Best Tent Camping near Ashley, MI

Searching for a tent camping spot near Ashley? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Ashley. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Ashley, Michigan's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Ashley, Michigan (12)

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Recent Tent Reviews near Ashley, MI

232 Reviews of 12 Ashley Campgrounds


  • j
    May. 24, 2019

    Coldwater Lake Family Park

    Great place to camp

    This was a great place to camp! Spot was on the lake, had plenty of spots to park an RV or tent camp, and had a playground for kids. Would recommend!

  • G
    Camper-submitted photo at Snow Lake Kampground near Ashley, MI
    Aug. 20, 2021

    Snow Lake Kampground

    Family centered

    Each rv/trailer site is full hookup! Has both 50&30 amp. Tent sites also have water and electric. Has a pool, hot tub, mini golf, shuffleboard, and so much more! A quiet, relaxing place to get away from city noise.

  • Mary T.
    Melanie P.'s photo of tent camping at Lansing Cottonwood Campground near Ashley, MI
    Jul. 10, 2022

    Lansing Cottonwood Campground

    Cottonwood Campground only campground in Lansing MI

    A nice little campground. Great location if staying in the Lansing Area. Has full hook ups, and electric water, also tent sites with nnothing. Great pool area. Softball diamond that has tournaments on weekends a little early start for the full hook up sites. A couple ponds for fishing. People are very friendly.

  • B
    Nathan M.'s photo of tent camping at Wabasis Lake County Park near Ashley, MI
    Oct. 9, 2020

    Wabasis Lake County Park

    Large sites; nice amenities; but lots of people!!

    I stayed in a friend's camper with my son for several nights in late September. The campground is very nice! The sites were large enough that it could hold a large camper and two vehicles easily.  Some of the sites are a little uneven (the camper needed wood blocks underneath it so that the wheels weren't off the ground after leveling.

    There are nice firepits and the firewood is cheap! 8 large pieces for $6, a wheelbarrow full of tinder for another $6. Bring a hatchet or axe because the wood pieces are huge!

    There is a large beach with playground equipment, kayak and boat rentals (although those were closed due to COVID.

    Modern bathrooms with showers, but honestly I never needed to use them (we had the trailer).

    There are a few downsides:

    1. Because it's so close to Grand Rapids and some other cities, it typically is full on the weekends. Booking a site can be troublesome. Our friends booked the site from Tuesday through Monday and it was totally full on Friday and Saturday night.

    2. The lake is effectively a plate, so don't expect to do much fishing from shore. The water is incredibly shallow. (But that makes for a very nice beach!)

    Overall, I wouldn't tent camp here simply because of the crowds on the weekend, but I'm glad I went. If you have a trailer and like the camping community, you would like this. If you're looking to get away from people for a while, keep looking. This isn't for you.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo at Frankenmuth Jellystone Park near Ashley, MI
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Frankenmuth Jellystone Park

    Fun RV park and very close to downtown

    Our site was averaged out to $82.71 a night with the weekly rate discount.

    We were in Site# 306 (a deluxe plus RV site - be aware that some of these are back-ins and not clearly labeled on the site map - we had to change sites to a pull-thru). We had Full hook- up with a gravel pull-through.
    We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site along with my jeep.
    The site was easy to level.

    Our site was not shaded with zero trees. We weren’t able to sit outside because of the direct sun until after 8:30pm.
    This was a smaller lot with our neighbors fairly close.

    The deluxe plus lot comes without a concrete patio but with a picnic table and fire ring. They do sell firewood and will deliver to your site.

    There is free WiFi. They do not offer Cable TV but there are quite a few channel options.

    There is not a community outdoor kitchen or community fire pit.

    They do not provide garbage service at your site so you must walk to garbage dumpster.

    You are allowed to ride personal golf carts. They also allow you to rent pedal bikes. They do not provide golf cart rentals.

    They do have a heated indoor and heated outdoor Swimming pool and one hot tub.

    There is a Playground. They also offer Gaga ball, basketball sport court, and volleyball courts. There is a Game room for kids. They have a Putt putt course and Jumping pad.

    They have a great general store. There is a separate Activity Center for kids.
    There are tons of scheduled activities for kids like wagon rides, arts & crafts, scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, etc. Activities are scheduled all day from 9am to 8pm.

    There is a snack bar on site from 4pm-9:30pm where you can get hot dogs, brats, pretzels, nachos, ice cream, etc.

    The streets are mostly paved and good for riding bikes.

    This is an RV park with cabins to rent also. Tent camping is also allowed.

    They have two shower houses. The shower house has the typical stalls. There is a great area to hang clothes and store your toiletries in the shower stall. These are kept very clean.

    There is a laundry facility. It is a cash only facility, but they have a change machine in the arcade room. There are approximately 4washers and 4 dryers. It is approximately $2.75 to wash and $0.75 to dry a load.

    They do not have a fenced in dog park. There are areas to walk dogs though.

    Flies were an issue and bug spray was needed.

    There were no trails to hike off of the campground.

    Some fun things to do outside of the campground are Frankenmuth FunShips (chocolate & wine tasting), the Golden Ticket Trolley, the Bavarian Belle (popcorn & sodas) River Place Shops, wineries, and Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland store. This RV park is less than a mile to downtown/River Place Shops where there is tons of shopping.

  • Sarah S.
    Emily F.'s photo of tent camping at Bay City State Park Campground near Ashley, MI
    Aug. 26, 2019

    Bay City State Park Campground

    Amazing weekend for the kids!

    This is one of the best campgrounds for kids that I've ever visited!!!

    The campground itself is beautifully laid out and maintained. It features roughly a 150 some odd sites ranging from tent sites to RV and cabins. Each site has a cement fire ring and electric hookup. There are communal water spickets generously scattered around the grounds. The bathrooms and showers are very clean. They are closed an hour a day for thourgho cleaning and restocked and wiped down in the late evening. They have one large group camp area, but it is for organizational reservations only (as most of them are). Howeve, there is a cul-de-sac of 5 or 6 (I can't remember) sites off by itself. Those sites are very large (except the one on the end, which of course we had reserved for the weekend) and have huge space between them. There is also an additional parking pad there for overflow. Though they're not a sanctioned group site these would be perfect for it. We've already planned to reserve these sites next year for our large (35+people) family camp weekend. The drive around the campground is all paved and very long, so be sure to bring your bikes!!

    Now for the amusements and conveniences. . . . . There is a small playground in the campground, but you have to cut through campsites to reach it. There are trails for hiking around the wider state park area as well as a few that lead across the street to the swim area and day park. Take a 2 min walk from the camp office across to the day park and you'll find the Spray by the Bay splash pad, a huge timber playground, beautiful sandy beach along Lake Huron, sandy swim area, geocaching, pavilions, well kept bathrooms and changing rooms. We spent all day at the park with 4 kids 6yrs and under and not a single on of them complained of being bored.

    They have campground hosts that facilitate free activities organized by the park. We did a kids craft and enjoyed hot cocoa or coffee Saturday morning and then returned after dinner for Back-to-School bingo and popcorn. See pic of the August schedule for a better idea of what was offered.

    They sold ice and wood at the camp office and there was an ice cream place next door to the park. It's a 5 min walk from the park office.

    We didn't have to leave the park once all weekend. It was so relaxing to have everything we needed on hand and not have to run out for things.

    One final note: there were quite a few May Flies. According to the park office they're pretty much there all summer. They weren't bad at the campground except at night around the bathrooms. We walked over to the day park before breakfast one morning and the playground was covered with them. As the day got hotter and the playground got busier there were hardly any, but that morning visit was rough. We actually abandoned the playground till later in the day.

  • Tammy P.
    Oct. 18, 2020

    Myers Lake Campground

    Can’t wait til they open under new ownership

    Met the new owners as we were driving by and they gave us a brief description of what they were doing to the grounds to make it more cozy but comfortable as before sites were pretty tight. Adding cabins to their already 8’ish to accommodate additional “glampers” as some of us enjoy a bit more than a tent and or camper OR don’t have a tent/camper. Lake looks big n clean along with activities laid out for the kids outside already can’t wait to see what they put in place next year/ season!

  • Shawn Z.
    Shawn Z.'s photo of tent camping at Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground near Ashley, MI
    May. 8, 2021

    Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    Great destination

    Great spot. Friend rented out two plots in the rustic campsites. The walk from the parking lot to the site was a bit of a hike but it was nice to be near the lake and not a bunch of cars. Great fire pit and place to place tents.

  • Nathan V.
    Shawn Z.'s photo of tent camping at Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground near Ashley, MI
    Sep. 9, 2018

    Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    Beautiful Park

    Rangers working the area are very friendly. Many options to choose from in terms of camping, from rustic, tent to fully functional cabin lodging. The park is very large, so it is always good to have a vehicle able to drive to the trails and beach. Campsites are decent sized, can fit probably 3 four person tents per site, which includes a concrete firepit and picnic table. In the north campsites there is a lot of tree covering, and there are a lot of walnut trees that were shedding a lot this time of the year. Bathrooms are well spaced between the campsites you, and have showers along with some vending machines outside of them. Spigots are scattered throughout and are very accessible. Be sure to bring at least 100 feet of extension chord if you want electricity, because the power ports are not as accessible from some areas. Overall very pleasant campground.

  • Brittany B.
    Emily F.'s photo of tent camping at Bay City State Park Campground near Ashley, MI
    Jul. 13, 2018

    Bay City State Park Campground

    RV heavy, busier area, good walking trails and kid friendly

    Not a great place to tent. Great place to stay with a small camper or RV if passing through Bay City or going to an event. Beach is not the most sanitary.

  • Mike W.
    Shawn Z.'s photo of tent camping at Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground near Ashley, MI
    May. 16, 2017

    Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    Normally pretty nice

    We go to sleepy hollow about every other year. Normally we go closer to the fall and it is a great park. This time, however, we could tell that the staff does not keep up on it as much. The firepit was surrounded by water, and our site (142) really only had dry space for one tent.

  • Nora M.
    Nathan M.'s photo of tent camping at Wabasis Lake County Park near Ashley, MI
    May. 16, 2021

    Wabasis Lake County Park

    Okay

    I stayed in a tent with my family. It was nice at night very quiet, during the day it was very busy, the site was very big. The lake access was extremely busy , there is options to rent a tube and boat

  • D
    Dawn W.'s photo of tent camping at Pine Ridge RV Campground near Ashley, MI
    May. 20, 2024

    Pine Ridge RV Campground

    Great location to Frankenmouth

    We love this campground. It’s quiet and well maintained. The owners are friendly and willing to help. Wood bundles are available for purchase and they deliver to your site. No tents allowed but pop-up are welcome. The bathrooms are key for me and are very clean. There shower are private and are quarter operated. This is our go-to when in the area.

  • Northstorm T.
    Oct. 10, 2022

    Eaton County Fairgrounds

    Only $20 nightly, full hookup, nice wooded sites

    This is a fairgrounds RV and tent park. Very peaceful when there are no ongoing events. Large bath house with Showers. No office in park, so find a space and park. The manager will stop by to collect your $20. Confidently located a mile outside of Charlotte, with all the conviences of restraunts, walmart, Meijer etc.

  • Joshua W.
    Camper-submitted photo at Outdoor Adventures Lake Shore Resort near Ashley, MI
    Oct. 20, 2021

    Outdoor Adventures Lake Shore Resort

    Membership Advantages

    First off, you'll need a membership to stay. Or at least sign up for a trial and stay up to 14 days free. I've been a never of Outside Adventures for 4 years now. Well worth the expense. This place has plenty of camping options from tents up to 50 foot Class A. Indoor pool and jacuzzi, outdoor pools, large lake for swimming, paddle boats, paddle boards, Beach volleyball, putt putt, shuffleboard, kids playground areas, basketball and more. Very friendly service and the parks are clean.

  • Stephanie C.
    Emily F.'s photo of tent camping at Bay City State Park Campground near Ashley, MI
    May. 11, 2017

    Bay City State Park Campground

    Nice and big

    I have camped here for years and really like it. The park is huge and there are lots of places to ride your bike. It's a typical Michigan state campground, not much different. Nice bathrooms and big lots.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo at Black Creek State Forest Campground near Ashley, MI
    Jul. 11, 2021

    Black Creek State Forest Campground

    Rustic State Forest Campground

    Black Creek State Forest Campground has huge sites with shade and sun; clean vault toilets with hand sanitizer; creek views and is very quiet despite a little road noise.  Definitely recommend for someone looking for a mid-Michigan get-away.  

    The Chippewa Nature Center is about 10 miles away and has great trails; excellent visitor center and reconstructed 19th century homestead.

  • N
    Shawn Z.'s photo of tent camping at Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground near Ashley, MI
    Sep. 18, 2019

    Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    Disappointing

    This was our last stop on a trip where we camped in 6 different Michigan State Parks. This may be an older camp or the DNR was trying to save money when it was built. Most electrical posts are designed to accommodate at least 2 adjoining lots, and as many as 4. This in itself is not a concern until you realize the posts are way too far away to reach without an extension. We tried several lots and couldn’t reach any of the outlets. We finally met a couple who saId they had extensions at the office. So, we finally got set up with an extension cord from the camp office and decided to walk to the beach. Our site was adjacent to the path leading to the beach so we figured we could use a little walk. The path led to another path that led to a parking lot for the beach. After crossing the parking lot we still had to cross a large yard/park that finally opened onto the beach on this small lake. It was all very scenic, but we weren’t expecting a major hike to get to the beach. Showers are nice. They also have a neat ice cream vending machine that I had to check out for scientific purposes only. For a Michigan state park we were quite disappointed.

  • J
    Joshua E.'s photo of tent camping at Ionia State Recreation Area — Ionia Recreation Area near Ashley, MI
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Ionia State Recreation Area — Ionia Recreation Area

    Chill, comfortable, beautiful and would definitely come back!

    5 friends and I drove out from Chicago to this campground and were pleasantly surprised by how great the campground and site were. I booked this site a month in advance during the summer so I must have just gotten really lucky! The site was cozy, not crazy spacious but enough for two tents and two cars. 

    The campground had a lot of motorhomes, families, and larger groups around us but it was still very quiet and peaceful. The rangers were really nice and you could buy ice and firewood at the campground. 

    There was a great 3.5 mile hike around the lake with really beautiful lake views and a great beach for swimming. We had an awesome time and would definitely come back here.

  • S
    Jennifer H.'s photo of tent camping at Herrick Recreation Area near Ashley, MI
    Jul. 10, 2019

    Herrick Recreation Area

    Great stay

    This is a really good family campground in the middle of Michigan. Campsites are spacious and wooded. There is a lake for swimming ability to fish and put in a kayak. Sites have electric with shared water. Campground registration is efficient and friendly. Wood can be purchased at the campground. The small town of Clare is nearby with groceries, ice cream, restaurants and gas.

  • d
    Shawn Z.'s photo of tent camping at Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground near Ashley, MI
    Jun. 3, 2018

    Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    Rustic campground - some sites are better than others

    The rustic sites at Sleepy Hollow are new this year (at least that's what I was told), but they don't seem particularly new or well-maintained. They really vary, site to site, and the one that we stayed in, site C, was the worst of all. It had no grass and was just gravel and dirt, plus there was PLENTY of poison ivy. The tent pad had weeds all over it and it was unusable, and the rest of the site was very sloped. We ended up sleeping at a strange angle. Also, whoever had camped there previously had decided not to bother using the port-a-potty or vault toilets and had left poop on one edge, which was revolting. That being said, the sites are very quiet because they are far removed from the busy car-camping campground. We only saw a couple of other people while we were there, and the view of the lake was beautiful. Next time I'd choose any of the other sites.

  • Mary T.
    Shawn Z.'s photo of tent camping at Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground near Ashley, MI
    Jun. 26, 2019

    Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    I know another great Michigan State Park

    What can I say, I love the Michigan State Parks.  I find they are the best, Sleepy Hollow is not different and it has so many things to do.  I would advise if you want to camp there on a weekend to make reservations well in advance.  We stay here because there are only 2 campgrounds in the Lansing East Lansing Area this being one of them and the other does not have all full hook ups and charges more.  When we visit our daughter at Michigan State University this is the place we stay,  20 - 30 minutes into the University depending upon the traffic.

    It has large wooded sites only electric but you can fill up the water at the dump station.  Each site has a picnic table and Fire ring.  Each campsite has a asphalt pad. They sell fire wood at the campground office. Bring what you need or you can go into St. johns to the Kroger or Walmart.  they have 2 main camping loops with 2 loops in each of the main loops and a shower restroom in each main loop.  The restrooms are very clean and kept up.  I love the showers  hot water and for me that is hot and great pressure, I could shower all day.  Sure beats our shower in the RV.

    The State Park is on Ovid Lake and it is a beautiful lake, great for fishing, canoeing, paddle boards, kayak, and swimming. they have a shelter for you if you have a big party.

    They also have a group campsite and a picnic area for large groups. d You can also bring your horses go to the Equestrian area and unload and get on the trail.  

    You can rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and paddle boards.  They also have a great play ground for the kids and a fishing pier. Bring Bikes or just hike on the trails and head down to the beach.

  • K
    Shawn Z.'s photo of tent camping at Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground near Ashley, MI
    May. 12, 2019

    Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    Sleepy, as i call it...

    Quietly tucked into Clinton co Michigan. Sleepy is easily accessible. Its close to Lansing. There are shopping centers nearby. Country party store is closer!! Very large lake....Ovid is her name! Offers many species of fish for catching!! There are fishing docks, ONE IS NOT VERY ACCESSIBLE TO NON AMBULATORY PERSONS !!! THIS ONE'S IN THE CAMP AREA! The path is nicely groomed. The bea h is a long way from the parking lot a d there is no beach access from camp. The park is usually a clean family place...but for really young children or elderly persons it may. Ot be your first choice. I live nearby and have camped there zillions of times. I love it and shower bouses in camp are clean! Friendly staff a d they ate SERIOUS about quiet time! Bug spray required !!

  • A
    Shawn Z.'s photo of tent camping at Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground near Ashley, MI
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    Private Sites

    We stayed during very hot weather at the beginning of July 2020. I wanted to visit Potter Park Zoo so we choose to stay at Sleepy Hollow for a few days. Our site backed up to trees and I can't recall seeing our neighbors to the left or right. Because we didn't get any shade from the nearby trees we had to run the ac which is unusual for us in Michigan. We were in the midst of a heat-wave though and it was much appreciated. The park needs to upgrade the electrical system as this was putting a strain on their electrical equipment. We did go for a short paddle on (C) Ovid Lake, but again, no shade and HOT. I can't recall why we didn't go swimming?? Overall the campground was nice and I would stay again.


Guide to Ashley

Tent camping near Ashley, Michigan offers a variety of options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature. With several campgrounds featuring essential amenities, you can enjoy a comfortable and memorable camping experience.

Tent campers should check out Nature's Chain of Lakes Campground

  • This campground provides drinking water, electric hookups, and a friendly atmosphere, making it a great choice for families.
  • Enjoy the convenience of reservable sites and a market on-site, ensuring you have everything you need during your stay at Nature's Chain of Lakes Campground.
  • With features like showers and sanitary dump stations, you can focus on relaxation and fun while camping here.

Some prices for tent camping range from $20 to $40

  • At Moon Lake Campground, you can find affordable rates, although some amenities may be limited due to past changes in the campground.
  • Shardi's Hide-Away offers a budget-friendly option for tent campers looking for a year-round escape.
  • For a unique experience, consider Camp Clear Sky, where you can enjoy an outdoor kitchen and flush toilets, all at a reasonable price.

Tips for tent camping near Ashley

  • When visiting Deerfield Nature Park, be prepared for a hike-in experience that rewards you with peace and stunning natural surroundings.
  • Bring your pets along to South Shore Campground, where furry friends are welcome, making it a perfect spot for family camping trips.
  • If you're looking for a well-maintained site, Taylors Lost Haven Campground is known for its friendly staff and clean facilities, ensuring a pleasant stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ashley, MI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ashley, MI is Moon Lake Campground with a 3-star rating from 2 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Ashley, MI?

    TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Ashley, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.