RV Rental Michigan, MI

RV Rental Michigan: Motorhome, Camper, & Trailer Rentals MI

The name Michigan comes from a Chippewa word that means "large water" or "large lake." And while it's renowned for its Great Lakes region, that's only one of the reasons why you should visit the Midwestern state. In addition to 3,000 miles of shoreline, Michigan also has 19 million acres of forest and several cultural and natural attractions that draw more than 100 million tourists a year.

If you enjoy scenic rides, you can't miss the Tunnel of Trees on M-119. There's also the picturesque Mackinac Island, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Henry Ford attractions. It’s no surprise that RV rentals in Michigan are so popular. Traveling through the state in a camper or motorhome is a great way to see everything it has to offer.

Popular RV Destinations in Michigan

Esch Road Beach

A can't-miss swimming spot on Lake Michigan is Esch Road Beach, also known as Otter Creek, in the town of Empire. It's one of the state's most beautiful beaches and is speckled with wildflowers. Part of what makes the area so unique is the action of the lake's waves determines whether the water flows north or south.

Children love playing in Otter Creek's water, which flows into the lake. It's surrounded by coastal dunes and is simply a very pretty spot to unwind. 

Interestingly, this quiet area was once a prosperous town called Aral from 1880 to 1911 with a large sawmill at the mouth of the creek.  When the lumber business died down, the forest encroached, and it turned into the place people love visiting today.

Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island in Lake Huron is only four square miles, but it's one of the state's most popular destinations. Once dubbed the friendliest island on earth, it's easy to access from Detroit and is 100 percent car-free, so you need to leave your RV on the mainland before making the trip.

Bikes and horses are the only modes of transportation on the island, which makes it a very relaxing place to visit. Should you choose to spend the night, you may want to consider the Grand Hotel, which has the longest front porch in the world (it’s a whopping 660 feet). The island also features the oldest family-run grocery store, 70 miles of trails, and its famous Mackinac Island Fudge.

Pictured Rocks National Seashore

The stunning multicolored rocks on Lake Superior's south shore are the reason why this park has such a charming name. The area consists of 15 miles of sandstone cliffs,12 miles of beaches, and almost five miles of giant sand dunes. The park is also surrounded by lakes, streams, waterfalls, and forests.

You can explore 100 miles of trails, photograph wildflowers, go birdwatching, plan a picnic, or relax on a boat. It doesn't matter what time of year you visit Pictured Rocks National Seashore. In the winter, the area is a popular place to go cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.

Keweenaw Peninsula

Located in the state's upper peninsula on Lake Superior, this area is known for its remote wilderness spots, such as Isle Royale National Park, which is home to moose, wolves, and other wildlife. There are several secluded beaches as well as the Keweenaw National Historical Park, which is where America's first copper boom occurred.

The Keweenaw Peninsula is an outdoor lover's paradise. It has a variety of hiking, biking, and ATV trails. It's also a great place for birding, fishing, kayaking, skiing, and snowmobiling. Attractions include the Copper Country Trail National Byway, lighthouses, ghost towns, and waterfalls.

Events and Entertainment in Michigan

Detroit Institute of the Arts

The Detroit Institute of the Arts (DIA) was founded in 1885 and features over 100 galleries and more than 65,000 works. The museum's collection is considered one of the top 10 in America. A highlight of the collection is Vincent van Gogh's Self-Portrait, which was the first Van Gogh painting to become part of a U.S. museum collection.

The DIA also possesses Mexican artist Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry murals, which the artist believed was his most successful work. Overall, the collection is very diverse with samples from American, European, African, Asian, Native American, Oceanic, Islamic, Modern and Contemporary, and Ancient art.

Detroit Zoo

The Detroit Zoo opened in 1928 and is one of the city's top tourist attractions. It has more than 2,300 animals and 229 species from around the world residing on 125 acres. The zoo attracts more than 1 million visitors every year, many of which are drawn to the polar bear exhibit in the zoo's arctic habitat.

Other top exhibits include the Polk Penguin Conservation Center, Australian Outback Adventure, Great Apes of Harambee, National Amphibian Conservation Center, Holden Reptile Conservation Center, and Butterfly Garden. In addition to observing animals, guests can pay extra for a giraffe encounter, breakfast with a favorite animal, a private photo safari, and more.

Henry Ford Attractions

Known collectively as The Henry Ford, the museum complex consists of the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour. Located in Dearborn, the museum houses automobiles, antique machinery, aircraft, and more, including JFK's limousine, Rosa Parks' bus, and Abraham Lincoln's chair from Ford's Theatre.

Greenfield Village is an outdoor living history museum and features nearly 100 historic buildings and costumed staff members who carry out period tasks, such as cooking and farming. The Ford Rouge Factory Tour gives guests a behind-the-scenes tour of a working automobile factory and includes a look at the place where Ford has been building cars since the Model A in 1903.

Campgrounds and Parks in Michigan

Harbortown RV Resort

Located between Toledo and Detroit on Lake Erie, Harbortown RV Resort is a great place to stay if you want to explore the Henry Ford Museum and the River Raisin Battlefield. There are 250 RV sites, including 80 pull-throughs for bigger rigs. The site provides 20-, 30-, and 50-amp electric hookups, Wi-Fi, and cable TV.

Other amenities include an arcade, batting cages, mini-golf, go-karts, an ice cream shop, and a heated swimming pool. The campground throws themed parties on the weekend as well as other activities and celebrations. Local attractions include fishing, golf, and several historic sites.

Covert/South Haven KOA

This award-winning KOA is within 10-15 minutes of six beaches on Lake Michigan and is close to Holland, South Haven, St. Joseph, and Saugatuck. It's an entertainment destination for people of all ages and has blueberry picking, pancake breakfasts, basketball, hayrides, a fishing pond, dog park, gem mining, billiards, and more.

Other amenities include 50-amp service sites, Wi-Fi, cable TV, a swimming pool, snack bar, and splash pad. Travelers love visiting nearby attractions, such as the Michigan Maritime Museum, the Chocolate Garden, and Van Buren State Park. There are several wineries, microbreweries, bike trails, horseback riding, and championship golf courses in the area.

Lake Shore RV Resort & Campground

This family-owned RV park has 20-, 30-, and 50-amp electrical service and is located near St. Ignace on the upper peninsula on the northern side of the Straits of Mackinac. There are several pull-through sites as well as Wi-Fi, restrooms, showers, and RV supplies such as water and sewer hoses.

This is a great place to stay if you plan on visiting Mackinac Island. You can take a day trip to the Garlyn Zoological Park and Top Of The Lake Snowmobile Museum or explore some of the tiny villages and the archipelago of islands on Lake Huron’s shoreline.

RV Storage and Dumpstations in Michigan

While traveling in an RV is a lot of fun, you may decide to store it to spend time in a hotel or to stay with friends and family for a few days. Michigan has plenty of RV storage facilities you can use should you need a secure and safe place to keep your camper. 

• Sunset RV Storage & Service, Livonia
• Bay City Boat & RV Storage, Bay City
• Macomb RV Storage, Macomb
• DC Storage & RV Services, Hudsonville

If your motorhome rental has a bathroom, sink, and other facilities, eventually you will need to dump the gray and black water from its holding tanks. Fortunately, there are several dump stations located throughout the state of Michigan, including the following:

• County Fairgrounds, Alpena
• A & S RV Center, Auburn Hills
• J.W. Wells State Park, Cedar River
• Detroit Wastewater Treatment Plant
• North Park Campground, Harbor Beach

FAQs

1. What are RV rentals?

The great thing about renting an RV instead of buying one is you save money on maintenance costs, such as mechanical upkeep and storage options. Plus, you may not want the commitment involved with RV ownership. 

2. How much are RV rentals?

The cost of an RV rental depends on the size of the camper as well as the length of the rental. Smaller RVs can cost between $75 and $150 per night, while larger motorhomes can cost up to $250 per night. If you commit to a week-long or month-long rental, you are likely to save some money.

3. Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Michigan?

Generally, you have to be 25 years old to rent an RV; however, some companies do allow those under 25 to rent a camper. Often these businesses have added surcharges, and you may have to sign a special waiver in order to do so.

4. Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes. You need insurance to cover the RV in case you’re involved in an accident.

5. Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

Not all companies require a full tank upon return, but you should ask about refueling requirements before you embark on your trip. 

6. Are RVs pet-friendly in Michigan?

Many companies allow guests to bring pets onboard; however, you may have to pay an extra fee in order to do so.

7. Are there RV rentals with unlimited mileage?

Yes. This is advantageous because you're not limited by the number of miles you travel on a particular trip. It gives you peace of mind because you don't have to worry about going beyond the allotted miles in your contract.

8. How many people can sleep in an RV?

That depends on the size of the RV. Campervans can sleep from two to four people, while midsize motorhomes can accommodate up to six people. Large motorhomes typically sleep up to six individuals, but you can find some that have allowances for up to 10 people.