One of the most popular RV resorts in Michigan has just earned the prestigious title of “Best in America.” As reported in MLive, Campspot released its second annual Campspot Awards to recognize the best campgrounds across the U.S. and Canada. Campspot is an online marketplace for RV resorts, campgrounds, cabins, glamping options and more. Ranging across 12 traveler-driven categories, these award-winning RV destinations offer something for every kind of outdoor enthusiast. According to Campspot’s survey, Indian River RV Resort in northern Michigan’s Cheboygan County is the best place to camp in all of U.S. and Canada for 2023. The owners of Indian River RV Resort say they were on pins and needles for months awaiting the results.
“We’ve been following it closely for a few months and were very thrilled when we saw the results,” Jonathan Deppe, co-owner of Indian River RV Resort recently told MLive.
Jonathan, Katie and Terrell Deppe purchased Indian River RV Resort a few years ago and say this award is a testament to all of the hard work they’ve put in to improve the property.
“It means all of the things we’ve been emphasizing and changing are what really matters to our customer base,” says Jonathan Deppe. “We’ve kept the park manicured as best as we can. We’ve made the sites more roomie so they’re easier to get into and we’ve created a dog run for those who like to let their dogs loose. We maintain about 20 acres of trails and we added a picnic area back in the woods for people to stumble upon.”
Deppe says they are also continuing to upgrade the store and increase its size so they can add and improve the amenities like the laundry room. The plan is also to build basketball and pickleball courts.
Indian River RV Resort has 150 sites. Most of them have full hookups with water, septic and electric with 30 and 50 amp options for bigger and smaller rigs. The park can fit 45-footers in the back end.
There’s also nine cabins which are considered rustic because they don’t have running water, bathrooms or a kitchen inside. Heat and AC, a mini fridge, microwave and linens have been added.
Indian River RV Resort is open from May 1 through September 30 and takes reservations daily.
For the annual survey, Campspot first combed through more than 70,000 data points including bookings, reviews and category-specific factors to identify a shortlist of nominees. They then asked the camping community to weigh in, inviting the public to vote on their favorite campgrounds in America. They also partnered with camping experts to score the nominees in the remaining categories based on uniqueness, listing completion and overall appeal.
“The 2023 Campspot Awards are a celebration of everything that makes the camping industry so awesome. They not only provide an important opportunity to recognize those campground’s owners, operators, and staff who strive to provide special camping experiences to their guests, but they also serve as inspiration for the many travelers looking to book their spring and summer trips now,” said Erin Stender, CMO of Campspot. “We purposefully created new categories this year that make it easy to find the right spot for you, whether you’re already a full-timer, or just discovering the many options available to campers today.”
The complete top 10 list of Campspot’s 2023 “Best Campgrounds in America” include:
#1 – Indian River RV Resort (Indian River, Mich.)
Within close proximity to Michigan’s famous lakes, walking trails and vacation hotspot Mackinac Island, this campground offers log cabins, RV and tent sites with a unique, rustic charm on a shaded, manicured property.
Rates start at $55/night for RV/tent site or $125/night for five-person cabin.
#2 – On the Saco Family Campground (Brownfield, Maine)
This campground is located on a beautiful property with 1,700 feet of Saco River frontage, offering pet-friendly RV sites and riverfront tent sites as well as convenient on-site amenities and plentiful river activities.
Rates start at $38/night for RV/tent site or $120/night for a 10-person group site.
#3 – The Nugget RV Resort (Saint Regis, Mont.)
Surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges and the Clark Fork and St. Regis Rivers of Montana, this park is in a natural wonderland that makes the perfect home base for fishing, biking or photography enthusiasts, with cozy cabins, RV sites, a dog park, general store and more.
Rates start at $50/night for RV site or $80/night for a four-person cabin.
#4 – Otahki Lake Cabins & Campground (Patterson, Mo.)
Located in the heart of the Missouri Ozarks, this 1200-acre park features a 23-acre lake with beach and two miles of river frontage, ideal for rafting and float trips. Stay in deluxe cabins with hot tubs, unique covered wagons, glamping tents and many more options.
Rates start at $48/night for RV site or $175/night for a four-person cabin.
#5 – Stonebridge RV Resort (Maggie Valley, N.C.)
This campground has everything you need for a family-friendly getaway in the Great Smoky Mountains, complete with an on-site arcade, live music, playground, sports facilities, dog park and more.
Rates start at $45/night for an RV site.
#6 – Dark Sky RV Campground (Kanab, Utah)
The perfect place for a Utah adventure with close access to Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and others, this design-forward campground offers luxurious amenities, including private bath suites, outdoor showers, an open terrace lounge, meditative areas, a dog park, kids zip line and more.
Rates start at $55/night for RV site or $85/night for a four-person cabin.
#7 – Pecan Park (Jacksonville, Fla.)
For travelers looking for stunning views, beautiful weather and a friendly atmosphere, this pet-friendly campground offers that and more, including a fully-stocked fishing lake, a pool area, colorful cottages, as well as nearby beaches and attractions.
Rates start at $57/night for RV site or $104/night for a four-person cabin.
#8 – Kootenai River Campground (Troy, Mont.)
Offering both quiet tent sites and charming cabins, this campground provides a secluded escape in stunning Montana surroundings with riverfront access and a variety of nearby activities including fishing, hiking, backpacking, kayaking, OHV trails and more.
Rates start at $30/night for tent/RV site or $65/night for a two-person cabin.
#9 – Okefenokee Pastimes Cabins and Campground (Folkston, Ga.)
This lush campground makes it easy to indulge your hobbies, with a hummingbird and butterfly pollinator area, fish feeding area, off-leash dog park, communal fire pit and bar, and even a dedicated astronomy field to enjoy the famous dark skies of the area.
Rates start at $29/night for tent/RV site or $109/night for a three-person cabin.
#10 – Jellystone Park: Memphis (Horn Lake, Miss.)
Just 5 miles from Memphis, Tennessee, this park sprawls across 21 acres with 170 sites and a variety of amenities and activities for guests of all ages, like weekly themed weekends, a waterpark, pedal cart, shuffleboard, an outdoor theater, bike rentals and much more.
Rates start at $47/night for tent/RV site or $139/night for a six-person cabin.
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