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Best Campgrounds near Bay City, MI

218 Reviews

The Saginaw Bay region surrounding Bay City, Michigan features a mix of state, county, and private campgrounds catering to various camping styles. Bay City State Park Campground serves as a central hub with shaded sites and electric hookups, though campers must cross a road to access the beach and day-use areas. Nearby, Pinconning County Park offers year-round camping with water access to Saginaw Bay, while the Bay County Fairgrounds provides spacious grassy sites that accommodate large RVs. Within a 30-mile radius, additional options include family-oriented destinations like Frankenmuth Jellystone Park and more rustic experiences at Black Creek State Forest Campground.

Most campgrounds in the Bay City area operate seasonally from May through October, with limited year-round options. Reservations become essential during summer weekends, particularly around holidays when facilities reach capacity. According to camper Erica K., "Bay City State Park gets very full most weekends Memorial Day through Labor Day, especially around the 4th of July." The region experiences typical Michigan seasonal patterns with humid summers and cold winters. Many campgrounds feature electrical hookups and basic amenities, though full-hookup sites are less common at state facilities. Road access is generally good throughout the region, with most campgrounds accessible via paved roads suitable for larger RVs and trailers.

Family-friendly amenities distinguish many Bay City area campgrounds, with water recreation opportunities being particularly notable. Campers frequently mention the splash pad, playground, and beach access at Bay City State Park as highlights for children. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist along nature trails, with Jennifer H. noting, "The nature trail around the lagoon is a birder's dream. We saw white egrets, blue heron, sandpipers and their babies." Water quality at beaches can vary, with some visitors reporting murky conditions or algae at certain times. Weekday camping typically offers a quieter experience than weekends, when campgrounds fill with families. Most sites provide moderate shade from mature trees, though privacy between sites is limited at many of the more developed facilities.

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Best Camping Sites Near Bay City, Michigan (93)

    1. Bay City State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Kawkawlin, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 684-3020

    "Beach, trails and children's solace pad, just an easy walk across the road. Newer bathhouse. Shady sandy campsite."

    "We took a group of 6 adults and 3 kids to Bay City which was a pretty good drive for us. We had a lot of fun! Park was clean and located across from the lake."

    2. Finn Road Park

    2 Reviews
    Essexville, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 992-2920

    $28 - $30 / night

    3. Bay County Fairgrounds

    1 Review
    Essexville, MI
    2 miles
    Website

    $15 / night

    "The office where payment is made is a few miles away from the actual campground.

    There is a dump station and water at the fairgrounds. "

    4. Pinconning County Park

    7 Reviews
    Pinconning, MI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 879-5050

    "Nice campground with great access to the Saginaw Bay for boaters/kayakers/etc with a small beach. Some campsites are better than others, like most campgrounds but all have some perks."

    "Good place for quiet camping and a great walking trail back to the bay through the marsh."

    5. Frankenmuth Jellystone Park

    6 Reviews
    Clio, MI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 652-6668

    "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."

    6. Wesleyan Woods Camp

    4 Reviews
    Millington, MI
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 823-8840

    "Went in right after they mopped and it looked like they just slid the dirt around."

    7. Berwagana Campground

    7 Reviews
    Caro, MI
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 673-7125

    $32 - $152 / night

    "we live close to this campground and we love swimming in the pond on hot summer days. The halloween trick or treating was a blast along with their haunted woods."

    8. Church Grove Park

    1 Review
    Burt, MI
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 652-6141

    $35 / night

    "Very nice prayer trail."

    9. Pine Ridge RV Campground

    5 Reviews
    Clio, MI
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 624-9029

    "There’s private land on either side and a dirt bike track that the neighbor owns on the north end, so if you’ve got a light afternoon napper, stay away from that end."

    10. Krystal Lake Campground

    7 Reviews
    Millington, MI
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 843-0591

    $28 - $66 / night

    "We insisted on a different site and were placed across the bridge on a beautiful huge site on the lake! After that, everything was wonderful."

    "Nice campground, lake, pool, playground and entertainment.

    Lots of sand and golf cart gangs"

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Recent Camping Photos near Bay City, MI

83 Photos of 93 Bay City Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Bay City, MI

218 Reviews of 93 Bay City Campgrounds

  • l
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Black Creek State Forest Campground

    Black Creek State Forest Campground

    Pull up, grab a registration envelope, look for a spot then part. Fill out the registration. Put one portion of it on the clip at the spot number market, keep another portion then return the completed envelope and $20 cash or check per night plus $19 for Michigan recreation passport (if you don’t already have one). They will mail you the passport, keep receipt for proof. Vault toilets available, some river spots, some secluded spots, clean. Saw DNR in the morning checking on everything.

  • Melissa H.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Bay City State Park Campground

    Bustling, clean and friendly

    Easy friendly check-in. Firewood prices are cheaper than on roads in. Small and large bags of ice at a good price. Great for families. Clean facilities. They do spray for mosquitoes, so that wasn't too bad at all even in the heat of August. We stayed at 106, the description was on point, level and shaded. Campers were super friendly. We had no complaints about the campground itself but it would be nice if there was an RV lights out policy at night. It's really hard to sleep in a tent when your neighbors RV "porch" light is on literally all night shining in the tent while your neighbors are sound asleep in RV. We had to ask our neighbors politely to turn their outside LED light strips off the second night. They were great about it but, didn't seem to realize it would bother tent campers next to them.

  • Deb M.
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Bay City State Park Campground

    Crowded and inconvenient

    So, this campground looks nice at first, with lots of trees on the sites. However, once you really start looking at them, none have a camping pad, so it’s random parking on the grass. Lots of moving around to get your electric hooked up to the shared and oddly placed power poles. Make sure to come with an extension cord - one member of our party had their power halfway into their neighbor’s site through a bunch of bushes. The sites near the entrance are very crowded together and filled with large loud groups. (please don’t park any extra vehicles hanging out over the road…) And cleaning the bathrooms at 8:30 and 9:30 in the MORNING? Bummer for tenters. It’s ok for a quick stop, but wouldn’t want to stay here too long. I would expect better from a State Park.

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Pettit Park Campground

    City park

    Water and electric and a dump station. Near downtown Clare, nice park with pavilions, no reservations needed. Sites are within the city’s park so there’s local traffic.

  • AmcPhotography
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Chesaning Showboat Camping

    Camping

    it's a alright campground,quit,few things it could use,like another playground ,water hookups,and WiFi other than that it's good.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Arthur Latham Park

    No campground

    Called the office and was told that there is no longer a campground here. Used to be but not anymore

  • Corey L.
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Northern Bear Paw RV Park

    Northern Bear Paw

    An awesome place to stay! Owners are very thoughtful, through, and considerate of the campers. Second visit here and would highly recommend!!

  • A
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Otter Lake Park Campground

    Beautiful views & so much to do!

    We tent camped in site #56. I will say the sites are on the smaller side, but you can make do. The lake is soooo beautiful and you can rent kayaks $7/hour or a 2 person small boat for $10/hour. Laundry facility is nice and cheap, with a great sink to wash dishes. Bathrooms are poorly vented and gets so hot & humid, but I will say the showers are in-home quality for a campground! The owners are so nice and friendly. ORV trail butts up to the campground so bring your dirt bikes! We had a small trailer and they had no issue with us at all. Very good swimming beach with tons of places to take in the peaceful views. Playground is large and nice with a new basketball court and Gaga ball. Bring your bug spray and get ready to enjoy serene nature. Oh and I love how affordable it is :)

  • K
    Jun. 9, 2025

    Pine Ridge RV Campground

    We've chosen not to return

    We’ve camped at Pine Ridge Campground for the past five years. Over that time, we’ve chosen to overlook some ongoing issues — including a strong and persistent natural gas smell, ant infestations, loud music from a nearby bar, and no real amenities for families. The playground is extremely outdated and rarely used — it’s telling that you almost never see kids riding bikes or playing in the park. Still, we returned each year, hoping for a peaceful stay.

    Unfortunately, this year changed everything.

    Managers Joe and Susan falsely accused us of having our dog off-leash (which he never was). We always keep him leashed and use an e-collar to help manage barking. Joe even admitted that no other campers had complained, and we’ve never had any dog-related issues at any other campground. Despite this, they continued circling our site in their golf cart, closely watching us, and bullying to the point of telling us we were no longer welcome—threatening to call the police for no valid reason. Joe even made a comment about noticing my dog was standing on our dinette table - so he was peering outside our window??? No wonder my dog barked at him. We closed all our shades the remainder of the weekend to avoid feeling like we were living in a fishbowl.

    This kind of targeting isn’t new — last year, Joe also rushed over in his golf cart to confront us about a visitor pass we had already paid for, showing a lack of trust and an overly aggressive approach. So yet another instance of over-the-top behavior that seems to define their management style.

    Additionally, communication at this campground is poor — it’s often hard to reach someone to even make a reservation, there’s no automation and poor responsiveness.

    On what should have been a bustling, beautiful summer weekend, the park was nearly empty, which speaks volumes.

    After years of being respectful, loyal guests, we’ve decided it’s time to move on. If you’re looking for a welcoming, dog- or family-friendly campground with basic hospitality and amenities, we suggest looking elsewhere.

Guide to Bay City

Camping near Bay City, Michigan, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Explore the trails at Bay City State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The Tobico Marsh trails and observation towers were great for watching birds. Lots of trails!"
  • Beach Activities: Enjoy the sandy beaches at Tawas Point State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "There are beaches on both sides of the point. Staff friendly."
  • Fishing and Water Sports: At Port Crescent State Park Campground, you can fish right from the shore. One happy camper said, "The nature and wildlife there are simply amazing and the sunsets on the beach were incredible."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Busy Weekends: Campgrounds can get crowded on weekends. A visitor at Tawas Point State Park Campground said, "It can get really packed here on weekends."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Albert E. Sleeper State Park Campground, may have fewer amenities. A reviewer noted, "The camp store has limited selections for supplies."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for raccoons and other wildlife, especially at Holly State Recreation Area. One camper warned, "Raccoons run this place! Don’t leave any food or garbage out ever."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan Activities: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly activities, like Walnut Hills Family Campground, which offers swimming and paddle boat rentals. A parent shared, "They have a few children's activities such as swimming, volleyball net, and basketball court."
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites, like McGinnis Lake Modern Campground — Holly Recreation Area, where families can spread out. A visitor mentioned, "The sites are spaced out nicely in the Trillium loop."
  • Bring Entertainment: Pack games and outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. One family at Walnut Hills Family Campground enjoyed the "dance party on Saturday and Sunday night."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Conditions: Before booking, check the site conditions at campgrounds like Auburn Hills Holly KOA. A reviewer warned, "The sites do not have any type of lane which causes the lots to be soggy and muddy."
  • Bring Extension Cords: Some sites may require longer cords for electric hookups. A camper at Bay City State Park Campground advised, "Recommend to have extension cord for some sites, as plug in can be far."
  • Book Early: Popular campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak season. A visitor at Port Crescent State Park Campground noted, "Make sure you know where your gas stations are as they are a long way away from each other."

Camping around Bay City, Michigan, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a little planning, you can enjoy a fantastic outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time of year to go camping in Bay City?

Late spring through early fall (May-September) offers the best camping weather in Bay City. Summer months are ideal for enjoying water activities at Sleeper State Park Campground, which provides beach access and is near numerous other beaches along the shoreline. The Saturday farmers market in nearby Port Austin adds to summer appeal. Early fall brings pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds at Holiday Shores RV Park, making it easier to book sites. Winter camping is limited as many campgrounds close or offer reduced services during colder months.

Is Bay City State Park a good place for camping?

Bay City State Park Campground is excellent for camping, particularly for families and those with RVs or small campers. The park features clean facilities, friendly staff with regular patrols, and a variety of sites ranging from close-together to more secluded options. Campers enjoy easy access to the beach, splash pad, playground, hiking trails, and fishing in the lagoon. The newer bathhouse adds to comfort. While the park is highly rated for RV camping, some reviewers note it's not ideal for tent camping. The beach receives mixed reviews on cleanliness. Downtown Bay City is nearby with restaurants, riverwalk, and concerts, making this an appealing basecamp for exploring the area.

What are the best campgrounds near Bay City, MI?

Bay City State Park Campground is a top choice with beach access, splash pad, hiking trails, and playgrounds ideal for families. Just a short drive away, Herrick Recreation Area offers spacious, wooded sites with electric hookups and shared water. The lake provides swimming and fishing opportunities in a peaceful setting. Other excellent options include Pine Ridge RV Campground with convenient pull-through sites and Northern Bear Paw RV Park known for its friendly atmosphere and well-maintained grounds.

What types of camping are available in Bay City, Michigan?

Bay City offers diverse camping options for all preferences. For RV enthusiasts, Pine Ridge RV Campground provides pull-through sites with full hookups and is conveniently located near area attractions. Traditional camping is available at Bay County Fairgrounds, which features grassy sites with electrical outlets, a dump station, and water access. For those seeking a more rustic experience, tent camping can be found at several area parks, though reviews indicate some locations are better suited for RVs than tents. The region also offers private RV parks, public campgrounds, and state park facilities to accommodate various camping styles.

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