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busterbrown73's avatar
Mar 31, 2016

Opinions on great Michigan Campgrounds For Young Children

I just purchased a brand new Bullet travel trailer for the family. I thought THAT was the hard part. I'm realizing now that what's even more challenging is planning the many trips we have in store for our young family. For this first season, we'd like to limit travel to the lower peninsula of Michigan as we live in the Detroit area. Northern Ohio has potential though.

So here's the big question for active Michigan members? What campgrounds, state or private, are youth friendly in terms of organized activities, sight seeing, nature walks, beach/pool accessibility, and full of exciting adventures for over-active 6 and under children? We've booked several short trips already, including Ludington SP, Monroe KOA, Port Huron KOA, and South Higgins Lake SP.

Again, campgrounds that cater to 1st graders, kindergartners, and preschoolers are top priority. Clean and safe for obvious reasons. We'd like full hooks ups if possible but could easily do electric only as long as we had a close water source.

Any opinions of where large YOUNG families are venturing out to would be greatly appreciated.
  • dodge guy wrote:
    busterbrown73 wrote:
    wing_zealot wrote:
    The first thing you need to do is stop believing you need full hookups. Once you do that you can choose any state park in Michigan and you and your kids will have a great time and not spend your life savings doing it. All the 100 plus state parks have more than adequate showers, bathrooms, etc. But you will only find about 2 that have full hook ups. Generally electric only, which is all you really need. I've been camping at state parks in Michigan for over 20 years.


    I agree completely. I'd rather be in a state park than a private park. But since this is my first trailer ever and it'll be its first season of use, I'd wanted to start with a few full hookup CG's to get the process down on setup and takedown of the utilities and connections. At the same time, the private parks are closer to home and KOA had some "buy 1 night/get a second night free" deals for early and late season bookings.

    We missed the window on booking many of state park trips as the "in-demand" summer weekends are practically sold out everywhere. I will be prepared this coming Dec through March as 2017's window opens up.


    Sounds like the OP has 3? kids! There is no way I would have ever tried no hookups with 3 kids, even 2 for that matter!

    Lots of nice places. We really liked Mackinaw Mill Creek campground up by Mackinac Island. beautiful views of the bridge and the island. you can take a leisurely bike ride around the island at the kids speed. we went during 4th of july one year and all the fireworks out over the lake was great. the campground itself is huge and has everything you need, and the kids will love it!
    I have 3 kids also, and generally we take a few extra with us also. But hey, what you gotta have when you go camping and what I gotta have can be different. I got no problem with you doing your own thing.

    Several times we've spent a week in the smokies and didn't even have electricity or a generator. But that's just how we roll, everyone is different.

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