20 beach camping spots within driving distance of Detroit

By Metro Times editorial staff on Thu, Jun 25, 2020 at 10:54 am

Life is a beach — if you're lucky. Thankfully for us Michiganders, we are surrounded by endless opportunities to slip into the crisp, glistening fresh waters of the Great Lakes while barely clothed and/or fully nude, just like god intended. While camping nude might be frowned upon (might wanna check the fine print on that one), that bitch, er, beach called life is made all the more magical when you can sleep under the stars and wake up to the sound of waves lapping the shore. These destinations, all of which are within driving distance of Detroit, offer beach camping. Though the distance between your tent and the shoreline varies, and, well, water levels are wonky AF this year which may limit beach camping availability, these spots are worthy of your next nearly naked vacation.

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Twelvemile Beach Campground

Grand Marias; 906-387-3700; nps.gov
Located on the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Twelvemile Beach Campground is a bit of a drive but any opportunity to pitch a tent between the tall trees of northern Michigan just steps from the Lake Superior shoreline is absolutely worth the trip.

Photo via nps.gov

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Weko Beach Campground

5237 Lake St., Bridgman; 269-465-3406; bridgman.org
If you haven’t heard of Bridgman, Michigan, don’t worry. The town just south of Benton Harbor near the Michigan-Indiana border just so happens to have a bustling campground with major Lake Michigan vibes. In addition to 43 developed sites and 22 rustic plots, there are also six log cabins for rent.

Photo via Weko Beach and Campground/Facebook

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Fisherman’s Island State Park

Bell’s Bay Rd., Charlevoix; 231-547-6641; dnr.state.mi.us
OK — so this isn’t exactly an island, so you might want to start by planning Fyre Festival part II, because Fisherman’s Island State Park is not what it seems … it’s better. More than 2,600 acres of park with miles of “unspoiled” Lake Michigan shoreline is what makes this state park, which sits in the middle of maple-, birch-, and aspen-covered dunes, so special. While campsites are not directly on the beach, it’s just a short walk. Isn’t it about the journey and not the destination, anyway? In this case, both are beautiful.

Photo via Screengrab/YouTube

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Mears State Park

Pentwater; 231-869-2051; dnr.state.mi.us
Park, open your door, dig your toes into the sand, swim in Lake Michigan, repeat. Grab a spot at the foot of the sand dunes and then take a hiking trail to the top at this Michigan camping spot. The secluded park is right next to the sandy beach and beautiful lake, but also minutes away from downtown Pentwater, where you'll find shops, a boardwalk, pier, and lighthouse.

Photo via Screengrab/YouTube

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Harrisville State Park

Harrisville; 989-724-5126; dnr.state.mi.us
As one of Michigan’s oldest state parks, Harrisville State Park offers beachfront camping along the shores of Lake Huron. While many of the sites are nestled between pine and cedar trees, some spots are currently off-limits due to unseasonably high water levels. Don’t worry, though, because the park is closeby to Sturgeon Point Lighthouse, Negwegon State park, and Harrisville, a sweet little resort town.

Photo via Google Maps

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Grand Haven State Park

1001 S. Harbor Dr., Grand Haven; 616-847-1309; michigan.gov/grandhaven
RV having fun yet? Get it, RV… nevermind. Grand Haven State Park offers 48-acres along the sandy Lake Michigan shorefront and has 174 modern campsites. If you’re hesitant about camping — you know, because bugs and, like, gross bugs — this state park is outfitted for your introduction to glamping. Though tents are allowed, the Grand Haven State Park experience is suited best for RVs. Also, this campground is close to all of Grand Haven’s amenities, from downtown shopping and eating to the lighthouse and pier.

Photo via Visit Grand Haven/Facebook

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Warren Dunes State Park

12032 Red Arrow Highway, Sawyer; 269-426-4013; dnr.state.mi.us.
We’re duned! No, not doomed, duned, as in we are surrounded by three miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and massive sand dunes that offer panoramic views of the lake. Several campgrounds sit at the foot of the dunes and allow access to six miles of hiking trails in case dragging ass up the 260-foot dune isn’t enough of a workout.

Photo via Warren Dunes State Park/Facebook

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Tee Pee Campground

11262 US Hwy. 23, Mackinaw City; 231-436-5391; teepeecampground.com
If you’re looking for hiking and forest trails, then this privately owned campground is not it. However, Tee Pee Campground is the spot for crossing “sleep on the beach” off your bucket list. Oh, and it overlooks the Mackinaw Bridge. If you’re on your way to the Fudge capital of the world, Tee Pee is just a boat ride away and minutes away from Mackinaw City.

Photo via Tee Pee Campground/Facebook

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Silver Lake State Park Campground

9679 W. State Park Rd., Mears; 231-873-3083; michigan.gov/silverlake
You want dunes, we’ve got dunes. You want 13 lakefront campsites, we’ve got 13 lakefront campsites. You want 30 amp electric service… OK, we’ll stop. But seriously, Silver Lake State park Campground offers dune rides, a lighthouse, and lakefront camping because sometimes you can have it all.

Photo via Silver Lake State Park/Facebook

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Orchard Beach State Park

2064 N. Lakeshore Rd., Manistee; 231-723-7422; dnr.state.mi.us
We’re not bluffing when we say Orchard Beach State Park has 166 campsites and stairs leading to the beach and hiking trails throughout the park. Amenities include modern restrooms, electrical services, playgrounds, and picnic shelter. Not to mention, this campsite has designated places for metal detecting, because nothing is sexier than finding someone’s lost engagement ring and proposing with it while on the beach. Just hope your loved one doesn't notice the inscription.

Photo via Orchard Beach State Park/Facebook

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Buttersville campground

991 S. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington; 231-843-2114; michigan.org
Wanna get fresh? Ew, no, not like that! We meant fresh water as in Lake Michigan, which can be experienced in its full glory from the 18.5 acre, state-licensed, wooded Buttersville campground. For those looking to stay fresh will be overjoyed to know that all campsites have electric and there are flush toilets and shower facilities on site.

Photo via Buttersfield Campground/Facebook

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Otsego Lake State Park

7136 Old Hwy 27 S., Gaylord; 989-732-5485; nps.gov
Otsego Lake State Park offers a half-mile of sandy beach, as well as campgrounds, and kayak and paddleboard rental. This camping ground is great for those who want a more accommodating and less rustic experience.

Photo via Screengrab/YouTube

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Sleeper State Park

6573 State Park Rd., Caseville; 989-856-4411; Sleeper State Park/Facebook

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Petoskey State Park

2475 M-119 Hwy., Petoskey;231-347-2311; dnr.state.mi.us
We know it’s tempting. With Petoskey State Park located between Harbor Springs and Petoskey — both major hot spots for shopping, art fairs, and good eats — it might be, at first glance, hard staying put along the 303 scenic acres of the state park which offers sandy beaches, two campgrounds, and hiking trails. But, no, it’s not that friggin’ hard because nothing beats hunting for Petoskey stones along the shoreline, which is something you could, and should, be doing. Shopping can wait.

Photo via Petoskey State Park/Facebook

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Bay City State Park

3582 State Park Dr., Bay City; 989-684-3020; dnr.state.mi.us
Like birds? Like wet stuff? Look no further than Bay City State Park, which is home to 2,000 acres of wetlands, woods, and meadows. In fact, it’s one of the largest remaining coastal wetlands on the Great Lakes. In addition to all the birding you’ll do (that’s birding talk for bird watching), there are three campgrounds close to Lake Huron’s shoreline.

Photo via Bay City State Park/Facebook

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Holland State Park

2215 Ottawa Beach Rd., Holland; 616-399-9390; dnr.state.mi.us
Mmm. Sugar sand. No, don’t eat the sugar sand, which is what Holland State Park is known for. Well, that and stunning sunsets and the Big Red lighthouse. Campers can reside in one of two modern campgrounds and can take advantage of paddle boat rentals, and hiking trails.

Photo via Michigan Department of Natural Resources

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Bay Furnace Campground

Bay Furnace Rd., Munising; 906-387-2512; michigan.gov
Don’t let the name fool you. Bay Furnace Campground near Munising is hot but not, like, furnace hot. You know, Paris Hilton hot. Anyway, this campground overlooks Lake Superior and offers 49 campsites, each complete with a fire ring and picnic table. It’s a prime location for stargazing as well as those looking to go deep and explore the shipwrecks of the Alger Underwater Preserve.

Photo via Screen grab/YouTube

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Ossineke State Forest Campground

Ossineke; 989-734-2543; dnr.state.mi.us
This rustic campground is a hidden gem spread out along the shore of Lake Huron in Alpena County, one mile east of Ossinek. The campground is host to 42 sites, some of which are water-facing lots, and offer pathways to the beachfront. Did we mention these are rustic sites? For the true adventurer, there are vault toilets and well water handpumps, as well as picnic tables and grills.

Photo via Google Maps

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Muskegon State Park South Channel Campground

Muskegon; 231-744-3480; dnr.state.mi.us
This campground is divided into two loops with the first one backing up to the channel and the second loop on the shore of Muskegon Lake, but both have access to all the amenities and offers a beach for swimming, miles of trails, dunes to climb, and break walls to go for an evening walk along.

Photo via Google Maps

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