Magnus Park Campground

We averaged $35 / night for W/E30/I for a very level, gravel, mostly shady back in site. This is a quaint little campground right on the bay in Petoskey. The only downside is that sites were near each other and it felt a little cramped. I would definitely still stay here again.

We did the Tunnel of Trees drive. In early October the leaves were quite at peak color but it was still a pretty drive. Downtown Petoskey is only a few minutes away. There appear to be many shops and restaurants but we were only here a short time and did not get to check them out.

I'll start off with the positive. The park is nicely located on the Lake Michigan shoreline just mintues from the city center. The lake views are excellent, as is the easy access to the Grand Traverse Wheelway - a 26 mile paved bike pathway from Charlevoix to Harbor Springs. It works well as a place to set up your camper as a convenient base to visit area sites. And there are very nice restroom/shower facilities.

Now the less than positive. Most of the sites are small with the hookups poorly located. And the park is not well maintained.

We had site 52. If we positioned our 5th wheel the way the park intended, our awning - if fully extended - would very nearly have touched the 5th wheel on site 54. Also, site 54's sewer connection would have been underneath our awning - essentially on our front porch !

So we reversed our direction to situate our door and awning facing site 50, which was farther away. However, since our sewer connection was also on that side, and the camper's sewer drain on the opposite side, we were unable to hook up to the sewer.

Finally, our campfire ring was only about 3 feet from the camper on site 54. And it was full of trash, including several bags of dog poo. Clearly nobody on the park staff makes any attempt to ensure the sites are clean.

So all in all, its a convenient location with some good ammenities. Just don't expect too much in the way of space or cleanliness.

Loved this campground. Beautiful views of Little Traverse Bay. Walking distance to downtown Petoskey. Did not use shower or bathrooms or check them out so can not speak about that. Friendly staff.
The Petoskey treatment plant is located next to the campground, we had no issue with smell. Tanker trucks run daily starting at 7am. Go through campground slowly, didn't bother us.

Campground was very clean. Beautiful views from our site, and likely almost every site. Having read reviews we stayed a ways away from the hospital and heard no generator running at all. The playground wasn’t open due to the pandemic, but it is relatively small. Beach is rocks, not uncommon for the area, but the trail leads to downtown and was worth the walk. Our site was not level for a 42’ rig, something shorter could have backed up enough to level out but we couldn’t, although we corrected it with blocks. When we return we will likely stay in one of the spots that are right up against Lake St, they’re much more level and still full hookup.