Leelanau State Park Campground

Location: 15310 North Lighthouse Point Road -- Northport, Michigan 49670-9717. Click HERE for map.

Description: Leelanau State Park, located at the tip of the little finger on the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula, where over 1,300 acres are waiting for visitors to enjoy. The word "Leelanau" is the Native American word for "A Land of Delight" and could not better describe the area. The park has the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum, a rustic campground, two mini cabins, 8.5 miles of hiking/skiing trails and a picnic area. Petoskey stones can be found along the shoreline. $10 a night camping fee plus $6 for vehicle permit. Some sites can be reserved either online or by phone. (231) 386-5422

This campground was a little different from the usual State Forest campgrounds we usually stay at. This was a State Park. The difference... you have to pay an extra $6 for your vehicle permit, you have to register with an actual person, the bathrooms are kept a little cleaner, there's a playground for the kids and a few other little things that are worth the extra money. We got lucky to get a site because we didn't know you could reserve spots until after we got there. After we were set up we took a walk around the campground. The campground is right on Lake Michigan and you're able to walk the shoreline which is very rocky, but still very beautiful. It made for a great sunset and sunrise. In the park there is also the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum. Gives you a little something extra to do and was worth the $2. We really enjoyed this campground.


GRADE: A

Date Visited: July 29, 2005

Silver Creek State Forest Campground

Location: Pere Marquette State Forest -- 5.5 miles north of Luther via State Road -- Luther, Michigan 49656. Click HERE for map.

Description: 26 sites for tent and small trailer use located on the scenic Pine River. This campground offers opportunity for hiking and mountain biking on its Silver Creek Pathway. Nearby canoe landing provides access to the river. Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump. Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations. $10 camping fee per night.

This was our first camping trip of the season. I took the day off work (Friday) so we could get an early start. We had to buy a few things for the new camping season. For instance like a new airbed, seeing as our wonderful cat (Buddy) put holes in the old one. We also picked up a cheap tarp to put under the tent. This is very helpful to keep moisture away from the tent and to stay warm. By the time we got to the campground it was around 4:30pm. It wasn't as early as I would have liked, but it was better than after dark. We got camp setup pretty quickly. It was much faster inflating the bed with an electric pump instead of the old foot pump we used to use. We had no problem getting a nice fire going after dinner this time either. We bought plenty of firewood from some guy near town that sells it in his front yard. Got a trunk full for $10. Enough for 2 nights. We only stayed 1 night, but it was still fun. We both had a fews beers and were acting pretty silly... it had a great time. The next morning Kara made breakfast for the first time outdoors. We had sausage and eggs... it was good, just ask all the flys that kept buggin' us. For our first trip of the year, it was really good. We both enjoyed it.

Grade: B

Date Visited: June 24, 2005

Rock N' D Ranch

Location: 3550 Frisch Trl., Glennie, Michigan 48737 -- 1 mile down Sawmill rd. off M-65 .4 miles south of Glennie. Click HERE for map.

Description: Rock N' D Ranch is a privately owned ranch with horseback riding, hayrides, areas for tent camping and cabin rentals.. There is also a small pond for fishing and canoeing. Call for reservations and rates (989) 735-5920.

This was my first time horseback riding and hopefully not my last. We both really enjoyed ourselves, even if we were a little sore afterwards. After our hour long ride around the ranch, we set up our campsite which was located right near the little pond. After dinner we went for a relaxing canoe ride around the pond, then played some horseshoes. We had a pretty nice time.

GRADE: B+

Date Visited: August 21, 2004

Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground

Location: 6.3 miles West of Grayling, Michigan via M-72 & McIntyres Landing Road. Click HERE for map.

Description: 37 sites for tent or small trailer use. Located on Lake Margrethe with fishing and boating. Manistee and Au Sable Rivers offer good canoeing opportunities. Closest canoe rental in Grayling (5 miles East). State Forest Pathways: Mason Tract (13 miles SE): 11.5 miles of slightly hilly terrain. Hike, cross-country ski. Closed to bicycling due to erosion and safety concerns. Off-Road Vehicle Trails/Routes: Frederic Loop Trail (5 miles North):29 miles of cycle/ATV trail and 9 miles of full-sized vehicle route. Universally accessible toilets, wells, and fire rings. Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump. Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations. $10 camping fee per night.


This is probably the best campground we've been to so far. We had a really nice time here. We got our camp set up before 6pm. So we had a chance to eat dinner and take a nice walk around the campground. It's set right on beautiful Lake Margrethe, so if you have a boat, be sure to bring it. There's a small picnic area with a tiny beach for swimmers. We waited till after sundown to go lay in the sand and look up at the millions of stars. You never realize how many stars there are until you're well out of the city and away from the light pollution. The next morning we got up pretty early, again Kara wasn't feeling well and was freezing to death. We just didn't realize how cold it would get out in the woods. We also know now that you shouldn't go to sleep in the clothes you wore during the day. You need to wear dry , fresh clothes to bed to keep warm. All in all we had a great time and got some nice pictures.


GRADE: A

Date Visited: August 14, 2004

Black Creek State Forest Campground

Location: Saginaw Road & W. River Road -- Sanford, Michigan 48657. Click HERE for map.

Description: 23 sites for tent and small trailer use, 3 of which will accommodate 40-ft vehicle/trailer. Located on Black Creek with access to many lakes and rivers with good fishing and recreation opportunities. Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump. Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations. $10 camping fee per night.

We didn't have too much luck at this campground, so I can't really be too objective. It wasn't our first choice of places to camp. We tried another location, but it was filled up, so this was our backup plan. After getting lost and about 2 hours of looking for the place, we finally made it at around 11pm. Anyone who's been camping knows it's no fun setting up camp in the middle of the night. We eventually got setup, but then had problems getting a fire started (wood was a little damp). It was also a cold night and Kara ended up getting sick because of it. Early the next morning we were awoken by a DNR ranger. It seems we forgot to put our money in the drop slot. When we got up we also noticed that some racoons hadn't gotten into a few things we left out. So we packed up and headed out early.
So basically, the campground may not have been too bad, but our experience was.


Grade: C-

Date Visited: July 24, 2004

Ambrose Lake State Forest Campground

Location: County Road 15 & 20 in West Branch, Michigan 48661 --- 11 miles North of West Branch via County Road 15 and County Road 20. Click HERE for map. (also known as Clear Lake)

Description: 19 sites, most will accommodate 40 foot vehicle/trailer. Located on Ambrose Lake with boating and fishing access. Off-Road Vehicle trail head at campground. Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump. Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations. $10 camping fee per night.

This is a nice little campsite right on Ambrose Lake. Not many sites, so get there early. You're pretty far off the main road, nice and secluded. There is a small town with a gas station about 5 miles and a Wal-Mart about 15 miles. If you have a small boat you'll be able to carry one in, no boat ramp. If you want to fish, you'll have to do that from the boat, didn't look like any good places to shore fish.. I wouldn't suggest any swimming either. There are some hiking trails and lots of ATV trails.


Grade: B+

Date Visited: July 3 & 4, 2004

Camping Blog

This is our camping blog. We will post detailed information about the campsites we stay at on this blog. There will also be any helpful tips we pick up on the way. Happy camping!!