Fall in Michigan is a wonderful thing. A relief from heat and humidity, coupled with incredible displays of color-changing trees, makes for a great time outdoors. With all that in mind, pack up your tents and come check out five terrific Michigan campsites with all the joy of fall!
Out near Allegan, TriPonds Family Camp Resort offers a lot of exciting attractions for campers. Not only is there a complete miniature golf course on site but there are plenty of options whether you like tent camping, RV camping, or cottage camping. There's an ice cream shop on premises with coffee and other items as well, and an annual fall festival featuring costumes, decorations—all of it kid-friendly—crafts, inflatables, and even a pumpkin carving contest. Those looking for a weekend outdoors will find just about everything they could want at TriPonds.
Michigan's largest state park, the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park near Silver City, features around 60,000 acres of territory. By way of comparison, the city of Lansing measures in at about 23,475 acres. That means there's a lot going on here in the way of natural beauty. You'll have forests that extend outward for days, rivers, streams, and waterfalls running through it all—even parts of the Lake Superior shoreline get involved—and of course, the mountains. Whether you want to see fall's colors from the ground up or from the sky down, the Porkies, as they're known, will accommodate, making this one of Michigan's great fall camping adventures.
Tawas Point State Park, near East Tawas, has been called the “Cape Cod of the Midwest,” and not without reason. A bay, complete with Victorian-era-style lighthouse, allows visitors to comfortably evoke those feelings without needing to travel that distance. Comparatively shallow and often warm, Tawas Bay can make for a good end-of-summer swim. Those not interested in taking that chance, meanwhile, can get in on the fall bird watching, as well as the fall color tour that runs along Lake Huron. With plenty of wildlife and plant life to check out, Tawas Point makes a great place to visit for fall camping.
Of course, there are those who'd rather not camp in canvas, but would prefer camping in fiberglass. RV camping is a big part of the camping lifestyle, and for those who'd rather do so, Traverse Bay RV Resort in Williamsburg is waiting for you. The resort itself offers complimentary Wi-Fi and cable television hookups, as well as laundry facilities, card rooms, and more. Throw in the surrounding area, from the natural beauty and fall foliage of the Traverse Bay area, to the nearby attractions not far off, and you've got a fall camping destination to match the greats.
While camping at a fairground may seem unusual, you'll be amazed to find that's just what's going on at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds every October. Right in the midst of fall, the fairgrounds run what's known as the Halloween Camping Extravaganza, where people can actually camp on the fairgrounds. A slate of special events are also on hand, from wagon rides to apple bobbing to a chili cook-off. Throw in an all-ages costume contest and it's a perfect recipe for fun and the most unique fall campout you've probably ever seen.
