Top Camping Spots Near Bay View, MI: Explore Nature's Best in Northern Michigan

Nestled along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan, Bay View, MI offers a variety of camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts of all types. For RV travelers, the nearby Petoskey State Park features lush forests and breathtaking views, with paved RV sites equipped with essential amenities, making it an ideal base for exploring the stunning natural beauty of the area. Tent campers can enjoy the tranquil ambiance of the Bay View Campground, surrounded by picturesque landscapes and just minutes from lakeside activities, perfect for fishing, swimming, and hiking along the well-marked trails of the adjacent Petoskey State Park. Adventure seekers might also consider dispersed camping in the Manistee National Forest, offering a more rugged experience within a short drive from Bay View, where you can set up camp amidst vast stretches of untouched wilderness. The diverse local geography, which includes rolling hills, dense woodlands, and pristine lakes, ensures that every campsite offers unique vistas and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Whether you're an RV traveler, a tent camper, or seeking the solitude of dispersed camping, Bay View provides an unforgettable outdoor experience in the heart of Northern Michigan's natural splendor.
Lake Michigan At St. Ignace Campground is located in the St. Ignace Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (2 hrs 25 min northeast of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 607 feet. There are a total of 33 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the beginning of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $22.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
0 Available Campsites

Brevoort Lake Campground is located in the St. Ignace Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (2 hrs 29 min northeast of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 631 feet. There are a total of 71 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the beginning of October. 34 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $22.00 to $44.00. Some amenities include dump station, boat ramp, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
0 Available Campsites

Carp River Campground is located in the St. Ignace Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (2 hrs 23 min northeast of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 628 feet. There are a total of 20 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the beginning of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
0 Available Campsites

South Manitou Group Campground in Leelanau County is located about 29 miles from Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 579 feet. There are a total of 6 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to mid September. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include hiking trails.
0 Available Campsites

D.H. Day Campground in Leelanau County is located 44 min west of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 588 feet. There are a total of 81 campsites including 19 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to the end of November. 62 sites can accommodate RVs between 15 and 87 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, sewer hookup, swimming, restroom, amphitheater, firewood. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
0 Available Campsites

D.H. Day Group Campground in Leelanau County is located 42 min west of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 601 feet. There are a total of 4 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $40.00 per night.
0 Available Campsites

Three Lakes Campground is located in the Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (2 hrs 47 min north of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 877 feet. There are a total of 10 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $16.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
0 Available Campsites

Soldier Lake Campground is located in the Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (2 hrs 57 min northeast of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 896 feet. There are a total of 44 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of October. 43 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 75 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
0 Available Campsites

Chimney Loop Campground is located in the Mio Ranger District, Huron-Manistee National Forest (1 hr 24 min north of Midland, MI) with an elevation of 1,152 feet. The site is normally open from mid April to the end of November. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.

Platte River Campground in Benzie County is located 47 min west of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 603 feet. There are a total of 171 campsites including 29 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 141 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 15 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. 90 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $22.00 to $50.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
171 Available Campsites

Bay View Campground is located in the Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (3 hrs 5 min northeast of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 499 feet. There are a total of 23 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $18.00 to $20.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include hiking trails.
0 Available Campsites

Bear Lake Dispersed Campsite in Schoolcraft County is located 3 hrs 29 min northwest of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 587 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to mid October. Prices start at $8.00 per night. Activities include fishing.

Bass Lake Dispersed Campsite in Schoolcraft County is located 3 hrs 29 min northwest of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 587 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to mid October. Prices start at $8.00 per night. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.

Camp Cook Dispersed Campsite in Schoolcraft County is located 3 hrs 29 min northwest of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 587 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to mid October. Prices start at $8.00 per night. Activities include fishing.

Ironjaw Lake Campground in Delta County is located 3 hrs 29 min northwest of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 587 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to mid October. Prices start at $8.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.

Crooked Lake Campground in Delta County is located 3 hrs 29 min northwest of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 587 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to mid October. Prices start at $8.00 per night. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.

Carr Lake Dispersed Campsite in Schoolcraft County is located 3 hrs 29 min northwest of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 587 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to mid October. Prices start at $8.00 per night. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.

Minerva Lake Dispersed Campsite in Schoolcraft County is located 3 hrs 29 min northwest of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 587 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to mid October. Prices start at $8.00 per night. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.

Monocle Lake Campground is located in the Sault Ste. Marie Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (3 hrs 6 min northeast of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 643 feet. There are a total of 42 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of October. 41 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 80 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp, swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
0 Available Campsites

Seaton Creek Campground is located in the Cadillac Ranger District, Huron-Manistee National Forest (51 min southwest of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 872 feet. There are a total of 19 campsites including 2 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $22.00 to $52.00.
19 Available Campsites

South Branch Trail Camp Group Site is located in the Tawas Ranger District, Huron-Manistee National Forest (1 hr 15 min north of Bay City, MI) with an elevation of 841 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to the end of October. Prices start at $40.00 per night. Activities include hiking trails.

Rollways Campground is located in the Tawas Ranger District, Huron-Manistee National Forest (1 hr 13 min north of Bay City, MI) with an elevation of 864 feet. There are a total of 19 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 55 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $15.00 per night. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
0 Available Campsites

East Lake Dispersed Campsite Campground is located in the Manistique Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (3 hrs 29 min northwest of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 587 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 24 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $8.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
0 Available Campsites

Lyman Lake Campground is located in the Manistique Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (3 hrs 29 min northwest of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 587 feet. There are a total of 10 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. 7 sites can accommodate RVs between 24 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $8.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
0 Available Campsites

Leg Lake Campground is located in the Manistique Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (3 hrs 29 min northwest of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 587 feet. There are a total of 2 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 32 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $8.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
0 Available Campsites

Ausable River Campground is located in the Tawas Ranger District, Huron-Manistee National Forest (1 hr 21 min north of Bay City, MI) with an elevation of 825 feet. There are a total of 102 campsites including 53 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of January to the end of November. 49 sites can accommodate RVs between 18 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $0.00 to $10.00. Some amenities include boat ramp. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
64 Available Campsites

Camp Seven Lake Campground is located in the Manistique Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (3 hrs 59 min northwest of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 763 feet. There are a total of 39 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the beginning of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 50 and 60 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 12 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $22.00 to $72.00. Some amenities include boat ramp, swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
0 Available Campsites

Little Bass Lake Dispersed Campsite Campground is located in the Manistique Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (3 hrs 29 min northwest of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 587 feet. There are a total of 5 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $8.00 per night. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
0 Available Campsites

Gooseneck Lake Dispersed Campsite Campground is located in the Manistique Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (3 hrs 29 min northwest of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 587 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. 1 sites can accommodate RVs up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $8.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
0 Available Campsites

Steuben Lake Dispersed Campsite Campground is located in the Manistique Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (3 hrs 29 min northwest of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 587 feet. There are a total of 2 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $8.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
0 Available Campsites

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