Camping

Seeing the wonder in a child’s face when experiencing nature gives us new eyes through which to see our world. Children notice and appreciate small details that we sometimes take for granted. They can teach us a renewed appreciation of simply being outside, in the quiet of natural spaces, observing nature and moving slowly. Camping is a blast and can be an inexpensive family getaway. However, sometimes with small children, it is nice to have the option to run home for emergency supplies or just plain go home to sleep. Traverse Bay Area campgrounds enable families to enjoy roughing it while still close to home… just in case. Betsie River Canoes & Campground 13598 Lindy Rd Thompsonville 49683 879-3850 Camp Arbutus Hayo-Went-Ha 1350 E Arbutus Lake Rd Traverse City 49686 946-8589 Everflowing Waters Campground 5481 Brackett Rd Traverse City 938-0933 Grass Lake State Forest Campground 10 miles NE of Thompsonville via County Rd 669 & Wallin Rd 922-5280 Holiday Park Campground 4860 US Highway 31S Traverse City 49684 943-4410 Honcho Rest Campground 8988 Calm Highway Elk Rapids 49629 264-8548 Interlochen State Park M-137 Interlochen 49643 26-9511 Lake Ann State Forest Campground 2 mi SW of Lake Ann via Almira Rd & Reynolds Rd 922-5280 Leelanau Pines Campground 6500 E Leelanau Pines Dr Cedar 49621 228-5742 Leelanau State Park 15310 N Lighthouse Point Rd Northport 49670 386-5422		Northern Exposure Campground/RV & Recreation Park 285 Manistee Rd Mesick 49668 563-7425 Northern Pines Campground 5945 Yuba Park Rd Williamsburg 938-2280 Platte River State Forest Campground 2.5 Mi SE of Honor via US-31 & Goose Rd 922-5280 Ranch Rudolf 6841 Brown Bridge Rd Traverse City 49686 947-9529 Scheck’s Place State Forest Campground 12 mi SW of Williamsburg via Williamsburg Rd, Supply Rd & Brown Bridge Rd 922-5280 Timber Ridge Resort 4050 Hammond Rd Traverse City 49686 947-2770, (800)909-2327 Traverse City KOA 9700 S M37 Buckley 49620 269-3203, (800) 249-3203 Traverse City State Park 1132 US 31 N Traverse City 49686 922-5270 Veterans Memorial State Forest Campground 3.5 mi East of Honor via US-31 922-5280 Wild Cherry Resort 8563 E Horn Rd Lake Leelanau 49653 271-5550 TIP FOR BUG BITES Carry a small baggie of unseasoned powdered meat tenderizer in your pack. Mix 1 part meat tenderizer with 4 parts water to instantly neutralize the sting of insect bites. This is a lightweight, natural, and effective remedy to keep handy.