Oakland County offers several glamping options near Birmingham, Michigan, with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,060 feet above sea level across the region. The area experiences warm summers with average temperatures of 70-85°F from June through August, while spring and fall bring mild temperatures ideal for outdoor recreation. Several parks maintain year-round accessibility with heated cabin and yurt options during winter months when temperatures typically range from 20-35°F.
What to do
Water recreation options: At Proud Lake Recreation Area, visitors can access multiple water activities. "Great lake to kayak on. Trails to hike on! We will go again for sure!" mentions Debra B. The park features "a boat launch and a canoe/kayak livery on site," according to John F., making it convenient for visitors to enjoy the Huron River.
Mountain biking trails: Holly Recreation Area offers numerous well-maintained trails for cyclists. "This is a giant recreation area that features a campground, 3 lakes, tons of trails, and even a splash zone for kids," notes Kate K. The trails range from beginner to intermediate difficulty levels with some technical sections.
Disc golf courses: Addison Oaks County Park features a complete disc golf course through wooded terrain. "I enjoyed the trails, disc golf and overall wonderful Park staff! Extremely clean and well-kept," explains Joe S. The course includes both open field and wooded holes with varying elevations.
Winter activities: Many parks remain open year-round with seasonal events. "We stayed at this campground on and off for roughly 3 weeks staying mostly at the Cedar cabin but we also tent camped as well," shares Stephanie H. about Holly Recreation Area, highlighting its multi-season accessibility.
What campers like
Clean facilities: The bathhouse quality receives consistent praise at many locations. At Proud Lake Recreation Area, Laura M. notes, "You need to know that this place is so so clean! The grounds, the sites, the bathrooms and the showers are all impeccable." This attention to cleanliness enhances the glamping experience near Birmingham.
Secluded sites: Camp Dearborn offers various site options with different privacy levels. Mary W. explains, "The sites were very nice, and so were the bathrooms. Lights is fun activities for the kids for halloween. Lots of rules to follow, but the place has a nice atmosphere overall."
Spacious camping areas: Many parks provide larger sites than typically found at commercial campgrounds. At Blind Lake Rustic Campground, Jason H. recommends, "The best site to get is site B3. It was perfect," while mentioning that "trails are well maintained and offer varied terrain." Some sites now feature hammock posts for additional comfort.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Groveland Oaks County Park stands out for its child-oriented amenities. Andrea K. shares, "There were many activities for everyone to do, especially for the kids. I don't believe the cabins are pet friendly though." The park balances natural settings with recreational facilities.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites book quickly, especially during peak seasons. "This campground has easy access to the beach on Lake Erie. There are full hookups as well as power only sites," explains Edward C. about Sterling State Park, recommending early bookings.
Seasonal limitations: Some facilities close during winter months. At the Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park, Mike M. discovered, "I arrived for a 2 week stay in the area on 11/12. I discovered this campground was closed for the season," highlighting the importance of checking operational dates.
Weather considerations: Sites with limited tree cover can become hot during summer. "Nice campground. Paved sites. Some are pretty secluded. Downside is that the campground and stuff to do, are far apart," notes Ethan R. about Holly Recreation Area, suggesting bringing bicycles to navigate larger properties.
Noise levels: Proximity to highways affects some camping experiences. Jennifer O. noted at Addison Oaks, "The only real negative I have is that for each group site there is a single fire pit. This made cooking, sitting around the fire, and many other things quite difficult." Group sites often have different amenities than individual sites.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Bishop Lake Campground offers special attractions for children. "Such a cool place to enjoy with the kids, we had a blast at Jump Island!" shares Jillian E. Jump Island costs $15 for a 45-minute session, with coupons sometimes available on Facebook.
Site selection: Choose locations based on amenities needed for children. "The campground has a large beach, boat rentals, bike paths plus a BMX area and several playgrounds. Most of the activities (IE beach and rentals) open Memorial Day," notes Carol W. about Groveland Oaks County Park.
Off-season benefits: Shoulder seasons provide more availability and quieter experiences. "I stayed in the rustic Aspen loop and it was fine for early season but come peak season, the sites lack privacy and are kind of small," explains Ashleigh M. about Holly Recreation Area, suggesting early spring visits for more solitude.
Bathroom proximity: Consider distance to facilities when camping with young children. Mary W. notes about Camp Dearborn, "Very large campgrounds... Quite the walk to the showers if you're staying up on the hill," indicating that site selection affects convenience.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Water and electric connections vary by site and park. "We stayed in area A in a water/electric site. It was a Boo Fest weekend. Lots of socially distanced activities for the kids and a scavenger hunt," shares Tim & Nancy C. about Addison Oaks County Park, noting the 26 miles of bike trails.
Site leveling: Many parks feature paved or concrete pads for easier setup. Ron E. describes Addison Oaks: "Nice quick weekend retreat campground. Cement pads, water, and electric. Loop C is spacious with some trees." The cement pads simplify RV leveling and stabilization.
Driving accessibility: Different loops accommodate various RV sizes. At Oakland County Addison Oaks, Richard T. notes, "This is the second time staying in these campgrounds in two weeks. Both times stayed in the more wilderness area D with lots of trees and sites for tents or back-in trailers." Area selection impacts the camping experience significantly.
Dump station locations: Know where to find sanitation facilities. "The park has a dump station located in the middle of the park which is easy to get to. The roads are wide and a lack of trees makes this campground accessible for any size RV," explains Nancy W. about Wayne County Fairgrounds, highlighting practical considerations for RV travelers visiting the Birmingham area.
