8 Best Silver Lake Campgrounds Near the Sand Dunes

Last Updated: July 2026

by Emily Lance

Find the Best Silver Lake Campground

The Silver Lake Sand Dunes are one of Michigan’s most unique travel destinations — the only place east of the Mississippi where you can ride the dunes in your own vehicle, plus beaches on both Silver Lake and Lake Michigan, a historic lighthouse, and guided dune rides. And the best way to experience it all is to camp right in the middle of it.

Silver Lake is in Mears, MI, and the area is packed with campgrounds — from resort-style parks with pools and pickleball to quiet rustic sites under the trees. Picking the right one can make your whole trip, so I’ve rounded up 8 of the best campgrounds in the Silver Lake area, what each one offers, and who they’re best for. Scroll to the bottom for a map to help you plan.

Top Silver Lake Campgrounds in Mears, MI

Sun Retreats Silver Lake

1441 N 34th Ave, Mears, MI 49436

Sun Retreats Silver Lake (formerly Silver Creek RV Resort) is a great place to end a day of riding and enjoy the sunset next to a fire. With more than 250 sites, it offers full hookups and is a campground for all ages. Pets are welcome, so there’s no need to leave that furry family member behind.

This is one of the most amenity-packed campgrounds in the area. You’ll find bathhouses, a laundry house, propane, a basketball court, beach volleyball, cornhole, a fishing pond, a pool, hot tubs, playgrounds, pickleball, a game room, a camp store, and even a fitness center. Best for: families who want resort-style amenities.

Silver Hills Campground

7575 Taylor Rd, Mears, MI 49436

Silver Hills is for campers looking for a classic, upscale campground experience about 2.5 miles from the Silver Lake ORV dune entrance. It’s one of the more picturesque grounds in the area, tucked beneath mature shade trees and set away from the bustle of the Silver Lake business district.

They offer rustic sites, water/electric sites, and premium full-hookup sites with spacious concrete pads, along with bathhouses. There are grassy areas for kids to play and paved roads that make for a nice walking path throughout the grounds. Best for: RV campers who want a quieter, tidy home base near the dunes.

Silver Lake Resort & Campground

1786 N 34th Ave, Mears, MI 49436

Silver Lake Resort & Campground is a perfect place to stay if you want the outdoors with a little luxury. With over 200 sites, they have full-hookup RV sites, tent sites, rustic cabins, and clean bath buildings, all close to the ORV park.

This campground also has plenty to do after a long day of riding: a heated swimming pool, playgrounds, picnic areas, a hammock area, a basketball court, a gaga ball pit, a beach volleyball court, cornhole, and a camp store for snacks and essentials. Best for: a well-rounded stay with lots of on-site activities.

More Silver Lake Campgrounds in Silver Lake, MI

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

8239 W. Hazel Rd, Silver Lake, MI 49436

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park is a favorite among yearly Silver Lake visitors, especially families. This campground has over 200 campsites with full RV hookups, plus duplexes, cabins, and tent sites to choose from.

Like the other resort parks, Jellystone has plenty for families to do: a swimming pool, playground, recreation room, basketball, and shuffleboard. They also run movie nights, hayrides, arts & crafts, and organized board games and activities all summer. Best for: families with young kids who want built-in entertainment.

Hideaway Campground

9671 W. Silver Lake Rd, Silver Lake, MI 49436

If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing campground at night, Hideaway is the one for you. They have comfortable cabins, rustic campsites, and full-hookup sites to choose from.

Hideaway keeps campers busy with tournaments — volleyball, setbacks, euchre, and horseshoes — plus daily kids’ activities posted around the grounds, a heated pool, a camp store, and the Lighthouse Grill right on the property. Best for: a quieter base that still has activities and on-site food.

Sandy Shores Campground

8595 Silver Lake Rd, Mears, MI 49436

Sandy Shores offers a camping experience like no other in Mears. They have all the basics done well — clean bathhouses, various campsite types, a laundry house, a convenience store, and full electric/water hookups.

What sets Sandy Shores apart is its private sandy beach just for guests: 180 feet of private Silver Lake frontage, plus a private park and docks where campers can moor their boats. The campground also has a heated pool and a playground with a basketball court, beach volleyball, and an infant/toddler area, and it keeps a handy list of area activities, restaurants, and rentals. Best for: campers who want lake access and to bring a boat.

Dunes Harbor Family Camp

2722 North Ridge Rd, Silver Lake, MI 49436

Dunes Harbor Family Camp is a welcoming, family-focused campground near the dunes with a range of site types for tents and RVs, plus cabin options. It’s a solid, laid-back choice for families who want to be close to the Silver Lake action without a big resort atmosphere. Best for: families wanting a relaxed, traditional campground feel.

Holiday Camping Resort

5483 W Stony Lake Rd, New Era, MI 49446

Holiday Camping Resort is a cute little campground in New Era. It’s not as close to the sand dunes as the others, but it’s still a great place to stay, with RV hookups and quaint rustic cabins for rent, plus a camp store, a heated outdoor pool, and a playground.

Holiday Camping is big on community, with events all summer that make you feel like part of the Holiday family — a pet parade, cook-offs, eating competitions, line dancing, and plenty of potlucks. Best for: campers who don’t mind a short drive in exchange for a friendly, event-filled atmosphere.

Silver Lake Camping Tips

• Book early. Silver Lake is one of Michigan’s most popular summer destinations, and the best campgrounds fill months ahead for summer weekends and holidays.
• Pick your vibe. Resort parks (Sun Retreats, Jellystone, Silver Lake Resort) mean pools and activities; rustic grounds (Hideaway, Silver Hills) mean quiet. Match the campground to your group.
• Expect some noise near the ORV park. Sites closest to the dunes hear the buggies on weekends — part of the fun for some, a reason to book farther out for others.
• Sandy sites aren’t always level. Bring leveling blocks for your RV, since some sites are soft sand.
• Don’t forget the state park option. Silver Lake State Park also has a modern campground right on the lake — a good backup if the private parks are full.

Silver Lake Campgrounds FAQ

What is the best campground at Silver Lake?

It depends on your group. For resort-style amenities (pools, pickleball, game rooms), Sun Retreats Silver Lake and Silver Lake Resort & Campground are top picks. For families with young kids, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park has the most built-in entertainment. For a private beach, choose Sandy Shores. For a quieter, rustic stay, try Hideaway or Silver Hills.

Can you camp right at the Silver Lake Sand Dunes?

Yes. Silver Lake State Park has a modern campground on the lake, and there are many private campgrounds within a few miles of the dunes in Mears and Silver Lake, most just minutes from the ORV entrance. Several, like Silver Hills, are within about 2.5 miles of the dune entrance.

Do Silver Lake campgrounds allow pets?

Many do, including Sun Retreats Silver Lake, but pet policies vary by campground and sometimes by site type. Always confirm the specific campground’s pet rules when you book, especially if you’re bringing a dog.

How far in advance should I book Silver Lake camping?

For summer weekends and holidays, book as early as you can — often several months ahead. Silver Lake is a top Michigan summer destination, and the best sites at the most popular campgrounds sell out first. Midweek and shoulder-season stays are easier to snag.

Are there RV hookups at Silver Lake campgrounds?

Yes. Most Silver Lake area campgrounds offer full-hookup RV sites (water, electric, and sewer), along with water/electric sites, rustic tent sites, and cabin rentals. Sun Retreats, Silver Lake Resort, Silver Hills, and Jellystone all have full-hookup options.

More Fun Places to Travel in Michigan

Planning your dune trip? Don’t miss our complete guides to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, dune rides in Michigan, and all of Michigan’s sand dunes.

About the Author ~
Emily Lance is a Content Creator for MyMichiganBeach.com. She grew up in the small town of Dexter, Michigan, just outside Ann Arbor, and studied Journalism at Michigan State University with a focus on sports journalism and media relations and a minor in media photography. Emily loves writing, photography, and video, and in her free time she likes to explore new places, kayak, ski, and go boating.