Timberline Campground

Campground in Benzonia, MI • 107 RV Sites

Timberline Campground in Benzonia, Michigan, has established a reputation as the premier base camp for trout and salmon anglers targeting the Betsie River and Lake Michigan's tributary streams in the northwest Lower Peninsula, occupying a position in Benzie County's forested lake country where world-class cold-water fishing, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and Crystal Mountain's year-round resort complement a well-equipped campground with two-story cabin rentals and a full suite of family amenities. The campground's fishing-first identity has built a loyal repeat guest community while its broader amenity roster serves families whose outdoor interests extend well beyond the river and lake. The property's two-story cabin rentals provide elevated accommodations that sleep larger groups while maintaining the natural setting immersion that cabins near the river corridor uniquely deliver, and the campground's facility includes a pool, clubhouse, playground, laundry, propane fills, general store, pavilion, dog park, and firewood available for the fire culture that defines northern Michigan camping. Canoeing and kayaking access to the Betsie River connects non-motorized paddlers to one of Michigan's most scenic designated natural rivers, and golf course access nearby serves guests who combine fishing trips with fairway rounds during northwest Michigan's prime summer season. The Betsie River is one of Michigan's most productive cold-water fisheries, known among anglers throughout the Great Lakes region for exceptional fall salmon runs—chinook and coho salmon migrating from Lake Michigan into the river's gravel spawning beds from September through November—and summer steelhead runs that attract fly fishers from across the Midwest. The river's relatively short course from the Crystal Lakes headwaters to its Lake Michigan outlet creates a concentrated fishing corridor where a remarkable variety of fishing experiences are accessible within a short drive of the campground, including wade fishing, drift boat fishing, and kayak fishing on the same stream. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, approximately 15 miles north along the Lake Michigan shoreline, protects 35 miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline including the massive perched dunes of the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive that tower 450 feet above the lake surface and provide one of the most dramatic natural landscapes in the Midwest. Crystal Mountain, approximately 8 miles south of Benzonia, operates year-round with downhill skiing and snowboarding in winter and a mountain bike park, golf course, and resort amenities from spring through fall. Traverse City, the Cherry Capital of the World and northwestern Michigan's most vibrant culinary and entertainment destination, is approximately 30 miles north. Timberline Campground operates from spring through fall, with the fishing seasons defining the calendar's primary demand windows: trout season from late April through September draws the initial spring wave, and the September-November salmon run creates the campground's most intensely anticipated period when anglers compete for limited riverside access along the Betsie during the run's peak weeks. Summer's beach and water recreation at Sleeping Bear Dunes and Crystal Lake's expansive warm-water swimming drives family vacation demand in July and August, and the campground's dual identity as both an angler's base camp and a family resort reflects the broad outdoor recreation appeal of Benzie County's exceptional natural assets.

Campground rules and policies

Arrival
- Check-In: 1:00 PM for RV and Tent sites, 4:00 PM for Accommodations.
- Check-Out: 11:00 AM
- While each park attempts to accommodate your exact spot request, the on-site manager has the ultimate decision for spot placement.LATE CHECK-OUT POLICY:
- Late check-out may be available on a space-available basis and must be pre-arranged at a cost of $10.00 per hour.
- Guests who remain after 4:00 p.m. will be charged an additional night’s stay.VEHICLE POLICY:
- Speed limit within the park is 5 mph. For the safety of all and to keep dust at a minimum this rule is strictly enforced.
- All RV’s must be 15 years or newer, RVIA certified, and are subject to management approval at their sole discretion.
- One habitable and two non-habitable vehicles are allowed per site and must be parked completely on the site. Please do not park on the grass or along the roadways.
- Extra vehicles may be allowed on a space-available basis at an additional fee of $10.00 per vehicle per night. All vehicles must be registered at the Front Desk upon arrival.
- Working on vehicles is prohibited.
- Vehicle washing is not
- Anyone operating a motor vehicle must have a valid driver’s license.OCCUPANCY GUIDELINES:
- The base rate includes 4 people. Additional occupants and day-use visitors are $5.00 per person, per night.
- Maximum 6 guests per RV site. Cabin maximum occupancies vary by style and will incur fees for additional nightly guests.
- Children under 6 years of age are not subject to additional occupant fees but are included in the maximum guest per site count.
- Campsites are assigned by park staff. Please do not change sites without approval from the Front Desk. Site-specific reservations may be available for an additional fee.PET POLICY:
- Non-aggressive pets are welcome in the campground and must be registered at the Front Desk upon arrival.
- Pets must be kept on a maximum 6-foot leash at all times and under the control of their owner.
- Pets may not be left outside unattended.
- Guests are responsible for “cleaning up” after their pets. All pet dropping must be properly disposed of in a trash receptacle or collection area.
- Guests should carry proof of their pet’s current vaccinations.
- Pets are prohibited in park buildings, including restrooms and playgrounds.
- Noisy, vicious, or unruly pets are not allowed. Guests who are unable to control their pets must remove them from the premises, or the animal may be taken by local animal control authorities.
- The park is not responsible for and will hold accountable pet owners for any injury or damage caused by the pet(s). In addition, the owner of the pet that causes injury or damage to others is expected to resolve the issue directly with the injured party.
- Pets are allowed in specific cabin rentals. Pets in cabin rentals must be declared at the time of reservation. A pet fee of $30.00 per pet / per stay for up to 2 pets will be added to any cabin rental with pets occupying the unit.SECURITY:
- Management is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged articles.
- Keep your valuables and bikes locked up.CODE OF CONDUCT:
- Please keep your campsite tidy and litter-free.
- Quiet hours are 11 pm to 8 am.
- Parents are responsible for their children’s behavior and compliance with park rules.
- Please be courteous to other guests around you and do not walk through other campsites.
- Loud, objectionable noise is not allowed at any time.
- Profanity, violence, or inconsideration towards other guests and/or park personnel will not be tolerated.SITE AMENITIES:
- Please report any issues with your site to the Front Desk.
- Sewer: All sewer connections must have an airtight seal as required by State & Federal law.
- Electric: Plug your RV power cord in firmly with no space between the plug and the chosen receptacle. Turn on the appropriate power breaker after the plug has been inserted. When departing, turn the power breaker off before disconnecting your plug from the receptacle.
- Water: We recommend the use of a water pressure regulator. There is no water at the sites from mid-October to mid-April.
- Refuse: Please bring all trash to the dumpsters located at the entry/exit road and make sure no additional debris is left in the fire pit. Please do not leave refuse out overnight or in an open container to avoid wildlife interaction.
- Fire Pits: Never leave a campfire unattended and fully extinguish campfires when you are done enjoying them. Please do not move fire rings.
- If you move a picnic table, please return it to its original
Please do not use portable grills on the picnic table without protecting the table from heat and food splatter.
- Flags: Current nations, states, provenances, sports teams, military, and college affiliations are permitted. No other flags are permitted including political party, confederate flags, or flags containing.NATURE:
- Please do not cut, trim, or otherwise disturb the natural vegetation in and around the park.FIREARMS AND FIREWORKS are PROHIBITED.
- Please enjoy your stay at Timberline Campground! If you have any questions or would like recommendations for things to do and see, please visit us at the Front Desk.