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Best Campgrounds near Clare, MI

319 Reviews

Clare, Michigan and the surrounding area feature several established campgrounds with varying amenities and settings. Herrick Recreation Area provides spacious, wooded campsites with electric hookups, shared water access, and a lake for swimming and fishing. Countryside Campground & Cabins offers 74 sites with full hookups for RVs, while also accommodating tent campers and providing cabin rentals. Pettit Park Campground, located within Clare's city limits, offers water and electric hookups with convenient access to downtown amenities. Most campgrounds in the region support multiple accommodation types including tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals.

Camping season in the Clare area typically runs from May through October, with most facilities closing during winter months. The region experiences typical Michigan seasonal variations with warm summers and cold winters. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak summer weekends and holidays. Facilities range from rustic state forest campgrounds with vault toilets and water pumps to more developed sites with full hookups, showers, and dump stations. Cell service is generally reliable near established campgrounds. As one camper noted, "This is a really good family campground in the middle of Michigan. Campsites are spacious and wooded. The small town of Clare is nearby with groceries, ice cream, restaurants and gas."

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for many campers in the region. Several campgrounds provide lake access for swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. Herrick Recreation Area features a lake with swimming areas and places to launch kayaks. Wilson State Park Campground offers beach access and boat tie-ups. Campers frequently mention the peaceful settings and family-friendly environments as highlights. Reviews indicate that sites with shade and proximity to water tend to be most popular. A visitor described their experience at a nearby state forest campground as "a nice peaceful time but can still stay connected if you need to get some work done in between your forays into the woods or out onto the lake." The region balances natural settings with reasonable access to amenities, making it suitable for various camping styles and preferences.

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Best Camping Sites Near Clare, Michigan (152)

    1. Herrick Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Clare, MI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 386-2010

    $15 - $25 / night

    "This is a really good family campground in the middle of Michigan. Campsites are spacious and wooded. There is a lake for swimming ability to fish and put in a kayak."

    "(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."

    2. Countryside Campground & Cabins

    6 Reviews
    Farwell, MI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 539-5468

    $49 - $150 / night

    "Pretty nice RV park in the middle of Michigan."

    "Sites around#40 are spacious and shaded all day which was awesome. No mats allowed but it was great as the grass is green and lush. Store has apparel, camping tools, and ice cream."

    3. Pettit Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Clare, MI
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (989) 386-7541

    "Near downtown Clare, nice park with pavilions, no reservations needed. Sites are within the city’s park so there’s local traffic."

    4. Isabella County Herrick Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Clare, MI
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 386-2010

    "They come around 3 or 4 times a day, if you need wood, just flag them down and they will deliver it ($5/bundle)."

    5. Mud Lake State Forest Campground

    8 Reviews
    Lake, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 775-9727

    $20 / night

    "The sites have decent distance between them and vary from tucked into the trees (away from the lake) or more open (near the lake)."

    "It is located off the beaten path in the middle of nowhere, down a couple of well-marked dirt roads about 20 miles from the highway. There are only 8 sites, but each site is spacious."

    6. Wilson State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Farwell, MI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 539-3021

    $25 / night

    "Unfortunately, it's bordered on 2 sides by 2 major roads, Old 27 and Townline Lake Rd, and Harrison is loaded with people who think "no exhaust" equals "cool car", and are happy to show you just how big"

    "The campsites next to the road can be a little loud with road noise. The fairgrounds are across the street as well, so if there is an event going on, wear your ear plugs!"

    7. Hidden Hill Family Campground

    3 Reviews
    Farwell, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 539-9372

    $30 - $55 / night

    8. River Valley RV Park

    1 Review
    Gladwin, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 386-7844

    "River borders the campground. Rentals of boats, paddle boards, fishing boats, paddle boats and banana bikes. Nice camp store. WiFi."

    9. Calhoun City Campground

    2 Reviews
    Beaverton, MI
    13 miles
    Website

    10. Gladwin City Park & Campground

    4 Reviews
    Gladwin, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 426-8126

    "It attaches to the city’s river walk which makes walking into town safe and easy. Nice playground area."

    "This is a very nice city park, nice play area, tennis and basketball courts, trails, river with beach area, pavilions, two bath houses, lots of shaded sites with a couple right on river, there’s a local"

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Recent Camping Photos near Clare, MI

160 Photos of 152 Clare Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Clare, MI

319 Reviews of 152 Clare Campgrounds

  • Linda C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Spruce Road Pulloff Dispersed

    Good night’s sleep

    Access to meadow is blocked but enough room to pull safely off the road. No fire ring. Bullet casings present. Road was very quiet midweek.

  • l
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Black Creek State Forest Campground

    Black Creek State Forest Campground

    Pull up, grab a registration envelope, look for a spot then part. Fill out the registration. Put one portion of it on the clip at the spot number market, keep another portion then return the completed envelope and $20 cash or check per night plus $19 for Michigan recreation passport (if you don’t already have one). They will mail you the passport, keep receipt for proof. Vault toilets available, some river spots, some secluded spots, clean. Saw DNR in the morning checking on everything.

  • Melissa H.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Bay City State Park Campground

    Bustling, clean and friendly

    Easy friendly check-in. Firewood prices are cheaper than on roads in. Small and large bags of ice at a good price. Great for families. Clean facilities. They do spray for mosquitoes, so that wasn't too bad at all even in the heat of August. We stayed at 106, the description was on point, level and shaded. Campers were super friendly. We had no complaints about the campground itself but it would be nice if there was an RV lights out policy at night. It's really hard to sleep in a tent when your neighbors RV "porch" light is on literally all night shining in the tent while your neighbors are sound asleep in RV. We had to ask our neighbors politely to turn their outside LED light strips off the second night. They were great about it but, didn't seem to realize it would bother tent campers next to them.

  • Deb M.
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Bay City State Park Campground

    Crowded and inconvenient

    So, this campground looks nice at first, with lots of trees on the sites. However, once you really start looking at them, none have a camping pad, so it’s random parking on the grass. Lots of moving around to get your electric hooked up to the shared and oddly placed power poles. Make sure to come with an extension cord - one member of our party had their power halfway into their neighbor’s site through a bunch of bushes. The sites near the entrance are very crowded together and filled with large loud groups. (please don’t park any extra vehicles hanging out over the road…) And cleaning the bathrooms at 8:30 and 9:30 in the MORNING? Bummer for tenters. It’s ok for a quick stop, but wouldn’t want to stay here too long. I would expect better from a State Park.

  • Kristin Z.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Paddle Brave Canoe Livery & Campground

    Clean, Friendly, and Perfect River Tubing Trip

    We stayed at PaddleBrave this past weekend and couldn’t be happier with our experience. We rented Cabin 1 and the campsite directly across from it, and from start to finish, everything was fantastic.

    The owner and staff were incredibly friendly, accommodating, and had excellent communication both during the reservation process and throughout our stay. The sites and camp bathrooms were the cleanest I’ve ever seen, and the staff went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable.

    The gift shop was a nice bonus, offering fresh coffee for just $1 every morning and stocking plenty of essentials in case you forgot something at home. Downtown Roscommon is only about 6 minutes away, making it easy to pop into town.

    We also did the 4-hour tubing trip and rented tubes from Paddlebrave—it couldn’t have gone better. The river was beautiful and the whole experience was smooth and well-organized.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2025

    River Ridge RV Resort

    Nobody could help us

    Fri night 6 pm the office was closed, guard shack was closed. The girl at the convenience store, said come back Monday, maybe they would be open

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Pettit Park Campground

    City park

    Water and electric and a dump station. Near downtown Clare, nice park with pavilions, no reservations needed. Sites are within the city’s park so there’s local traffic.

  • linda F.
    Jul. 19, 2025

    Snow Lake Kampground

    There are to many rules to keep up with.

    This campground used to be great. I don't know what happened I believe they have so many seasonal that they have become the bread and butter. Don't seem to care bout weekender. Every time you turn around there's another rule and/ or fee. It has gotten to the point we no longer enjoy the place. We will never come back! I understand having rules but this is ridiculous. They advertise all these amenities but ya got to pay for it all as well as the site rental. They have gone downhill in customer service. The office staff is very rude as well as the campground seasonal that patrol and watch your every move.

  • Andrew F.
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Big Bend Park

    Would not recommend

    Would not recommend. Upkeep is minimal and cleanliness is almost non-existent. Rules are rarely enforced and seasonal campers think they are above the law.

Guide to Clare

Camping near Clare, Michigan, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or a place to enjoy outdoor adventures, there are several campgrounds that cater to different tastes.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails at Bay City State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "The campground usually clean and patrolled. Showers/restrooms are good, cleaned twice a day." This park has trails that are perfect for both hiking and biking.

  • Fishing and Swimming: At North Higgins Lake State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and swimming. A visitor shared, "The lake is amazing and would definitely go back!" It's a great spot for water activities.

  • Disc Golf and Stargazing: Check out Newaygo State Park Campground for disc golf and stargazing. One camper said, "Ample activities in the area (hiking, disc golf, biking, swimming, kayaking, fishing, tubing and stargazing)."

What campers like:

  • Quiet and Clean Campgrounds: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness and quietness of places like Sherman City Acres. One happy camper noted, "If you enjoy camping without the crowd, this is an ideal location."
  • Large Campsites: Campers at Bay City State Park Campground enjoy spacious sites. A reviewer mentioned, "Most sites are good, though some have slopes to them. Choose carefully."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often rave about the friendly hosts at places like Coolwater on the Pine River Campground. One visitor said, "The new owners have only had this place for about 8 months... super nice owners."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially during busy weekends. A camper at North Higgins Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground was located right next to a busy road. So, there was road noise through the night."
  • Reservation Challenges: Popular spots like South Higgins Lake State Park Campground can be hard to book. One camper said, "It's impossible to get a spot somehow they’re already booked before they even allowed to be booked."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Devoe Lake Rustic Campground, have fewer amenities. A visitor noted, "The sites require a reservation... Not somewhere you can just pay for on spot."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds and Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds, like Bay City State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Great newer playscape and splash pad (!) for the kids."
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids near water. A camper at Wabasis Lake County Park said, "The lake access was extremely busy."
  • Plan for Wildlife: Be prepared for raccoons and other wildlife. A visitor at Wabasis Lake County Park warned, "Lots and lots of raccoons, that aren’t shy at all!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of the sites before booking. A camper at North Higgins Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "Sites are ok sized, bathroom was clean."
  • Bring Extension Cords: Some sites may require extension cords for electric hookups. A visitor at Bay City State Park Campground noted, "Recommend to have extension cord for some sites, as plug in can be far."
  • Book Early: Popular campgrounds fill up fast, so book your spot well in advance. A camper at South Higgins Lake State Park Campground said, "You will want one of the sites closer to the lake."

Camping near Clare, Michigan, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Clare, MI from Grand Rapids and other major Michigan cities?

Clare is centrally located in Michigan, making it accessible from several major cities. From Grand Rapids to Clare is approximately 90 miles, typically a 1.5-hour drive east on US-131 and US-10. Detroit is about 160 miles (2.5 hours) southeast via I-75 and US-127. Lansing is roughly 80 miles (1.5 hours) south via US-127. For those traveling from northern Michigan, North Higgins Lake State Park Campground makes a good stopover point, located about 45 miles north of Clare. Likewise, Mitchell State Park Campground in Cadillac is approximately 55 miles northwest of Clare, providing another convenient option when traveling to/from the western side of the state.

What are the best campgrounds near Clare, Michigan?

Clare offers several excellent camping options nearby. Pettit Park Campground is conveniently located just 0.5 miles from downtown Clare, offering electric hookups, fire rings, and a nice pavilion in a city park setting. For a more rustic experience, Mud Lake State Forest Campground features eight non-reservable sites with decent spacing between them. Some sites offer lake views or direct lake access via small paths. In the broader Clare area, you'll also find Herrick Recreation Area with spacious wooded sites and lake access for swimming and kayaking, plus several state forest campgrounds offering peaceful natural settings.

What amenities are available at Pettit Park in Clare, MI?

Pettit Park Campground in Clare offers basic amenities for a comfortable camping experience. The park provides water and electric hookups at campsites, along with a dump station for RVs. Each site comes equipped with fire rings for campfires. The park features a nice pavilion and is part of a larger city park with recreational facilities. Located just 0.5 miles from downtown Clare, campers have easy access to additional services and restaurants. The campground operates on a first-come, self-serve basis with no reservations required. While the park has local traffic passing through as it's within the city limits, its convenient location makes it an excellent base for exploring Clare and the surrounding area.

Are there RV rentals or camper rentals available in Clare, Michigan?

While Clare itself has limited RV rental options, several alternatives exist in the surrounding area. River Valley RV Park near Gladwin (approximately 25 miles from Clare) is RV-friendly and may offer rental information. About 40 miles northwest in Cadillac, Rvino - Camp Cadillac provides full hookup sites and might have connections to local rental services. For those bringing their own RVs, Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground offers RV-friendly sites with lake access, though be prepared with extra hoses and extension cords as utilities can be some distance from certain sites. Consider contacting these campgrounds directly for current rental availability or referrals to local RV rental businesses.

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