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Baldwin is a famous water recreation destination in Michigan. Approximately three miles north from the Pere Marquette River's confluence, it is located on the Baldwin River.
Baldwin is the perfect location for all kinds of camping experiences. Baldwin offers enough sights, events, and activities to make every member of your group enjoy themselves while camping.
Locate the top campgrounds in the Baldwin, Michigan area. Choose the ideal camping destination for you and your group by going through helpful reviews and advice.
Where is Baldwin Located?
The intersection of M-37 and US-10 is where Baldwin, the county seat of Lake County, is situated. It is located next to the Baldwin River, which is a Pere Marquette River tributary.
On April 11, 1884, German Brown Trout roe was introduced for the first time in the United States in the Baldwin River.
In addition, more than a dozen lakes, including Big Star Lake in Lake Township and Leverentz and Government Lakes in Webber Township, are located just five miles from the city limits.
List of Baldwin MI Campgrounds
Baldwin is well-known for its unique establishments that sell fishing hooks and equipment, in addition to gift and antique shops.
The town serves as the hub of activity for the numerous cottages and resorts in the region. Every summer, it has the Troutarama Festival, and in May, it honors the Blessing of the Bikes.
1. Ivans Campground & Cabins
Situated south of Baldwin on M-37, Ivan's Campground & cottages is a 60-site campground featuring six cottages situated on 15 acres in the middle of the Manistee National Forest.
The campground has both spacious, private group campsites and contemporary, rustic sites. The accommodations have air conditioning, heat, clean bath house, refrigerators, microwaves, and no pets or smoking allowed.
Wi-Fi, a spotless modern restroom and shower, a covered pavilion, horseshoe pits, a playground, volleyball courts, basketball court, an activity coordinator, and a private dump station are among the facilities.
Bicyclists will like that the campground is bike-friendly and that the ORV trails are directly behind it. From their front door, Ivan's Campground & Cabins offers transportation for your Pere Marquette river excursions.
The campground will be available for the spring run until the conclusion of the fall season. It is also accessible to hunters, both in the spring and fall.
2. Bowman Lake Campground
Situated in the Huron-Manistee National Forests, Bowman Lake Campground provides a variety of leisure pursuits. Canoeing, kayaking, and rowboating are among the non-motorized water activities available to visitors.
The campground features a carry-in boat ramp and an area for parking that can accommodate ten vehicles.
The MI-DNRE website offers an online version of the Michigan Wildlife Viewing Guide, making it easy to see wildlife and the surrounding natural beauty.
Winter sports lovers can take advantage of the neighboring trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. There are no neighboring resorts or warming shelters at the campground. In the winter, the track is not groomed.
Boats can be any size, and the level of difficulty is simple. We regret to inform you that trailer parking is not available.
3. Claybanks Campground
Situated inside the Huron-Manistee National Forests' Pere Marquette National Scenic River region, is Claybanks Campground. For tent and RV camping, the campground has nine single campsites available.
The river stairs, vault toilets, and lantern toilet paper posts are among the amenities. Campsite availability is first-come, first-served and runs from May 1 to November 30.
Brown trout, rainbow trout, steelhead, and salmon are all frequently caught on fly in this river. The pine and oak forests are good places for visitors to see wildlife.
4. Timber Creek
Situated close to a small reservoir in the Huron-Manistee National Forests, Timber Creek Campground is a peaceful and modest campground.
Due to its proximity to the North Country National Scenic Trail trailhead, the campground is a favorite destination for hikers.
The Ward Hills Snowmobile Trail can be accessed from this plowed spot throughout the winter. There are nine single campsites available at the park for tent and RV camping, complete with benches and vault toilets.
There is drinking water on the premises. The campground is first-come, first-served and is open all year round.
5. Whispering Oaks Campground
In addition to primitive campsites, Whispering Oaks Campground also has cabins and RV parks. Lodges are available for larger parties as well.
A 24 by 32 pavilion is available for campers to use for free or to rent for special occasions at the campground. Whispering Oaks Campground has seasonal sites available as well as savings for large groups.
Campers can find maps of the trails at the campground, which is situated in Lake County and is accessible by ORV. Firewood bundles are available for $5 at the campsite store.
Whispering Oaks Campground ask that you abstain from bringing firewood inside. The DNR continues to impose limitations on wood shipment.
Firewood is available at the campsite store for $5 each bundle. During your stay at the campground, you will likely be part of some special occasion at the live music venues. Don't worry, you gonna have a great time!
Get in touch with your GPS provider and let them know that the information they have is inaccurate if you are experiencing difficulty finding them by means of GPS.
6. Gleason's Landing Campground and River Access
Situated beside the Pere Marquette River, Gleasons Landing is a well used and quiet campground. There are plenty of quiet, shady areas in the campground, making it ideal for relaxing in the great outdoors.
The Pere Marquette River, the very first river in Michigan to be designated as a National Scenic River in 1978, is a popular destination for kayakers, canoeists, and anglers.
The 66-mile river drains into Lake Michigan near Ludington, starting east of Baldwin. Perched atop a bluff with a stunning view of the Pere Marquette River is the campground. A mixture of oak and white pine trees encircle it.
Over one million acres are covered by the Huron-Manistee National Forests in the northern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The forests offer tourists recreational activities, wildlife and aquatic life habitat, and resources for regional industry.
7. Anns Putman Lake RV Park & Campground
Situated just outside of Baldwin on more than sixty acres of tranquil northern Michigan forests, Adventures of Putman Lake is an outstanding family campsite.
Situated on the picturesque Putman Lake, the private campground has rustic, electric, and potable sites. There are also RV sites available.
The traditional camping season runs from May 1 to October 31. Year-round access is provided to seasonal inhabitants. Your next journey awaits on the miles of neighboring ORV and hiking paths.
Many hiking and dirt roads vehicle routes, state and federal parks, and more than 156 lakes in our county alone are some of the nearby attractions.
The Pere Marquette River, which is considered one of the best salmon, steelhead, and trout rivers in the entire country, is less than five minutes away from their location.
Beautiful Putman Lake is a lake accessible only by electric motor. On this lovely lake, they do have a private beach with picnic tables and swimming facilities.
Steps and handrails are installed along their beachfronta to help people with mobility issues.
They do not have any lifeguards on duty, so even with their best efforts, parents are unable to watch over their tiny children, thus parental supervision is necessary when the children are small.
Their beaches are off-limits to younger people from sundown till dawn so that you can indulge in late-night fishing or romantic lakeside evenings with older people.
8. Pere Marquette Oaks Condominium RV Resort
Pere Marquette Campground is a condominium RV camp that is operated by its owners. Individual owners, not the Resort or the Association, are the ones who make available any lots for short-term or seasonal rental.
You may enjoy the best of condominium campground living at Pere Marquette Oaks.
In order to ensure that every visitor's experience at the park meets the highest possible standard of quality, entry is restricted to recreational vehicles that are professionally built and have a minimum length of 20 feet.
On any lot at The Oaks, pop-up trailers, truck camps, and tents are not allowed. From potluck dinners to pig roasts, street golf to Marquette Trails golf outings, pancake meals that to card games, The Oaks residents get together for a variety of activities.
Families can participate in activities for all residents, and there are plenty of chances for friends to get together for a dinner or by the campfire.
In an effort to unite the community, fellow citizens plan and execute events offer their time.
When a social gathering is being organized, word gets out quickly, so you'll want to keep a watch on the bulletin board at the pavilion to ensure you don't miss any.
The annual dues for the association cover the following amenities:
- Water (Well)
- Sewer
- Basic Cable TV (36 Channels)
- Basic WiFi Internet easy access
- Heated Pool
- Large recreation hall
- Hot Tub (over 12 years of age only)
- Bath House with Showers
- Full size beds
- One-burner propane stove
- Use of the Club House with Full Kitchen
- Use of the Pavilion
- Weekly Professional Lawn Service
- Professional Fertilization and Weed Control
9. Baldwin Oaks Campground
Bazan Baldwin Oaks Family Campground provides a clean, peaceful escape from the city within Grand Rapids and Holland. This family campsite offers plenty of activities for people of all ages.
Pickleball, paved roads, a store, a large heated pool, a game room, an on-site laundry, playgrounds, basketball courts, volleyball courts, tetherball courts, horseshoe pits, shuffleboard courts, corn holes, craft hours, bingo, and hayrides are a few of the available attractions.
There is beautiful green grass at the camping areas, and there is shelter or sun for you to enjoy a city life.
Every lot includes its own water, electricity, picnic table, and fire pit. A sizable activity hall at our campground is also accessible for indoor special event.
10. Sulak Campground
The Pere Marquette National Scenic River is only a short walk away from Sulak Campground, which is well-liked by families, hunters, and fishermen. Bring your boat and spend the day on the river because this location has a boat launch!
Families, hunters, and fishermen are the main users of this location for camping. From the campsites, there's a quick.25-mile walk across federal and state territory to the river. The MI-DNRE is in charge of running the river access.
11. Leverentz Lake State Forest Campground
This remote, primitive campground is located at the edges of Big and Little Leverentz Lakes. With sites 1–11 on Big Leverentz Lake and sites 12–18 on Little Leverentz Lake, the campground is divided into two areas.
Excellent fishing is available from both campgrounds, and access to the Sheep Ranch Pathway is also available. Fishing lovers will love Big Leverentz Lake's 50-foot floating pier and boat launch.
The campsite is located in Lake County, 2.7 miles east of Baldwin on Forest Drive and US-10. While some sites are capable of holding 30-foot trailers or cars, all sites are suitable for tents and small trailers.
There is a maximum stay of 15 days for camping. Vault toilets and hand-pump wells with water are among the amenities.
For vehicles to enter state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds, and state trail parking areas, a Michigan Recreation Passport is needed.
Parks and recreational places located in cities, counties, towns, or localities are not covered by the Michigan Recreation Passport.
12. Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness
If you want to get away from the bustle and re-connect with nature, this place is ideal. The campsite has large sites tucked behind large trees that provide plenty of shade and seclusion, all in a tranquil setting.
Though don't anticipate any electric hookups or showers here—this is all about getting back to basics—it's a terrific site for both tent and RV camping.
A unique feature is the convenient accessibility to an exquisite beach situated along Lake Michigan. You may wander down the shoreline for miles, and most campgrounds are only a short walk away.
The dunes itself are amazing, with mild hiking paths winding through forested areas and sandy hills. There are several routes to explore if you enjoy hiking, some of which go right to the beach.
Please feel free to bring your beloved pets with you, as long as they are kept on a leash. There is potable water accessible and campfires are permitted, but you will need to carry your own firewood or collect dead branches from the footpaths.
Notice that there is no Wi-Fi or cell service, so inform people in advance that you will be unavailable for a while.
13. Platte River Campground, Honor, MI
At a height of 603 feet, Platte River Campground is 47 minutes west of Traverse City, Michigan. There are 171 campsites in all. The campsite is accessible year-round. RVs and trailers between 15 and 40 feet are welcome in 141 spots.
At the moment, you can reserve any location. There is a fire ring and picnic table at each location. There are 90 electric hookup sites.
The cost of fees varies from $22 to $50. Showers, drinking water, a dump station, restrooms, an amphitheater, and flush toilets are a few amenities. Hiking paths are among the activities.
Bottom Line
You may find a site you never thought would become your new favorite camping spot when you explore the area and locate hiking trails near your home.
Once you feel more at ease with camping, you can venture further and take in the splendor of state and national parks or any of the numerous campgrounds located all throughout the nation.
Whether you camp at a campground or your backyard, spending time outdoors is a wise investment when you take into account all of the incredible advantages to your overall health and well-being!