Plan an autumn adventure at the best fall foliage campsites in Michigan
Welcome the new season with a tour of Michigan’s prettiest fall campgrounds.
Who says camping is only for the summer months? If you ask us, campsites in Michigan are just as—if not more—stunning during the off-season, when fall foliage and early winter snow add a natural sprinkle of magic.
As autumn approaches, it’s time to fill your calendar with outdoor adventures for the whole family. If you’re especially fond of fall colors in Michigan (and why wouldn’t you be?), we’ve got your guide to autumn camping destinations throughout the state.
To help you plan, we’ve organized our favorite Michigan camping spots by region. Please note that most of these campsites can be booked in advance online via the Michigan State Parks Reservation System.
West Michigan
PJ Hoffmaster State Park
Location: 6585 Lake Harbor Rd, Norton Shores
If you ask us, any Michigan camping adventure is better against the backdrop of a Great Lake. PJ Hoffmaster State Park offers the ideal opportunity to unwind along the shore during chillier months and take in vibrant fall colors. Located in Norton Shores, the park features a modern campground with 297 sites, including two ADA-accessible spots.
Whether you’re bringing along your RV or opting for a laid-back tent adventure, there’s a spot for you under the shade of ever-changing maple and oak trees. What’s more, the campground at PJ Hoffmaster offers quick access to plenty of hiking trails and—of course—a swimming beach on the Big Lake.
Camping is available at PJ Hoffmaster from May to October. Nightly rates begin around $40.
Silver Creek County Park
Location: 3900 134th Ave, Hamilton
West Michiganders might not immediately associate farm-centric Hamilton with great camping, but Silver Creek County Park is ready to prove naysayers wrong. This Allegan County gem is home to two campgrounds: Silver Creek Campground and Ely Creek Campground, both of which can be reserved in advance online.
Both sections describe their campsites as primitive, allowing you to truly reconnect with nature while enjoying on-site picnic areas, creek access, and stunning fall colors. If you’re into horses, you’ll be glad to learn that Silver Creek is full of equestrian trails, even offering horse-friendly sites within its campgrounds.
Campsites are available at Silver Creek County Park year-round, though sites and seasonal roads aren’t plowed in winter. The nightly rate for both campgrounds is $17.
Central Michigan
Weidman KOA Holiday Campground
Location: 1855 Coldwater Rd, Weidman
If you’re looking for a camping experience that’s specifically designed for families, Weidman KOA Holiday Campground belongs on your fall bucket list. The amenities here are incredible: For more than 15 years, the campground has offered attractions including a swimming beach, a playground, an ice cream shop and camp store, rentable pedal bikes, walking trails, and so much more.
Weidman KOA is also a great choice for campers who are a bit more dependent on creature comforts, offering camping cabins with bathrooms and kitchenettes for a less “backwoods” vibe. Regardless of where you spend the night within camp, you’ll be treated to a gorgeous display of foliage every fall.
Campsites at Weidman KOA are available May through October. Nightly rates begin around $47.
Sleepy Hollow State Park
Location: 7835 E Price Rd, Laingsburg
Don’t let its eerie name fool you: Sleepy Hollow State Park in Laingsburg is a mid-Michigan treasure where fun and family bonding reign supreme. Like Weidman, there are multiple camping options here, including two cabins and traditional campsites.
Outdoor recreation enthusiasts will be in paradise while enjoying everything from kayaking to swimming in lovely Lake Ovid. When autumn rolls around, Sleepy Hollow bursts with red, orange, and yellow hues.
Please note: At the time of publication, Sleepy Hollow Campground is temporarily closed for renovations. Keep an eye out for reopening information so you can start planning your next adventure.
Northern Michigan
Hartwick Pines State Park
Location: 3612 State Park Dr, Grayling
It’s almost impossible to narrow Northern Michigan’s plethora of breathtaking campgrounds down to just one or two favorites, but Hartwick Pines State Park is a must-visit.
Tucked away in Grayling near the banks of the Au Sable River, the 9,335-acre park hosts a charming (and decidedly rustic) cabin, 100 modern campsites, and access to an incredible old-growth pine forest. Set up your tent or camper under the shade and head out for some leaf-peeping along more than 20 miles of trails on foot, by mountain bike, or sight-see by boat.
Hartwick Pines State Park is open for camping year-round. Nightly rates begin around $40.
Platte River Campground
Location: 5685 Lake Michigan Rd, Honor
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is teeming with scenic spots, so you’ll want a place to rest your head after a long day of sightseeing. Enter Platte River Campground, home to some of Northern Michigan’s prettiest campsites for seeing fall foliage. While it’s situated along the Platte River, the campground is also just a stone’s throw from the Sleeping Bear Dunes themselves.
Platte River accommodates a variety of camping styles, whether you’re looking for a rugged hike-in site or planning to travel with your RV. Nightly fees range from $22-$50, depending on which type of campsite you choose. Of course, you might spend so much time exploring the surrounding Northern Michigan attractions that your campsite will only be a place to rest at night—and that’s okay, too!
Campsites are available at Platte River Campground year-round, though many amenities are closed during winter. Nightly rates begin at $22.
Southeast Michigan
Hawk Woods Park and Campground
Location: 3799 Bald Mountain Rd, Auburn Hills
Venture to Auburn Hills for a seasonal stay at Hawk Woods Park and Campground, a beautifully maintained 80-acre space that hosts nature events, educational opportunities, and plenty of peace and quiet. The campground at Hawk Woods consists of six cozy cabins with loads of classic rustic elements, like bunk beds, picnic tables, and charming front porches where you can sit and take in the fall colors.
There’s also a large main lodge at Hawk Woods, making it an ideal spot to host a work retreat or family gathering. After all, a meeting that should have been an email is much more tolerable when it happens in the shade of a ravishing maple tree.
Hawk Woods Campground is open June through October. Nightly rates for cabins begin at $60 for Michigan residents and $90 for non-residents.
Waterloo Recreation Area
Location: 16345 McClure Rd, Chelsea
Waterloo Recreation Area is home to several unique campground options—though that’s no surprise, as Waterloo is the Lower Peninsula’s biggest state park at some 21,000 acres. Snag a space at one of the park’s modern campgrounds at Sugarloaf Lake or Portage Lake.
Alternatively, round up a few pals and spend the night in a camper cabin, tiny house, or yurt. That’s right: There’s a yurt available for rent at Waterloo’s Green Lake Rustic Campground with space for five overnight guests. Can you imagine sipping coffee on the porch of your yurt while taking in the colors of fall?
Campsites are available at Waterloo Recreation Area year-round. Nightly rates for modern campsites begin around $35, while nightly yurt rental costs $90.
Upper Peninsula
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Location: 41382 W M-123, Paradise
It doesn’t get much more magical than Tahquamenon Falls, one of Michigan’s most iconic natural landmarks. Tahquamenon Falls State Park is home to more than just the powerful falls themselves, though—visitors can spend the night in one of four campgrounds.
Choose from Lower Falls Campground, Hemlock Campground, Rivermouth Modern Campground, and Rivermouth Pines Rustic Campground. Each spot is surrounded by natural wonder, but amenities and campsite offerings vary, so be sure to check out the park’s website before planning your trip.
Campsites are available at Tahquamenon Falls State Park year-round. Nightly rates begin around $36.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Location: 33303 Headquarters Rd, Ontonagon
If you ask us, the Porcupine Mountains (affectionately known as the Porkies) are among Michigan’s most underrated and undervisited destinations. Of course, they’re not easy to access for many Michiganders thanks to their remote Upper Peninsula location—but Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park certainly deserves a spot on your Great Lakes State bucket list.
Visiting the Porkies during autumn is especially magical, as foliage throughout Michigan’s largest state park is breathtaking. Camping at the state park is a dream for campers who don’t mind roughing it—there are 65 primitive wilderness camp sites and several other backcountry spots scattered throughout. For a more comfortable experience, snag one of 100 sites at Union Bay Modern Campground or check out the Kaug Wudjoo Modern Lodge.
Campsites are available at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park year-round, though many locations might be difficult to access in snowy weather. Nightly rates begin around $20.
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