Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
Whether you’re exploring the local area or hanging out at the campground, KOA Holidays are an ideal place to relax and play. There’s plenty to do, with amenities and services to make your stay memorable. Plus, you’ll enjoy the outdoor experience with upgraded RV Sites with KOA Patio® and Deluxe Cabins with full baths for camping in comfort. Bring your family, bring your friends, or bring the whole group – there’s plenty of ways to stay and explore.
Location. Location. Location. Make Bear Lake / Manistee KOA your base camp for unforgettable Northern Michigan adventures. Just 5 miles from the shores of Lake Michigan, you’ll have easy access to 25 miles of sandy beaches, historic lighthouses, and three charming Michigan harbors. Spend your days swimming, beachcombing, boating, or catching breathtaking sunsets along one of the Midwest’s most beautiful coastlines. Prefer river adventures? Explore over 270 miles of nearby rivers perfect for kayaking, canoeing, tubing, and fishing. Looking for scenic drives and small-town charm? Hop on iconic M-22—only 5 miles away—and discover picturesque towns, local shops, wineries, and stunning lake views. Every turn along M-22 offers classic Pure Michigan beauty and endless opportunities to explore.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling through northern Michigan, offering dramatic sand dunes, scenic overlooks, and miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Find extensive, well-marked hiking trails and walkable beaches that let you explore forests, bluffs, and towering dunes at your own pace. Visitors can choose from short scenic walks to overlooks or more challenging dune hikes that lead all the way to the water, with some routes crossing rolling sand and open landscapes. Whether you're stopping in for a quick visit or spending the day, walking the trails and shoreline is the most immersive way to take in the area's natural beauty.
The Traverse City Horse Shows is a premier annual summer event held at Flintfields Horse Park, featuring 13 weeks of world-class hunter, jumper, and equitation competitions with Olympic-level riders from around the globe.Attending offers more than just sport. You can enjoy a relaxed outdoor atmosphere with food vendors, shopping, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities, with many days offering free admission and special ticketed Grand Prix events for a more high-energy experience.
6535 Bates Road
Williamsburg, MI 49690
Fishtown is one of Michigan's most charming waterfront destination. A postcard-perfect stretch of historic fishing shanties, docks, and weathered buildings nestled along the Leland River in Leland. Once a bustling commercial fishing hub, today it invites visitors to stroll the boardwalks, browse unique shops, enjoy fresh Great Lakes fish, and soak in sweeping views of Lake Michigan. With its rich history, vibrant atmosphere, and unbeatable lakeside scenery, Fishtown offers a memorable stop for travelers exploring northern Michigan.
Located just outside Manistee along US-31 and M-22, Little River Casino Resort is a popular Northern Michigan entertainment destination featuring a large gaming floor, hotel accommodations, restaurants, and live entertainment. Owned by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, the resort offers slots, table games, spa services, and event venues, making it a lively stop for visitors exploring the Lake Michigan shoreline.
2700 Orchard Highway
Manistee, MI 49660
One of the area's largest beaches and recreation areas. Douglas Park has multiple baseball/softball diamonds, basketball courts and tennis courts. Even though dogs are not allowed on the beach between Memorial Day-Labor Day, it does have its very own fenced in dog park and dedicated dog beach on the waterfront below the observation deck near the Lions Pavilion. There are separate picnics areas with charcoal grills available for an afternoon. ADA Accessible.
181 S Lakeshore Drive
Manistee, MI 49660
Step back in time at the Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre, a classic 1950s drive-in where families gather under the stars for double-feature movies, vintage cartoons, and old-fashioned fun. Since opening in 1953, it's been a Northern Michigan tradition...complete with homemade diner treats, real-butter popcorn, and a nostalgic movie night you won't forget.
9812 Honor Highway
Honor, MI 49640
Located on the Lake Michigan shoreline near Frankfort, Point Betsie Lighthouse has guided ships through the Manitou Passage since 1858. One of the most photographed lighthouses on the Great Lakes, the historic light station features a red-roofed tower, keeper's quarters, museum exhibits, and a beautiful public beach known for its sunsets
3701 Point Betsie Road
Frankfort, MI 49635
The Vogue Theatre in Manistee, Michigan is a beautifully restored, nonprofit historic cinema that offers first-run films, special screenings, and affordable community programming in a revitalized downtown setting. Originally built in 1938 and reopened in 2013 after a major community-led renovation, it now serves as both a cultural hub and a catalyst for local economic and social life.
383 River Street
Manistee, MI 49660
The Ludington State Park Beach has drawn recognition for its sugar-sand shoreline and scenic spot on the Lake Michigan coastline. From the Detroit Free Press: "The state park is one of Michigan's most popular, with good reason. It has five-and-a-half miles of wide, sugary white sand beach, an old-fashioned shingled beach house and big verandas and easy access for everyone.”
8800 W M-116
Ludington, MI 49431
Established in 1901, this historic 18-hole course sits along the shores of Lake Michigan, offering scenic bluff-top views and a classic links-style layout. Open to the public, it combines challenging play with relaxed Northern Michigan charm.
500 Cherry Road
Manistee, MI 49660
Located along scenic M-22 near Arcadia, Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve protects one of the last remaining coastal marshes on Lake Michigan's Lower Peninsula. A nearly mile-long boardwalk lets visitors explore wetlands teeming with birds, native plants, and wildlife while enjoying peaceful views of this unique Great Lakes ecosystem.
16791 Northwood Hwy
Arcadia, MI 49613
The Lake Michigan shoreline near Bear Lake, Michigan is dotted with a remarkable concentration of historic lighthouses, many of which are open to the public for tours, climbs, or close-up visits. As part of the broader Lake Michigan Circle Tour, this stretch alone offers easy access to several well-preserved lights, reflecting the region's deep maritime history and making lighthouse touring a defining feature of the area.
Plan a memorable day trip to tour lighthouses with our suggested itinerary.
Portage Lake North Peirhead - 14 Miles
Frankfort North Pier Lighthouse - 17 Miles
Point Betsie Lighthouse & Beach - 21 Miles
Manistee South Pier Lighthouse - 23 Miles
Elbert's Beach - 16 Miles
Frankfort Beach - 17 Miles
Platte Beach - 21 Miles
Manistee Beach - 23 Miles
Village Of Empire Beach - 27 Miles
Empire North Bar Beach - 29 Miles
Traverse City - 40 Miles
Ludington Beach- 52 Miles
Nestled along Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City blends small-town charm with beautiful beaches, cherry orchards, and a lively food and wine scene. Whether you're strolling downtown, sipping local wine, or catching a glowing sunset over the water, Traverse City offers a quiet kind of magic that lingers long after you leave.
Frankfort, Michigan is a charming lakeside town on Lake Michigan, known for its historic downtown filled with small shops, restaurants, and cafes. Visitors enjoy harbor views, Victorian homes, and the iconic lighthouse on the south breakwater. In summer, the town buzzes with festivals, farmers market, live music, and outdoor activities. Don't miss a drive along scenic M-22, the iconic route that winds right through town and showcases some of Northern Michigan's most breathtaking shoreline views.
The Huron-Manistee National Forests offer endless opportunities to explore Michigan's great outdoors, from peaceful nature walks to full days of adventure. This vast forested area is ideal for hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, and seasonal activities like fall color drives, with miles of scenic trails winding through towering pines and hardwoods. It's a perfect escape for guests looking to unplug and experience northern Michigan's natural beauty, and it's conveniently located about 13 minutes from the campground, approximately 5.8 miles away.
Located in historic downtown Manistee, the Manistee County Historical Museum preserves and showcases the region's rich past through exhibits featuring pioneer life, maritime history, and Victorian-era artifacts. Housed in a former 1907 drugstore building, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the people and industries that shaped Manistee County.
425 Rover Street
Manistee, MI 49660
Arcadia Township owns this beach, which was protected with the help of Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Convenient parking, with playground available. ADA Accessible.
3025 Lake Street
Arcadia, MI 49613
Hidden along the Lake Michigan shoreline near the small town of Pierport, Old Facefull is a quirky natural attraction that has been refreshing travelers since 1931. This artesian spring shoots cold, crystal-clear water from a simple pipe driven into an underground aquifer, creating a steady stream of some of the purest drinking water in the region. Locals and road-trippers often stop by to fill bottles, splash their faces, or take a quick sip before heading down to the nearby beach
12614 Lakeview Road
Bear Lake, MI 49614
Tucked away in the quiet countryside of Michigan, Gravity Hill is one of the state's most curious roadside mysteries. Visitors who park their car at the base of the hill, shift into neutral, and take their foot off the brake are often startled to see the vehicle slowly roll uphill instead of down. Some say it's a trick of the landscape that confuses the eye, while others believe unseen forces—or local legends about spirits helping stranded travelers—are at work. Whether it's an optical illusion or something more mysterious, Gravity Hill has become a favorite stop for curious explorers, ghost story fans, and road-trippers looking to experience one of Michigan's strangest attractions.
7018 Putney Road
Arcadia, MI 49613
Gravity Hill - 6 Miles
Arcadia Marsh Natural Preseve Boardwalk -7 Miles
Inspiration Point - 9 Miles
Canoe/Kayak/Tub the Platte River - 18 Miles
Point Betsie Lighthouse - 21 Miles
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes - 32 Miles
Fish Town - 50 Miles
Bear Lake - 5 Miles
Arcadia - 7 Miles
Beaulah - 11 Miles
Frankfort - 17 Miles
Manistee - 22 Miles
Interlochen - 26 Miles
Empire - 26 Miles
Glen Arbor - 33 Miles
Glen Lake - 33 Miles
Traverse City - 41 Miles
Leland - 50 Miles
Ludington - 51 Miles
Suttons Bay - 55 Miles
North Port - 62 Miles
Gravity Hill - 6 Miles
Arcadia Marsh Natural Preseve Boardwalk -7 Miles
Inspiration Point - 9 Miles
Old Facefull - 10 Miles
Cherry Bowl Drive In Theater - 15 Miles
Canoe/Kayak/Tub the Platte River - 18 Miles
Point Betsie Lighthouse - 21 Miles
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes - 32 Miles
Fish Town - 50 Miles
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