Benzonia, Michigan: Vacation Trailer Park

June 2020, weekday-weekend, 2-nights, campsites 19 & 20

We made several changes to our camping plans during May and June this year due to the pandemic. During our stay at Indigo Bluffs Resort (a substitute for two of our original campgrounds), our next two substitute campgrounds canceled our stays because they both delayed their opening. We extended our stay at Indigo Bluffs, and then found this campground for a couple of nights at the last minute. 

Lot choice, arrival, check-in

I called to inquire about two sites, because a relative was going to bring their RV up to camp also. The person I spoke with suggested two 50 amp sites near the road; 79 and 80. She said the river sites are all 20 and 30 amp, and not very big. I started to reserve the two sites she had suggested, until she said there is a $75 deposit, and if we did not fit on the sites, the deposit is nonrefundable. We were not very far away, so we decided to drive there the next day to look at the sites first. I am glad we did, because we then chose sites 19 and 20, which was a much better choice for us!

Campsites 19 and 20.

We arrived before noon, and checked into site 20. We were glad that there were only two other campers on the point near our site because it was a tight fit. If you click on the photo above to enlarge it, you can see that our awnings are almost touching. Staff came down to finish cutting the lawn while we were getting settled on our site. This did not cause any problems; we knew we had arrived early, and we had already finished parking.

View from the edge of site 19; first fire ring is on site 19.
Click photo to enlarge it and read labels.

Campsites 11 through 24

All of the sites in this area are 30 AMP, and they are located on Betsie River. There is a slight decline down a slope to the sites. Their online map shows a turnaround at the end of the road, which is only big enough to accommodate small trailers. We had to go in and out of our site the same way without using the turnaround, because there was not enough room to turn our fifth wheel around at the end. We observed small campers having a difficult time turning around, as well.

Another view of sites 18 & 19 (motorhome is on 19).

We loved our sites together on the river, since we were camping with the neighbors. It was nice that the campground was not too picky about them parking facing us. If you want to camp alone, however, be aware that all of the campsites in this campground are cozy-close together like this. Even the tent sites behind the restroom building. When we departed, the campers up the hill all watched us pull out, and then they gave us a thumbs up. 😄 I am glad my husband has a lot of trailer driving experience! It was definitely a tight fit in and out of our site.

Photo taken standing on lot line between sites 19 & 20.
Fire ring is on site 20.

Sites 24 and 17 were both quite wet at the time of our stay, and they were not rented when we were there. Site 24 looks like a nice site when it is not wet. It is a good size; however, because of the angle to get in and out at the bottom of the hill, my husband said it would be difficult to get an RV like our fifth wheel in there--even when it is dry.

WiFi, bathhouse, sanitation station, pool, misc.

WiFi was available and included for no extra cost; however, the signal was not very strong. The bathhouse at this end of the park looked clean. I do not have any feedback about the showers, as we did not use them. The trash dumpster is in front of the bathhouse; there is not one near the dump station. Just an FYI, to help prevent campers from having to run trash back down to the dumpster, like we did! 😁 The sanitation station is near the exit at the top of the hill in front of the office.

The pool opening had been delayed due to the pandemic, and it was not open yet during our stay. Unfortunately, there is not a safe and easy route to Betsie Valley Trail by bicycle from the campground. The trail parking on River Road is the closest spot to this campground. There is also access to Betsie River at this parking lot. Kayaks and canoes were available for rent at the campground, although we thought the price was kind of high. We did not have our kayaks with us, as we had not planned to be at this campground when we had left home the week before our stay.

Benzie county is a beautiful place to visit, and one of our favorites in northern Michigan! Let me know if you have any questions ~