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Best Tent Camping near Auburn, MI

244 Reviews

Tent campsites near Auburn, Michigan offer a mix of established campgrounds and more secluded options within driving distance. Russell Canoe Livery & Campground in Omer provides tent sites along the river with basic amenities, while Deerfield Nature Park in Mount Pleasant features hike-in tent camping that requires a one-mile trek to reach the sites. House Lake State Campground in Gladwin offers a more rustic experience with tent sites situated in wooded areas.

Most tent campgrounds in the region provide fire pits and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Deerfield Nature Park features pit toilets and drinking water but lacks shower facilities. Sites typically have dirt or grass surfaces with varying degrees of leveling. One camper reported that Sugar Springs Campground sites are "horrifically not leveled," requiring careful tent placement. Access methods range from drive-in options at Russell Canoe Livery to the mile-long hike required at Deerfield Nature Park. Some campgrounds like Browns Landing and Genesee Otter Lake remain open seasonally from May through October, while others operate year-round.

The tent camping experience around Auburn offers varying levels of seclusion and natural surroundings. House Lake State Campground provides a truly disconnected experience, as one visitor noted, "There is no cell service within 20 minutes of the campground," making it ideal for those seeking to unplug. Many sites feature good tree coverage providing natural shade and privacy between campsites. Deerfield Nature Park campers particularly value the peaceful setting accessible by boat or hiking trail. Water access is a highlight at several locations, with Russell Canoe Livery offering "a great place to pull off the river and camp" according to visitor feedback. Wildlife sightings are common, with chipmunks being particularly abundant at House Lake State Campground, creating what one camper described as an "adorably magical" atmosphere.

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Best Tent Sites Near Auburn, Michigan (12)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Auburn, MI

2 Photos of 12 Auburn Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Auburn, MI

244 Reviews of 12 Auburn Campgrounds

  • Jamie H.
    May. 12, 2019

    Holiday Shores RV Park

    Disclosure: This review is from a newbie RVer's perspective with a 32ft. Travel Trailer!

    Holiday Shores has a good website that gives great info, however there is no booking online so you have to call. Which was super easy! The lady on the phone was very nice and completely understanding of our total lack of experience. We planned to golf during our stay so she thoughtfully put us in lot 511 which is relatively close to the pro shop!

    This place is conveniently located off M13 in Durand. The roads are in good condition which made for smooth travel... this is Michigan! We arrived after the office was closed but our paperwork was waiting for us just as promised. The park itself has nice roads as well. Making for easy navigation and maneuvering. Our lot had a cement pad which required no leveling. The electrical, water and sewer connections were all easy to access and each lot had a picnic table and fire ring!

    Holiday Shores has several ponds both large and small, which might make for good fishing but we never gave it a try. There is a swim beach and it's available after Memorial Day! You will also find several nicely paved paths up to 3 miles long. These were walking only which was sort of disappointing because we brought our bikes, however they were very nice to walk or go for a run! The attached 9 hole golf course was well maintained and had some tricky holes. There were changes in elevation and multiple water hazards... we may have lost some balls. The only negative is they currently do not have their liquor license but the new owners are working on it. Overall it was a fun, mostly challenging round of golf that is worth checking out!

    Breaking camp and checkout were easy as pie! The bottom line we can't wait to go back it was great time, with better people. We made new friends the first night there that truly made our stay memorable. Thank you again for all the hospitality!!!

  • Tammy P.
    Oct. 18, 2020

    Crystal Creek Christian Campground

    Family oriented

    Quite the establishment! Almost 150 sites including rustic, full hook up, cabins and even just over a handful of park model units to reserve for your family to come stay and enjoy all the amenities they offer. Amenities including but not limited to horse shoes, swimming ( man dug pond) hiking, basketball, volleyball and etc. No alcohol allowed as this is a Christian campground but for all the amenities it is extremely affordable! $30 a night 30/50 amp full hook up ... don’t need 30+ amp but want sewer as well only $25 a night 15 amp full hook up or as low as $20 for 15 amp water n electric only! Want the full camping ambiance $15 a night for rustic tent camping! Great place to take the family even several times a season on a budget!

  • Nathan V.
    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.

  • J
    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.

  • Mary T.
    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.

  • Kitty B.
    Aug. 7, 2019

    House Lake State Campground

    Secluded Get-Away

    There is no cell service within 20 minutes of the campground, and the closest restaurants are 30 minutes away, but if you prepare it is an excellent location! The camp sites were somewhat far apart, the tree coverage was nice, and they are overrun with chipmunks which was adorably magical! They have vault toilets available, a water spigot, and a self serve firewood station as well as a picnic table and fire pit at every site. All in all a very nice campground!

  • Erica K.
    Aug. 20, 2018

    Bay City State Park Campground

    Family Friendly

    I used to work at this state park for two years and really enjoyed my time there. I spent many nights there with family and coworkers. The staff is very friendly and they patrol all through the night to ensure safety and noise control. The sites vary from close together, to secluded. It is easy to camp in a group with sites all close to each other, or to be off on your own. the bathrooms on the campground side are very clean. They are newer and updated and are cleaned 2-3 times a day or more as needed. The visitor side has less updated bathrooms, making them appear more dirty, but they are cleaned 4-6 times a day at the least. These bathrooms are also close to the beach, so sand makes it seem dirty as well. Sites vary in size, allowing tents or large rvs to be in most spaces. This campground does get very full most weekends Memorial Day through Labor Day, especially around the 4th of July. Bay city has lots to do and the visitor side has plenty of interesting programs for kids to do. swimming is iffy, as the city closes the beach depending on bacteria in the water and which way the wind is blowing it on a given day. The water is not clean (not the parks fault). there is a splash pad for younger children to enjoy though. There are no water sites. you must cross a relatively busy road to get to the visitor side where the beach/splash pad/visitor center is.

  • J
    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.

  • Sarah B.
    Aug. 12, 2023

    Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    Absolutely great time!

    Walk-in site F was literally the perfect campsite. Fully secluded (except a few curious hikers who stopped in around lunchtime), easy 1 mile walk from parking lot, can kayak right up to it on the calm lake, hammock posts, picnic table, fire pit, gorgeous night sky views. A+ and 10/10

Guide to Auburn

Tent camping near Auburn, Michigan offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of amenities and activities. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to set up your tent and unwind.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Experience the thrill of canoeing and camping at Russell Canoe Livery & Campground, where you can rent watercraft or bring your own for a river adventure.
  • Enjoy a peaceful retreat at Deerfield Nature Park, accessible by a scenic hike or boat, perfect for those looking to connect with nature.
  • Take part in family-friendly activities at Genesee Otter Lake Campground, which offers structured events and amenities for all ages.

Tips for tent camping near Auburn

  • When camping at Sugar Springs Campground, be prepared to bring a long hose for water access, as it is shared among several sites.
  • For a secluded experience, consider House Lake State Campground, where you can enjoy the tranquility of nature without cell service distractions.
  • If you're looking for a family-oriented environment, Crystal Creek Christian Campground offers a variety of amenities and activities, making it an affordable option for families.

Campground amenities to enhance your stay

  • Taylors Lost Haven Campground provides electric hookups and picnic tables, making it a comfortable choice for tent campers.
  • At Browns Landing RV Park, you can enjoy beautiful sunrises and a bike path that leads to Tawas, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • Greenwood Campground features essential amenities like showers and sanitary dumps, ensuring a convenient camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Auburn, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Auburn, MI is Amongst The Maples with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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