Interlochen State Park

Michigan’s 1st State park did not disappoint. We stayed on sites 466 and 362 and both were very spacious. We had a 25 foot camper on one and 4 tents on the other. The bathrooms were recently updated and were very nice. It was very hot so we were at the beach every day and that was very nice. It was a little crowded but we still had no issues finding shade and even had a picnic table every day. Duck lake is beautiful and we saw all kinds of wildlife.

I love this campground! It is very large and lots of tent and rv sites. They also have cabins. we tent camped and our site had plenty of room for multiple tents. It is close by to lots of things, including a nice grocery store right up the road. We were at the south end of the south campground. I did not see the north campground but I really like the south campground. We were close to 2 bathrooms, one of which was a tornado shelter and very nice and clean. We were site 479 and all the sites by us were very nice. The other bathroom was older but clean too. Both had showers. The beach is very nice too! There were 2 playground areas close to us. It was very quiet here. Lots of people coming and going but the sites were large and overall there's plenty of room. I loved it!

Interlochen State Park – A True Michigan Gem for Nature Lovers If you’re looking for a peaceful, nature-rich camping experience in northern Michigan, Interlochen State Park is the place to be. Nestled between Green Lake and Duck Lake, this campground offers a perfect balance of comfort and wilderness. ⛺️ Tent and Cabin Options Whether you’re pitching a tent or staying in one of the cozy cabins, you’ll find a great setup. Tent campers will appreciate the many tall, sturdy trees—perfect for tying rain tarps or hammocks. The sites vary from grassy and shaded to gravel and open, giving you flexibility based on your preference. Cabins are simple but charming, and a great option if you’re looking for more shelter. 🚿 Clean Facilities The bathhouses are reliably clean and offer hot water showers, which is always a win after a day outdoors. While like any busy park things can get a little messy at peak hours, the facilities are generally well-maintained. 🐶 Pet & Family Friendly Expect to see lots of happy dogs here—Interlochen is definitely dog-friendly, so long as your pup stays leashed and respectful. It’s also very family-oriented, so keep an eye out for kids biking around the loops or playing near the roads. 🌲 Friendly Campers & Great Trails The campground has a warm community feel—campers are friendly, respectful, and often happy to chat. You’ll also find lovely walking trails that wind through tall pines and natural surroundings, perfect for a morning hike or a sunset stroll. 🔥 Camp Store & Firewood There’s a nice camp store on-site with the essentials and some souvenirs. Firewood is available from a third-party seller near the store—3 bundles for $20 (cash or Venmo), which is a convenient and fair deal. 🌿 Final Thoughts Interlochen State Park is a beautiful place to unplug, reconnect with nature, and enjoy Michigan’s outdoors. With its variety of campsites, tree coverage for tarps, peaceful trails, and a friendly atmosphere, it’s one of those places you’ll want to return to year after year.

Another beautiful Michigan State Park. It was a quiet relaxing stay in Michigan‘s first State Park. The walks were beautiful. The access to the lake was nice. The campsite was clean. The bathrooms and showers were well maintained as well as modern. This is a place that we intend to go back.

Beautiful and spacious park! Campsites in the south, modern loop are a little close, but not too bad. We stayed on site 387 which was well suited for our 30ft travel trailer. Each site has 20/30amp electricity, a fire pit, and a picnic table. We had scenic views of Duck Lake out our back window. The park store is full of souvenirs, snacks, ice cream, hot foods, and camping paraphernalia. I would return to this park if that was something we did. It is located just a few minutes from Interlochen and about 20 minutes from Traverse City.

The park is large with almost 500 campsites split into 2 loops. Each loop has at least 2 shower and rest room facilities. They renovated most of these last year and these are very nice and clean. However the water pressure is not great, and in one of the older houses the water goes to nothing whenever someone flushes a toilet. The water temperature is not effected which is good. Most site are relatively level but some are very unlevel. The beach area is very nice, they do have a store with merchandise for sale, ice cream, and snacks. You can rent kayaks. Small playgrounds. Duck lake is big and very pretty. It is a 15 minute walk to Interlochen where they have performances and concerts in a covered but outdoor theater.

We had a great time camping at interlochen state park. The restrooms were very clean and never crowded. Would definitely come back again!

We love this park. Great bass fishing, even during very hot weather we have never not done well here. Campground is great, waterfront sites on both sides. We launch a 21 foot bass boat no problem. Sandy beaches for nice swimming and the water warms up quickly compared to Lake Michigan.

We rolled into this campground fairly late in the day after an extremely long drive from New York. The check in process was super quick and we were able to purchase our Michigan recreation pass. All of the sites are super close together, but well kept and clean. We were in site 380 and were close to the restrooms, but not too close that it was a nuisance. The sunrise on the lake was beautiful. Overall, we had a great single night stay here !

Super bummed. According to the entrance attendant - who is very friendly, by the way - the park is completely closed except for those with the boat.

I've been camping at Interlochen for over 30 years. It is always clean and just a pleasant place to vacation. It's a short drive to TC and all the wineries. Sutton's Bay is a little longer drive--but hey, we're on vacation. Doesn't feel like summer with a trip to Interlochen.

Interlochen State Park was the destination for our friend camping trip this past summer and I'm so glad we decided to check it out because it turned out to be one of my favorite state parks we've visited so far. The campground is between two inland lakes, Duck Lake and Green Lake, and there's a nice sandy beach right on Duck Lake at the campground. The beach area also has a pavilion with a picnic table, a big grassy lawn perfect for bocce ball, and a camp store with necessities, supplies, and during non-pandemic days, a snack bar with hot food and ice cream! I think the beach was my favorite part of the campground as it was sandy and the water was clear. There are notices everywhere about the risk of swimmer's itch, which I guess is pretty common on this lake. However we fortunately didn't experience any of that. Just be sure to towel off and shower after swimming. The sites are very large and not crammed in all together, which is always appreciated. We kept commenting that the campground was particularly quiet compared to some of the others we've stayed at. The restroom facilities were clean (and cleaned daily) and modern which is a plus. The campground is located in between Traverse City and Frankfort, which makes it super convenient to go into town to explore, shop, and go out to eat. It's also minutes away from Interlochen Center for the Arts, which usually puts on concerts and events all throughout summer. I loved Interlochen State Park and can't wait to camp there again.

Michigan's first state park did NOT disappoint. We camped here for 4th of July weekend and got a spot by the new shower house at the back of the park and a spot on the water. We had our roof top tent and the sunrises were so beautiful over the lake. We will return, from Ohio.

The bathrooms alone are a great reason to camp here.. also, the helpful staff and great location. Camping there was great. Would highly recommended!

This park is fantastic! It is situated between two lakes which provides easy access to water no matter what spot you stay at! There is a brand new building on one side and the showers are inside the building. It is clean with no spiders! There's a park and a beach to play at! Highly Recommended! The staff is very friendly as well. :)

One of the better michigan state campgrounds. The park is quite at night and great for families during the day. The bathrooms ans showers are very clean and updated at least in the south section. I would recommend a site on the edges or corners inside of in the middle for more privacy and space.

I recently moved about ten minutes from this park and found it the best place to swim in the area. I've heard tales of swimmer's itch but never experienced it. The beach is clean and rarely crowded, and the water is just wonderful. Though there is boat traffic, they generally stay away from the swim areas. A beautiful, peaceful place to while away a summer's afternoon both in the water and out.

I was pleasantly surprised with this state park! It has probably the cleanest restroom I have ever been in in a campground. The grounds are clean, the fire pits are awesome and the store on site is cute and quaint with everything you could want. There's a beach, a mini softball field, and volleyball courts. We stayed at site 23 and woke up to sounds of the lake in the morning. We will definitely stay here again as its about 30 minutes from Traverse City and roughy 35-40 minutes from sleeping bear dunes.

First off, I love this place. It's gorgeous, in the middle of two large, beautiful lakes, and near the world class Interlochen Center for the Arts. So why three stars? Because the Swimmer's Itch problem in the two lakes - Green and Duck - is out of control. After being there for four days and swimming in Green Lake on three of those days, I have over 120 "bites" all over my body, each one about as itch as a mosquito bite. Before you go, read up on Swimmer's Itch and how to avoid it - it's not to be messed with. I would include one very important pointer that's not readily available elsewhere but I did find deep inside a Michigan DNR booklet - avoid swimming on whichever side of the lake the wind is blowing the water into, which is usually the east and south sides of the lakes, as the parasites that cause Swimmer's Itch get carried by the wind and current. We were swimming on the east side of Green Lake and all three days there was a light west wind. Big, big mistake. Go but be educated and beware.

This State Park is in a great location, nestled in between two beautiful inland lakes. There is a swimming beach next to a fun and well-stocked camp store with friendly service. They have educational programs for kids and they are a short walk from Interlochen Center for the Arts, which has many free events in art, dance, music and theatre. It is fun to combine camping in the wood and seeing some impressive performances. You are also well positioned here for day trips to either peninsula, Sleeping Bear or Traverse City. While there are no marked hiking trails at the campground, you can find some in the woods between the camp and the road.

The great thing about Interlochen State Park and Campground is that there's often music playing in the background, a short walk across the street at Interlochen Center for the Arts. The mostly shaded sites are large, and the bathrooms/showers are monitored regularly and kept relatively clean. It's not far to Platte River canoeing, Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes, or Traverse City. If you don't feel like driving to water, you can relax on or near Duck Lake. There are some shops in the Village of Interlochen, and a couple good-sized grocery stores about a mile north of the campground.

One of my favorite state parks! Lots of shade, clean bathrooms, nice swimming area, etc. Close to Traverse City as well!

This is now our second year staying here on vacation! We love tent camping and Interlochen State Park is so beautiful! We have loved the mostly clean bathrooms and showers. Water is spotty on if it will be hot or cold but it's camping so we expect it. There is warning of swimmers itch here and in the two years we have come, we've never had a problem. We put on creamy Vaseline before swimming, dry off good after & rinse shower and seen no bites! The surrounding town has such neat places... Bud's is a MUST!! Also, there is a hunting/liquor store down past Buds on the left that has huge bundles of wood for $7... Best deal around!

Huge park! Its near a grocery store which is nice. The park was clean and bathrooms were clean too. The water didn't get cold which is ok, there was a small park for kids. I didnt go in the water because i heard you could get swimmers itch.

One of my favorite campgrounds! I went there for the first time last weekend (stayed Friday through Monday), and absolutely loved it. Once we arrived, we realized our tent poles accidentally got left behind, so we slept in our hammocks for the first night (we ended up buying a new tent the second and third nights). Luckily, the site had plenty of trees for us to attach our hammocks to (and we noticed that pretty much all the sites nearby had at least a few trees each as well, which I liked), and there were pretty much no bugs the entire time we were there. The campground was quiet, and the park staff actually patrolled from time to time. The sites numbers are on the road, so it's easy to find sites. The sites along the water had a beautiful view, but the ones not near the water (such as ours) still had beautiful scenery. The only suggestion for improvement was that it appeared that the north modern campsites had updated bathrooms, while the south sites appeared a little older. We got to listen to the marching band practicing nearby, which was cool. Two grocery stores just north of the campground (probably around a mile or two away) for any forgotten items, and not too far to Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes. Plenty of things to do in the area, and also a large enough campground to where a walk around could easily be a couple miles. Price was fair. Camp store was giant! I will absolutely be back here to camp!!!

Great place to camp. Allow motorcycles. Clean modern bath house. Lots of things to do and very reasonably priced.

Growing up 15 minutes away, it was the place we went to swim for a day, school picnics, and visit family when they camped. We always had a fun time. Now that I have my own children I appreciate it even more. Plenty of camp sites, including cabin rental, boat launch, lake, couple play grounds, adequate day pass parking, plenty of picnic tables and pavilions. Yes, swimmers itch is a problem, but we purchased this Itch Guard a few years back that we found to work really well, and we continue to use. Highly recommend this park for a day, a weekend, or even longer.

Nice surprise, planned on a relatively short notice trip, hadn't been there before. Stayed Wednesday-Sunday. As mentioned on another post, you'll find music echoing across the lake pretty consistently, from the camp across the road. Happened to have an outside lot with a little trail to the lake. It was great, I'd love to go back to the exact same site. To the details, the staff were very friendly also. Didn't want to leave when it was time to pack up.

Well managed and clean campground. Disappointed when we found out the beach smells like dead fish. Not as kid friendly as we hoped as playgrounds were subpar. Wish the campsites weren't so close, not a lot of privacy. This, like most Michigan campgrounds, is setup for Rv camping. Have yet to find a true camping experience in this state.