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Tent campsites near Alanson, Michigan include several rustic options in state forests and designated primitive areas. Stoney Creek Trail Camp in Onaway and Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground in Mancelona offer tent-specific camping with limited amenities. Pigeon River State Forest provides dispersed camping opportunities for backpackers seeking more solitude within undeveloped areas.
Most tent campgrounds maintain basic facilities, including fire rings and picnic tables, but offer minimal other services. Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground features 14 first-come, first-served tent sites along the river with vault toilets and hand-pump water access. Walk-in tent sites at Camp Darling and O'Neal Lake campsite in Wilderness State Park require campers to pack in all supplies, as no facilities are available. Sites typically consist of dirt or forest floor with minimal site preparation, especially at backcountry locations. Recreation Passports are required for entry at most state forest campgrounds.
The tent camping experience varies seasonally throughout the region. Sites along the Ocqueoc River provide access to swimming areas and hiking trails, with some tent pads positioned directly along the waterfront. Primitive tent setups in Pigeon River State Forest offer greater seclusion but require more self-sufficiency. Backcountry tent camping at Pinney Bridge includes challenging access with a 700-yard hike from parking and 50-foot elevation change. One camper noted, "Short drive to other attractions in the area, with swimming and hiking in your backyard." Tent campers should consider seasonal timing, as most state forest campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited options available year-round.
"Island lake/Huron River Hudson Mills, Sturgeon River, Pine River MI. Also, Hiawasse River, TN"
"Nice little metro park for tent camping. Most sites are dispersed. You can pull your car up to the site for unpacking. Modern bathrooms and a snack shop on site."
"First come first serve sites, a well with pump for water and clean vault toilets."
"Lots of space and wooded areas around you, good spots for hanging out in the hammocks, a private swimming hole in the river. I could have used this as a base of operations for a week."
"Manuer bunkers and solid poles for highline tying. Some cell phone reception but spotty."
from $20 / night
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from $25 - $35 / night
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Check Availabilityfrom $15 / night
Check Availability"This campground is hike in/walk in only. The closest parking space is 700 yards and 50 feet in elevation lower than the campground."
from $15 / night
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ScoutNo hookups, No problem! Very quiet campground on the Shores of Lake Michigan. Sites are large and private with large fire rings and picnic tables. Vault toilets only but they are kept very clean.
LegendSeems much larger than most state forest campgrounds in Michigan. There are 6 loops here with numerous sites on each loop. And yet, you don't feel crowded in and there's decent privacy in many of the sites. Jones Lake is peaceful and offers some great sunsets. Dirt road leading in is in decent shape and navigable by any size rig. Some of the sites may require some tight maneuvering for larger rigs but site size is good overall. Trees offer good shade cover at different times of the day depending on site location.
Rustic campground, so no water or electric are available, but there are vault toilets, as well as trash and recycling receptacles.
Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.
We had a very pleasant stay.
Deecnt cell coverage -- 2 bars LTE on Verizon, 2-3 bars LTE on Google Fi.
GuideGreat state forest campground. $15 per night can’t be beat. Sites are great for tents and RVs but no electricity. Hand pump wells for drinking water and vault toilets that are well kept. About 40 spots. All with picnic table and fire ring. Some are closer to the lake than others but good trails to get to the lake. Lake is perfect for swimming.
GuideWe stayed 8-3 to 8-7, only issue was the weather. Didn’t rain, but was hit with a cold front 😳. This was a great SP, no issues fitting our 36’ TT with 2 slides in our pull through site. We were nestled in the back of the park. Electrical box did have both 30 and 60 amp service. Our site was gravel and pretty much level. Large cemented fire ring and site was spaced great (especially for a SP). No water hookups but we try to reserve next to a water spigot. Lots of trails all around the park for walking and bike riding. To get to the beach you had to take one of the beach trails which is roughly 50-75 yards off the campground road. We went nearing dusk and it was so beautiful. Since we were in the back of the park we decided to leave the park the following day about half mile to the East to a roadside pull off to watch the sunset (I wasn’t about to lug 4 large camping chairs across the campground, lol). This was unknown to us at the time but we ended up seeing a blood moon rise and on such a clear night that you can see all the stars and constellations. I would seriously recommend this campground to everyone (just pack warm clothes). There are some other great attractions in roger city like the quary, 40 mile lighthouse, and a small waterfall just outside of town. We will definitely be back.
TravelerStayed here in early June and had the pleasure of having the whole campground to ourselves. Sites are close to one another and has vaulted toilets. This is a beautiful campground with access to the water via boat launch but not easy access from a few sites. Most sites are wooded and provide great shade and wind protection. Can be quite buggy. We kayaked and enjoyed beautiful sunrises and sunsets to escape the bugs. I did come back later in the season, early August, and sites were packed with multiple tents per site, and kids were riding their bikes around the loop all evening. I like to camp more secluded and this was just too busy and loud for my liking. I ended up leaving and staying at hog island state forest campground that trip.
RangerWe camped here two nights in July. The campground is very easy to find and is an incredible location if you want to ferry over to Mackinac Island. It is convenient to groceries, restaurants and other amenities if interested. The park appears well maintained with three separate camping areas. We tent camp, and had one of the best sites in the park (in my opinion). Site 1A is in the lower East section of the campground. The site is only a tent site & it is HUGE! It was much more private than the other sites, located on the shore of Lake Huron & has a fantastic view of the Mackinac Bridge. There is a small beach area within the park, a one mile trail to a viewing platform of the bridge, and a playground. The bathrooms were clean. Our campsite had a standard picnic table and fire ring. Campsites were moderately priced, but a Michigan Recreation Pass is also required, as in all MI state parks, so it gets a little more pricey. If I was returning to the area, I would camp here again.
LegendThis place was really nice and not very busy. It’s on a beautiful lake that is great for swimming and boating. It has a few walk in sites that have beach access. All sites include picnic table and fire pit. Shared rustic vault toilets available. There is a nice boat launch located within the campground as well.
TravelerGot here the weekend it was closing for the season and aside from the beginning of duck season and the firing of lots of shotguns on my next to last morning here, it was a really peaceful place. Best sites 17, 26, 27 otherwise somebody will set up a tent right next to your van or tent. Good artesian well and very clean vault toilets in this small family campground. They sell firewood and have nice moveable picnic tables and lots of trash receptacles sprinkled about. Lovely sunrise views of Lake Huron. $15/night without electrical
LegendRustic campground on Jackson lake. Very close to clear lake state park down the road. Vault toilets and each site comes with picnic table and fire ring.
Tent campsites near Alanson, Michigan offer access to the northern Lower Peninsula's mixed hardwood forests characterized by maple, beech, and white pine stands. The area features undulating terrain with elevations ranging from 600-800 feet above sea level, creating distinctive microclimates throughout the camping season. Most sites experience freezing temperatures into mid-May and again by early October, with July temperatures typically reaching 75-85°F during daytime hours.
River activities: Sturgeon River, accessible from Sturgeon Valley Campground, provides kayaking opportunities with established river access points. As camper Sue R. notes, "River access great. My favorite place to camp and kayak."
Waterfall exploration: The lower peninsula's only significant waterfall system at Ocqueoc Falls features multiple ledges with pools suitable for wading. Camper Dan N. describes it as "Falls are small enough to allow people to play and swim in them... In autumn the ice and leaves are amazing."
Hiking networks: The Pigeon River area contains over 80 miles of maintained hiking trails through diverse forest ecosystems. Elk Hill Equestrian River Trail Campground provides access to equestrian-friendly routes, with camper Devora D. confirming "Pump water and river for horses. Manuer bunkers and solid poles for highline tying."
Secluded water access: Many campers appreciate riverside locations that provide both camping and water recreation in a single location. At Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground, camper Laura mentions "Walk along the Ocqueoc River to the falls, walk the path through the campground or park at the site and take a short trip to the falls."
Balanced isolation: Joshua M. notes about Ocqueoc Falls: "There is adequate space between sites and ample shade, but you can still certainly tell if you have neighbors... The lack of big rigs makes for a generally laid back and quiet atmosphere - a certain plus."
Multi-ecosystem experiences: The varied terrain creates distinct camping environments within close proximity. As Maria L. describes the trail system near Ocqueoc Falls: "It's cool because you get a mix of little ecosystems and different terrain and flora on various parts of the trail as it meanders and follows the river downstream."
Campsite access challenges: Some campgrounds require significant walking to reach sites. At Pinney Bridge, camper Doug B. warns: "This campground is hike in/walk in only. The closest parking space is 700 yards and 50 feet in elevation lower than the campground."
Limited amenities: Most rustic sites provide minimal facilities. Rachel K. describes Ocqueoc Falls as having "Picnic table, hand pump water, and a clean outhouse. It's got what you need."
Cell connectivity issues: Mobile coverage varies significantly across the region. At Elk Hill, Devora D. notes "Some cell phone reception but spotty," which is typical of many area campgrounds.
Seasonal limitations: Most tent sites open approximately April 15 and close by October 31, depending on weather conditions. Outside these dates, dispersed camping regulations apply with additional restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Alanson, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Alanson, MI is Pigeon Bay Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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