Best Tent Camping near Big Rapids, MI
Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Big Rapids? Find the best tent camping sites near Big Rapids. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Big Rapids campsites are perfect for tent campers.
Best Tent Sites Near Big Rapids, MI (46)
1. Leverentz Lake State Forest Campground
Baldwin, Michigan7 Reviews•15 Photos•70 SavesMichigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
$15 / night
2. Haymarsh State Game Area
Paris, Michigan2 Reviews•5 Photos•37 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Trash
3. Tubbs Lake Island State Forest Campground
Remus, Michigan1 Review•4 Photos•55 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
$15 - $25 / night
4. Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground
Lake, Michigan2 Reviews•3 Photos•6 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Tents
- Trash
- Picnic Table
5. Gleasons Landing
Baldwin, Michigan3 Reviews•14 Photos•62 SavesOverview
Gleasons Landing is a very popular campground on the banks of the Pere Marquette River. With a selection of shaded and secluded spots, the campground is perfect for peaceful nature immersion. The Pere Marquette River was designated a National Scenic River in 1978, the first in Michigan, and it regularly attracts many canoeing, kayaking and fishing enthusiasts. The 66-mile stretch of river begins east of Baldwin and empties into Lake Michigan at Ludington.
Recreation
A major draw to the campground is world-class fishing. The free flowing river maintains large populations of resident brown trout, steelhead and salmon. Gleason Landing marks the start of a zone for fly fishing and catch and release only. Reel fishing is available upstream. A boat ramp is located within the campground. Canoeing and kayaking is very popular on the river, and boat rentals are available in Baldwin. A permit is required to float the river from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Trails along the river provide shore access for anglers and short, scenic nature walks for hikers.
Natural Features
The campground sits on a bluff overlooking the picturesque Pere Marquette River. It is surrounded by a mix of white pine and oak trees. The Huron-Manistee National Forests encompass a million acres throughout the northern portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The forests provide recreation opportunities for visitors, habitat for fish and wildlife and resources for local industry.
Nearby Attractions
A trailhead for the North Country National Scenic Trail is a short drive away. The trail extends from New York to North Dakota, spanning 4,600 miles.
- Pets
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Trash
$90 / night
6. Woods and Water RV Resort
Newaygo, Michigan1 Review•4 Photos•14 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
7. Pine Meadows
Baldwin, Michigan1 Review•16 Photos•11 SavesSecluded Campsite with a private pond. Overlooks a large meadow in the middle of 20 acres bordered by tall pine trees. Escape the everyday hustle and bustle of the city and find peace beside the pond in your own private getaway! Minutes from Traverse City shopping and wineries, but close to many recreational activities like horseback riding, swimming, hiking, kayaking or canoeing. Lay back to the sounds of chirping crickets and croaking frogs and take in the view of endless stars. Free from light pollution, the Northern Michigan night sky offers an amazing view of the Milky Way and even an occasional view of the Northern Lights. Bluetooth rock speakers on deck. Power is available for a small fee.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Tent Cabin
$135 / night
8. Carrieville State Forest Campground
Luther, Michigan2 Reviews•3 Photos•23 SavesMichigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
9. Bowman Lake Campground
Baldwin, Michigan2 Reviews•8 Photos•54 SavesThis area not only has the Pere Marquette River running through it, but also contains a portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail and habitat for the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly.The Bowman Lake area is located in Lake and Sweetwater Townships in Lake County. A total of 1,145 acres of NFS lands and 368 acres of private lands are within the boundary of the Bowman Lake area.The terrain is characterized by rolling hills, glacial depressions and leatherleaf bogs. A 3-acre lake is located within the area. The area tends to be densely forested with a mix of hardwoods, red and white pine and aspen. Wildlife species that commonly inhabit this area include white-tailed deer, bobcat, coyote, red fox, raccoon, porcupine, squirrels, pileated woodpecker, ruffed grouse, wild turkey and various songbirds.Visitor recreation activities include camping, fishing, mushroom gathering, bird-watching, hunting, hiking and canoeing. Mountain biking and horseback riding are also common uses on the area trails. Although trails are not groomed in the winter, the area is popular for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.__The Bowman Lake Trailhead serves as a main entry point onto the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT). A 3-mile segment of the NCT is located within this area and mountain biking is allowed on this section of trail. In addition, a small trailhead is located on NFS Road 6267, giving access to the Bowman Lake Campground Trail, which is approximately 7.5 miles of loop trail designed for nonmotorized recreation.This trail system can also be used by mountain bikers and horseback riders. Four improved campsites are located on Bowman Lake. Segments of the State of Michigan snowmobile trail system and Michigan Cycle Conservation Club Trail (MCCCT) system are located immediately south of the area.
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Alcohol
10. Condon Lake
Bitely, Michigan1 Review•2 Photos•8 Saves- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Toilets
Recent Tent Reviews in Big Rapids
566 Reviews of 46 Big Rapids Campgrounds
Teresa B.
Guide
Tubbs Lake Resort
Great place for family and friends. RV and Rustic Sites as well as Cabins.
Great place for families and friends. RV and Rustic Sites as well as Cabins.
General store serving ice cream and pizza.
Ice and Propane exchange.
Beer,Liquor and tobacco products.
Play ground and covered picnic area.
Boat launch
Pull up docking for store use
Melissa C.
Scout
Fisherman's Landing & Campground
Rude treatment of a disabled vet
We stayed there 3 years ago and I wish I had seen this site sooner. The morning of July 4th we were woke up by people yelling at 7:15 am. Them at 8:15 someone in a riding lawn mower came within 2 ft of out pop up and woke us up again. Then a sprinkler was started and it was getting our canvas wet, so I turned it down a little. The guy on the mower yelled at me to keep my hands off of the sprinkler! My family were staying one more night so I left them our easy up. Later that evening we came back to watch the fireworks. Afterwards my husband, who is a disabled vet, could not out to our car due to neuropathy in both legs. I decided to go in to pick him up. I waited until v the gate opened and drove in. The speed limit is 10 miles per hour, which I did follow. Then a man come flying up the road and started yelling at my family! I tried to explain that my husband was having a hard time walking out to the parking lot. He cursed at us and then said we would not be allowed back to this campground. This had been the 4 th year we had stayed there over the July 4th holiday. Sad that he treated not only a disabled vet but also a 90 year old woman. Would recommend.
Mario F.
Traveler
Manistee National Forest Marzinski Horse Trail Campground
Be simple
Was a quiet. Simple.. Just with nature...Site was clean, across street you can buy firewood ...Was a pleasant 2 night's....From site to the nearest store 15-20 min away..If needed...Had no issues...Be back Thanksgiving 2024..
Tom W.Traveler
Condon Lakes West
Isolated and attractive to certain people
Access road is an unmarked two track that is not suitable for all vehicles. Campground is free and only six sites. Free and no registration attracts lowlifes who appear to have been there a significant amount of time or the whole season. If you have a leaky trailer that needs a tarp over the top, love having your pitbulls run wild, and firing up your generator, this may be the perfect spot for you. Not sure how the folks dragged the trailers into camp. Turned around and went elsewhere. Could have been a nice spot but...
- Tom W.Traveler
Walkup Lake Campground
Quaint and convenient
Conveniently located but proximity to the road makes it noisy. Locals drag racing on the nearby road subsided around midnight. Campsites were clean and spacious. I stayed at one of the two sites down the road by the boat launch. I stopped here after my first campground stop was full. This site will definitely get the job done but don't make this a featured stop.
- KKris D.Guide
Mears State Park Campground
First time staying
It’s a little cramped making it a bit overwhelming but the sites are nice and kept.
- KKris D.Guide
Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park
Perfect River View
Camp staff very friendly and park is well maintained. Nice hiking trails nearby and a 20 minute drive to a whole lot of entertainment!
- LLindsey C.Guide
Tippy Dam State Recreation Area
Great nature - noisy neighbors
Our site was great, easily fit a 17 foot trailer and a tent. Trails down to the water were appreciated by our kids. Neighbors are pretty close all around but that didn't matter until our last night. Several new campers rolled in at 10pm and proceeded to throw an absolute rager of a party until 4am - on Labor Day weekend. So overall a great campground but I wish there had been enforcement of quiet time or some kind of consequence for such horrible camping manners.
Benjamin A.Traveler
Gleasons Landing
Beautiful riverside campground
Most sites have direct river access. All sites are walk-in, but not far from the parking area. There are two pit toilets for six sites and both were clean. They sites are large, but fairly open, not much between the sites.
- Benjamin A.Traveler
Elk Canoe Campground
Basic canoe camping
Elk is a great place to spend the night after a day of paddling or fishing. There are four sites with decent space between them. The pit toilet was decently clean and well away from the sites, so no smell. The only downside is that access is tricky. The landing is a steep bank with large rocks on the river bank.
- CCharles E.Traveler
Newaygo State Park Campground
It was ok.
Stayed here to get off the road on the cheap after a long drive. It was Friday but it was quiet nothing out of the ordinary. The girls at the registration helped me find a quiet spot.
Skip C.Traveler
Whispering Oaks Campground
Nice location
Small campsites, but nice bathrooms and showers, close to Baldwin
- Skip C.Traveler
Riverside Park Campground
Nice park
Went there to use dump station after camping at the local veterans retreat, nice facilities and staff. 15$ fee to use dump station
Jim P.ScoutVal Du Lakes Resort
What a great place.
I can't say enough about this place. They where so nice, polite and friendly. We had some R.V. Issues and they where there to help. The camp site was very nice. There bathroom and shower were so clean. We will stay there again.
H. S.Traveler
Bear Track Campground
Rustic seclusion.
No running water.
No electricity.No flush toilets.
No internet.
No phone signal.Pure heaven.
Rustic campsites. 50-100 yards from the river. Great water from the pump. Nice clean vault toilet. Very quiet at night. Peaceful and beautiful. We've gone ever year for the last 5 years. Going again next year.
Highly recommend a satellite-based GPS unit like Garmin or TomTom in your car. I was serious when I said no phone signal so Google Maps ain't gonna' get you there.
- VVirginia B.Scout
Muskegon River Campground
Quiet and Personable
Very small campground with a quiet time at 10:00 am. The host and staff were beyond helpful and friendly. Only complaint - bathrooms were a good hike away from the tent/RV spots
- JJoeScout
The Campground
Fantastic Campground!
The campground is a small, family friendly campground that has a lot of activities for both adults and kids. It is clean, has level sites and well maintained facilities.
J B.TravelerTippy Dam State Recreation Area
Great time
The campsites are spacious and feature trails that lead directly to the Tippy Dam Backwater. There’s also convenient access for launching a boat on either the Manistee River or the backwaters side of the dam
- MMarie S.Traveler
Newaygo State Park Campground
Nice rustic getaway
I’ve read lots of reviews that were lukewarm about Newaygo, but we enjoyed our 3 day getaway. Ample activities in the area (hiking, disc golf, biking, swimming, kayaking, fishing, tubing and stargazing). And shopping and nice brewery in Newaygo. Most sites are large and separated from the next. The noise levels really dropped off in the evening. Will be back!!
Just J.Scout
Muskegon River Canoe Camp
A quiet spot on the Muskegon River
A great place for dispersed camping. Don't forget the bug spray! Only 20 minutes from town if you did! Great two weeks here!
galina M.Scout
School Section Lake Veteran's Park Campground
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- Kendra H.Traveler
White River Campsite #1
Dispersed camping area
This is the White River special area of the Manistee National Forest. While there are numbered campsites, there are no facilities or amenities. This is more suitable for tents or maybe small campers. Best access seems to be along 160th avenue south of Arthur road. The road seems a bit sketchy but should be okay for most vehicles. We explored the area while camping at nearby Pines Point campground.
- Kendra H.Traveler
Pines Point Campground
Great rustic+ spot, a family favorite
Pines Point is a rustic Manistee National Forest campground with some unique features. There are a small number of reservable sites in something of a group camping area but most sites are not reservable. The area is managed by concessionaire American Land and Leisure with an on-site resident manager. Current fee for camping is $24 per night. The campground is very beautiful in an out of the way wooded area along the White River. Some sites are located along the river on a low bluff, with a Riverside path and several stairways to access the river. Most sites are large and well separated from other sites by trees and underbrush. This is a rustic campground with no electric or other hookups. There are conveniently located water spigots with good volume and pressure located throughout the campground. One of the unique features however, is that there is a restroom building with flush toilets! There is a day use/picnic area adjacent to the campground that includes a canoe / kayak launch. This area also has a fee if you are not a registered camper. This leads us to the other unique feature of the campground, which is a "tuber's loop" on the river which leads from the canoe launch around a large peninsula containing the picnic area to a wellmarked takeout point where one can walk less than 50 yards back to the canoe launch to do it again! The float takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes through very scenic and wild section of river, the river is mostly rocky and shallow with a good current. The river is also popular for other kayak / canoe trips with multiple launch and take out points. There is no longer a kayak/canoe/tube rental service in the area, so bring your own! There is basically no cell service in the area of the campground. The nearby small town of Hesperia has a full service grocery, gas stations etc. in our experience the campground is raPines Point is a rustic Manistee National Forest campground with some unique features. There are a small number of reservable sites in something of a group camping area but most sites are not reservable. The area is managed by concessionaire American Land and Leisure with an on-site resident manager. Current fee for camping is $24 per night. The campground is very beautiful in an out of the way wooded area along the White River. Some sites are located along the river on a low bluff, with a Riverside path and several stairways to access the river. Most sites are large and well separated from other sites by trees and underbrush. This is a rustic campground with no electric or other hookups. There are conveniently located water spigots with good volume and pressure located throughout the campground. One of the unique features however, is that there is a restroom building with flush toilets! There is a day use/picnic area adjacent to the campground that includes a canoe / kayak launch. This area also has a fee if you are not a registered camper. This leads us to the other unique feature of the campground, which is a "tuber's loop" on the river which leads from the canoe launch around a large peninsula containing the picnic area to a wellmarked takeout point where one can walk less than 50 yards back to the canoe launch to do it again! The float takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes through very scenic and wild section of river, the river is mostly rocky and shallow with a good current. The river is also popular for other kayak / canoe trips with multiple launch and take out points. There is no longer a kayak/canoe/tube rental service in the area, so bring your own! There is basically no cell service in the area of the campground. The nearby small town of Hesperia has a full service grocery, gas stations etc. In our experience the campground is rarely full, except possibly for some holiday weekends. A side note, there is a free, dispersed camping area suitable for tents and maybe small campers along 160th Ave South of Arthur Rd. There are no services or amenities and the road is a bit sketchy, but it might be an option if Pines Point is full or you prefer more seclusion and no fees!
- Kasey J.Scout
Mecosta Pines Campground
Super Kid Friendly
We initially booked a site by the river, but once we saw the sites next to the playground, we knew we had to switch for our sanity and so our toddler could play. They were very accommodating with us and so friendly. There was so much for our 2 year old and 10 year old to do. We will definitely be back!
- KK H.Scout
The Woodland Shores Resort
Private beach, best sunsets you’ll ever see
It was a nice campground. Nestled in nature, quiet, clean, WiFi only at the clubhouse. Private beach with a steep paved walkway accessible across the street. Absolutely the best sunsets over Lake Michigan! Friendly staff, Pool was clean, refreshing, and hot tub as well. Game room for the kids. Various outdoor games-usual horseshoes, shuffleboard, basketball, small playground. Many, many, many speed bumps throughout. Firewood was wet. Other campers we talked to said it’s always wet, that they don’t buy it there. Spent $70 for weekend rate, I think it was $60? For weekday? Just for electric, water, no WiFi, 4 days. With all the campgrounds MI has to offer, this was a very nice campground, and would recommend it, but we personally look forward to exploring other options.
- MMatt B.Scout
Muskegon KOA
Awesome times
Crazy fun Sex Naked
- CCamper2022 L.Scout
Maple Grove Campground
Will return in the future
Ted and Jen have been doing improvements to maple grove camp ground, they have gotten new fire rings last year and got the road grated, this year there in the process of getting better internet out there which will be great for the whole camp ground and they leveled the camp sites out the best they could , the city of lake is always on top of mowing the field and play area, they always try to help their campers as much as they can. very quiet camp ground will always come back they are doing a better job then Ron and Deb ever did!
Guide to Big Rapids
Tent camping near Big Rapids, Michigan offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful retreat.
Tent campers should check out Leverentz Lake State Forest Campground
- Enjoy spacious sites with stunning lake views at Leverentz Lake State Forest Campground, perfect for a relaxing getaway.
- This campground features picnic tables and fire rings, making it ideal for evening gatherings around the fire.
- With nearby trails and access to drinking water, you’ll have everything you need for a comfortable camping experience.
Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $30
- At Bray Creek State Forest Campground, you can find rustic camping options that are budget-friendly, especially for families.
- The Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground offers a great family atmosphere with amenities like electric hookups and clean facilities, typically around $30 per night.
- For a unique experience, Pine Meadows provides glamping options that can be a bit pricier but offer a more luxurious camping experience.
Tips for tent camping near Big Rapids
- Bring a water filter for your stay at Condon Lake, as it’s a scenic spot with rustic amenities.
- If you’re looking for a quiet and secluded experience, consider Haymarsh State Game Area, where you can enjoy fishing and peaceful surroundings.
- Be prepared for a more rustic experience at Tubbs Lake Island State Forest Campground, which offers a unique setting with limited amenities but beautiful natural scenery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Big Rapids, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Big Rapids, MI is Leverentz Lake State Forest Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Big Rapids, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 46 tent camping locations near Big Rapids, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.