Camping sites near Adrian, Michigan range from rustic to full-service options, scattered throughout the Irish Hills region and nearby counties. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October, with a handful offering year-round access. Area campgrounds provide varying levels of privacy between sites, from open fields to wooded settings that create natural barriers between camping spaces.
What to do
Astronomy viewing: Lake Hudson Recreation Area features designated dark sky preserve status, making it ideal for stargazers. "Lake Hudson is a dark sky preserve full of trees, nature and a beautiful lake. We had a beautiful fire and dutch oven dinner. We saw one cute racoon who ran away when I reacted," notes Marg B. at Lake Hudson Recreation Area.
Trail exploration: Several campgrounds offer hiking opportunities through wooded terrain. "You can day hike one the Pittsford section of the NCT. It's only a 20+ minute drive away," mentions Jennie S. about her stay at Lake Hudson Recreation Area.
Water recreation: Multiple options exist for swimming, fishing, and boating. At Wilderness Campground, "There is a swimming pond, playground, basketball, volleyball, and a catch and release fish pond," reports Bucky W., highlighting the separate water areas for different activities.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between camping spots. "Each site is separated from the next by young forest, so it lends to a very private and secluded atmosphere," notes one visitor about Lake Hudson Recreation Area.
Campground amenities: Several locations offer unexpected features. At Monroe-Toledo North KOA, "There is a sandy beach, small lake, water slide, and plenty of family activities," according to Cheryl H., though she mentions sites are somewhat cramped.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers rank highly in visitor satisfaction. Harrison Lake State Park earns praise from Hillary W.: "The bathrooms were scrupulously clean and always available without a line," though she notes some minor limitations with "vault toilets instead of bathrooms in the non-electric area."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. At W. J. Hayes State Park Campground, availability can be limited, especially for waterfront or shaded sites. As Emma W. notes, "If you enjoy more secluded campsites, this isn't the spot for you."
Water access: Lake access varies significantly between locations. "The swimming part of the lake requires a drive. The Lake is beautiful with a sand beach, no wake boating and grills. However it is rustic so there is goose poo," explains Marg B. about Lake Hudson Recreation Area.
Utility hookups: Many sites offer limited electric service that may require planning. "Extension or long electrical cords may be needed, as boxes are at back end and halfway to next site over," advises Cheryl M. about Lake Hudson.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Several campgrounds coordinate organized recreation. At Indian Creek Camp & Conference Center, "There is a jumping pillow... Yes, they have llamas! And we even got to use the zip line which was a lot of fun that we could all do together," shares Angela H.
Site selection: Choose locations based on proximity to amenities. "I suggest sites 93-96 for more private/shaded sites," recommends Miranda J. about W. J. Hayes State Park Campground, who noted their tent site #32 was "a very nice campground, peaceful, with trails and ample shade."
Swimming options: Consider water quality when selecting a location. At Wilderness Campground, there's "a beautiful swimming lake although a bit cold as we camped in the fall," notes Beth G., while other campers mention that man-made ponds can sometimes leave "a nasty smell on your swimming suit."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Check site dimensions before booking. "If your longer than 40ft be aware most sites will not work for you here," warns Mano P. about W. J. Hayes State Park Campground, though "they do have some but the wood line, privacy and nature is great."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer on-site waste disposal. At Ted Ranch Campground, "There is no dump station at the campground, but down the road a few miles is a gas station named Yoder's and you can dump for free," advises Stephanie C., noting "The dump station at Yoder's is actually nicer than most campgrounds I have been to!"
Water availability: Some locations have limited water access points. At Lake Hudson Recreation Area, Steven S. reports, "There was only 1 hand pump that I saw for all the campers to get water from. This mid-evil hand pump should have been scraped years ago and is in need of some major repair work."
