Best Campgrounds near Brooklyn, MI

Brooklyn, Michigan features a variety of campgrounds with both tent and RV sites throughout the Irish Hills region. Waterloo Recreation Area offers multiple camping options including cabins, yurts, and glamping sites within a 30-minute drive from Brooklyn. Closer to town, Ted Ranch Campground provides electric hookups and waterfront camping on a small lake, while W.J. Hayes State Park Campground on Wamplers Lake offers well-established sites with modern amenities. Michigan International Speedway (MIS) serves as a geographical anchor, with several campgrounds catering to race attendees.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with peak availability from May through October. Campground roads are generally accessible for vehicles of all types, though larger RVs may encounter challenges at some locations. "W.J. Hayes has some nice sites but if you're longer than 40ft be aware most sites will not work for you," noted one visitor. Advance reservations are strongly recommended during NASCAR race weekends and summer holidays, when campgrounds throughout the region reach capacity. Ted Ranch Campground, located across from MIS, fills quickly during race events but offers a quieter alternative to the track's infield camping.

Lakefront camping represents a significant draw in the region, with access to Wamplers Lake, Round Lake, and several smaller bodies of water. "Two lakes with good fishing, some sites are full sun. Many have great shade," shared one camper about W.J. Hayes State Park. Family-oriented campgrounds predominate, with amenities ranging from basic (portable toilets and primitive sites at Ted Ranch) to full-service facilities with electric hookups, modern bathhouses, and recreational features. Campers frequently mention swimming beaches, fishing opportunities, and boat launches as highlights. Wooded sites provide welcome shade during summer months, though some campgrounds feature more open, field-like settings with limited privacy between sites. Most established campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with water and electric hookups available at select locations.

Best Camping Sites Near Brooklyn, Michigan (125)

    1. W. J. Hayes State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Tipton, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (517) 467-7401

    "It has access to Wamplers Lake and there are several other lakes near by. The area is quiet and clean."

    "Very nice, lots to do in surrounding area. Lake is pretty. Nearby MIS. Hidden Lake Gardens are absolutely beautiful to wander around."

    2. Ted Ranch Campground

    6 Reviews
    Brooklyn, MI
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (517) 592-2434

    $25 / night

    "-My husband and I visit Ted Ranch every year for the NASAR race at Michigan International Speedway. This year, my review is changing a little bit."

    "This place is across the street from Michigan international speedway and sure beats fighting all the people/campers in the infield campgrounds!"

    3. Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern — Waterloo Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Chelsea, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (734) 475-8307

    "It is usually easy to get multiple sites next to each other with reservations.

    There is a decent sandy beach here with a playground and volleyball net."

    "There is an outside vault toilet behind the cabin. Lots of trails connecting the cabin to the rest of the park. Cheap too! Only $68 per night."

    4. Waterloo Portage Lake Modern — Waterloo Recreation Area

    12 Reviews
    Grass Lake, MI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (734) 475-8307

    "It is a bit of a walk to get to but is handicap accessible.
    There are two bathrooms throughout the loop and one at the beach."

    "A few bathrooms are located around the campground. The spaces are generous and the majority have electricity only. The lake has a little beach with sands. Nice place."

    5. Apple Creek Campground & RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Grass Lake, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (517) 522-3467

    "There is also nice walking/hiking trails connected right to the property. Our visit was for 2 days/3 nights.  Over half the sites are seasonal, so despite a lot of RVs, we saw very few people."

    "The group area is circular and surrounded by trees which helped to keep it cool. Each site had electric hook-up and some had water."

    6. Lake Hudson Recreation Area

    16 Reviews
    Clayton, MI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (517) 445-2265

    $20 - $150 / night

    "This small campground (about 40 sites) is well off the beaten path, but still easy to access by road. This is the perfect campground to get back to nature."

    "My site has a path right out to the lake. My 2p tent could easily fit on this lakeside spot but it is sadly much too windy on the lake today."

    7. Greenwood Acres Family Campground

    5 Reviews
    Grass Lake, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (517) 522-8600

    $35 - $75 / night

    "The campground offered a haunted trail, trick or treating and crafts for the kids."

    "Pool, lake, arcade, golf, ice cream parlor. Bathrooms are clean."

    8. Ja Do Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Tipton, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (517) 431-2111

    "Very friendly and family oriented the do activities right down the street from the lake and they make you feel like one big family :)"

    9. Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Chelsea, MI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (734) 475-8307

    "The lack of cover between sites gave everyone a nice view of the lake from our tents on our inland sites, which was beautiful."

    "I stayed at #6 and had a beautiful view of the lake. There is muddy lake access on that site and I paddled from there in my kayak. There is an official boat launch nearby."

    10. Holiday RV Campground

    5 Reviews
    Grass Lake, MI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (517) 522-5846

    "Playground near pool is nice, and there are 2 other playgrounds. Pool is very new. Owners and other campers very friendly.
    There is a small camp store and a very nice pool."

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Recent Reviews near Brooklyn, MI

554 Reviews of 125 Brooklyn Campgrounds


  • Elizabeth M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Hidden Lakes RV Resort

    Fantastic RV Park!

    We stayed here last weekend. It was quiet and relaxing. Easy parking for the 33ft RV. Camp store is well stocked. Staff were fantastic. You need yo camp here!

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Proud Lake Recreation Area

    Amazing

    You need to know that this place is so so clean! The grounds, the sites, the bathrooms and the showers are all impeccable. It is true we were there in the middle of the week, but I’ve stayed at plenty of places during the week where things have been less than desirable. Everyone was most pleasant and helpful and the view of the lake was beautiful. If the campground had been full we probably would not have been able to see the lake from our site.

  • Noel L.
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Harbortown RV Resort

    Great kid campground

    This campground has everything! Go carts, playground, disc golf, pool, ext... Just a one night stay to visit A friend. If you have kids it is perfect! Staff was nice and very helpful

  • Shelly The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Waterloo Portage Lake Modern — Waterloo Recreation Area

    Had a good time, a little crowded

    We stayed for the weekend tent camping, getting to the site was a little crowded (alot of kids on bikes) our site was pavement but had some space to set the tent on the grass. I seen alot of sites with trees for shade. The vista walkway was across from us, it led right to the beach concessions. The beach walkway is handicap accessible. The fishing pier is new, has two benches and tables for your stuff. It is a bit of a walk to get to but is handicap accessible.
    There are two bathrooms throughout the loop and one at the beach. The park workers walk around and tell you about the activities they have that day. We enjoyed our stay there is alot to do

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2025

    Camp Dearborn

    Great for all ages!

    Lots of beach area and water to fish or swim. Activities almost every night. Paddle boats, mini golf, golf, and more. Pull behind sites were easy to access. Staff are very helpful and responsive. There is a dump station on site.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Harrison Lake State Park Campground

    Nice place close to i90

    A lake to cool off in that’s not too far from the south loop sites. Modern toilets and showers. Open space camping on grass with strip of woods between sites and lake. Road on the other side that could use more trees and shrubs to block view and some noise. We prefer more woods like camping and more trails by the campsites so only four stars.

  • Toni B.
    Jul. 12, 2025

    Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area

    Booking was horrible

    So when I booked this camp site, I was originally looking at the Rustic camping on the app The Dyrt. The app brought me to the state park site, campsites looked beautiful and absolutely gorgeous for the rustic, it’s showed a picture of the bath house etc. Booked the site for the weekend because I’m catching up with a friend after awhile. Upon arrival, it leads us to this absolutely packed campground with sites directly ontop of each other, kids in the road the entire way through, parents not paying attention, absolute nightmare. It was in fact, it was the RV park. Not what I booked. We ended up talking to the office attendant, and booked at Green Lake Campground for the weekend, having to switch between 2 campsites over the weekend due to bookings. Overall just a very frustrating thing to deal with trying to get away for the weekend. Not the attendants fault, partially my fault, but also the state website as it is VERY unclear of the difference in camp grounds. Recommend the Rustic, stay away from the RV campsite that looked like an absolute hell scape if I’ve ever seen on.


Guide to Brooklyn

Campgrounds near Brooklyn, Michigan span from rustic sites with limited amenities to full-service facilities with modern conveniences. The terrain features rolling hills and multiple inland lakes across Lenawee, Jackson, and Washtenaw counties. Winter camping options exist, though most sites operate from April through October with peak temperatures ranging from 75-85°F in summer and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

What to do

Dark sky viewing: Lake Hudson Recreation Area serves as a designated dark sky preserve perfect for stargazing. "Lake Hudson is a dark sky preserve full of trees, nature and a beautiful lake... We saw one cute racoon who ran away when I reacted," shared one visitor to Lake Hudson Recreation Area.

Visit local attractions: The Irish Hills area offers activities beyond the campground. "Needed a quick weekend getaway, and found this place. Very nice, lots to do in surrounding area. Lake is pretty. Nearby MIS. Hidden Lake Gardens are absolutely beautiful to wander around," notes a camper at W. J. Hayes State Park Campground.

Hiking trails: Multiple trail systems connect throughout the recreation areas. "We went on both east and west sides of the waterloo-pickney trail, located off the Campground access road. I believe it was the west trail after Cassidy road we experienced some steep inclines," explains a visitor to Green Lake Rustic Campground.

Water activities: Fishing, kayaking and swimming are popular across multiple lakes. "There is a lake with a small beach. A playground for kids. Short wooded trails for walks," mentions a camper at Ted Ranch Campground.

What campers like

Lake access: Multiple campgrounds feature waterfront sites. "Green Lake is the rustic campground on the east end of the area. No electricity, 3 privies, a water pump, and a boat launch," explains a reviewer about Green Lake Rustic Campground.

Family entertainment: Scheduled activities keep children engaged. "The park workers walk around and tell you about the activities they have that day. We enjoyed our stay there is alot to do," notes a camper at Waterloo Portage Lake Modern.

Site privacy: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options. "We stayed in a tent on site 32, this was a very nice campground, peaceful, with trails and ample shade. Campsites were decently sized, fire pits were big, $5 per bundle of dry wood," reports a visitor to Hayes State Park.

Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses rate highly among campers. "Like all the state park this is very clean and well maintained. A few bathrooms are located around the campground. The spaces are generous and the majority have electricity only," comments a reviewer at Waterloo Portage Lake Modern.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: State park campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "I would recommend getting a reservation before showing up. They have laminated signs posted on the campsites to let you know which ones are taken... most weekends are booked solid," advises a camper at Green Lake Rustic.

Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby attractions or highways. "We like to camp with a little less noise and partying than the race track campgrounds have, so again, we stayed at Ted Ranch. We stayed Thursday night and I only slept a few hours because it was so loud!" reports one camper.

Limited amenities: Rustic campgrounds require more self-sufficiency. "Our camper is self contained so this campground was a test of just how well all the systems work... There was only 1 hand pump that I saw for all the campers to get water from," explains a Lake Hudson visitor.

Seasonal variations: Crowds differ dramatically by season. "This is a wonderful campsite to check out in the off season, it does fill up quickly when camping season kicks off and spots are very close together," notes a Green Lake Rustic camper.

Tips for camping with families

Scheduled activities: Many campgrounds offer organized entertainment. "Lots of fun activities for the kids, hayrides, slip and slide, playground and a whole rustic area to explore while you search for leprechauns," explains a visitor at Ja Do Park Campground.

Swimming options: Beach areas vary in quality between locations. "The beach and water is full of litter. Boat launch was big with plenty of parking. We launched kayaks and paddled over to the swim area," cautions a camper at Hayes State Park.

Playground access: Multiple play areas suit different age groups. "They have a pool and a volleyball area as well as a playground. There is also nice walking/hiking trails connected right to the property," notes a visitor to Apple Creek Campground.

Site selection tips: Choose specific sites for better experiences. "I suggest sites 93-96 for more private/shaded sites," advises a Hayes State Park camper based on personal experience.

Tips from RVers

Electrical service: Availability varies significantly between campgrounds. "We have been to this campground twice now. The property is very well maintained with a nice park and clean bathrooms. The trees offer shade, but are spaced out enough that a group can pull their campers around for privacy," notes a visitor to Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern.

Site size constraints: Large RVs face limitations at certain campgrounds. "LONG RV's 31'+ would fit in a lot of the sites, but sites say up to 30'. We had approx 40-45' space from road to treeline," reports a Lake Hudson camper.

Hookup locations: Electric box placement requires planning. "Extension or long electrical cords may be needed, as boxes are at back end and halfway to next site over," advises another Lake Hudson visitor.

Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide on-site dumping. "There is no dump station at the campground, but down the road a few miles is a gas station named Yoder's and you can dump for free," explains a Ted Ranch camper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ted Ranch Campground in Brooklyn worth visiting based on reviews?

Based on available information, there aren't sufficient reviews specifically for Ted Ranch Campground to make a definitive assessment. As an alternative, consider Waterloo Recreation Area, which offers well-maintained sites and is conveniently located for visitors wanting to explore the Brooklyn area while still enjoying natural surroundings. For those seeking rustic camping, Green Lake Rustic Campground offers generously sized sites without much privacy between them, but provides a more primitive camping experience.

What amenities does USA 2 Go Brooklyn Market/Campground offer?

Limited information is available about USA 2 Go Brooklyn Market/Campground's specific amenities. For reliable amenities in the Brooklyn area, consider Pleasant Lake, which offers beach access within walking distance of campsites, though be aware that there are few nearby stores for essentials. Alternatively, Apple Creek Campground & RV Park provides water hookups and toilet facilities in a convenient location. It's always best to call ahead to confirm current amenities before planning your trip.

What are the best campgrounds in Brooklyn, Michigan?

The Brooklyn area offers several excellent camping options. W. J. Hayes State Park Campground is a top choice with level sites, water access, and clean facilities. For a more secluded experience, Lake Hudson Recreation Area provides private sites separated by young forest, creating a natural atmosphere while remaining accessible by road. The campground is relatively small with about 40 sites, making it perfect for those seeking a quiet getaway while still being close to local attractions.