Young State Park: Camping Review and Activity Guide
Young State Park
Travel to the Northwest side of Michigan to discover Young State Park, located on beautiful Lake Charlevoix.
With 563 acres of land, Lake Charlevoix was voted one of the best beaches in Michigan.
When we camped, we basically had the inside scoop and tour guides during our stay. Our good friends camp here every year for a two week stretch. They showed us all the best places and they had a prime spot with the view of the colorful sunsets on the lake
If you take a moment and glance at the map of Michigan where Young State Park is located, you will quickly realize what an ideal spot this is for boating, fishing and camping. Located only minutes from Petoskey and Boyne City, it’s situated in a prime location for easy day trips to the nearby cities.
Charlevoix, Michigan is one of the best vacation spots in the Midwest area for outdoor lovers. Charlevoix has a winning combination of lovely sandy beaches, scenic hiking trails and an inviting downtown areas featuring boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. A trip into town is enjoyable for everyone, as you grab some fresh produce at the farmers market and visit the Kid’s Corner Playground.
google map of Young State Park
Located between Boyne City and Charlevoix, Young State Park has a large beach, fishing pond with a dock, small camp store, and is an ideal place for boaters and paddlers. If you enjoy camping with tons of activities and restaurants, plus a fun downtown area to explore, then head to Young State Park. Now that your attention is peaked, here is a quick review of this beautiful state park.
Highlights/ Overview
Beautiful swimming beach, with a designated pet friendly area and a variety of camping options.
On site small camp store to grab ice cream.
Prime location for visiting local towns along Lake Michigan including Charlevoix, Petoskey and Boyne City.
Paddle sports are fun on Lake Charlevoix including boating and kayaking.
Cost of Camping
Entrance to a Michigan State Park requires a Recreation Passport. Michigan residents can purchase a yearly pass for $13.00 with their vehicle registration. There's a $5 convenience fee (except for Belle Isle Park) when the Recreation Passport is not purchased at the time of your license plate registration renewal through the Secretary of State. Non residents can purchase a daily pass for $11 and an annual pass for $40 as of 1/1/24. Some select parks also have cabin rentals for an additional cost. Reservations can be made 6 months in advance. Remember popular campground sites fill up fast, so book early.
Beach
Caribbean blue waters of Lake Charlevoix makes this beach one of the best in Michigan. A large stretch of sandy beach with plenty of space, although sadly the beach has shrunk some due to high water levels over the years. Parking is available for trailers, vehicles, and cars near the beach. The grassy area at the park has a concession stand, grills, and fire pits.
Young State Park Beach
There is a designated beach area for dogs where your pets can access the water, but they must still stay on a 6 foot leash. There is no sign posted, but it is located on the Northern part of the park near the boat launch. It is a quiet, rocky beach section so bring water shoes if planning to go in with your pup. Rangers do monitor and enforce rules.
Programming
Park Rangers are very active at this park and patrol often. The camp hosts provide cocoa and coffee on weekends and creative crafts activities for children. Here are some great nature inspired activities you may enjoy while camping.
Cell reception Cell reception was decent in most spots. No Wifi available.
Boating & Fishing
Mirror Pond at Young State Park
A popular campground for boaters. Who can blame them with the beautiful blue water of Lake Charlevoix. A designated boat launch area is in located by Terrace for boats under 16 feet. The lake is stocked with lake trout.
A great spot for fishing with children is at Mirror Pond. During our stay we caught bass and sunfish. The camp hosted a fishing derby during our stay and the park rangers assisted the children with fishing skills and baiting the hook with worms.
There are numerous spots for paddle boarding and kayaking. There are two access points to the water by small boat or kayak. Several unique and lovely areas include:
Additionally, you can cross Lake Charlevoix and take the Canal to Lake Michigan. We even ventured to Fisherman’s Island to search for Petoskey stones.
Upside Down Cedar Trees While out on the lake keep your eyes open for the upside down Cedar trees which lost their footing due to the elements. For years and years people have stuck them in the lake bottom side up in the clay soil.
Clay Pits. Experience a unique spot, where you can enjoy Charlevoix Lake’s beach clay. Take your paddle boards or kayaks with you. Just left of the boat launch beach, you’ll find the clay area which is a great spot along the shoreline. The clay in certain areas give the water a Caribbean blue color. The boat launch area can get pretty mucky though.
TIP Grab some clay and create your own little sculptures or sling shot competitions. Your kids will love digging mud pits and then let them take “mud baths,” just like a fancy spa!
Upside Down Cedar Trees on Lake Charlevoix
Hiking/ Cross County Ski Trails
Trail signs are well marked and easy to follow on the trails. Grab a detailed map at the visitor’s center, along with flyers at the kiosk with nearby attractions.
Wooded Trails at Young State Park
White Birch Nature Trail - (2.2 Miles) An easy 2.2 mile trail, mostly through the woods.
Deer Flats Nature Trail - (5 Miles) During rainy season, much of the trail becomes impassable.
Biking
Bike Through the Campground With three campground loops, there is plenty of places to ride bikes throughout the Young State Park.
Bike to Boyne Another activity for those that bike is to take your bikes into Boyne City, which is only 3 miles away, and treat yourself to a tasty ice cream.
Avalanche Park Avalanche Mountain Preserve is 300-plus acres of heaven for outdoor enthusiasts. In the warmer months, this city-run facility offers mountain biking and disc golf.
Hiking here is a favorite past time and the view of Lake Charlevoix from the top of the hill is well worth the 462-step climb. Trails range in difficulty from flat terrain to steep inclines.
Wildlife
Wildlife is present, lots of chipmunks, racoons and skunks. Luckily the breeze off the lake helps keep the bugs at bay.
Campsites
A wide variety of options for campsites are available. Check out the full state campground map from shorelinevistorguide.com. Some great sites include 54, 32, 106.
Young State Park
For reference our family of six camped for 3 days at Young State Park in Oak loop in a 27 foot trailer.
Note *On occasion this area is known to flood depending on the water levels, poor site drainage leaves 20-30 sites unusable some months.
3 Campground Loops
Sites tend to be closer together, with little privacy, area in back is crowded by Spruce. Our preference is Terrace, Oak than Spruce.
Terrace 41 sites with 50 amp Service, Electric, boat launch, Mini Cabin, Modern new Restrooms/ bathhouse. The nicest of the three, but hard to get into.
Oak 41 sites with 50 amp Service, Electrical, Modern Restrooms
Spruce 158 sites with 50 amp Service, Electric, Mini Cabin, bathhouse is older but usable, can get crowded.
Mini cabin Accommodates four people, with bunks and mattresses provided.
Alternate Camping Nearby
Desiring a more quiet, rustic setting, then check out Fisherman’s Island State Park. The park is located nearby and is a wonderful place to camp if you are seeking tranquility and don’t mind rustic camping (no electric and vault toilets). The campsites are large with ton of vegetation between sites and not crammed together like many campground. There is an abundance of wildlife to see and the unspoiled beauty of Lake Michigan.
Petoskey State Park A popular campground for rock hounds, Petoskey State Park’s one mile beach on Little Traverse Bay is the place to find Petoskey stones. The park has 168 sites between two campground loops, which include modern campsites. Those who enjoy biking can explore scenic views along the Little Traverse Wheelway, which extends for 26 miles. Petoskey is a central spot to take day trips to nearby towns like Harbor Springs and Charlevoix. Make sure to stop at nearby Pond Hill Farm during your visit.
Amenities
Modern Restrooms, flushing toilets and hot showers
Campground Store
Playground
Basketball court.
240 modern campsites with Electric
No sewer hookup or water hookup
1 Sewer Dump Station (advise filling up with water ahead of time and dumping elsewhere if possible due to longer wait times)
Pro/ Cons
Here is a quick list of Pros and Cons.
CONS sites can become flooded during heavy rainfall and some site could be canceled, some sites are close together, only 1 dump station which can get backed up, narrow roads within the state park
PROS: Great beach and Lake, nearby towns to explore and tons of activities nearby
Fun Things to Do Near Young State Park
Visit Charlevoix’s 4 bodies of water Lake Michigan, Round River, Charlevoix River and Pine River. Visit the beach and view the Charlevoix South Pier Lighthouse at the entrance of the Pine River Channel, where Lake Michigan meets with Lake Charlevoix.
View from the canal of the Charlevoix South Pier Lighthouse
Tunnel of Trees During the Fall, drive through the tunnel of trees on M-119 up from Harbor Springs all the way to Mackinaw City for stunning colors.
Boyne Mountain The Chair lift runs during the summer. Grab a beverage at the top or rent a golf cart and explore the area.
Petoskey This beautiful beach town has tons of restaurants and shops to explore.
Petoskey State park A popular campground for rock hounds, Petoskey State Park’s one mile beach on Little Traverse Bay has is a great spot to discover Petoskey Stones.
Pond Hill Farm Hike through their property to find Gnomes homes, great grilled cheese and homemade roasted tomatoe soup, lots of animals, nice little playground, awesome trout pond that you can feed hundreds of fish that jump out of the water.
Little Traverse Wheelway A bike path that stretches 26 miles trail and takes you through several towns.
Mackinac Island Take the ferry to Mackinac where you can bike around the island (8 miles) for one of the loveliest & scenic rides you will ever experience! Hike to Arch Rock, grab some fudge, and visit the butterfly house or Fort Mackinac. Here’s a Guide to visiting Mackinac Island for the Day.
Avalanche Peak On the South edge of town you’ll find Avalanche Peak. With 320 acres and has a 2.2 mile hiking trail, 4.2 mile mountain bike trail, a disc golf course and scenic overlook of Lake Charlevoix you won’t be bored. Our group divided up and did some hiking, while others deciding to mountain bike to the top.
Mushroom House Tour at Elements Gallery
Farmers Market Enjoy fresh produce, fresh flowers and hand made items on Saturdays.
Petoskey Corner Scoops Grab a delicious ice cream treat while in downtown Petoskey.
Ironton Ferry Take the Ironton Ferry across the South part of Lake Charlevoix. Mid-April through mid-November. Operating hours are spring-fall from 6:30-10:30pm.
Find the Fairy Doors Head out on a scavenger hunt to find all the hidden fairy doors by obtaining a list from The Circle of Arts. Head downtown Charlevoix for some photo ops to take your pictures with cutouts.
Thorne Swift Nature Preserve Located in nearby Harbor Springs, the nature preserve is a fun place to visit. Pack a cooler and beach toys as you enjoy this secluded beach.
Veteran’s Memorial Park With a wooden playground and summer music in the park on Wednesdays, bring your chair or blanket
Boyne Friday nights stroll the streets, and enjoy the music.
Wildwood Rush Zip Line Canopy Tour Get a birds eye view of Lake Charlevoix as you fly through the air and race your family on the triple zipline. With 6 climbing platforms, climbing wall and a Double Dare Quick Jump will fill your inner need for adventure.
Oden’s Fish Hatchery Visitor Center. Bike down to the big ponds, see large trout and feed the fish with coins and tour facility.
Disc golf There are 3 good disc golf courses within 15 miles of the state park
Magnus Park A great spot to hunt for Petoskey Stones.
Restaurants Near Young State Park
Gilda’s Lake Street Bakery Delicious pastries to start your day off right.
Cafe Sante Kid can fish at the pier across the way if you bring your poles.
Petoskey Pretzel Co The perfect treat for summer which has the most yummy pretzels.
Petoskey Brewing Company Best cheeseburgers ever.
Pipers Craving some delicious pizza, stop a Pipers.
Leggs Inn in Cross Village this restaurant is a great spot with an outdoor area and amazing food
Tom’s Moms Cookies in Harbor Springs This popular spot has amazingly delicious cookies. Order ahead of time and expect a long wait.
Back Lot Yum! The food and drinks are amazing.
MIMs restaurant has the best perch fry!
Final Thoughts
From lovely beaches to ferry rides, biking and rock hunting, throw in downtown shopping and dining Charlevoix, Michigan lives up to it’s hype of “Charlevoix the Beautiful”. Definitely put this Michigan beach town and Young State Park on your bucket list. As you plan your next camping trip to this beautiful Great Lakes destination make sure to Pin and Save for later. Follow Discovering Anew’s Facebook Page for more campground reviews and Michigan adventures. We’re constantly producing new content to help make planning your next trip easier.
