Medium Demand — Family Beach Camping on Lake Charlevoix

Young State Park

Charlevoix County · Lower Peninsula · Boyne City, MI 49712
240
Campsites
563
Acres
From $22
Per Night
1
Mile of Beach
Season: May – October
Hookups: Electric
Pets: Allowed on leash
Reservation: MiDNRReservations.com
Phone: (231) 582-7523
Book on MiDNRReservations.com →

About Young State Park

Young State Park sits on the north shore of Lake Charlevoix, just outside Boyne City, and it's built its reputation as one of the friendliest family camping parks in the northern Lower Peninsula. At 563 acres, it offers a mile of sandy beach on the lake, a large playground, and shallow, gently sloping water that's easy for young kids — a combination that keeps families coming back year after year.

The modern campground offers 240 electric sites across several loops, some right along the beach and others set back in wooded, quieter areas. Boyne City's restaurants and shops are just a few minutes away, and Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands resorts are both within a short drive for visitors extending a trip beyond camping.

CampgroundSitesHookupsBest For
Young State Park Campground240 sitesElectricFamilies, beach access, kids
Heads up: The beachfront loops are the most requested sites in the park and book up first — reserve as early as your 6-month window allows if lake frontage matters to you.
Local tip: Lake Charlevoix's water here is shallow and warms up nicely by midsummer, making this one of the more kid-friendly swim beaches among Michigan's larger lakes.

Lake Charlevoix Beach

PHOTO PLACEHOLDER

The park's signature feature is its mile of sandy Lake Charlevoix beach, paired with a large playground and gentle, shallow water that's especially well suited to young families. A network of easy walking trails winds through the park's wooded interior for those looking to explore beyond the shoreline.

How to Get a Reservation

The 6-Month Booking Window

Like all Michigan DNR campgrounds, Young State Park opens reservations exactly 6 months in advance through MiDNRReservations.com. Beachfront sites can sell out within days of the window opening.

Set a CampDrop Alert

If your dates are sold out, CampDrop monitors MiDNRReservations.com around the clock and texts you the moment a site opens up at Young State Park.

Reserve directly: MiDNRReservations.com · Park phone: (231) 582-7523

What to Know Before You Go

Hookups & Site Types

All 240 sites offer electric service, with some located directly along the beach and others set back in wooded loops.

Season

The park typically operates May through October; confirm exact dates on MiDNRReservations.com.

Pets

Pets are welcome throughout the park on a 6-foot leash.

Nearby Town

Downtown Boyne City is a short drive away with restaurants, shops, and a marina, and Boyne Mountain Resort is close by for visitors wanting more than camping.

Directions

Young State Park is located at 2280 Boyne City Rd, Boyne City, MI 49712, in Charlevoix County, just northwest of downtown Boyne City.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — it's known for a mile of sandy, shallow beach on Lake Charlevoix, a large playground, and easy access to gentle swimming water, making it one of the more family-friendly parks in the region.

The park has 240 modern electric campsites, some directly along the beach and others in wooded loops.

Yes, downtown Boyne City is just a few minutes away with restaurants and shops, and Boyne Mountain Resort is a short drive further.

Reservations open exactly 6 months in advance through MiDNRReservations.com. Beachfront sites sell out fast, so a CampDrop alert is worth setting if your dates are sold out.

The park typically operates May through October. Confirm exact dates on MiDNRReservations.com.

Yes, pets are welcome throughout the park on a 6-foot leash.