Camping sites near Ann Arbor, Michigan offer diverse terrain from open meadows to wooded lakeside settings within a 30-minute drive of the city. The area sits within Michigan's southeastern lake region at approximately 900 feet elevation, featuring rolling hills formed by glacial activity. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with higher humidity levels and occasional thunderstorms.
What to do
Kayaking accessible lakes: At Green Lake Rustic Campground, paddlers can enjoy multiple water access points. "I paddled from there in my kayak. There is an official boat launch nearby," notes one camper who appreciated the "muddy lake access" directly from site #6.
Mountain biking trails: Pinckney Recreation Area connects to extensive trail systems ideal for mountain biking enthusiasts. "We loved the trails for Mountain Bikes that are close to the Campsite! They are super fun!!" reports a visitor who specifically came to ride the trails.
Fishing opportunities: Several lakes around Brighton offer good fishing spots. "The camp store has ice cream, general food stuffs, fishing tackle and will accept packages," mentions one camper about the Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA, which includes lake access for anglers.
Unique local attractions: The town of Hell, Michigan sits adjacent to camping areas. "Near Hell, Michigan and Chelsea, Michigan," notes a visitor about one campground's location, providing opportunities to visit these unique small towns with shops and restaurants.
What campers like
Spacious sites at select campgrounds: Many visitors appreciate when sites offer room to spread out. "Sites where huge and the campground was so clean and beautiful!" comments one camper about Haas Lake Park RV Campground, which features generously sized sites around multiple lakes.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives consistent praise at well-maintained campgrounds. "The bathrooms are clean and the showers were warm," notes a Bishop Lake visitor, while another camper mentions, "Restrooms were very very clean with full running showers (shower heads were fantastic)."
Lake views: Campsites with water views rank among visitors' favorites. "We had campsite 3, which is right on the lake," shares a Blind Lake camper, while another mentions, "Site was across the small road from the lake. Plenty of trees all around. Good for shade and natural comforts of the day."
Accessible hiking connections: Blind Lake Rustic Campground stands out for trail access. "Serious hikers can connect the Potawatomi Trail to the Waterloo-Pinckney Hiking trail to bring their total trip to over 35 miles of back country hiking," reports one camper who appreciated the trail system.
What you should know
Reservations essential: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. "When I booked this camp site, I was originally looking at the Rustic camping on the app... Booked the site for the weekend because I'm catching up with a friend after awhile. Upon arrival, it leads us to this absolutely packed campground," warns one camper.
Highway noise at some locations: Several campgrounds experience road noise. "The only downside is you can hear highway traffic from the campground, but otherwise it was a pleasant experience," notes a Green Lake visitor about the nearby roadway.
Variable site privacy: Site layout affects privacy significantly between campgrounds. "The sites are generously sized, with room to stretch out. There isn't much privacy between sites, with a few exceptions, but this campsite is so quiet and well-behaved that it didn't end up mattering much," shares a visitor to Green Lake Rustic Campground.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across the region. "No WiFi or sprint service," reports a camper at Sugarloaf campground, while others note spotty coverage at more remote sites.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "Nice parks with a playground and clean bathrooms," notes one Sugarloaf Lake visitor, while another mentions "Nice lake view across the road. This location has 4 lakes. There is plenty of nature."
Swimming beaches: Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern gets high marks for water recreation. "The camp sites were nice, there was a nice swimming area in crystal clear water and a beautiful bathhouse," shares a visitor who recommends the site for families.
Kid-friendly activities: Seasonal events attract families to certain campgrounds. "We've been here a few times. Very close to our house just a nice little getaway. We enjoyed the Halloween weekends. We decorate big and enjoyed other decorations as well!" reports a KOA visitor.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be problematic, especially in certain seasons. "My only complaint, and the reason that I'll have a hard time talking my wife into going back was the mosquitoes were pretty bad the evening that we were there," warns a Sugarloaf camper.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Some campgrounds offer better accommodations for bigger vehicles. "Site was a little small for our 38foot - we had to go sideways which opened us up to other campers. Not my favorite," shares an RVer, highlighting the importance of researching site dimensions.
Seasonal camping options: Several campgrounds offer longer-term arrangements. "It seems as though most campers are seasonal residents making it difficult to get a decent spot for weekend campers," notes a visitor to Haas Lake Park.
Hookup availability: Electric services vary between campgrounds. "There is electric on each site along with fire rings and picnic tables," shares a Bishop Lake camper, though water hookups are less common across the region.
Drainage concerns: Some campgrounds experience flooding issues. "When it rains several campsites get very wet! There are a lot of trees so some of lots have no grass. Not paved so a lot of pot holes," advises a KOA visitor.
