The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail connects multiple campgrounds near Ann Arbor, Michigan, covering over 35 miles of wilderness terrain. This region features a mix of wetlands, hardwood forests, and glacial topography with elevations ranging from 850 to 1,100 feet. During summer months, temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with higher humidity levels that contribute to mosquito activity around the lakes and wetlands.
What to Do
Kayaking on Green Lake: Access the peaceful waters at Green Lake Rustic Campground where you can paddle through lily pads and explore the shoreline. "I loved this quiet little campground! I stayed at #6 and had a beautiful view of the lake. There is muddy lake access on that site and I paddled from there in my kayak," notes Melissa B.
Mountain biking trails: The Pinckney Recreation Area offers challenging terrain for cyclists with varying skill levels. "We loved the trails for Mountain Bikes that are close to the Campsite! They are super fun!!" shares Maria G., highlighting the accessibility of trails from camping areas.
Visit Hell, Michigan: Just a short drive from camping areas, this uniquely-named town offers quirky photo opportunities and local shops. "Near Hell, Michigan and Chelsea, Michigan," explains a visitor to Hell Creek Ranch about the convenient location for exploring local attractions.
Winter recreation: Trails remain open during colder months for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. "The park is open all year, making the Blind Lake campground a popular stop for hikers in the winter," notes Mike B., describing the year-round accessibility.
What Campers Like
Lake swimming access: Brighton Recreation Area provides beach areas for water activities. "The lake you can rent kayaks, paddle boards, row boats or paddle boats... The lake has water activities you can pay extra for if you would like to do that," explains Melissa M.
Yurt accommodations: For yurt camping near Ann Arbor, Michigan, several options exist with varying amenities. "There is a Yurt for rent here as well through the Waterloo Recreation web page," notes Mike B. about the Green Lake accommodations, offering an alternative to traditional tent camping.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities. "The facilities were nice and clean and many sites had trees to give shade at certain times of day," reports Kim S. about her family's experience at Waterloo Sugarloaf.
Hiking trail connections: Direct access to extended trail systems appeals to backpackers. "Serious hikers can connect the Potawatomi Trail to the Waterloo-Pinckney Hiking trail to bring their total trip to over 35 miles of back country hiking," explains a reviewer describing the extensive trail network.
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Many sites fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "When I booked this camp site, I was originally looking at the Rustic camping... I'd examine the map carefully because some of the sites were horrendously open and basically on the road," advises Ryan F. about selecting specific sites at Brighton Recreation Area.
Mosquito preparation: Wetland proximity creates significant insect activity, particularly in rustic areas. "The biggest problem was mosquito activity. The camping area sits on an inaccessible lake with a marsh area. When we rolled in the first thing we noticed was that everyone had screen houses set up," warns a camper about Lake Murray sites.
Yurt camping options near Ann Arbor: Blind Lake Rustic Campground offers unique accommodations with lake views. "Some sites now have hammock posts," mentions Jason H., highlighting updated amenities for alternative sleeping arrangements.
Highway noise: Some lakefront sites experience road noise from nearby highways. "The freeway is on the other side of the lake, but it didn't bother us. At night it was like white noise," explains Rebekah J. about Green Lake Rustic, noting the ambient sound levels.
Tips for Camping with Families
Beach activities: Camp Dearborn offers extensive water recreation options for children. "They have activities for both children and adults, two beautiful beaches, a pool, tennis courts, and now a zip line. Options for camping range from tent sites to luxury cabins," shares Teresa B.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas to keep children entertained. "Nice lake to kayak in... Nice little campground. Bathroom facilities could use some updating. Rangers are great," mentions DeEtta M. about Bruin Lake's facilities.
Organized activities: Weekend programming often includes family-friendly events. "Lights is fun activities for the kids for halloween. Lots of rules to follow, but the place has a nice atmosphere overall," explains Mary W. about seasonal festivities at Camp Dearborn.
Site selection for privacy: Choose interior sites away from main roads for quieter family experiences. "Site M22 was big and far enough away from other campers, but again not level. Probably a good location for a group of hammock campers," suggests Ryan F. about rustic camping areas.
Tips from RVers
Utility hookup availability: Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern provides electrical connections but limited water access. "Absolutely love this place. Only downfall is no water hookups on site," notes Martin W. about the campground infrastructure.
Site leveling challenges: Prepare leveling blocks for some campgrounds with uneven terrain. "Nice flat campsites near the beach area. It has a very nice play area for the children and clean bathrooms. The boat launch was near our camp site which was nice not having to leave the campground," shares Debra B. about her experience at Sugarloaf.
Dump station locations: Plan waste management based on available facilities. "Our site was a little small for our 38foot - we had to go sideways which opened us up to other campers. Not my favorite. No WiFi or sprint service," cautions Beth G. about site sizing constraints.
Seasonal availability: Check opening dates as many campgrounds close during winter months. "Most sited are shaded and all have a fire ring. Not always 100% level ground but nothing un-tentable. 2 sites probably won't take a trailer but most are fine for small rigs," advises Jordan B. about Green Lake's accommodations for recreational vehicles.
