From a rural location with modern amenities to a full on “in the middle of the wilderness” camping experience, an escape Up North is the best of both worlds. The winter holds some great opportunities for cozying up in a mini cabin, yakking it up in a yurt, hanging out in a lodge or shaping a quinzee. Make your next visit to Northern Michigan all about staying outdoors, comfortably.

Stay in a mini cabin

Mini cabins are one-room cabins that are located within state park campgrounds. They are generally smaller than most cabins but are designed to hold four people (bunkbeds and mattresses are provided). There are more than 55 mini cabins to choose from around Michigan, so we pulled a couple to showcase from the list provided by the DNR.

Traverse City State Park: There are two mini cabins available for rent in this park. They both have two sets of bunkbeds, electricity, lighting, heat and a table with four chairs, plus a fire ring outside for making the perfect s’more.

Petoskey State Park: The “Trillium” and the “Orchid” are both mini cabins that have electricity, two sets of bunk beds, a table and four chairs.

Lounge in a lodge

Traverse City State Park: If you’re feeling hardy they’ve got options for winter camping, but if you’re looking for a weekend to share with 10 friends, think about checking out the State Park Cottage. It’s a cozy cottage that sleeps 11 people, has electricity, a fully equipped kitchen and two full bathrooms.

Find a yurt near you!

If you’re looking for something a little more rustic than a cabin but more charming than a tent, then a yurt is waiting for you. These tent-like structures are sturdy and have an insulated canvas exterior that will keep the elements away. Yurts are a spectacular way to enjoy the outdoors, in summer or winter.

Muskegon State Park Yurt: A more rustic experience (there isn’t electricity or running water), this particular yurt will sleep up to 7 adults and it comes with a cozy woodstove to heat the yurt when temperatures drop.

Porcupine Mountains Yurt: There are three yurts to choose from in the Porcupine Mountains and although there isn’t electricity or running water in these, you can find an outhouse and wood close by (in the winter months). They also come equipped with bunk beds, mattresses, a wood stove, axe, bow saw and cooking and eating utensils.

For the ultra adventurous: Quinzee

The snow shelter of snow shelters is a quinzee. See what a quinzee is all about as editor of Traverse Magazine, Jeff Smith shows you step-by-step how to build a quinzee in this MyNorth video.

Want to explore more lodging around Michigan? Check out the DNR’s website for more information.

More Northern Michigan Outdoors

Ten Places to Cross Country Ski in Northern Michigan

Where to go Snow Tubing in Northern Michigan

2015 Northern Michigan Ski Guide