Skip to main content

Winter camping

group of winter campers holding camping meal

Winter camping

Winter is Michigan's unsung hero of seasons. There are many opportunities to tuck into remote campsites and cozy cabins for the evening and experience adventures that can be shared over campfires.

Before you go

  • Select the winter camping destination right for you. Winter camping is available in select campgrounds statewide, plus cabins, yurts, geodesic domes and lodges.
  • Winter RV rentals are available. Reserve your site, then have one of the permitted businesses deliver to your selected destination.
winter camping

Algonac (no reservations - first-come, first served), Bay City, Brighton (Bishop Lake open Thu, Fri and Sat nights ONLY - closed month of December), Clear Lake, Fayette Historic, Fort Custer, Ludington, Muskegon, North Higgins Lake (closed in 2023 for construction), Rifle River, Tahquamenon Falls, Tippy Dam and Waterloo state parks/recreation areas offer winter camping.

Please note that only a handful of locations keep modern restrooms and showers open during the winter months.

Find availability online!
Visit MiDNRReservations.com. There are backcountry camping options too (just click on the backcountry radio button under camping)!

lodging

Bald Mountain, Bay City, Brighton, Cheboygan, Clear Lake, Craig Lake, Fort Custer, Fort Wilkins, Harrisville, Hartwick Pines, Holland, Holly, Ionia, Island Lake, Little Presque Isle (state forest rustic cabins), Ludington, McLain (closed this year for construction), Muskegon, North Higgins, Ortonville, Pinckney, Proud Lake, Rifle River, Sleepy Hollow, South Higgins, Tawas, Thompson's Harbor, Tippy Dam, Van Riper and Waterloo state parks/recreation areas offer overnight lodging in the winter.

Find availability online!
Visit MIDNRReservations.com to make an online reservation.

camping

If you're looking for a more rustic camping experience, state forest campgrounds may be what you're seeking.

Please note that although campgrounds may be open, associated roads may not be plowed.

Find locations open during the winter
Download the state forest campground matrix and look for locations marked "open all year."