Best Tent Camping near Bay City, MI

The wooded areas surrounding Bay City, Michigan offer several tent camping options within a short drive. Russell Canoe Livery & Campground in Omer provides tent-only sites along the river, making it popular for paddlers seeking primitive tent camping experiences. Crystal Creek Christian Campground in Columbiaville features walk-in tent sites with basic amenities, while Hilltop Campgrounds in Lapeer offers tent campsites with lake access. Amongst The Maples provides drive-in tent camping in a forested setting approximately 30 minutes south of Bay City, with seasonal availability typically running from spring through fall.

Tent campgrounds in the Bay City region vary in terrain and amenities. Most sites feature dirt or grass surfaces with picnic tables and fire rings, though leveling can be challenging at some locations. Sugar Springs Campground provides spacious, wooded tent sites with electric hookups, but campers should note that water access points are shared between multiple sites. Crystal Creek offers rustic tent camping for $15 per night with access to amenities like swimming, hiking trails, and sports facilities. Seasonal availability typically runs from May through October, with some campgrounds like Greenwood in Alger extending their season until December, weather permitting.

Experienced tent campers recommend visiting Russell Canoe Livery later in the season when river conditions are optimal and crowds have thinned. According to reviews, Sugar Springs Campground provides a quiet experience with "spacious and clean" sites, though the terrain is "horrifically not leveled" - an important consideration for tent setup. Walk-in tent sites at Crystal Creek and Hilltop campgrounds offer more seclusion than drive-in options. Browns Landing RV Park, despite its name, accommodates tent campers and provides access to a 9-mile bike path through wooded areas with views of Lake Huron. Most tent campgrounds in the region maintain bathroom facilities and allow fires when seasonal restrictions aren't in place, making backcountry tent camping accessible even for those seeking basic amenities.

Best Tent Sites Near Bay City, Michigan (10)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Bay City, MI

1 Photos of 10 Bay City Campgrounds


    Tent Camping Reviews near Bay City, MI

    214 Reviews of 10 Bay City Campgrounds


    • 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.

    • Nona A.
      Aug. 30, 2017

      Sleeper State Park Campground

      A nice campground for a weekend by the water

      Sleeper State Park Campground is located a few miles north of Caseville, MI. This is a modern campground, and has 226 camp sites, and 1 mini cabin. The campground sits right off of M25, so I recommend getting a site towards the back. We unfortunately were only able to get sites at the front and the road noise was obnoxious, 3 a.m. cars and trucks flying by. Campground, bathrooms, and showers were all kept very clean. Most sites are set up for trailers, and RV’s, and tents. There are a few sites that are tent only sites. Each site has a picnic table, fire pit and electric hook up. There is firewood available at the park office for $5 a bundle, they also rent kayaks $10 for 2 hours or $40 for the day. The campgrounds host site has coffee, tea, and hot chocolate available in the mornings. They also offer activities in the afternoon. Across M25 and part of Sleeper State Park is the beach, and picnic area. There is a walkway overpass that goes over M25 making for a safe walk from camp to the beach. The beach area has a bathroom and drinking water. There are charcoal grills, and picnic tables in the picnic area around the parking lot. The beach is a lovely stretch of shoreline along the Saginaw bay.

    • T
      May. 5, 2024

      Bay County Fairgrounds

      Great location and quiet

      We stayed here 2 years ago.  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.  Along the left side near the dump / water station as you enter are huge grassy sites marked by electrical outlets at the rear of the sites. The rest of the fairgrounds are set up like  a traditional campground on a "loop" style.  It looks like almost all the sites will accommodate a 40 footer easily.

      There were 2 or 3 campers who appeared to be long term seasonal guests but it did not distract from our overall stay.

      We pull an Imagine 2500RL pulled by a Ford F-150 max trailer package.

      We stayed 4 nights and spent the days traveling around Bay City.

      Founds a great BBQ that had been shared by MI PLAYGROUND ---  Meaty's Roadhouse BBQ& Sausage Shack Bay City.
      We are planning our Summer 2024 travels and will; be stopping at the Bay County Fairgrounds again this summer.

    • 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!

    • 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.

    • Jacqueline A.
      Aug. 23, 2024

      Bay City State Park Campground

      Great Park on Lake Huron

      Beach, trails and children's solace pad, just an easy walk across the road. Newer bathhouse. Shady sandy campsite. Be sure and visit downtown Bay City, lots of great restaurants, a Riverwalk on both sides of the river, concerts in the park. Great atmosphere.

    • 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.

    • Nellianne S.
      Jul. 8, 2018

      Rifle River Campground

      Cramped but we would go back

      We camped in what was called a “rustic” site. Which really meant that it was a lawn in the middle of the campground with no hookups. We came in late and only stayed one night but I would love to go back and try the river tour, because they allow dogs to go with you! My sister in law set up the site and was unimpressed with the way the front desk staff treated her she felt they could have been more professional. And at $15 per person I felt that site was a bit overpriced.


    Guide to Bay City

    Tent camping near Bay City, Michigan offers a variety of experiences, from serene lakeside spots to family-friendly parks, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

    Tent campers should check out Genesee Otter Lake Campground

    • Enjoy a range of amenities including electric hookups and drinking water at Genesee Otter Lake Campground, making it a convenient choice for tent campers.
    • This campground allows pets, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure.
    • With features like picnic tables and firewood available, it’s easy to settle in and enjoy a cozy evening outdoors.

    Tent campers like these nearby activities

    Some prices for tent camping range from $15 to $120

    • Affordable rates at Crystal Creek Christian Campground start as low as $15 for rustic tent camping, making it budget-friendly for families.
    • For a more upscale experience, expect to pay around $120 per night at Genesee Otter Lake Campground for a lakefront site, though be aware of potential discrepancies in site quality.
    • Sugar Springs Campground offers spacious sites with electric hookups, typically priced around $30, providing a comfortable stay without breaking the bank.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bay City, MI?

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

    What is the best site to find tent camping near Bay City, MI?

    TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Bay City, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.