About Interlochen State Park
Interlochen has the distinction of being Michigan's very first state park, established in 1919 on land purchased two years earlier to preserve one of the state's last accessible stands of old-growth red pine. The park sits on a narrow isthmus between Duck Lake and Green Lake, just south of the Interlochen Center for the Arts — the famous summer arts academy whose concerts and student performances are within easy reach of the campground.
At 187 acres it's not a huge park, but it packs in two lakes, a genuine old-growth forest, and one of the more culturally interesting neighbors of any campground in the state. It draws a mix of families on a classic northern Michigan lake vacation and visitors timing their trip around Interlochen's summer concert season.
Interlochen's Duck Lake Modern Campground books up fast for summer weekends, especially during Interlochen Center for the Arts' concert season when visitors combine camping with a show. Reserve at the 6-month window for July and August dates.
Campground Loops — Which One Is Right for You
Interlochen has two distinct campgrounds on opposite sides of the park: a large modern campground on Duck Lake, and a smaller rustic campground on Green Lake.
| Campground | Sites | Hookups | Best For | Water Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duck Lake (North & South Loops) | 392 | Electric up to 50amp | Families, RVs, full amenities | On Duck Lake |
| Green Lake Rustic (Loops 600 & 700) | 52 | Rustic | Tent campers wanting quiet and lower cost | On Green Lake |
For the full amenity experience near the beach and bathhouses, ask for Duck Lake's North Loop. If you'd rather skip the crowds and don't need electric, Green Lake Rustic is a quieter, cheaper alternative just a short drive away.
Interlochen Center for the Arts & the Old-Growth Pines
The park's most unusual feature is its neighbor: Interlochen Center for the Arts, whose summer concerts, student recitals, and the National Music Camp draw visitors from all over the country. Many campers plan their trip around a show, then spend the rest of the weekend on Duck Lake or Green Lake.
Inside the park itself, a stand of old-growth red pine — among the last easily accessible examples in Michigan — is the reason this land was set aside as the state's first park back in 1919. A short, easy trail loops through the pines if you want a break from the beach.
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How to Get a Reservation at Interlochen
Interlochen sites book through the same system as every other Michigan state park: the 6-month advance window, or a last-minute cancellation.
The 6-Month Window Strategy
Reservations open on MiDNRReservations.com at 8:00 AM Eastern (Monday–Friday) or 9:00 AM Eastern (Saturday–Sunday), exactly 6 months before your arrival date. If your trip lines up with an Interlochen Center for the Arts concert, expect extra competition for that weekend.
CampDrop Alerts for Cancellations
Missed the window? CampDrop watches MiDNRReservations.com around the clock and texts you the moment a site matching your dates opens up, whether it's a Duck Lake electric site or a Green Lake rustic spot.
What to Know Before You Camp
Hookups and Amenities
Duck Lake Modern Campground offers electric hookups up to 50 amp with modern restrooms and showers. Green Lake Rustic has no electric service, hand-pump water, and vault toilets. Neither campground offers full water/sewer hookups at individual sites.
Lake Access
Duck Lake and Green Lake both have swimming beaches and boat launches. Duck Lake is the busier of the two, with more services nearby; Green Lake tends to be calmer.
Pets
Pets are allowed on a 6-foot leash in both campgrounds, though the camper cabins do not allow pets. Keep dogs under control at all times near the beaches.
Season Dates
The campground typically operates from mid-May through mid-October. Always confirm exact current-year dates on MiDNRReservations.com before booking.
Directions
Interlochen State Park is located on M-137 (Maddy Parkway) just south of Interlochen Center for the Arts, about 15 miles southwest of Traverse City. Take US-31 to M-137 and follow signs to the park entrance.
Address: 4167 M-137, Interlochen, MI 49643