The 5 Best Family-Friendly Camping Destinations In Michigan, According To Hipcampers

For plenty of people out there, camping is a great way to leave it all behind and indulge in some well-deserved peace and quiet. From sitting around a crackling campfire toasting s'mores to spending your days hiking through lush forests, kicking back with a good book, and telling stories under the starry sky, heading outside and venturing into nature means getting a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And, in some cases, it's all the more special if you're able to do it with your family.

Luckily, the U.S. has plenty of destinations dotted around the country that make for a perfect family-friendly camping getaway. One of these gems is Michigan — where sprawling forest vistas meet pristine lakes and beaches. And with over 1,000 campgrounds spread across the state, you won't have much trouble finding the best option for you and your family. Because whether you're dreaming of rustic tent sites, full-service RV parks, or campgrounds equipped with cozy cabins, Michigan's outdoor scene has a little something for everyone.

Struggling with choosing where to go? Check out Hipcamp, a top-rated online platform similar to Airbnb that's designed to help campers secure a booking at unique outdoor camping areas. It has pretty much everything you need to find the perfect campsite. And, to save you the trouble of scouring through the platform, we've handpicked a selection of five family-friendly destinations that'll surely inspire you to press "Book Now" on your next adventure.

First on the list is Mulln-Heim Vineyards. Located in Baroda, Michigan, the campground offers guests a unique opportunity to stay on the grounds of a working farm that's been operating since the 1930s. Owned and managed by John Muellen, the 40-acre property officially opened its doors to visitors in 2018 — and it's been welcoming families to enjoy the beauty of rural Michigan ever since.

Although the vineyard is the center piece of the property, Mulln-Heim offers much more than just grapes. From their maple syrup production in early spring to wild leek foraging as the forest floor greens up, and shiitake mushroom cultivation, you and your family will have plenty of ways to stay busy during your visit. In the fall, guests can participate in the farm's annual grape U-pick, as well as enjoy the colorful display pumpkins dotted around the property. Along with that, the farm also boasts a well-maintained herb and vegetable garden that'll provide all the fresh ingredients you need for your campfire meals — which you and your kids get to pick and pluck yourselves! 

Reviewers love the pet-friendly property, with one saying "the vineyard was beautiful, the site well-shaded, and it had everything one would need to camp the good life [...] Our family of five and dog would visit again." With tent and RV sites available to book starting from $47 a night depending on the season, camping out Mulln-Heim also means you're just a 7-mile drive from one of the most beautiful lakes in the Midwest, Lake Michigan, where you can enjoy sandy beaches and stunning sunsets.

Nestled along the Au Train Lake shoreline — and just 2 miles from Lake Superior — Superior Times Resort & Campground offers a year-round family getaway that's perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and laid-back weekenders alike. Owned and operated by the Holmstrom family since 2017, the property's history as a vacation destination dates back almost a century.

Nowadays, the resort caters to various preferences and camping styles — boasting nine lodging sites, eight RV spots, and 14 tent sites. "This is a great little family oriented campground! Beautiful spot on the lake, lots of amenities including showers for the primitive camp," wrote one visitor. In the warmer months, boating, fishing, hiking, paddling, and swimming are all great ways to enjoy your camping getaway. Better yet, the campground also provides boat and kayak rentals starting from $25, which allow you to explore the best of Au Train Lake at your own pace. During the winter, the area quickly transforms itself into a haven for snow sports and snowmobiling enthusiasts (and maybe a snowball fight or two with the kids).

With tent sites starting from $35 and cozy bungalows for $125 a night, you and your family are sure to enjoy all of the perks of the perfect camping trip: Spectacular lake views, campfire pits, and a picture-perfect getaway in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Tucked away in Honor, Michigan, Camp Moonshadow combines the best of the region's natural beauty with a touch of local history. The former homestead — which dates back 100 years — is now a fully-working campsite that boasts four walk-in tent sites, an RV spot for smaller campers, and a vintage 1959 Shasta trailer available for short-term stays. With over 500 ratings contributing to its 99% score, this campground is always a hit with families. "I can't give this place enough stars! My family had the best camping trip!" wrote one happy camper. 

Surrounded by state forests and located just a stone's throw from the boundary of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — a beautiful beach with crystal blue waters — Camp Moonshadow is an ideal base for families hoping to explore the region's top outdoor attractions. Beyond that, the surrounding area also offers a long list of activities that include everything from fishing to paddling, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and wildlife watching. Once the sun sets, the camp's secluded valley location also makes it perfect for stargazing.

Tent bookings currently start from $60 for a six-person site, while the RV is generally available for $110 a night. Plus, despite its rustic setting, the property doesn't skimp on amenities. Once there, guests can enjoy full access to a camp kitchen, dining area, and private shower facilities. With all this and more, it's no wonder Camp Moonshadow was selected by Hipcamp as the best campsite in Michigan to visit in 2023.

Ever dreamed of camping on a working farm? Blooming Bus Farms in Niles, Michigan, has you covered. A 15-acre urban oasis, the grounds are dedicated to sustainable, organic farming methods while, at the same time, offering its overnight guests a variety of camping experiences to choose from. With four cozy yurts, two RV sites, and a dedicated tent spot to immerse yourself in farm life, you'll be sure to find a style of accommodation that'll best suit your family's needs. 

Dotted with its own flower field, as well as vegetable and fiber crops — and the occasional free-range chicken and alpaca roaming the grounds — the farm's picturesque landscape only adds to its charm. Beyond that, Blooming Bus Farms is also the perfect home base for adventurous families who want to hit up nearby hiking trails, enjoy a spot of wildlife watching, or shake things up with some family-friendly competition at the on-site beach volleyball court. The family-friendly yurts are a big hit, with one camper raving, "It rained most of our 'Glamping' trip with two kids it would have been disastrous, but with all the amenities and space in our yurt we still managed to have a good time."

Hand-picked by Hipcamps as the third best campsite in Michigan in 2023, a stay at Blooming Bus Farms starts from around $89 for one of their four-person yurts, or $35 for an RV-friendly site that sleeps up to six people.

Just a mile south of Crystal Lake and 6 miles east of Lake Michigan, Llama Meadows Eco Farm combines sustainable agriculture and family-friendly camping into a 16-acre playground. With varying accommodation options that include tent sites, RV spots, and a "tiny treehouse" (affectionately called the Purple Palace), there's something for every type of camper.

Brimming with fruit trees — including apples, pears, figs, kiwis, and pawpaws, the eco-friendly farm is committed to environmentally sustainable practices that shine through in their farming methods and use of solar-power energy. One of the highlights of the property, however, is the Labyrinth Peace Garden. This serene oasis is home to over 1,000 perennial flowers and herbs, more than half of which are native to Michigan. "Kids loved walking in meadow and at night staring at the beautiful night sky on the hill in the meadow," one camper said of the unique site. "Fun swings and playhouse."

Tent sites at Llama Meadows Eco Farm start from $50 a night, while the treehouse — which sleeps two adults and one child — is available to rent via Airbnb for roughly $95 a night. Beyond offering overnight stays, the farm is also available to book for retreats, classes, workshops, and other special events. It's important to note that, despite the name, this campground no longer has any llamas!

We looked through the top-rated Hipcamp campsites across Michigan and chose glowing first-hand reviews from family campers. We also considered on-site amenities, activities for children, and the availability of family-sized cabins. The result is a list of five excellent destinations sure to provide the perfect comfortable home base for an family camping adventure.