Top Camping Spots Near Charles, MI: Discover Nature's Best Getaways
Nestled in the heart of Michigan's scenic landscapes, Charles offers a variety of camping options that cater to every adventurer's needs. For RV enthusiasts, the nearby Royal Oak Campground provides spacious, gravel sites equipped with full hook-ups, ensuring a comfortable stay amidst the towering pines and gentle hills characteristic of the region. If you're a tent camper seeking a more rustic experience, the Higgins Lake State Park features idyllic sites nestled along sandy shores, with direct access to hiking trails and stunning waterfront views that epitomize Northern Michigan’s natural beauty. For those looking to immerse themselves in nature, dispersed camping in the vast Manistee National Forest allows for unparalleled solitude, where you can pitch your tent alongside serene lakes and explore the diverse wildlife that thrives in this protected area. Adventure seekers can revel in the varied geography, from lush forests to rolling hills, while still enjoying close access to Charles’ charming downtown shops and local cuisine. Whether you prefer the comforts of an RV or the simplicity of a tent, camping near Charles, MI promises a memorable outdoor experience perfect for families, couples, and solo explorers alike.

















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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hurricane River Campground in Alger County is located 4 hrs 9 min north of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 643 feet. There are a total of 21 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 32 and 42 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 with grill. Prices start at $25.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, swimming, restroom. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, water skiing, floating sports.
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.
Twelvemile Beach Campground in Alger County is located 4 hrs 16 min north of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 646 feet. There are a total of 36 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 23 and 42 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $25.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming, amphitheater. Activities include hiking trails.
Colwell Lake Campground is located in the Manistique Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (3 hrs 58 min northwest of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 754 feet. There are a total of 43 campsites including 3 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the beginning of October. 34 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 40 and 60 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 5 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $60.00. Some amenities include dump station, boat ramp, swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
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.
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.
Triangle 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 between 16 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, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Jackpine 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 between 16 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. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Little Beaver Campground in Alger County is located 4 hrs 14 min northwest of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 621 feet. There are a total of 8 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 21 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $25.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
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.
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.
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.
Cookson Lake Dispersed Campsite Campground is located in the Munising Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest (4 hrs 11 min northwest of Traverse City, MI) with an elevation of 760 feet. There are a total of 5 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Max equipment length is 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 boat ramp, swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, floating sports.
Mowe 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 32 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.
Swan 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 4 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 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, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.