Michigan is one of the leading glamping destinations in the United States. From rolling orchards and wineries to stunning lakeshores and mountains, there’s plenty to see and do, and the best way is to go for luxury camping. Luxury camping in Michigan lets you enjoy camping without giving up on your luxurious lifestyle. Here are the top 10 must-visit sites when glamping in Michigan.
Mackinac Island State Historic Park
Glamping in Michigan state parks gets a new meaning when you go to the Mackinac Island State Historic Park. While no vehicles are allowed on the park’s premises, you can travel via bicycles and horse carriages. The state park property occupies more than half of the island. While Fort Mackinac in the quaint Mackinac town is one the most known destinations, the park has pristine natural spots like Arch Rock, SugarLoaf Rock, Skull Cave, and countless trails. You can choose to get immersed in the town’s activities or get away to scheduled trails and beaches.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is one of the top destinations that draw visitors from across the globe. The park features two islands, North and South Manitou Island, and extensive shoreline along Lake Michigan. You can climb 200-foot dunes to get spectacular views of Lake Michigan. Also, the park includes picnic sites, campgrounds, and designated backcountry spots.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
The Tahquamenon Falls State Park encompasses the Tahquamenon River’s mouth and a stunning waterfall, which drops almost 50 feet and spans over 200 feet, making it a perfect site for photos. Although a significant part of the park sits underdeveloped, you can move around the area surrounding Upper Falls.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is Michigan’s most extensive park, occupying over 60,000 acres in the Upper Peninsula’s northern area. A vast area of the park consists of an old-growth forest. With approximately 90 miles of hiking trails to explore, you should expect to see waterfalls, Lake Superior, and other small lakes. You can enjoy activities such as kayaking, canoeing, fishing, boating, skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and biking.
Warren Dunes State Park
With six miles of biking and hiking trails, three miles of shoreline, and more than 1,952 acres of dunes, beaches, and forests, you can never get bored in the Warren Dunes State Park. The beach sits less than two hours from Kalamazoo, Indiana, and Chicago, making it a favorite location for most travelers. You can climb up vast sandy dunes at Warren and get panoramic views of Lake Michigan from beneath.
Tawas Point State Park
Tawas Point State Park provides lighthouse tours, campsites, beach access, nature trails, and small cabins. You can spot sailboats in the waters as Tawas Point offers calm Tawas Bay waters and turbulent exposed waters on the west and east sides. You can also walk along the beach spanning more than two miles of an underdeveloped shoreline.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Pictured Rocks consist of stunning sandstone waterfalls, cliffs, beaches, dunes, and forested trails. The contrasts of high-spirited yellow and red sandstone cliffs, lush green forests, and turquoise waters make this park an ideal destination for backpackers, paddlers, single-day sightseers, and geologists. There are over 100 miles of trails offering stunning views of the rocky shores, vast cliffs, and other renowned sites like Chapel Rock.
Palms Book State Park
This park is home to the Big Spring, Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan’s most giant freshwater spring. This spring covers 200 feet with 45° water constantly running from a fissure 40 feet beneath the surface. You can venture out the crystal clear water on a glass-bottomed raft while peeping on trout below.
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Saugatuck Dunes State Park sits on Michigan’s Lower Peninsula’s eastern part and spans a 3-mile shoreline. However, you’ll have to trek about a mile to reach there from the parking lot. The rolling dunes rise over 200 feet over Lake Michigan, attracting hikers and bird watchers. The park also has 12 miles of hiking trails, but it prohibits camping and biking.
Bay City State Park
Bay City State Park is a must-visit destination when glamping in Michigan. A significant part of this park consists of wetland woods, marshlands, wet meadows, and prairies totaling over 3 square miles. Additionally, the park boasts over 1,000 feet of beach on the coast of Lake Huron. Here, you can watch birds and enjoy snowshoeing and ice fishing.
