Family Biking Adventures in Michigan: The Best Campgrounds with Bike Trails
12 Campgrounds in Michigan for Bike Lovers
If your family loves a mix of camping and exploring on two wheels, Michigan is a dream destination. With miles of scenic bike paths, lakeside trails, and family-friendly campgrounds, it’s easy to spend your days pedaling through forests, dunes, and charming lake towns — then unwind by the campfire at night.
Whether you have little riders still mastering balance bikes or teens ready for a challenge, these bike-friendly Michigan campgrounds offer the perfect mix of comfort, scenery, and adventure.
As a family of six, biking has always been one of our favorite ways to explore Michigan. Over the years, we’ve pedaled our way through state parks and lakeshore towns with every setup imaginable — from bike trailers and rear seats to tag-alongs — and now, all four kids ride on their own. It’s been amazing to watch their confidence grow as they tackle longer rides, try out mountain bike obstacles, and even test their skills on pedal pump tracks.
Michigan makes it easy to combine our love for biking and camping. With miles of scenic trails connecting lakes, forests, and charming small towns, there’s no better place to load up the bikes, set up camp, and make memories on two wheels.
Whether your kids are still in a bike trailer or racing you to the next ice cream stop, these bike-friendly Michigan campgrounds offer the perfect mix of comfort, scenery, and family fun.
Van Buren State Park & South Haven KOA | South Haven
Trail: Van Buren Trail & Kal- Haven Trail
South Haven is a beachy, bike-friendly gem on Lake Michigan’s shoreline. Stay at Van Buren State Park, where you can hop right onto the Van Buren Trail — a 14-mile gravel path that connects South Haven to Hartford. It’s perfect for families wanting a flat, relaxed ride with a mix of woods and open farmland views. Additionally, the Kal- Haven Trail, a converted rail-trail- stretches 33.5 miles between Kalamazoo and South Haven in southwest Michigan.
Prefer full hookups and pool time? The South Haven KOA is another great choice, with direct access to the same trail plus kid-friendly amenities like a playground, mini-golf, and themed weekends.
Petoskey State Park | Petoskey
Trail: Little Traverse Wheelway
Petoskey State Park is a favorite for its crystal-clear water and easy access to one of Michigan’s most scenic paved trails — the Little Traverse Wheelway. This 26-mile trail connects Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Charlevoix, winding along the bay with postcard-worthy views.
It’s mostly paved and family-friendly, with plenty of spots to stop for ice cream, a picnic, or a swim. Back at camp, enjoy Petoskey’s large, shaded sites and sandy beach sunsets.
Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort | Traverse City
Trails: TART Trail & VASA Pathway
Located just outside Traverse City, Timber Ridge RV Resort is a private, family-focused campground that’s a dream for biking families. You can ride right from your campsite onto the TART Trail, a paved, easy path that connects into downtown Traverse City for ice cream, shops, and beach views.
For families ready to add a little adventure, the nearby VASA Pathway offers groomed gravel and mountain bike loops ranging from beginner to advanced. The campground itself has a pool, playground, and even hosts biking events throughout the summer. It’s the perfect mix of fun, comfort, and pedal-powered adventure.
Platte River Campground | Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Trail: Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
If you want to mix biking and breathtaking scenery, Platte River Campground is the spot. The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail runs for over 22 miles through the dunes, forests, and charming towns like Glen Arbor and Empire.
Families can bike to picnic areas, dune overlooks, or even into town for a treat. The trail is mostly paved with gentle hills, making it manageable for older kids. Our family decided to park at the Dune climb and bike the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail to Glen Arbor Historic Village and Maritime Museum. The campground itself is quiet and shaded, with easy access to kayaking or tubing on the Platte River. Here are the best things to do at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Tourist Park Campground | Marquette
Trails: Iron Ore Heritage Trail & Noquemanon Mountain Bike Trails
Marquette is Michigan’s mountain-biking capital and a must-visit for adventurous families. Stay at Tourist Park Campground, a city-run campground with a great mix of wooded and riverside sites.
From here, you can hop on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, a paved and gravel route that stretches 47 miles from Ishpeming to Chocolay Township. Feeling bold? The Noquemanon Trail Network (NTN) offers some of the Midwest’s best single-track mountain bike trails — from beginner loops to thrilling technical rides.
Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground | Mackinaw City
Trail: Mackinac Island Loop (8.2 miles)
This massive, family-friendly campground sits across from Mackinac Island and offers views of the Mackinac Bridge. Bring your bikes to the campground to bike around or rent them on the island — spend a day on Mackinac Island- the 8.2-mile loop around island is completely car-free and perfect for all ages.
It’s one of Michigan’s most iconic rides, skirting the outer edge of the island to view bluffs and historic landmarks. Back at Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground, kids will love the playgrounds, pool, and especially the fireworks on Friday and Saturdays in the summers. Additionally the shuttle to the island ferry makes visiting the island convenient.
Ludington State Park | Ludington
Trails: Connecting Park Paths & Lake Michigan Access
Ludington is a family favorite for a reason. With three campgrounds (Beechwood, Cedar, and Pines) and plenty of paved and dirt paths connecting them, you can bike from camp straight to Lake Michigan, Hamlin Lake, or the Big Sable Point Lighthouse.
Ludington State Park is an easy place to let kids ride safely around the park — plus there are fun nature trails, kayaking, and ranger programs to fill your days. A fun tradition is to head to the beach for a night bike ride- utilizing bike lights on our tires and headlamps.
Mitchell State Park | Cadillac
Trail: White Pine Trail State Park
Nestled between Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell, Mitchell State Park is ideal for a laid-back biking getaway. A paved bike path loops around both lakes, with plenty of spots to stop and swim, grab ice cream, or watch the boats. Our family enjoyed biking to the Kenwood playground and beach, where you can listen to the waves lapping the North shores of Cadillac Lake while your children play on the modern playground.
You can also hop on the White Pine Trail, a 92-mile rail-trail stretching from Cadillac down to Grand Rapids — perfect for those looking to explore beyond camp.
Holland State Park | Holland
Trail: Beach Paths & Holland Lakeshore Trail
Holland is a perfect family biking destination, where trails connect beautiful beaches, ice cream stops, and the iconic Big Red Lighthouse. From Holland State Park, ride your bikes down to the beach or over to the nearby general store for a post-swim treat.
A paved two-mile path leads to Tunnel Park, another gorgeous Lake Michigan beach with a dune climb and playground. The park’s paved roads and nearby Lakeshore Trail make it easy for kids to ride safely and explore. If you have children make sure to allow time to stop at the Outdoor Discovery Center, which has a birds of prey exhibit, trails and ziplines.
Fort Custer Recreation Area | Augusta
Trails: Fort Custer Trail System
For families who love adventure, Fort Custer Recreation Area near Battle Creek offers a mix of paved paths, gravel loops, and beginner-friendly mountain bike trails. There are more than 25 miles of bike trails through rolling woods, meadows, and lakes — perfect for both casual family rides and older kids ready for more challenge.
Playground at Fort Custer Recreation Area
The campground has shaded sites, swimming beaches, and easy trail access — plus nearby Battle Creek attractions like Binder Park Zoo for a full weekend of fun.
Hart-Montague Trail State Park | Silver Lake
Trail: William Field Memorial Hart–Montague Trail
If your family enjoys smooth, scenic rides, the Hart-Montague Trail State Park is a must-do. This 22-mile paved rail-trail runs between the small towns of Hart and Montague, passing through farmland, forest, and several charming rural communities.
Families staying near Silver Lake Sand Dunes, Dunes Harbor Family Camp, or the Silver Lake State Park Campground can easily hop on the trail for a relaxing ride or a fun ice cream stop in Hart or Montague. Along the way, you’ll find picnic areas, rest stops, and a few cute local shops to explore. If you want a family-friendly campground, we love Dunes Harbor which has a splashpad, pool, horseback riding and even an onsite ice cream store.
The trail is mostly flat and shaded — perfect for younger kids or those towing bike trailers. Bonus: you’re just minutes from Silver Lake’s famous dunes, beaches, and RZR adventure rentals for an action-packed camping trip. Here are the top things to do at Silver Lake.
Bay City State Park | Saginaw Bay
Trail: Bay City Area Riverwalk/Rail Trail System
For an easy coastal ride with lots of wildlife and lake views, Bay City State Park is a great family stop. Located along the Saginaw Bay, this park features a flat paved trail network that connects directly to the Bay City Riverwalk and Rail Trail System.
Families can pedal from the campground through wetlands, across wooden bridges, and into downtown Bay City for a bite to eat or an ice cream treat. Keep an eye out for herons, egrets, and other birds — the nearby Tobico Marsh is one of Michigan’s top birdwatching areas.
The campground is spacious and shaded, with modern amenities and easy access to the beach and playground. It’s a perfect mix of nature and convenience for families looking for a laid-back biking getaway.
Our Favorite Family Bike-Friendly Gear
Over the years, we’ve learned that a few key accessories can make family biking trips safer, easier, and way more fun. Plust they make great gifts for those bike loving individuals in your family. Whether you’re riding to the beach or tackling a new trail, these are some of our go-to favorites to pack for our Michigan adventures:
Bike Tire Lights make night bike rides fun for kids.
Bike Tire Lights – A big hit with the kids! They add fun color and extra visibility for evening rides around the campground.
Strider Balance Bikes- Our children learned on balance bikes- these no pedal beginner bikes teach balance first. In one day our children took off on a standard pedal bike since they had all the skills.
Headlamps or Bike Lights – Perfect for biking back after sunset or finding your way to the restroom at night.
Bike Trailer– Great for little ones who can’t keep up yet. We love trailers that double as strollers for campground walks.
Tag-Along Attachment - Transition item that attaches
Rear Rack or Pannier Bags – Handy for carrying beach towels, snacks, or that must-have ice cream stop.
Compact Repair Kit & Pump – Because flat tires happen, and it’s always better to be prepared!
Water Bottles Owala – Staying hydrated is a must, especially on warmer summer rides.
These small essentials make a big difference in comfort and confidence — especially when biking with kids.
Closing Thoughts:
Pump Track at Earl Thomas Conley Park
From sandy shorelines to forested lakes and mountain bike parks, Michigan has been the perfect backdrop for our family’s biking adventures. We’ve gone from pulling bike trailers to cheering as our kids conquer single-track loops, bridges, and pump tracks with big smiles and newfound confidence. We’re making it easy for you to plan a weekend or full-on road trip that keeps everyone active and outdoors. Whether your family’s style is smooth-paved paths, scenic rail-trails, or beginner mountain bike loops, there’s a perfect spot waiting for your next adventure.
No matter your family’s stage — whether you’re just starting with little riders or raising future trail pros — Michigan’s campgrounds and bike trails make it easy to get outside, explore together, and create memories that grow with every mile. So pack the bikes, helmets, and s’mores — Michigan’s trails are calling! Follow Discovering Anew for more Michigan adventures and camping reviews. Save and pin for later.
