Best Michigan Campgrounds for Kids with Halloween Activities and Fall Harvest Events

Fall Camping in Michigan with Kids to Enjoy Halloween Activities and Fall Colors

Camping in the Fall in Michigan is a family tradition for many families. September and October is a highlight for most kids. Weekends are packed full of spooktacular events and the fall leaf color is lovely. Autumn is one of the best seasons to explore Michigan’s many hiking trails and family-friendly campgrounds.

Looking to plan a fall camping trip combined with fun Halloween activities for your kids, then look no further. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best private Michigan campgrounds and Michigan State Parks for fall camping. This list starts with private campgrounds in Michigan and ends with our favorite Michigan State Parks.

Michigan Fall Camping Tips

• The Michigan State Park website has a large list of fall harvest and haunt events happening at many state parks this year.

• If you’re interested in camping during one of the fall event weekends, it’s advisable to book 6 months in advance since they fill up fast.

• Fall weather can change quite quickly. In a single day you can go from a beautiful fall day to snow. Choose camping locations carefully because the brisk winds off the lake can be quite cold, especially without vegetation or tree protection.

• Leaf colors are more vibrant inland rather than along the shoreline of the Great Lakes.

• Go North of M-55 for more color in mid Sept. Generally Northern lower Michigan will be full of color near the end of September or first week in October, give or take a few weeks.

Check out this map we created from Wanderlog, which can assist you with finding a Michigan fall campground that will fit your needs.

Places mapped by Wanderlog, the best trip planner app on iOS and Android

Private Campgrounds

Generally private campgrounds have tons of amenities from playgrounds, sports courts to activity programming that will keep kids busy and families will love. The trade off is that they typically cost more and have less wooded areas than State Parks.

Port Huron Campground Jellystone| Carsonsville

HALLOWEEN can’t be beat at Port Huron Jellystone. Filled with loads of Halloween fun and tons of activities. Three Spooktacular weekends in a row ( Sept 29- Oct 15, 2023) the campground has pumpkin carving, costume contests, trick-or treating and campsite decorating.

Head to the thumb to experience all that Port Huron Campground has to offer. This campground is a kid’s paradise with a fishing pond, kayaking and putt putt golf. It’s the perfect setting for those who love all the fall activities. Offering a range of sites from cabins, RV sites to tent sites, they can accommodate any size group. Need additional details click here. ($50-75 /night)

Waffle Farm Campground | Coldwater

The fall season at Waffle Farm has plenty of haunted hayrides, trick-or-treating and harvest events. This family-friendly campground located in Coldwater, Michigan offers both seasonal sites and daily campsite rentals. With options for rustic, electric and even waterfront spots with full hookup, you will find just what fits your needs and price point.

Bounce pillows are a fun feature at campgrounds

The campground facilities include modern restrooms, 2 playgrounds, a large beach and a boat launch. The seasonal camp also has basketball, volleyball, and a jumping pillow that children will love. Check out all the details to book your campsite at Waffle Farm.

Indigo Bluffs | Empire

You’ll love this private campground with a family-friendly atmosphere that offers cabins, as well as tent and RV sites. Located near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Indigo Bluffs lets you explore the scenic fall hiking trails nearby like Empire Bluff Trail, which is a 1.5 miles hike that rewards you with a gorgeous bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. Take a quick day trip to Traverse City or Frankfort during your stay. Indigo Bluffs closes for the season Oct 15 so book your spot early.

Empire Bluff Trail is gorgeous in the Fall

Timber Ridge | Traverse City

This impressive campground in Traverse City will soon become a favorite fall camping spot for your family. With fun fall programming, as well as, a giant game of dodge ball and a bike terrain park, your kids will have a wealth of activities to enjoy. Plus, there is a wide variety of sites to pick from including basic to full hook ups to accommodate any price point (prices range from $40-$90 a night)

Timber Ridge’s prime location is perfect for exploring the Traverse City areas many shops and restaurants, nearby Sleeping Bear Dunes check out more details here. Make sure to enjoy the fall leaf color by driving on a scenic color tour or bring your bikes and explore trails on the  VASA trail system.  

Duck Creek RV Resort | Muskegon

This resort style campground has it all for the RV camper, plus those wanting a cabin. Never a dull moment at Duck Creek with a private lake including a sandy beach, huge modern playground, bounce pillow, arcade, putt putt golf and sports courts. Enjoy swimming even in the fall months with an indoor pool (open until Oct 16).

Instead of just a weekend of fun, this campground has Halloween trick-or-treating, hayrides and costume contests every Saturday evening from September 16 through October 14. Let the fun continue by visiting nearby Muskegon Adventure for their Tricks and Treats Fall Fest. With both cabin rentals and a variety of RV site including pull thru sites, paved sites, and even shared group RV sites, this is a perfect spot for family fun. (Sites start at $94/ night)

Costume Contests

Triponds| Allegan

This family owned campground is conveniently located between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. It provides a much needed fall camping spot with activities for the entire family. The Fall Fest weekend is on Sept 22-24, 2023 with plenty of Halloween fun. There is a lodge that serves ice cream, a new modern playground, and a climbing wall. With a variety of options for both modern sites to fully furnished cottages, book your next family vacation at Triponds. ($45 +)

South Haven Jelly Stone Park | South Haven

Get lost in a giant cornmaze this fall at South Haven JellyStone. Ongoing fall activity programming happens all season from glow hayrides, trick-or-treating, or making spooky crafts - your kids will love every minute. Head to the West side to experience all that South Haven Jellystone Camp Resort has to offer. This campground is a Candyland for kids with a playground, pool, outdoor laser tag, outdoor theater, and arcade. It’s the ideal setting for people who love staying busy with activities. Offering a range of sites from cabins, RV sites to tent sites, they can accommodate any size group. Need additional details click here. ($50-75 /night)

Mackinaw City/ Mackinac Island KOA | Mackinaw City

Visiting the Mackinac Bridge is beautiful in the fall. The Mackinac KOA is ideal if you want to bike on a trail into town or to the Mackinac ferry. Free shuttles are also available to take you to the Mackinac Island ferry ports. The KOA has large sites for big rig with tons of amenities including a pool, cable TV, a playground, laundry facilities, dog park and Wi-Fi available. Be aware that they close October 15 for the season.

Ferry to Mackinac Island

Some unique activities on Mackinac Island during the fall season include a Fall Color Tour Flight with Great Lakes Air or a scenic carriage ride around the island. Make sure to visit the island's highest point at Fort Holmes, to get a unique aerial view of the golden hues and bright fall colors. Here is a trip guide for spending a day on Mackinac Island. Within Mackinaw City some fun fall events include Lumber Jack Shows and Fort Fright, when Colonial Michilimackinac hosts a weekend of scary family fun.

Michigan State Parks

Personally we tend to camp at Michigan State Parks over private campgrounds. We have found that state parks provide some of the best camping, it’s reasonably priced, and our kids get a less commercialized feel. Luckily, many of the state parks host harvest events or head to a nearby orchard or farm for fall events. Michigan state park campgrounds fill up quickly, so make reservations 6 months in advance from the date you plan to camp. To secure a campsite, go to MI DNR State Reservations.

If you’re planning to camp during the Halloween Weekend for trick-or-treating you may be trying to prepare and asking yourself how much candy to bring. A good rule of thumb for any park is to take the number of sites in the park and multiply by 4. That should give you a good base for calculating the minimum number of pieces of candy to bring.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park | Paradise

Nicknamed the Niagara of Michigan, Tahquamenon Falls is quite stunning in the fall. Boasting views of both the Upper and Lower Falls, as well as, 35 miles of trails throughout the park, outdoor enthusiast will love this spot. We appreciate that the park is handicap accessible to view the Lower Falls in part by the Ronald A. Olson Island Bridge, so both wheelchairs and strollers can access this beautiful area.

This family-friendly campground offers a range of both modern and rustic sites. On Sept 30, 2023 this campground hosts a harvest festival for tons of family activities.

Petoskey State Park | Petoskey

Hunt for Petoskey stones at Petoskey State Park

With one of the loveliest scenic drives in Autumn, the Petoskey area is right in the middle of the well known, Tunnel of Trees. Petoskey State Park is a perfect place to stay centrally located and enjoy leaf color.

Kids will love searching for Petoskey Stones on the one mile beach on Little Traverse Bay. Petoskey State Park has 168 sites, with both tent and modern campsites. Those who enjoy biking can enjoy colorful views along the 26 mile Little Traverse Wheelway.

Petoskey is in a key location for easy Michigan fall day trips to nearby towns like Harbor Springs, Charlevoix and the Scenic Byway Tunnel of Trees. Stop at nearby Pond Hill Farm during your visit for family-friendly activities with hayrides, pumpkin smashing, hidden gnome hunt, enjoy donuts, hard ciders and wine. Experience one of the newest attractions in the area at the Boyne Mountain’s Sky Bridge. The vivid fall colors of the changing trees create stunning views below as you traverse across the longest wooden sky bridge in Michigan.

Boyne Mountains Sky Bridge Fall

Otsego Lake State Park | Gaylord

This beautiful Northern Michigan State Park is a favorite for fall campers. This inland lake provides a beautiful backdrop for brilliant fall colors. With large wooded sites and crystal clear waters, it’s a perfect getaway for fall camping. With tons of fun local activities nearby like the elk viewing, multiple golf courses, and scenic country roads, you’ll get your fill of time outdoors enjoying the fall colors. Children will love visiting a local farm for hayrides and fall activities at Flemming’s Farm.

South Higgins Lake State Park | Roscommon

This popular Michigan state park is located on an inland lake campground, which is ideal for enjoying the colorful fall trees reflected off the water. With a mile of shoreline on the lake, it’s a great area to relax with your family and pups since there is a dog beach area. South Higgins Lake State Park host several spooktacular fall events. On Sept 29-30 and Oct 6-7, 2023 there are family fun activities occurring at the ball field and around the campground. Fellow campers go all out decorating their sites at South Higgins Lake and it’s a fun time for all. One word of caution when choosing a site, remember that sites right on the lake can be windy in the fall.

Mitchell State Park | Cadillac

Playground at Kenwood Beach at Mitchell State Park

With it’s wooded natural areas and nearby hiking Mitchell State Park is a beautiful fall destination for in-town camping . Enjoy the changing leaf color with all the Maples in the park and the miles of scenic drives. Pack your bikes for gorgeous 7 miles of trail on the Cadillac Foot and Bike Path. Here is a Trip Guide for Visiting Mitchell State Park. Kids will inevitably enjoy the playgrounds and paved trails around the lake featuring rich colorful leaves. Families will appreciate plenty of restaurants and activities close by. During your stay enjoy several golf courses and drive the Cadillac intown fall color loop, which consists of 18 miles of lovely overlooks, hiking trails, boutiques and farmer markets. Nearby Hudson Farm has its annual Fall Fest Oct 7 & 14 from 11-4 with fun fall activities, animals, crafts, a maze, food and wagon rides.

Orchard Beach State Park| Manistee

Travel to the West side to Orchard Beach State Park, located 3 miles North of the town of Manistee. An ideal place to camp in the Autumn since it’s situated on the peak of a 100-foot bluff with lovely views of Lake Michigan and stunning foliage and sunsets. Want to really embrace the outdoors, hike along the Manistee River Trail to be immersed in the beauty of the fall season.

Some local fall activities on the weekends in the Manistee area include climbing aboard the haunted Ghost Ship, which has been turned into a creepy haunted house. Participate in classic fall activities at Calvin Lutz Farms including pumpkin picking, tractor rides, a corn maze and cider & donuts. Another breathtaking way to savor the fall foliage in October is by experiencing the Scenic Air Tour from the Manistee County Blacker Airport for $40/person.

Lost Island Lake Trail at Ludington State Park

Ludington State Park | Ludington

Ludington State Park is favorite for our family, this park is nestled between Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan with miles of hiking trails and stunning sunsets, the Big Sable Lighthouse and fishing at the Hamlin Dam. Bikes are a must during your stay, especially in Autumn, to enjoy all the colorful leaves as you explore this Michigan State Park.

If you love hiking, definitely add Lost Lake Island Trail and Skyline Trail to your list to view fall foliage at it’s finest! Here is a Full Guide to the 21 Miles of Trails at Ludington State Park. Here is a Camping Guide for Ludington State Park, as you plan your fall camping trip.

There is plenty of harvest activities occurring nearby from STIX Biergarten Fall Fest on Oct 21, 2023 to local campground trick-or-treating. Join in on family- fun activities with horse drawn hayrides, music, cider and donuts during Ludington State Park’s Autumn Harvest Festival on October 7, 2023 from 11-3pm.

Big Sable Point Lighthouse at Ludington State Park

Sleepy Hollow State Park | Lansing

Well known for their spooktacular Halloween and fall camping activities for kids, Sleepy Hollow is a popular spot for Michigan fall camping. They offer two fall events, the Harvest Fest ( Oct 6-7, 2023) and the Ichabod Crane Weekend (Oct. 13-14, 2023) with loads of fun family activities.

Large Modern Playground at Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow State Park has plenty of hiking, biking & horse back riding trails to enjoy this fall. This spacious park included Ovid Beach, a modern playground, and large activity area. The gaga ball pit and sports courts are great for groups and families. Located near Lansing, you can easily spend a day visiting the state capital, the Impressions 5 Science Center or Potter’s Zoo. If you enjoy hiking, don’t miss the stunning Ledges Trail, which is a spectacular fall hike in Grand Ledge. Here is a thorough Review and Trip Guide for Sleepy Hollow State Park.

Yankee Springs Recreational Area | Middleville

Water is plentiful at Yankee Springs State Park with nine lakes located within the park, plus tons of trails that are perfect for hiking and mountain biking in the fall. Fishing is quite popular with an ADA fishing pier. A modern campground is located at Gun Lake, rustic camping at Deep Lake, while camping for equestrian youth groups and boyscouts are also available. Horseback riding trails run through the campground so you can experience the fall splendor as you trail ride. The rangers also offer nature programs and activities like solar print and scenic bog walks.

The Harvest Fest will be occurring this year on 10/14/2023, with lots of fun fall activities. The Deep Lake, Equestrian, and Cabins will be open until November 30th. The Gun Lake Recreation Area will be closing for construction this fall until June 2024.

Fort Custer State Park | Augusta

Playground at Fort Custer Stat Park

**Save this park for future years. Fort Custer’s modern campground is currently closed for renovations Fall 2023.

This massive state park is located near Battle Creek, Michigan. Our family appreciates that the campsites are situated in wooded areas with privacy between each site. With 40 miles of trails that loop around three large lakes, Fort Custer provides a scenic fall experience. Two fun ways to explore Fort Custer is by mountain bike or by horseback on the multi-use trails. A modern playground and a sandy beach are some of the features that attract families to this beautiful state park each year. During the fall, nearby Gull Meadow’s Farms, has tons of fall family activities from apple picking, hayrides, a giant corn maze, cider & donuts and so much more.

Gull Meadows has tons of fall activities

Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area | Metamora

Located near the Detroit area, makes Metamora Hadley Recreation Area a convenient fall camping spot for many. Choose from 214 campsites along Lake Minnewanna. A great spot for fishing for bluegill and bass amongst the brilliant colors reflected of the lake. You can also rent a rowboat, canoes, and paddle boards during your stay prior to Labor Day.

Overall the North loop is better for RV’s, while the South loop accommodates tents and smaller RVs. The South loop provides a rustic feel with more trees, offering views of Lake Minnewanna, and is closer to the hiking trails. Bring a fall jacket and your camera to capture some stunning colors mirrored on the lake.**As of Fall of 2023 the campground will be closed for renovations.

Old Orchard Campground |Oscoda

Autumn is a gorgeous time to visit Old Orchard Campground located along the AuSable River. With playgrounds for the kids and a color tour weekend (Oct. 14, 2023) offering hayrides and Halloween trunk-or-treating. The large forested area in Huron-Manistee National Forest is ideal to surround yourself with the Autumn’s splendor and enjoy the River Road Scenic Byway. This large seasonal campground is open from March- November. With over 525 campsites, including primitive and modern, there is ample sites with a lake view. Down the road you can visit the Lumberman's Monument and Largo Springs during your stay.

Charles Mears State Park | Pentwater

Lighted trail

If you love sand and are a die hard beach lover, you’ll enjoy this state park where the sites are right on the sandy beach with a great view. You can easily walk into the family-friendly and dog-friendly village of Pentwater, so it’s a nice one in the fall.

A unique activity, the Mears Lighted Trail, occurs for one weekend in the early fall at Charles Mears State Park. Well worth the visit, the Old Baldy Trail gets bedazzled with thousands of strung lights creating a magical experience for campers on Friday and Saturday, September 13-14th. You won’t want to miss it.

FAQ’s

How much candy to bring for trick-or-treaters?

A good rule of thumb for any park is to take the number of sites in the park and multiply by 4. That should give you a good base for calculating the minimum number of pieces of candy to bring.

Final Thoughts

With so many locations throughout Michigan to participate in Halloween events, we guarantee you’ll find an ideal place for your next fall camping trip. Make sure to book early to secure your site. Whether you’re spending a couple days or a week, you will get your fill of fall fun this season. We’re curious, what campground locations would you add to the list?

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