Kayakers and anglers get direct access to Appleton Lake from this rustic campground within Brighton State Recreation Area, where a small number of forested sites sit beneath mature trees along the water's edge. The lake works well for kayaking and small fishing boats, though there is no designated beach area at this location. Hiking trails wind through the surrounding woods and have drawn trail runners as well as casual walkers.
Sites include fire rings and picnic tables, and most have enough space to park a vehicle alongside a tent or small trailer. Seclusion between sites varies depending on which site you land, with some reviewers finding the spacing comfortable and others wanting more separation. The vault toilets on site have drawn complaints about cleanliness and maintenance, so come prepared. Raccoons have been reported as aggressive after dark, which is worth keeping in mind when storing food.
This is a rustic setup with no hookups and no showers on site, though campers can access facilities at the main Brighton Recreation Area nearby. Reservations are available, pets are allowed, and the nightly rate runs $20. Bishop Lake Campground and Murray Lake Campground are both within the same recreation area for those who want to compare options before booking. Campers who want a low-key base with lake access and wooded surroundings will find Appleton a reasonable fit.
Description
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Check in your campsite reservation and occupy your campsite no later than 3 p.m. one day after your scheduled arrival date to avoid being automatically cancelled. If you need to arrive later, you must adjust your arrival date by calling 1-800-44(PARKS) or by going on-line to www.midnrreservations.com . If you don't check in or update your arrival date, our system will automatically cancel your reservation and youll incur the loss of two nights' fees, the non-refundable reservation fee, $10 cancellation fee and the reduced-stay fee. Staff are unable to override this process.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsAppleton Lake Campground is located in Michigan near Brighton
Directions
I-96 to Exit 140, go south 6 miles to Chilson Road. Drive south 1.5 miles to Bishop Lake Road. 20 miles north of Ann Arbor, 35 miles southeast of Lansing.
Address
5210 Bishop Lake Rd
Brighton, MI 48116
Coordinates
42.50626333 N
83.83598036 W
Connectivity
T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 1/18/26- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/1/26
AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/1/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 1/18/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/1/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/1/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
Drive Time
- 21 min from Ann Arbor, MI
- 41 min from Flint, MI
- 47 min from Detroit, MI
- 52 min from Jackson, MI
