My friends and I were supposed to go to a music festival out of the state last fall but of course…read moreplans changed, so we decided to book a camping weekend at Orchard Beach State Park instead. Located in Manistee, there is plenty to do nearby but unfortunately the weather was pretty rainy for most of the weekend we were there. The access to the beach was closed due to erosion but there are other beaches available. Checking in was easy and there is onsite ice and firewood for sale. The host site was awesome with lots of books for use and a whiteboard with local info. Our site had water and electric hookup, so we were tucked in amongst several RVs and motor homes. The campground was very quiet, which was nice! The restroom facilities were clean and functional, although one had a small set of stairs leading into the actual bathroom area which made it not so accessible. We were on spot 95, which is right near the highway. We knew this going in and could see from the photos that it didn't look that close. Well, it was pretty close, and very loud with road noise. This wasn't a big deal for us but if noise bothers you I'd skip this part of the campground. Another thing to note is that some of the sites hold water when it's been raining, so maybe not the best for tent camping. Our site seemed ok but it was mostly dirt so it did get a little muddy. Nothing too terrible, though. Overall we enjoyed our stay but this definitely wasn't my favorite of the state parks we've visited or camped at. There is a nice lookout point over the lake that made for some nice photos, and getting into town was easy.

Small compared to other state parks across Michigan, but a stunning state park nonetheless located…read moreon bluffs above Lake Michigan! The campground is wonderful and we really loved that it was one that was more underrated and less trafficked. We had a prime camping spot with an uninterrupted view of the lake and even though the weather we had during this weekend wasn't the best, we made do with cozy time in the tent, did a hike through the state park that was lovely and well maintained, and explored the nearby downtown of Manistee, of which Orchard Beach State Park is located just 5-10 minutes north! A wonderful weekend and state park in my books!

Stayed here over a weekend with friends. We rented a cabin while our friends had a camping area…read morewith the RV. Easy to check in and out. Great location for all the things to do in the area. Cabin was well furnished and well maintained. Dog friendly and quiet

I was extremely happy front he time I called them to see about booking the cabin til the time I…read moreleft! We got there super late due to unforeseen events. To my surprise the owners texted to check on our progress. Not once did they ever have anything but a positive attitudes. We made it in and got settled very late. The time difference had us off slightly. The whole cabin was well furnished and extremely clean. It was very roomy and came with amenities most 5 star hotels don't! I was completely shocked at the experience and have now found a new place for my family to go whenever we feel a need to "get away", which is often! Upon our departure, the owner was even nicer than when we first met! I am so pleased with this place I will recommend you trying it out for yourself. If you don't like your first night is on me! ***Wink wink*** Make sure to check in for great coupons and little bonus gifts. Customer service 5 Location 5 Quality 5 Prices 5 Cleanliness 5 Overall 5 stars!!!

Wonderful owners and amenities clean and safe Spacious…read morecampsites and not far from the beach straight shot in M55

Very nice and clean campground. The staff is friendly and extremely accommodating 10/10read more

This is a hidden beach that few know about, mostly because you need to drive toward the Portage…read morePoint Inn (be sure to fill your water bottles at the artesian spring, just past the camp), and then keep going right past it on a VERY dinky, one lane road. Head past the marina and yacht club, take a right, and up the dune to the parking lot (free). There's a single room changing area with a pit toilet (needs must), well lit. There are two gazebos and a wooden walkway at the south end of the small parking lot, and a gazebo with benches at the north end of the parking lot. There are dog bags, if you're walking your dog (thank you for cleaning up after them!). I especially love the new addition this year of a barely inclined wooden walkway, with a handicap mat (not sure what to call it, but it is plastic netting that is a stable place for you to walk or wheel down). There's a pier, and a lighthouse at the end. There are 4 fire rings, if you are inclined to have a lovely beach sunset fire (bring supplies). This is my favorite hidden beach in Michigan, and the swims - and sunsets - are glorious.

An ourstanding destination for rustic camping. No showers/electricity, but very quiet with shady…read moresites, miles of trails, and Lake Michigan one dune ridge away. This is the kind of place you could stop at for a few days without having having to leave to have fun. There is the beach of course, but also lots of opportunities for hiking and many other nature activities. I was in the area to fish the nearby Big Sauble river, so I didn't get out to see as much of the Rec Area as I'd have liked, but would love to return some day. The campsites all have a long, level asphalt pad that could easily accommodate a large trailer or motor home. Tenters like me have plenty of open ground behind that to set up on. Most of the sites in my loop looked level, and mine did in the preview at the USFS web site, though when I got there I saw it had a distinct slant. I was able to set up so that I was able to sleep more or less level, but be away that some sites may take creative tent placement to stay comfortable. As I said, the site was very shady, which was nice as I was there on some very hot days. Never wore sunglasses in camp, even at midday. The vault toilet facilities were clean, and water is available at a pressure tap, not a hand pump, as at many national forest campgrounds. Not too many complaints. One, which some other campers I talked to had as well, is that the trail to the beach is long and needed to be better marked. The other is the cost: $40+ per night is a lot compared to other national forest campgrounds. I shelled out since it was convenient to where I wanted to fish and would be cooler than inland campgrounds--I was paying a lake-breeze premium. And on this trip, that was a worthwhile investment. If you're looking for a secluded but convenient campground with lots of recreation close at hand, it still may be a bargain.

I love this area. I try to camp up here every summer. The campground is clean and generally quiet…read moreand just a short hike to the beach, which is never packed like the state parks down the shore. There are several places to watch the sunset and for stargazing. A lot of people hike through the area, too. The only thing I don't like is the hike over the sand dune to get to the beach. It's a smallish hill, but if you have bad knees or you're out of shape, you might not like it. It's definitely not ADA accessible.

Sleeping Bear Dunes is a must if you are nearby! There are beaches that are free to enter, but to…read morego into the actual park and see the big dunes, you have to pay $20 per car, or you can get in with a National Parks pass. Most of it is drivable once you're in, and you can park your car off to the side of the road and view multiple different overlooks. The dunes are huge I was surprised. They're much bigger than I am used to seeing at Indiana Dunes! We stopped at the Lake Michigan overlook. There's a parking lot with plenty of parking. To get up to the overlook, you'll have to walk up a smallish sand dune. It's easier if you take your shoes off. Once you get up, there's super steep dunes that many people attempt to go all the way down then climb up on all fours. It's extremely hard to get back up!! Walking through sand is not easy. There's even a sign that warns you of the dangers of doing so and the damage it does to the dunes. There was a firetruck and ambulance on sight ready to rescue anyone.

Amazing views. You're walking up hills in sand so wear appropriate shoes (I went barefoot) Very…read morelittle shade so wear sunscreen.

It was our annual sisters reunion and I arranged a kayak trip through this establishment. Very…read morefriendly on the phone when I called the day before to reserve three kayaks. We loaded up in the bus and listened to the infamous "Kayak Song" to get us in the mood(look it up, it's EPIC!) The kayaks were the sit on type and we were launched with no issues. We were the only humans on the rustic and scenic river and the birds provided a show. We saw a bald eagle three times which was a real treat! Highly recommend this place for kayaking!

The staff members were really nice and the guy driving the bus was really funny They also carry…read morelaws about our safety definitely would come back here

This is the second year we stay at this camp site and we love it. The first year i had campnsite…read more108 which is by the volleyball net and over night we had some random people walking through out site to get to the play ground. But other then that, no noise complaints and we had a good time. This year, we reserved site 117. This site is a water front with power. Only thing i have to complain about this site is that the firepit ring is too close to the water, so the bottom of the pit is covered in water. However, despite this issue, i called the office and they were able to come here and fix the problem right away. They went back to their garage and got us a portable firepit so we can enjoy our vacation. Super friendly staff, 2nd time i enjoyed their stay... and already reserved for next year !!!

Great place for a weekend getaway! New owners are super friendly and accommodating. Great spot for…read morefishing, or taking your boat out. Bathrooms are nice and clean. They took out the quarter machine for the showers, but I wouldn't mind either way - a hot shower is a luxury item when camping. Insta Launch Campground is definitely a place I'd like to go back and stay again.

We were unfamiliar with this campground, but we made reservations months in advance for two nights…read moreof tent camping in June, 2023 in Loop 4 (site 418). And, we're so glad that we did. It's a wonderful campground that is well-maintained by the National Park Service. The sites are huge, with a lot of space between you and your neighbors. The pads for pitching your tent are equally large, flat, and sandy -- and each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. The clean bathrooms and showers are down the road, as are heavy duty containers for trash and recycling. The Rangers at the office were very friendly, and helpful. They also warned us to be bear-aware, as bears had been spotted near the campground. (We didn't see any). Unfortunately, there weren't any nature programs during our 2-night stay but we were there mid-week. We were staying at this campground primarily to visit the main sites of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Most of the main attractions (Empire Bluffs hike, Dune Climb, Scenic Drive) are about ten or more miles away. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find a path adjacent to the campground that went down to Lake Michigan (about one mile each way). It mostly flat with walking in sand the closer you get to the lake. You could also drive down to a park at the end of the road. It's a wonderful place to watch the sunset. There are also nearby options for bicycling and kayaking. The campground is a bargain at $26 per night for tent camping. (You also need to pay the entrance fee for the national park). There was a nice mix of other campers ... solos with a dog or two; retirees; and young families. All were quiet and abided to the rules for quiet hours and no generators in loop 4. We also lucked out with respect to the lack of bugs. We had been fighting mosquitos and midges in other wooded areas in northern Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, but hardly had any insect issues at this campground. Two things worth mentioning. (1) Given the warnings about being bear aware, the NPS should consider installing bear boxes at each site for the storage of food and other scented items. (2) Firewood can be purchased at a "vending machine" for $7. While the machine for traditional firewood was working, the one for a composite substitute that we wanted to try had a broken credit card reader (and we didn't have the right denominations to pay cash). Overall, a great trip!

There's a lot to recommend this place: running water and flush toilets, plenty of firewood (for…read moresale on the honor system via Venmo, so you can grab it at any hour of the night), lots of sites, lots of trees so you don't immediately feel like there are lots of sites, and a great location in the natural beauty of the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. But: if you've been spoiled by the rugged awesomeness of southern Utah campsites, if your kids think that a good campsite has to have something interesting to climb or do within spitting distance of your tent, if you are looking for something more than basically a forested parking lot in a very beautiful place, then even this great spot will disappoint you. Alas, I am the latter kind of camper, the kind who mostly camps only as a chance to stay someplace otherwise inaccessible. So this is fine camping if you love camping, but it's not the kind of camping that makes you a camping lover.