Your Favorite Privately Owned Camp Ground? - Great Lakes 4x4. The largest offroad forum in the Midwest

IPLUMB · August 20th, 2012, 08:59 PM

Looking for somewhere to Camp on Labor Day weekend. We usually go to State camp grounds. But due to poor planning they are all booked up. Growing up we always went to private camp grounds in the U.P. Hoping someone here knows some nice private places maybe on the west side of the State near Lake Michigan. Thanks for any input.

Steve-in-Petoskey · August 20th, 2012, 09:34 PM

how far north on the west side?

IPLUMB · August 21st, 2012, 11:46 AM

Doesn't really matter at this point. Any suggestions?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

steveo · August 21st, 2012, 11:49 AM

want a quiet private place to camp? pm me.

firestorm · August 21st, 2012, 12:10 PM

In the late 80's and well into the 90's, we regularly went to Kibby Creek near Ludington. We haven't been back there in about 10 years, but it was always a nice and clean park. Very busy holiday weekends, and it's unlikely they would have openings. Nice flat lots though, with good turf... but short on shade on most, since the only trees are fruit trees (apples and pears.)

We most recently stayed at the Silver Lake Jellystone. Very nice camp. Big, clean pool. A little short on the number of showers, but workable. It was good and bad that Craig's Cruisers is RIGHT next door. You never really get peace and quiet until the carts are shutdown at the end of the day; at least, not where our lot was.

We really wanted to try Sandy Shores in Silver Lake, but they were booked. I believe they're the only ones with beach access on the property.

We're trying this out next: Vacation Trailer Park
We have a lot right on the river (Betsie River). It's less than 10 miles from Frankfort, which is on Lake Michigan, and they say it is a 20 min drive to Sleep Bear Dunes.

Bones · August 21st, 2012, 02:13 PM

there are some awesome campground on the east side of the state. Look into hoeft State Park near Roger City, Harrisville State park in Harrisville, or for a more rustic location, Negwegon State Park near Harrisville. FYI - Harrisville has sandy shores if that is important to you.

Steve-in-Petoskey · August 21st, 2012, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPLUMB

Doesn't really matter at this point. Any suggestions?

http://www.bluffsresort.com/

this is our out of the way, get away form everyone, spot where we head after summer. They have a restaurant very close with a bar and some surprisingly hot bartenders.

boggin-machine · August 21st, 2012, 03:01 PM

go camp in curtis,mi

bigbchevy · August 21st, 2012, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bones

there are some awesome campground on the east side of the state. Look into hoeft State Park near Roger City, Harrisville State park in Harrisville, or for a more rustic location, Negwegon State Park near Harrisville. FYI - Harrisville has sandy shores if that is important to you.

I was just up that way a few weeks ago.....great beaches!!

Spence1986 · August 22nd, 2012, 09:12 AM

Always have a blast at White Birch Campground near Houghton Lake.

http://www.whitebirchcanoe.com/

IPLUMB · August 22nd, 2012, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spence1986

Always have a blast at White Birch Campground near Houghton Lake.

http://www.whitebirchcanoe.com/

THANKS! Just booked it.....

junk90xj · August 23rd, 2012, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spence1986

Always have a blast at White Birch Campground near Houghton Lake.

http://www.whitebirchcanoe.com/

thats looks like a good place to go.

Spence1986 · September 4th, 2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPLUMB

THANKS! Just booked it.....

Well was it alright or what? Don is a really cool guy and his kids usually are pretty helpful when it comes to hauling wood to your campsite or getting you what you need at the store.. I forgot to mention they do a Houghton Lake "Store run" at like 7pm everyday.

IPLUMB · September 5th, 2012, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spence1986

Well was it alright or what? Don is a really cool guy and his kids usually are pretty helpful when it comes to hauling wood to your campsite or getting you what you need at the store.. I forgot to mention they do a Houghton Lake "Store run" at like 7pm everyday.

Funny you should ask.....When we arrived on fri. They had no reservations for us

even though we had talked with them four different times! We had called back to ask about dogs and firewood. We had asked for our own group and she said she had made notes.
I think it was the daughters fault, she doesn't seem real sharp!
We were very lucky to find two sites at Houghton Lake north.

SHARPMACHINE · September 5th, 2012, 04:35 PM

Ouch!

Spence1986 · September 5th, 2012, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPLUMB

Funny you should ask.....When we arrived on fri. They had no reservations for us

even though we had talked with them four different times! We had called back to ask about dogs and firewood. We had asked for our own group and she said she had made notes.
I think it was the daughters fault, she doesn't seem real sharp!
We were very lucky to find two sites at Houghton Lake north.

Im gunna have to call and give him some shit! i try to put his name out there and he screws up! haha At least you found some spots.

August 20th, 2012, 08:59 PM	#1
IPLUMB Senior Member Join Date: 05-26-07 Location: Mason Michigan Posts: 291 iTrader: (0)	Your Favorite Privately Owned Camp Ground? Looking for somewhere to Camp on Labor Day weekend. We usually go to State camp grounds. But due to poor planning they are all booked up. Growing up we always went to private camp grounds in the U.P. Hoping someone here knows some nice private places maybe on the west side of the State near Lake Michigan. Thanks for any input.

August 21st, 2012, 02:13 PM	#6
Bones skillicous Join Date: 11-06-05 Location: Dearborn Heights, MI Posts: 10,563 iTrader: (32)	there are some awesome campground on the east side of the state. Look into hoeft State Park near Roger City, Harrisville State park in Harrisville, or for a more rustic location, Negwegon State Park near Harrisville. FYI - Harrisville has sandy shores if that is important to you. __________________ Inviscid Motorsports Special Thanks and Recommendations to; Motorcity Machines Ironman Offroad Branik Motorsports Maxxis Tires Raceline Wheels PAC Racing Springs Joint Clutch and Gear

August 21st, 2012, 03:01 PM	#8
boggin-machine Senior Member Join Date: 01-11-06 Location: bay city Posts: 11,412 iTrader: (30)	go camp in curtis,mi __________________ 08 qcsb Duramax Ltz 02 tj with some parts laying around for sale 08 crf 450 with a few goodies

September 5th, 2012, 04:35 PM	#15
SHARPMACHINE F-U-CANCER!!! Join Date: 09-29-06 Location: MONTAGUE MI (BY THE SAND BOX) Posts: 4,104 iTrader: (24)	Ouch! __________________ Hay, look at me... I have a signature..... RIP FULLSIZE4LIFE

August 20th, 2012, 09:34 PM	#2
Steve-in-Petoskey Looking to ride Join Date: 03-28-07 Location: Petoskey area Posts: 1,560 iTrader: (2)	how far north on the west side?

August 21st, 2012, 11:46 AM	#3
IPLUMB Senior Member Join Date: 05-26-07 Location: Mason Michigan Posts: 291 iTrader: (0)	Doesn't really matter at this point. Any suggestions? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

August 21st, 2012, 11:49 AM	#4
steveo In the band! Join Date: 03-30-07 Location: montana/wyoming Posts: 20,293 iTrader: (6)	want a quiet private place to camp? pm me.

August 21st, 2012, 12:10 PM	#5
firestorm Newbie Join Date: 07-03-12 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 28 iTrader: (0)	In the late 80's and well into the 90's, we regularly went to Kibby Creek near Ludington. We haven't been back there in about 10 years, but it was always a nice and clean park. Very busy holiday weekends, and it's unlikely they would have openings. Nice flat lots though, with good turf... but short on shade on most, since the only trees are fruit trees (apples and pears.) We most recently stayed at the Silver Lake Jellystone. Very nice camp. Big, clean pool. A little short on the number of showers, but workable. It was good and bad that Craig's Cruisers is RIGHT next door. You never really get peace and quiet until the carts are shutdown at the end of the day; at least, not where our lot was. We really wanted to try Sandy Shores in Silver Lake, but they were booked. I believe they're the only ones with beach access on the property. We're trying this out next: Vacation Trailer Park We have a lot right on the river (Betsie River). It's less than 10 miles from Frankfort, which is on Lake Michigan, and they say it is a 20 min drive to Sleep Bear Dunes.

August 22nd, 2012, 09:12 AM	#10
Spence1986 SlowBalt SS Join Date: 11-07-05 Location: Redford Michigan Posts: 2,390 iTrader: (1)	Always have a blast at White Birch Campground near Houghton Lake. http://www.whitebirchcanoe.com/