If you’ve ever dreamed of living and working surrounded by lakes, lush forests, and friendly small towns, Workamping in Michigan might be your perfect seasonal gig.
Nicknamed the “Great Lakes State,” Michigan boasts 3,288 miles of freshwater coastline – more than any other state in the U.S. It’s a paradise for boating, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and watching golden sunsets dance across the water. From charming lakeside towns to vibrant national parks, this four-season destination offers unforgettable Workamping opportunities.
Why Workamp in Michigan?
Michigan’s two distinct peninsulas are packed with campgrounds, state parks, local festivals, and tourism hot spots – especially during the spring, summer, and fall. Here’s what makes the state so special:
Land of Lakes, Lighthouses, and Legends
Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes – Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie – giving the state a maritime feel without being coastal.
You’ll find more than 120 working lighthouses scattered along its shoreline, many of which welcome visitors or offer educational programs during warmer months.
For Workampers, that means ample opportunities to work at lakefront campgrounds, beachside concession stands or busy marina gift shops, which are often just a short walk from sandy shores.
One of Michigan’s most famous landmarks is Mackinac Island. It is a car-free community between the upper and lower peninsulas. Accessible only by ferry, this charming destination draws thousands of visitors a day during the summer.
It’s well-known for its Victorian architecture, historic fort, scenic biking routes and mouthwatering fudge. Several employers on the island hire Workampers for retail, food service and hospitality roles.
National Parks & Scenic Wonders
Isle Royale National Park
Michigan is home to Isle Royale National Park, which is one of the most underrated national parks in the country. Located in Lake Superior, this remote island park is only accessible by boat or floatplane, which adds to its mystique.
Workamping near or around Isle Royale offers an unforgettable wilderness experience, from watching moose roam the forests to kayaking between rocky inlets.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is another breathtaking location. Located along Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula, the park features colorful cliffs, sea caves, waterfalls and hiking trails through lush pine forests.
Visitors can kayak under archways, take boat tours, or hike miles of scenic trails with panoramic views. Seasonal jobs in this region include campground hosts, tour guides, maintenance workers and visitor center staff.
Fun Things to Do in Michigan
No matter where you’re Workamping in Michigan, there’s never a shortage of things to see and do. Consider these popular attractions:
- Traverse City: Known for its wineries, cherries and stunning bay-front scenery. It’s also a hot spot for farm-to-table dining, summer music festivals and lake cruises.
- Henry Ford Museum: A massive tribute to American innovation in Dearborn. Visitors can see presidential limousines, classic airplanes and even ride in a Model T.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: 450-foot-tall sand dunes that tower over Lake Michigan. Climbing the dunes is a rite of passage for visitors and the views from the top are unforgettable.
- Frankenmuth: Known as “Little Bavaria” with charming shops, German-themed architecture and famous chicken dinners.
- The Upper Peninsula (U.P.): Home to Tahquamenon Falls, Porcupine Mountains, and Copper Harbor. all of which offer natural beauty with fewer crowds.
A Four-Season Workamping Destination
Michigan is most popular with Workampers during spring, summer and fall. That’s when temperatures are mild, forests are lush and the lakes are warm enough to swim or paddle.
Autumn transforms the landscape into a painter’s dream, with fiery reds, golds and oranges lighting up trees and landscapes across the state.
But winter isn’t off-limits for adventurous Workampers. Ski resorts in northern Michigan and the U.P. hire seasonal workers every year to help with hospitality, ski rental, lift operations and maintenance.
If you love snowmobiling, ice fishing or cozying up in a heated cabin, winter Workamping in Michigan can be a magical experience.
Fun Facts About Michigan
- Michigan has more freshwater shoreline than any other state.
- It is home to more than 11,000 inland lakes. In fact, you’re never more than six miles from one.
- The state’s name comes from the Ojibwa word “mishigamaa,” meaning “large water” or “large lake.”
- The Upper Peninsula is connected to the mainland by the 5-mile-long Mackinac Bridge, which is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.
- The state is inhabited by “Yoopers” (U.P. residents) and “Trolls” (those who live under the bridge in the lower peninsula).
Typical Workamping Jobs in Michigan
Workamping jobs in Michigan are as varied as the landscape. Some of the most common opportunities include:
- Campground Hosts: With 103 state parks and recreation areas, plus hundreds of private campgrounds, there are plenty of hosting opportunities, which often come with full-hookup RV sites and hourly pay.
- Hospitality & Tourism: Resorts, marinas and seasonal tourist towns, like Mackinaw City and Saugatuck, often need front desk help, housekeepers, food service workers and maintenance crews.
- Farm and Harvest Work: Michigan is a top producer of apples, cherries, blueberries, and sugar beets. Workampers can find seasonal work on family farms assisting with harvesting, packaging and staffing registers at roadside stands.
- Festival Support: Workampers are often hired to help run food booths, set up stages or manage parking during events like the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City or Tulip Time in Holland.
- Park Operations: Michigan state and national parks often hire temporary rangers, interpreters and visitor center staff for educational and conservation support.
Recent and Notable Michigan Employers with Workamping Jobs
Here are a sample of recent job listings by some Michigan employers looking for Workampers. While the positions may already be filled for 2025, they are likely looking for people to work in 2026 and beyond.
Cherry Republic
- Located in Traverse City, just minutes away from Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. Workampers will put in an average of 40 hours each week individually as retail associates in a retail store. The firm offers great perks, like two consecutive days off, and a generous discount on all products. All hours are paid starting at $15 per hour. More information is available at www.cherryrepublic.com. The company was featured on Episode 287 of The Workamper Show podcast.
Express Employment – Sugar Beet Harvest
- Work along the shores of Lake Huron helping with the annual beet harvest. With a starting wage of $20.65 per hour, it is possible for Workampers to earn up to $1,400 per week. Jobs start around Oct. 15 and continue through mid-November. These positions are at sugar beet receiving stations, not in the fields. However, jobs do require people to work outside up to nine to 12 hours per day. More information is available at www.michiganbeetharvest.com.
Uncle Ducky Outdoors
- An outdoor, adventure-based company located in Munising and specializing in Grand Island dinner cruises on Lake Superior. The firm also operates the Au Train Beach and The Paddlers Village glamping campgrounds as well as the Paddlers Inn Motel, Duck Pond Eatery and Beer Garden, and Paddling Michigan kayaking tours at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. More information can be found at www.paddlingmichigan.com.
White River RV Park
- Opened in 1974, this family-owned facility located in Montague hires Workampers to assist with campground operations like restroom cleaning, housekeeping, front desk/retail store, night patrols, pump-out service, grounds & pool maintenance. Compensation includes campsite, salary and utilities stipend. For more information, visit www.whiterivercampground.com or listen to Episode 307 of the Workamper Show podcast.
Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping
- Founded in 1964, Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping is a 600-site, 100-cabin, nationally-ranked campground located along Lake Huron. They hire Workampers to do maintenance, housekeeping and staff the front desk. All hours are paid, plus you’ll get a full-hookup RV site and a year-end bonus. For more information, visit www.campmackinaw.com.
Indigo Bluffs RV Resort
- Located in western Michigan near Empire, Indigo Bluffs RV Resort hires Workamping couples for the office, maintenance and housekeeping from May 1 to Oct. 20. Workampers receive pay for all hours worked, a full-hookup RV site, Wi-Fi, free laundry and a 30% discount on propane and at the camp store. For more information, visit www.indigobluffs.com.
Vacation Station RV Resort
- Located in Ludington, Vacation Station RV Resort is looking for ambitious, energetic couples from May 1 through mid-October to help with front desk, daily cleaning of cabins, cottages, campsites and restrooms as well as maintenance, landscaping, pool upkeep and hosting. Workampers receive a paved full-hookup RV site with cable TV, Wi-Fi and laundry. Additional hours were paid. For more information, visit www.vacationstationrvresort.com.
American Land & Leisure
- Hiring hundreds of Workampers for outdoor jobs in Michigan and eight other states, American Land & Leisure manages about 350 campgrounds as a contractor for the U.S. Forest Service. As a result, it hires 500 Workampers every year to serve as camp hosts who greet guests, collect camping fees and clean restrooms as well as campsites after guests leave. All hours are paid and Workampers receive a free full-hookup RV site. The company is a featured employer, so more information can be found at www.workamper.com/femp/772/index.html. You can also check out Episode 193 of The Workamper Show podcast.
Bay Shore Camp and Family Ministries
- Bay Shore Camp and Family Ministries, a Christian ministry in Sebewaing, hires Workamper volunteers for maintenance and grounds, housekeeping or the camp office. They also help serve meals, assist with camper check-in/check-out, staff a mini-golf course or work in the camp store. In exchange for 30 hours per week, per couple, Workampers receive a full-hookup RV site with laundry, Wi-Fi, and meals when they are being served. They are scheduled for three days on, four off from mid-May through Labor Day weekend. A background check is required. For more information, visit www.bayshorecamp.org. No phone calls, please. Check out their interviews on the Workamper Show podcast.
Plan Ahead for Workamping in Michigan in 2026 and Beyond
If Michigan’s natural beauty, friendly residents and wealth of outdoor activities sound appealing, now’s the time to become a member at Workamper.com, create your Workamper Resume, and keep an eye on the Hotline Jobs email sent out each weekday.
Whether you’re hiking to waterfalls, sharing stories around a campfire, or helping guests enjoy the best that Michigan has to offer, the Great Lakes State is a wonderful place to work, explore and create unforgettable memories.
Workamping in Michigan is more than a job…it’s a way to immerse yourself in nature, meet amazing people, and make lasting memories in the Great Lakes State.
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