Are you planning a tent camping trip to Alpena? We've got you covered. You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
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/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
$15 / night
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
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
29.9 beautiful acres Features three electric hook ups for rv.15 minutes from lake Hubbard,trask lake,lake Huron great for the hunting season or for summer fishing or camping don't have to deal with tons of campers this is secluded some what private site
$38 - $48 / night
This rustic campground is located on Ess Lake and offers opportunities for paddling and fishing. There are 27 sites for tent and small trailer use. Camping is limited to a 15-day maximum stay. Amenities include vault toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well. The campground is located 16 miles northeast of Atlanta via M-33 and County Road 624. Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations.
$20 / night
Reid Lake The Reid Lake Area is a little over 3,000 acres in size. The forest in the area is primarily hardwoods and creates a small, remote, lake environment. The lake is a small, 13-acres, with a variety of fish. Twelve miles of gently rolling trail will lead you around Reid lake. The trails are open for back-country skiing in the winter, and are not groomed. Difficulty on the trails ranges from easy to more difficult. Flickr Photo Album
Recreation areas located near Hoist and Reid Lakes, north of the Au Sable River in the northeast corner of the Huron National Forest.
This is a popular campground during fishing season. Recreation opportunities include hunting, picnicking, mushroom gathering and berry picking. The picnic shelter is a Civilian Conservation Corps construction from the mid 1940's.
Au Sable National Scenic River The access road is gated to prohibit motorized access. Visitors to this campground are primarily river paddlers. To access the site from the road, visitors will need to walk .25 miles into the large, old-growth eastern white pine to find the campground. Trees offer a screen from the river, but still allow campers views of the river and wildlife. Brochure with map: This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller. Flickr Photo Album
Guide
Enjoyed our overnight stay at this clean fairground. It had everything we needed for tent camping. The cool northern Michigan air felt refreshing as well as watching the seagulls & Canadian geese. Adequate showers & restroom. Will stay here again.
Ranger
The lake has an island in the middle and is great to explore by boat. Not sure how much there is to do without watercraft, as there’s just a really short trail. A friend snowmobile camps here in winter, that’d be beautiful to try. Nice basic primitive state park tent camping. Clean and simple. Shady.
Traveler
We visited this campsite for a long weekend in October, looking for that autumn experience. Our site was right on the lake, and had a great view of the river and the trees changing. Our site was very large, especially for tent camping, and that seemed to be the trend. Others were camping with campers and tents, but there was pretty of room to spread out in the late fall.
Guide
Lovely rustic campground, with several sites fronting Lake Huron. We tent-camped in August and swam twice a day in that beautiful crystal clear water. Our site was not particularly private (a medium-sized RV came in part-way through the week and its generator ruined our serene quiet), but its location on the water was priceless. We enjoyed touring the area, and especially loved Presque Isle. Some gorgeous farmlands to drive around, too, and we serendipitously came across an amazing sunflower farm. We'd love to return to this campground.
Guide
The campground itself was gorgeous, well maintained and spacious. (Tent) Camping there was the worst experience I’ve ever had. I pick rustic campgrounds for a reason. This one was full of RVs & 5th wheels all running on generators. There is no peace here. If you’re looking for quiet- it’s quieter at home than this place. Trying to sleep with an entire campground humming to the sounds of motors running all night was impossible. Ppl leaving their generators running even when they weren’t there. I would love to revisit this campground, but I won’t.
GuideI have camped here a few times over the last decade. I have tent camped in the past and now with a travel trailer. The sites are large, and some humongous. The campground is quiet, and the lake is right behind the campground. A nice sandy shoreline and shallow water makes for a relaxing day. There needs to be some maintenance done at this campground, at least two water pumps are without handles, one was with out a handle three years ago as well, so the missing handles may be part of the campground management plan. There are a few vault toilets placed in various areas in pairs. Of each pair, one is closed, presumably to reduce costs associated with maintenance.
The fire rings in some sites are brand new, so it is obvious that maintenance is underway.
Overall this campground is still on a list of favorites that we return to once or twice a year.
Guide
If you are looking for decent modern campsite Harrisville offers that. There is a bike trail that goes into town. Friendly host that offer books. There is wood on site to purchase through a vending machine. Only takes exact amount. Sites are pretty close together which makes getting to know your neighbors from the get go. The bathroom was very nice. Extremely clean and well kept. Staff was there several times even this late in the season cleaning at 6:30 am. The view of the lake was lovely. I happened to have site 74 which has a great view of the lake. Though the traffic of bathroom goers is annoying. The bathroom offered such bright beam of light I never used any of my flashlights. Depends on how you feel about that. If you’re looking for nice weekend to sleep outside this is nice. If you’re looking to get away from it all and have peace and quite. This is not it. Even in September. Staff was super friendly. I originally booked 82 and it was extremely tiny for a tent site more suited for a RV. Be mindful when picking your site. Majority on the water side are tiny and are more suited for RV not a tent. I mean tiny!
Guide
I don’t know about the camper facilities, as we’ve only ever tent camped here. But I do know they have potable water and septic dumps for trailers and motor homes. It’s a very popular place in the summer, as it sets along the sandy beaches of Lake Huron. There’s a gorgeous old stone pavilion for larger parties or reunions, and plenty of camper spaces. It can get crowded and busy, but there are many trees and the sites are spaced far apart. There are special rustic sites away from the trailer and motor home sites. There is a little basketball court/floor hockey pad for kids, and a small playground, but not much else to do at the campground. However, for those who like hiking, there’s a beautiful little trail system and a bike path that stretches to miles from the harbor of Rogers City to the 40 Mile Point lighthouse a few miles north on US 23. There are restaurants, grocery stores, and gas stations in Rogers City, but the real draw is Lake Huron. It’s such a gorgeous stretch of shoreline with plenty of sandy beach and easy swimming access for hot summer days. If you come during the festival, be sure to get there a few days early!
GuideGreat location, right on lake Huron. Close to Alpena and the dinosaur park. Quiet with moderately large sites.
GuideFirst time at Ossineke but plan to be back! The camp spots were spacious and all were either on the water or had a path to the water. One downside was the fire pit was so tall (like over 2 ft off the ground)…you had to stand up to feel the heat from it.
Great locations as you’re close to Alpena (hiked Besser Nature Area) and Tawas area (hiked Lumbermans Monument).
RangerAlpena Fairground camp sites are conveniently located right off Route 23 within minutes of local attractions and historic sites. The RV / trailer sites were spacious enough with water views of the Alpena wildlife sanctuary and Thunder Bay River. The sunset views are lovely. We launched our kayaks right from our site and paddled around the sanctuary. Be aware, you cannot access Thunder Bay and Lake Huron from here. Access is blocked off at 9th street dam. If you want to head into Thunder Bay it’s best to just drive down and launch in at marina. And if you head down River you will have to paddle upstream to get back, not fun in high winds. Camping is quiet, only a few other campers there. Be mindful the fairgrounds hosts events during the year. The circus stopped to perform during our three days there but we didn’t hear a sound or notice anyone around. The restrooms and showers were clean enough, located near fairground entrance. Holly the caretaker was courteous to answer my questions over the phone before arrival and during check in. Her home office is located near entrance, it’s a small rancher house. Water and dump available as well near entrance. Overall a nice quiet stay. The should invest in new fire rings.
Guide
Campers Cove in Alpena is so nice! Some great things include: putt putt, most sites are on water, there is a fishing pond, a camp store, nice workers, they pick up trash at the camp sites, they will drain your camper tanks for you at your site for $10, there are boats and kayaks to rent, indoor pool, it’s only 15 minutes from Lake Huron, and the bathrooms and showers are nice compared to other places I’ve been to! We were there for a big family camping trip, we had 6 sites, and we reserved again for next year!
Scout
Sand, pine trees, vault toilet, fire ring, gorgeous views, serenity, bear pole - my family adores this place. It is possibly the nicest camping we've done in Michigan. Water filter is a MUST unless you want to walk to the parking lot every time you need potable water. None of us ever got sick drinking the filtered lake water. Kayaking and canoeing in is easy. We have walked in, too. Having a wheeled cart is nice for bringing in large family-sized tents and other heavier items.
ScoutLocated on Michigan’s sunrise side, Hoeft State Park offers a unite getaway for tent campers and RV campers alike. Many trees for hammocking! Short trek across sandy dunes brings you to the beach of Lake Huron. Shallow in parts for the kids but deep enough to snorkel for pudding stones. Rock hounds will slight in the fossil, Petoskeys and puddings along the shoreline. Excellent paved bike trail takes you to town or north to the lighthouse. Campground has excellent activities for the kids. Firewood for ale. Currently updating the electric and bathhouses.
Legend
You can pick sites on the river or back by the woods. There are vault toilets and a well for water. The Shingle Mill Pathway runs through the campground. Each site comes with fire pit and picnic table. I've seen people tenting and I've seem people with large fifth wheels. Some sites are only big enough for tents but most sites can fit large rvs.
TravelerWe tented at this campground and enjoyed it so much! Loved being right by the water, and bathrooms were so clean. Would go back!
GuideNice open area big enough to put our 8 person tent. Picnic table and power! The Lake Huron is a stones throw to the East. Great place, we will be back soon!!
ScoutMostly shade but not dark like other sites. Large area so room for camper and tents. Fire ring located near back corner... away from your awning. Path behind site makes for short walk to the beach.
Traveler
We tented here. Our location was right behind the general store so at night the lights were very bright. This KOA has so many activities for kids and we enjoyed ourselves here!
RangerWe absolutely love camping here weather it’s in a tent, hammock or RV we have always loved camping here.
Night sounds are so relaxing.
We typically do the sites closer to Mio sites 1-6
Plenty of trails and fishing.
No water No electric No sewer
RangerIf your campsite is not already on the lake with a short 30 yard walk, you still have far to walk to get to the beach. I stayed at 29 and you could fit multiple cars and tents or a good space for a trailer. Fire pit and table at each site. Vault toilets. All and all it’s a win to stay here. I had 82 degree and sunny with a breeze.
Traveler
Stayed here in late September 2023 for 2 nights. The campsites are well spaced from each other and most have lake access. we had 2 tents and plenty of room. Vault toilets were clean, well water was good. Saw an elk while driving around the area.
TravelerMy husband and I last minute decided we wanted to go camping for the night and the one and only site he could find with a short(ish) drive was here. We decided to go for and and we are so happy we did! We tent and the site was so nice and big for us and our tent, hammocks, and 2 kayaks. It was very spacious even with neighbors on all sides. For the park being for what we could tell 100% booked, it was roomy and quiet. They have a vending machine for wood which was so convenient but someone also drove past our site selling it. The bathrooms were clean, but they were right on the beach so the area was heavily trafficked which was kind of strange to me, and that was the only thing I didn’t really like. There were some beautiful sites right on Lake Huron that we are hoping to get next time we are there, because we will be back!! The pictures are from the sunrise this morning. We woke up and walked just a little way to a beach area to watch it come up. It was beautiful!
GuideThe one thing this campground has going for it is the location: Right on Lake Huron. We reserved (after trying so many times) a spot right on the lakeshore with its own private trail to the beach. We were very excited. Sadly, lake levels are at historically high levels and thus there was no beach. The waves did, however, sound amazing while sitting by the fire and when laying down in the tent at the end of the night. Lastly, in my opinion, most of the camp sites are way too small and therefore seem way too close together. Without the beach the entire appeal of this campground is gone. If you are looking to camp on or near a beach on one of the Great Lakes I would look elsewhere.
Picture Description: The picture of the tent shows that most of the site was an asphalt pad leaving very little space for anything else.
The other picture shows the absence of the beach. This was about 15 feet from the back of our campsite. It did make for great ambient noise (as mentioned above).
Traveler
Only 14 campsites that are first come first serve. That’s the only down side came later in the day and still got a spot directly on the river. These are rural campsites so no facilities or park ranger on duty. $20 a night on the honor system. Stayed at site 2 had our own private path to the river behind our tent.
Traveler
If you dislike state parks due to crowds and loud campers, you will love this little gem. Well managed and very clean facilities make this a pleasure to stay at. We spent Memorial Day weekend here and even with a full park it was very quiet snd relaxing. Great for tents and smaller RV’s.
TravelerThis was a pretty basic/nice KOA. We went second week of July and it was pretty empty, which was nice for us. There is a few things for kids/teens to play on, although half the arcade games were not working. The camp store had some really beautiful stuff to buy. If you go in a tent it's pretty affordable, the cabins are pricey though.
Tent camping near Alpena, Michigan offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Alpena, MI is Negwegon State Park Campground with a 5-star rating from 8 reviews.
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