Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Interlochen
Overview
Interlochen State Park holds the distinction of being the first state park in Michigan, established to preserve one of the last remaining stands of virgin white pines. Situated between the shores of Green Lake and Duck Lake, this historic park offers a classic Northern Michigan camping experience. Visitors are greeted by towering trees and a serene atmosphere that feels worlds away from the hustle of modern life, while remaining conveniently close to local culture and art. This majestic landscape creates an immersive nature retreat for all types of travelers.
Location & Surroundings
The park is nestled in the heart of Interlochen, Michigan, surrounded by lush woodlands and pristine freshwater lakes. Its unique position provides easy access to both Green Lake’s deeper waters and the shallower, warmer Duck Lake. The surrounding area is defined by a quiet, artistic energy, largely due to the adjacent world-renowned Interlochen Center for the Arts. The towering pine canopy provides natural shade and a sense of privacy, making the sites feel like a secluded retreat despite the park’s popularity.
Amenities & Park Features
The park features two distinct campgrounds with over 400 sites, many of which offer electrical service hookups for various RV sizes, including paved pads in specific loops. While individual sites do not offer full sewer hookups, the park provides convenient sanitation stations and modern restrooms with hot showers. Guests can enjoy private swimming beaches, well-maintained boat launches for fishing or paddling, and a park store for essential camping supplies, ice, and firewood to enhance your evening campfire experience.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Beyond the park boundaries, visitors can attend world-class performances at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. A short drive north leads to Traverse City, famous for its cherry festivals, boutique shopping, and vibrant culinary scene. Outdoor enthusiasts often make the trek to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. Local wineries and cideries throughout the Leelanau Peninsula offer excellent day-trip opportunities for those looking to explore the region’s agricultural heritage.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for families and retirees who appreciate a blend of outdoor recreation and cultural enrichment. It is a haven for those who enjoy kayaking or fishing in the early morning fog and spending evenings under a dense canopy of trees. Because of its proximity to the prestigious arts center, it is also the perfect base camp for music and theater enthusiasts looking to combine a rustic stay with high-caliber summer performances in a beautiful setting.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
User Reviews
Ricky Houseman
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.
Kathryn Friedlund
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!
Zach Gilbert
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.
Cyril Wolbert
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.
Jemry Marie
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.