Ste. Marie, or some of the state’s more rural areas, we have some suggestions for you.

Features and Attractions in Michigan

There’s no better way to start a trip to a new place than by driving a scenic byway. Michigan is home to a few great scenic byways, and one of our favorites is the River Road Scenic Byway.

Another thing you simply must add to your Michigan bucket list? Some of the iconic landmarks, of course! These include places like Quincy Mine, the Soo Locks, and the Mackinac Bridge.

Of course, you’ll also want to check out some of Michigan’s national sites. The aforementioned Isle Royale National Park, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore are our three favorites, but they aren’t the only options!

Festivals, Fairs, and Events in Michigan

Adding an event to your schedule is a great way to make any trip more exciting. Fortunately, Michigan has tons of excellent annual events to choose from, so there will likely be something going on no matter when you visit.

Some of our favorite Michigan events include Tulip Time in Holland during May, Mackinac Island Lilac Festival during June, and Hunter Ice Festival in Niles during January.

Exploring Outdoor Activities

Michigan is a beautiful place. Therefore, it only makes sense to devote some of your time RV camping in Michigan exploring the great outdoors. Fortunately, since there are so many opportunities for outdoor recreation in the state, you’re sure to find some way to enjoy your time outside while taking in all of the beauty.

Hiking, Biking and Nature Trails

Following trails on foot or by bike is a great way to really connect with nature and take in all the beautiful views. Luckily, Michigan has tons of excellent rails, so finding a place to do this is super easy. Below are some of our favorites.

Like to hit the trails on foot? Here are our top picks for you:

Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via Chapel Loop in Pictured Rocks National Seashore — Moderate
The Manistee River Loop Trail in Manistee National Forest — Moderate
Empire Bluff Trail in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — Moderate
Crooked Lake Trail in Pinckney Recreation Area — Moderate
Maybury Hiking Trail Loop in Maybury State Park — Easy

Those who prefer cycling rather than hiking might like the following options:

Crooked Lake Trail in Pinckney Recreation Area
Potawatomi Trail in Pinckney Recreation Area
Island Lake Yellow Trail in Island LAke Recreation Area
Chain of Lakes Trail in Pinckney Recreation Area
Crahen Valley Park Loop in Crahen Valley Park

Don’t see something you love? Try searching the AllTrails website for options that perfectly suit your needs.

Fishing, Boating, and Water Activities

Wondering what else there is to do outside in Michigan? Plenty! The state’s many bodies of water make excellent playgrounds.

If you’re a fishing fanatic, you’ll love the great fishing spots found in Michigan. One especially good spot is Saginaw on Lake Huron. Here, you can fish off the pier or the floating platform made just for fishing. You’ll be able to catch bass, carp, pike, bullhead, sunfish, perch, and walleye in this excellent spot.

Want to go for a swim or play in the sand? Beaches are also plentiful in Michigan. We love Little Presque Isle Beach on Lake Superior as well as Sand Point Beach on the same lake. The beach located within Mackinac Island State Park is also well worth visiting.

Of course, there are also the beautiful waterfalls scattered across the state. Great Conglomerate Falls in Porcupine Mountains State Park is a must-see if you’re in the area, and Hungarian Falls on the Keweenaw Peninsula is equally lovely.

Wildlife Viewing and Photography

Wildlife viewing is another fun activity that can be enjoyed in Michigan’s great outdoors. The aforementioned state parks and NPS sites are great places to start your wildlife viewing adventures, but you might also want to check out the Saginaw Bay Birding Trail, Oswald’s Bear Ranch, and Summer Wind Farms Sanctuary.

Family-Friendly Activities and Attractions

Wondering about kid-friendly attractions? We’ve already mentioned several options that the kids will definitely enjoy, but we have other ideas up our sleeve. From Detroit to Traverse City, you’ll find all kinds of museums, historic sites, amusement parks, and zoos that are sure to keep the family happy.

Historical Sites and Museums

Hoping to get your learning on while RV camping in Michigan? We’ve got you covered! Michigan is home to some awesome learning opportunities, including historic sites and museums.

For an excellent history lesson, spend a day exploring Keweenaw National Historical Park or River Raisin National Battlefield Park.

Alternatively, you could head to the enormous Henry Ford museum complex for all kinds of amazing learning opportunities, including a lesson on how vehicles are made, various living history experiences, and an excellent museum on the history of innovation in the US.

Other wonderful Michigan museums include:

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum in Ann Arbor
Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Museum in Portage
Michigan Science Center in Detroit

Amusement Park, Zoos, and Wildlife Refuges

Another way to entertain the whole family? Head to an amusement park, of course! Michigan is home to several great amusement parks including the fabulous Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon, Nelis’ Dutch Village in Holland, and a LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Auburn Hills.

Zoos are another awesome family attraction, and Michigan has some of those as well. Detroit Zoo is our top pick, but we also love Potter Park Zoo in Landing, the Saginaw Children’s Zoo, and the Belle Isle Aquarium in Detroit.

Storm over water while RV camping in Michigan

Safety and Preparedness when RV Camping in Michigan

Obviously, safety is always important, even while RV camping in Michigan. In most cases, simply driving safely and packing a first aid kit will be enough to keep your family safe and sound during their Michigan adventure. That said, it never hurts to do a little extra preparation by learning about potential weather events and wildlife encounters.

Weather Conditions and Natural Disaster Preparedness

The most common natural disasters in Michigan include heavy snowfall and winter storms. For this reason, we don’t recommend visiting during the winter months, especially in an RV.

If you visit in the warmer months (and you should), you’ll want to watch out for floods, stay safe by being weather aware, and park your RV away from rivers and known flood areas. It’s also good to know that Michigan can see some pretty extreme heat waves, so having a way to run the A/C on especially hot summer days and packing plenty of water are both good ideas.

Wildlife Encounters and Precautions

Worried about wildlife? You don’t really need to be. Just watch your step so you don’t step on any rattlesnakes, and make plenty of noise while hiking to ensure bears and cougars are scared away.

Carrying bear spray is another great precaution, and if you do come face-to-face with a bear, raise your arms to appear big, and then slowly walk away, using the bear spray only if the animal chases you.

More Inspiration for Your Michigan Travels

Yes, RV camping in Michigan is an incredible experience that you will definitely remember for the rest of your life. Looking to make your experience extra memorable? Be sure to check out the links below for even more awesome tips and suggestions:

The Ultimate Guide to RV Camping in Michigan