Mike and I found a hidden gem of a campground in Northern Michigan. We came to this beautiful state to visit my dad and stepmom and our good friends, Mick and Jackie, whom we’ve known for many years.
Mick recently took over management of Bambi Lake Retreat and Conference Center–an amazing piece of property that offers so much for RVers and outdoor enthusiasts. I’m going to post Mike’s video narrative and will add a few notes of my own at the end (you can view the video by clicking here: RandombitsRV.
Mike: “Dawn and I are camping in The beautiful Bambi Lake Retreat and Conference Center. Located in Roscommon Michigan, Bambi Lake is only six miles from interstate 75.
The 240-acre property is owned and meticulously cared for by the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. While the property is owned by a faith-based organization, I’m here to tell you that Bambi Lake is open to the public and everyone is welcome. Just be mindful that Bambi Lake features an atmosphere, suitable for your entire family.
The campground is quietly nestled in the back of the property. It offers 27 tent and RV Sites. Each site is spacious and includes 30 amp electric service, and water, along with fire rings and picnic tables. Two sites offer 50 amp service. With Northern Michigan’s mild climate and very little need for air conditioning, you’ll find that 30 amp service is all you’ll need. There is an RV dump station on-site with easy access. You will need to bring some RV leveling blocks, as most of the property contains gentle slopes and rolling hills.
The entire campground is covered with huge majestic hardwood trees, and is adjacent to State of Michigan forest property, which is also available for your day use. As an added bonus, you are only five miles away from the Huron National Forest.
The wild-life at Bambi Lake is plentiful with an abundance of deer, black squirrels, and chipmunks, wild turkeys woodpeckers, and even an occasional bear.
There are plenty of activities available for the entire family. The crystal clear spring-fed lake features beautiful refreshing water next to a sandy swimming beach. Adjacent to the beach is a mini-marina, with plenty of canoes, rowboats and paddle boats that are free and available for use. The lake is stocked, with various game fish. Not into water sports? Be sure to play a few rounds of mini-golf on site.
The property also features a network of trails through its forested landscape, and is great for exploring this heavily wooded area on foot or all terrain vehicle. During our visit, The price was a very affordable $25 per night. While the campground is situated at the opposite end of the property from the main entrance, daylight arrival is recommended, as there are many trees through-out camping area. While the roads are narrow, I was able to navigate our 40’ diesel pusher safely into our site. There is also a huge playground to keep your little campers delighted for hours. Also during our visit, construction was well underway on a huge lakeside waterslide, that will launch your medium and adult sized campers into the clear water of Lake. Oh, did I also mention firewood is in great supply, and there is usually no charge.
If you are just passing through the area and simply need a place to pull off and sleep for the evening, just a few feet from the main entrance there is a very large field, which is perfect for a short overnight stay, otherwise known as boondocking to the RV community. Please call for availability. While there is no published fee, small contributions are always greatly appreciated.
Bambi Lake continues to be well known for its Retreat, and Conference Center. The multi-use Conference Center with its multiple lodging capabilities is a perfect getaway for Corporate or faith-based retreats and is ideal for a family reunion or getaway. It offers beautiful and modern facilities with multiple lodging, meeting, and dining capabilities. The lodge (currently undergoing renovations) has a beautiful relaxing balcony overlooking the lake. It contains several meeting and break-out rooms, game rooms, and a warm cozy fireplace is always within reach. While the Conference and Retreat Center has been a longtime favorite past-time of Northern Michigan, Bambi Lake is under new and highly skilled management, and is generating a new focus on family camping and public access.
With all of the genuine hospitality and enticing features that Bambi Lake has to offer, is there any wonder why Bambi Lake Retreat and Conference Center is our new favorite RV destination? I invite you to come and experience Bambi Lake life for yourself.”
Dawn: I love this campground. It’s quiet and peaceful. We’ve had a few days being the only ones in the park and Lexie (our bullmastiff) has been able to run off leash. It’s amusing to see her romp outside, trying to catch squirrels and jump after the woodpeckers. In the mornings, I walk the nature trails through thick forest. I love to stand totally still without making a noise. In a few moments, the chipmunks come out to play, the birds start to chirp and go about their business in the trees, and occasionally there is the rustling and distant view of a doe and fawn. I’ve seen tracks of deer, coyotes or fox, and even bear. The morning hikes are becoming exceptionally pretty as the leaves are starting to change and reveal a full spectrum of colors.
The video doesn’t mention the grounds have a shooting range, an outdoor prayer chapel that looks over rolling hills and forests, a horseshoe area, or how fun the ORV trails are to roam. In the winter, the gym is flooded with water and used as an ice skating rink.
Most of all, there are so many quiet places to be alone, reflect, and commune with the natural beauty all around. We can highly recommend a quiet rowboat sunset lake excursion–the lap of the oars and the colors of the setting sun are relaxing and soothing.
The camp is centrally located and within driving distance to the Mackinac Bridge and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Traverse City, Alpena on the shore of Lake Huron–all are within driving distance.
Mike and I have enjoyed our time in beautiful Michigan visiting my dad and stepmom as well as the time with Mick and Jackie. We’ve also made wonderful friends with our campground neighbors. It will be sad to leave here, but we will be back. The evening campfires and lure of Bambi Lake Life are calling us to spend more time in the warm months next year.
Safe travels, Dawn
P.S. The photos and video of Bambi Lake are much better than my words can convey. Please watch the video here: RandombitsRV.Contact Information: Bambi Lake Retreat and Conference Center, 3468 East Robinson Road, Roscommon, Michigan 48653, Telephone: 989-275-5844, e-mail: Mick@bscm.org
We were in another park with Noah’s arc playground, somewhere on the eastern seaboard. I’d have to surf my past blogs to find where; or I could just ask my husband. He remembers all those tidbits. This park looks like ‘camping’.
It is–nature all around. It’s so quiet and peaceful. I dearly love this campground.
Looks like a beautiful place.
It’s gorgeous here! Especially now with the leaves changing. I’m sure it’s beautiful in spring, too. Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!
Great post Dawn and Mike, you are so professional on your videos! The campground can use that as their promo.
We are spending the night at the tip of the Keweenaw Penninsula in the U.P. before heading back to Ohio via Wisconsin, I’ll, and Indiana
Sounds like an amazing loop to make! We elected to stay in Roscommon until Thursday–then heading to Elkhart, IN, to get a new couch install. Then on to Mike’s hometown in IN outside of Chicago. We’ll then trek to and stay a month in Louisiana. Will spend November in Austin. Then we are headed further west.
Thanks for feedback on the videos. The one on the campground Mike did an excellent job. Looking forward to coming back here.
You guys travel safe. Again, it was such a pleasure to meet Kathy and you. We enjoyed it very much.
It’s now Sunday the 17th, we are at a beautiful park (Indian Shores) just south of Woodruff, WIS. We want to see the RV Hall of Fame in Elkhart, have to be in Ohio on Friday the 22nd so should be at Elkhart on Wed or Thursday at the latest. Not sure if you meant leaving Roscommon LAST Thursday the 14th or this Thursday the 21st, maybe we’d bump into each other in Elkhart?
We are leaving Roscommon on Thursday when Mike gets off work (around 4)–not sure if we will make Elkhart that night or not, but if we do we’d love to meet up if you’re still there. I can let you know firmer details in the next day or so as his schedule evens itself out.
Crap, sorry we w9nt still be there. We are in N. Utica, Illinois tonight, Elkhart tomorrow (Tuesday) and then back at the kids in Ohio late Wednesday for a week or so before heading to TX. Maybe we can see you in Austin in Nov.
I’m sorry we are going to miss you! We will definitely have to see if we can get together in Texas! Safe travels to you.
Well shoot – I wish I’d known about this place when we were in Michigan, it sounds absolutely wonderful. I’m glad you’ve been able to both visit family and commune with nature during this trip phase.
We love it here and hate to leave. I’m glad it’s now open to the public. But, more adventures are to be had. Looks like SD is exciting–hoping to make that loop next year. We’ll be in Texas in November–if y’all are in driving distance, would love to see you again.
Oh this looks incredible! I’d love to travel around in an RV! It would be so much fun. Your photos are really great too x
We love traveling this way. Thank you so much for the compliment!
This looks like a great spot. We loved that state when going through it. There is so much more to it then we ever realized.
It was the same for us. I had no idea Michigan had so many exciting places to offer.
Wow what a beautiful place to stop!
It’s gorgeous. Now on to Louisiana. 🙂
Truly a lovely spot!
We loved it there and will probably be back soon.
Wow – this place looks amazing. While I did see Mike’s video – there is something about your bog pictures that drives the beauty home. Thanks for sharing this place – wonderful!
Thanks for the compliment–and for stopping by. 🙂 I’m so excited we get to share the next leg of this travel journey with you!
Me too!!!!