Top Tent Camping near Bay City, MI

Looking for the best Bay City tent camping? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Bay City. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.

Best Tent Sites Near Bay City, MI (10)


Recent Tent Reviews In Bay City

201 Reviews of 10 Bay City Campgrounds


  • t
    Camper-submitted photo from Sleeper State Park
    Sep. 24, 2024

    Sleeper State Park

    Late summer peace

    Went later September on a Saturday and it was perfect. Good mix of tents and rv’s. Everyone was respectful and the whole campground was pretty quiet despite being essentially full. Bathrooms were clean, stocked, with plenty of hot water. Didn’t shower there but there is a ton of showers. Beach was a crazy close walk and really impressive. Even a pet friendly beach too. Camp host had fun activities for the kids (my kids claim this was the best time of the trip) as well as tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. Staff was incredibly friendly

  • Chad H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Outdoor Adventures Saginaw Bay Resort
    Sep. 20, 2024

    Outdoor Adventures Saginaw Bay Resort

    Common Camp Ground we go to all the time

    Alright camp ground, it’s a members only. Few grouchy people that seem more miserable than into relaxing. It’s definitely an interesting atmosphere compared to other campgrounds. Staff are hit or miss, seems like the pleasant ones take layoff and move on. Small improvements are made year over year, which is nice.

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Krystal Lake Campground
    Sep. 8, 2024

    Krystal Lake Campground

    The campground blasts loud music

    The campground seemed nice into Sat. Night came.  They started Blasting loud music that drowned our or campfire conversation from 1000ft away.  We end our night early and still couldn't sleep,  because the music was so loud inside of our camper, a hard side camper.  We called the camp store and they said they couldn't do smoothing about it.  We won't be back.

  • Jacqueline A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bay City State Park
    Aug. 23, 2024

    Bay City State Park

    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.

  • Gary G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bay City State Park
    Aug. 8, 2024

    Bay City State Park

    Good park

    Most sites are good, though some have slopes to them. Choose carefully. Great newer playscape and splash pad (!) for the kids, across State Park Rd from the main campground. Nice newly opened visitor/nature center. Campground usually clean and patrolled. Showers/restrooms are good, cleaned twice a day. Friendly staff.

    Some of the best campground hosts are here.

    Groceries, restaurants & laundromats are a short drive away.

    TV reception was ok, and T-Mobile worked well enough.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Frankenmuth Jellystone Park
    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.

  • Lake George L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Water Tower Travel Trailer Park
    Jun. 30, 2024

    Water Tower Travel Trailer Park

    Bang for your buck

    Sites are long but not wide. Level. Full hookups. Wifi you can stream on. LTE cell service. Clean showers. Walking path around pond, fishing dock. $28 site, No old beaters allowed. Old clean units welcome.

  • E
    Camper-submitted photo from Outdoor Adventures Lake Shore Resort
    Jun. 25, 2024

    Outdoor Adventures Lake Shore Resort

    Crowded

    5 dollars per day, or if you are staying with family take your card to camp store to get a card that will last the time you will be. They don't tell this at the gate.

    5mph speed limit. Kidds are out of control on bicycles and walking they will dart right in front of you no desiplane. 

    Can take a long time getting in and getting to your campsite GOOD LUCK.

  • Angela B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Rifle River Campground
    Jun. 9, 2024

    Rifle River Campground

    Awesome campgrounds @ Rifle River

    The only complaint about the week I spent was they didn’t cut the grass, other than that I had an amazing birthday week at Rifle River Campground,  we found amazing flowers blooming  like yellow and pink lady slippers I even found Agates, fossils if you’re a rock hunter and when you climb up the tower there’s a extremely large eagles nest.

    The fishing wasn’t very successful I only caught a small one but the water was warm and clear you could see the sand doons.

  • B J.
    Camper-submitted photo from Evergreen Park Campground
    Jun. 8, 2024

    Evergreen Park Campground

    Extremely loud

    Very loud, lots of children, kids will be kids, but the loud music until very late and the dogs barking all hours not necessary!  At least I know most of Tom Pettys songs now from listening to them all night!

  • H
    Camper-submitted photo from Covenant Hills Camp
    Jun. 5, 2024

    Covenant Hills Camp

    Group camping for Sukkot

    We had a large group of families with varying ages and abilities.  We used multiple different styles of cabins and a few RV sites, as well as various buildings for activities.  All in all, it was an incredible time and I highly recommend it.  Staff was helpful with activities such as archery but, seldom seen if not directly helping with things.  It was nice to feel like we had the run of the place but, still know that help was available if we needed it.  The location is pretty great, off the beaten path but, within 30 minutes of major stores and conveniences. 
    Laundry facilities would have been awesome since we were staying a full week but, there was a laundromat only about 15 minutes away. 
    The food selection was about what you'd expect in a public school cafeteria and resulted in health-minded guests needing to make their own meals in the cabins and meals were VERY rushed, only allowing 30 minutes for our large group to get their food, eat and be out of the building. 
    The grounds were well maintained for a rustic campground but, bathrooms and meeting buildings were adequately upgraded and offered pleasant amenities, such as a game room, large gym and decent air conditioning.  

    We had a great time here and look forward to returning one day!

  • D
    Camper-submitted photo from Pine Ridge RV Campground
    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.

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from Bay County Fairgrounds
    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.

  • Justin N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Creek State Forest Campground
    Aug. 26, 2023

    Black Creek State Forest Campground

    Checked all the boxes but its a bit noisy with traffic nearby

    Campsites are pretty close together and you can hear traffic nearby most of the day. Sites are well kept and toilets were nice and clean. Easy to get in and out but doesn't really feel like camping with all the traffic noise.

  • Bob M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sleeper State Park
    Aug. 20, 2023

    Sleeper State Park

    Disappointing

    Sorry, I hate writing negative reviews, but this place deserves it.

    Pros- the beach is fantastic, staff is excellent.

    Cons- looks like they tried to cram in as many sites as possible, even on unlevel terrain. I can't imagine how ugly it would get during rainstorms with the mud.

    $34/night is way too high. I've seen way better dry camping spots. This was our 3rd Michigan SP on our long trip, & we are really disappointed in this one.

  • Brad L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sleeper State Park
    Aug. 17, 2023

    Sleeper State Park

    Campground

    Campground maintenance. Electrical hookups are too far away from the site. They jam a lot of campers in here. The beach is across the street and caseville is next door which helps up the reviews. I would prefer to stay at the caseville county park instead.

  • D
    Camper-submitted photo from Sebewaing County Park Campground
    Aug. 16, 2023

    Sebewaing County Park Campground

    Nicely near prehistoric

    Since 1966 I visit, often just back packing. Clean enough & refreshing enough & still something pre-historic, particularly the beach, & the roads to it.

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from Outdoor Adventures Saginaw Bay Resort
    Jul. 27, 2023

    Outdoor Adventures Saginaw Bay Resort

    Rustic, but clean

    Campground is one of Outdoor Adventures membership campgrounds, way overpriced, check FB Marketplace for resellers.

    Campground is rustic, but clean, sites are relatively cramped, but lots of trees. Staff seemed nice.

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from Frankenmuth Jellystone Park
    Jul. 27, 2023

    Frankenmuth Jellystone Park

    Nice for kids, tight sites

    Nice Jellystone, very nice staff, lots of planned activities for kids. Most sites are relatively cramped, a few are spacious. Not all sites have fire rings, so ask when reserving if you need to bring your own portable fire pit.

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from Outdoor Adventures Lake Shore Resort
    Jul. 27, 2023

    Outdoor Adventures Lake Shore Resort

    Very large campground, tight sites

    Membership campground, membership fees are WAY overpriced, check FB Marketplace for folks selling their membership.

    Campground is huge, with more than 700 sites. Most sites are very cramped and right up against you're neighbors, but there are some nicer spots scattered throughout the campground. Tons of activities, several outdoor pools, indoor pool with hot tub, game room, splash park, lazy river, kayak and paddleboats rentals.

  • Dj W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Herrick Recreation Area
    Jul. 16, 2023

    Herrick Recreation Area

    Great quiet beautiful little campground

    We stayed on site 78. It's slightly sloped but leveling is easy. Biiiig sites here. The first 3 areas you pass on the way in are in sun all day, more or less. (Near the cabins) The rest are in pine stands and really is a nice place to be. As per the normal, pines bring sap, so expect that.

    Day use is across the street. Playground, beach, etc. One pond near the camping area. Would like to see a big playground near the camping sites, vs a swing set behind the bathroom house. Probably yell less at the kids if they had one near your campers

    One septic station, enter it from the pines side as the hole is on the East side.

    We enjoyed our stay, except the inconsiderate, yelling people at site 67. They should have been booted out in my opinion. CONSTANTLY yelling.. seriously... Dog yapping while they just sit there, letting him. Once they piled into that old Winnie, it was a much more pleasant experience. I'm sure everyone in that pod was glad when they stopped the constant yelling.

    Wish we had a canoe or kayaks to fart around on the ponds. In lieu of that, we fed the fish some bread. Not exciting, but relaxing.

    Staff was great. They make rounds every hour or so, but the loud site clammed up when they heard the Gator coming down the road. Didn't bother us in the least.

    They sell wood, $5/bundle on our visit, with delivery. Pretty standard price for this area, with the exception of the gas station nearby, which asks $10+ for the same size bundle (they don't sell much).

    Overall, we liked it. Nice, small, fairly quiet campground. Power at the sites and a centrally located water spigot.

    For the price ($80 for 3 nights) it's great. Slightly cheaper than Wilson State Park, at $67 (I think, total) for 2 nights. It's a happy mix between boondocking and full on state park.

  • Dj W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Isabella County Herrick Recreation Area
    Jul. 16, 2023

    Isabella County Herrick Recreation Area

    Excellent quiet spot

    As far as the park itself is concerned, it's clean, VERY large spots, power at most spots, communal water in the center of the "pods" of sites.

    Staff was great. They come around 3 or 4 times a day, if you need wood, just flag them down and they will deliver it ($5/bundle). We brought our own wood but it was still a bit green, and bought 2 bundles from them, and mixed it in.

    Ponds are just that, ponds. Not gonna catch record breaking fish here, but you can kyak around a bit. Electric motors only here.

    The first 3 areas you roll thru on the North side of the drive, along the lake, are in almost full sun, take that into account, but easy pond access. The ones beyond that are in a beautiful pine stand, lots of space, and all around comfy area. We were on site 78. It's not level. Many around it aren't, but it's not a real big deal, really. But site 73 should be avoided if rain is forecasted for your time there. 73 sits at the low side of that pod, and gets washed out.

    Our time there was RUDELY interrupted by some inconsiderate folks, yelling at their kids non stop, literally every 30 seconds, letting the dogs just bark and bark while they sit there. Zero respect for anyone else there. Constant yelling. Once they retired for the evening, the rest of the campground was VERY considerate and peaceful.

    I can't complain about the park itself. Maybe put a bigger playground near the camping sites, so your kids can play and be within eyesight.

  • Phil M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from River View Campground & Canoe Livery
    Jul. 12, 2023

    River View Campground & Canoe Livery

    Great Campground For All Ages!

    After following this campground's FB page for years we finally got to visit this summer. It sits along the Rifle River next to Rifle River Campground and Whites Campground. 

    The campground is huge and offers so much! The store up front had everything you probably forgot at home, plus more.

    The bathrooms were always clean when we needed them. The showers were clean, some lacked hanging hooks on the walls. The water was warm immediately, but the push button timer for the shower water made showers kind of annoying (small issue though). 

    Everyone seemed to abide by the noise curfews around 11 pm and it seemed rather quiet through the night given the amount of campers around. The rustic sites along the river in section "N" were very large and spacious spots. Sections L and M seemed to be tightly packed in. 

    The Group camping side is considered the "Adult/Party" area. Nobody was crazy out of hand or anything to that nature, just louder music, drinking, etc.

    There were numerous playground areas, volleyball, horseshoes, and even an arcade area. Although we didn't stay in the Family area it looked very nice. 

    We had a great time at the campground and would 100% stay again.

  • Jake C.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Camper-submitted photo from Secord Lake Campground
    Jul. 11, 2023

    Secord Lake Campground

    Perfect Spot for Kayakers

    Jake from the Dyrt here!  The Lakeview Campground is a great spot for water lovers, or anyone looking to enjoy the campground's updated amenities!  Check them out and show them some love!

  • Cedric H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Just-In-Time Campground
    Jun. 22, 2023

    Just-In-Time Campground

    Just In Time!!

    Came here for a father's day visit with my daughters last minute and was not disappointed. Beautiful view of the lake and functional facilities make this a pleasant stay for a small family.



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

  • 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 Russell Canoe Livery & Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

  • 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.