Burt Lake State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Burt Lake State Park in north-central Michigan and features 2,000 feet of shoreline. Visitors can enjoy camping, sightseeing, fishing, boating, and a host of other activities in the park, which is open year-round. Located on the southeast corner of Burt Lake in Indian River, MI, this 400-acre recreation area features 306 modern campsites, some with 50-amp hookups. Those who love hiking will enjoy the scenic sights along the one-mile trail. For additional amenities outside of Indian River, head to the nearby communities of Traverse City or Alpena.
Spring 15-66 F
Summer 48-79 F
Fall 28-70 F
Winter 6-32 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Burt Lake State Park
Burt Lake State Park is a great place for anyone who enjoys scenic views and water activities. One of the best ways to experience the park is in an RV. All you need now is to find the best RV for you. You can rent a well-maintained camper or motorhome through RVshare. When you pick an RV, you get roadside assistance and many more features to meet your needs.
Burt Lake State Park Campground.
There are 306 modern campsites at the Burt Lake State Park campground. This site sits on a lightly wooded area south of the lake. Most of the campsites are a few meters from the shoreline, but there are others inland where you can experience more scenic views. Many of the sites are pull-through, so you can park with ease. All sites offer partial hookups. You can access water from one of the several spigots scattered on different parts of the campground. There is also a dump station near every campsite. To get a spot at the campground, you need to reserve in person or online. Nightly rates start at $26.
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Dump station and water spigots
Indian River RV Resort and Campground
Just a few miles from the state park, Indian River RV Resort and Campground is a family-oriented site for campers. It sits a few meters from Mullett Lake and is within walking distance of Burt Lake. The campground boasts 140 large campsites, most of which are covered under the shade of large trees. With Mullett Lake and Burt Lake being near the campsites, you can enjoy water activities, sightseeing, and hiking. Back at the campsite, you can enjoy facilities such as a heated swimming pool, arcade, three bathhouses, 100-person pavilion, and playground. Volleyball and basketball courts and a horseshoe area are also on-site. Nightly rates start at $35.
Water hookup: Yes, at 54 campsites
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Storage, swimming pool, bathhouses
What to Do at
Burt Lake State Park
Inside Burt Lake State Park
Although Burt Lake State Park is not one of the largest parks in Michigan, it offers many recreation options, including a mile of hiking trails where campers can enjoy birding and sightseeing. Water activities such as fishing, boating, and relaxing along the shoreline are also common. When winter arrives, you can engage in cross-country skiing and ice fishing. You can also visit the largest crucifix in the world, Cross in the Woods National Shrine. While the shrine is open year-round, winter really brings out the beauty of the site.
Outside Burt Lake State Park
The area around Burt Lake State Park is perfect for those who love nature. When it's time to enjoy city life, however, you can find what you need in Indian River. This region is great for enjoying food, going shopping, and visiting fun attractions.
Restaurants
Tiki Fish Market
If you love fish and other seafood, Tiki Fish Market has everything you need. It is a nice place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some of the meals on the menu include smoked fish, jerky, fish dip, and much more. Best of all, the fish served here are fresh from the lake.
Type: Seafood
Location: 4241 S Straits Hwy, Indian River, MI
Vivio's
Walk into Vivio’s for Italian cuisine, including vegetarian meals, pizza, pasta, appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and dessert. There are hundreds of meals on the menu, including everything from specialty meals to wildlife specials. Whatever item you pick on the menu, it comes fresh as all meals are made from scratch.
Type: Italian
Location: 4531 S Straits Hwy, Indian River, MI
Christopher’s Café
You can drive to Christopher’s Café for traditional meals any day of the week. All meals are made from scratch using farm-fresh ingredients. Some of the foods on the menu include grilled burgers, fresh salads, wraps, homemade soups, chicken, and fish and chips. Sandwiches and a variety of drinks are also popular menu items.
Type: American, Café
Location: 3725 S Straits Hwy, Indian River, MI
Wilson’s River Edge
Wilson’s River Edge is great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant offers a mix of all-American meals, including sandwiches, salads, soups, chips, and grilled burgers. You can order takeout or enjoy eating inside the relaxing restaurant.
Type: American, Diner
Location: 4208 S Straits Hwy, Indian River, MI
Subway
Subway is a well-known place for great sandwiches. When you're ready for a quick bite, there are more than 100 food items and drinks on the menu for you to enjoy.
Type: Fast Food
Location: 4271 S Straits Hwy, Indian River, MI
Shopping
Pat & Gary’s Party Store
Pat & Gary’s Party Store should be your first store when you need to enjoy your stay in the park and out of the park. You can buy bait here for your fishing. You can also buy beer and other adult beverages.
Location: 3758 S Straits Hwy, Indian River, MI
Ken's VIllage Market
If you're looking to enjoy great foods, craft beer, wine, and liquor, you can step into Ken’s Village Market. The department store offers weekly sales on select products. If you need organic items, they have them, too. Plus, the staff at the store is great.
Location: 6433 Barbara Ave, Indian River, MI
McClutchey's
McClutchey's offers a great selection of quality clothing for visitors who need something more than the ordinary.
Location: 3510 S Straits Hwy, Indian River, MI
Sightseeing
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is a national landmark. You can cruise to the island and leave your cars and the city life behind. The Mackinac Island Fudge and Fort Mackinac are the main attractions. You can also enjoy breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.
Location: Lake Huron, MI
Great Lake Eco-Adventure Center
The Indian River is the center of all outdoor activities in northern Michigan. To get the most from your visit, stop by the Great Lake Eco-Adventure Center. They offer tours of the local area along with bike and kayak rentals that enable you to explore on your own terms.
Location: 6016 Martha Street, Indian River, MI
Indian River Golf Club
The Indian River Golf Club has been in operation since 1922. It offers great scenery and excellent golfing for golfers of all ability levels.
Location: 3301 Chippewa Beach Road Indian River, MI
How to Get to
Burt Lake State Park
Burt Lake State Park sits less than a mile off I-75 N. You can drive on I-94 E from Gilbert Avenue to I-75 N and then to M-68 W. Take Exit 310 along I-75 N and drive for close to four hours. Drive along M-68 W to the park. Burt Lake State Park's address is 6635 State Park Dr, Indian River, MI.
Entering Burt Lake State Park
Burt Lake State Park is open year-round. Visitors can save time by ordering their park pass in advance online.
Burt Lake State Park Per vehicle (1-12 people) : $12.0
You'll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RVadventure to Burt Lake State Park. If you share your trip photos on social media, be sure to tag us, or send them to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burt Lake State Park
The best time to visit Burt Lake State Park is June through October. The weather is perfect for outdoor activities, including swimming, fishing, camping, and hiking. However, the winter months are popular for ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
The park is a paradise for anglers, for the lake is filled with fish, including bass, trout, walleye, and muskellunge. The park is also home to deer, toads, chipmunks, and birds.
Burt Lake State Park has 306 sites to be shared among RVers and tenters. The sites have electric hookups. Other amenities include fire rings, picnic facilities, hot showers, flushable toilets, a dump station, and more.
The park suggests making reservations ahead of time. You may make them six months in advance, and the reservation fee is $8. However, the park often has daily cancellations. Campers are welcome to call and be notified of a cancellation.
Burt Lake State Park is a pet-friendly park. Dogs must be kept on a six-foot leash and be attended to by their owners at all times. Dogs are allowed on the animal-friendly beach and the trails.