Best Tent Camping near Alger, MI
State forests and recreation areas surrounding Alger, Michigan provide several options for tent camping in natural settings. Greenwood Campground, located directly in Alger, offers tent sites from May through December with amenities including fire rings and picnic tables. Within a 30-mile radius, tent campers can also access House Lake State Campground in Gladwin, which features spacious sites under tree cover, and Spruce Rustic Campground in the Rifle River Recreation Area, known for its secluded tent sites separated by trees.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Sites typically have dirt or grass surfaces with minimal grading, and campers should check for levelness before setting up. Vault toilets are standard at most locations, though maintenance quality varies between sites. Water access differs significantly between campgrounds, with some offering hand pumps while others require campers to bring their own supply. Firewood is available at select locations like House Lake, but many sites require collection of deadfall or bringing wood from local sources to prevent spreading invasive species.
The Hoist/Reid Lake Areas north of Alger provide walk-in tent sites for those seeking backcountry tent camping experiences. According to reviews, these areas offer "serene isolated camping" with trails that are "great beginner length trails of medium difficulty." Tent campers at House Lake State Campground noted the sites were "somewhat far apart" with "nice tree coverage," though they cautioned there is "no cell service within 20 minutes of the campground." Weekday visits often result in greater solitude, with one camper at Spruce Rustic Campground reporting that on a Thursday "the area was empty" with "super clean and large spots." Wildlife sightings are common throughout the region's tent campgrounds, with chipmunks, squirrels, and various bird species frequently observed.
