Best Tent Camping near Clare, MI

Recent Tent Reviews near Clare, MI

304 Reviews of 24 Clare Campgrounds

• j

  jaimie

  Scout

  

  May. 24, 2019

  Coldwater Lake Family Park

  Great place to camp

  This was a great place to camp! Spot was on the lake, had plenty of spots to park an RV or tent camp, and had a playground for kids. Would recommend!

• G

  Gabrielle S.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 20, 2021

  Snow Lake Kampground

  Family centered

  Each rv/trailer site is full hookup! Has both 50&30 amp. Tent sites also have water and electric. Has a pool, hot tub, mini golf, shuffleboard, and so much more! A quiet, relaxing place to get away from city noise.

• 

  LE E.

  Traveler

  

  May. 14, 2022

  Rose Lake Park

  Nice park beautiful location

  Decent sized and private sites. Clean restrooms, cute camp store. Nice beach and boat ramp. We’ve stayed here several times(both with our 5th wheel and just tent camping) and enjoy it. Staff could use some improvements- can be rude, unprofessional. Nice dog run for my mutts and mini golf course(has basketball, baseball, volleyball courts too). Overall, beautiful park.

• D

  David M.

  Traveler

  

  Nov. 25, 2023

  Veterans Memorial Park

  nice Inexpensive village campground

  I tent camped there July 2023 and the site was $20.  The campground host was a very nice and helpful lady.  There are electric at the sites and there were water supply spigots throughout the park.  They do have free wifi, but it is very weak by the river sites.  It is strongest near where the camp host is since the antenna is behind her camper.  There was an old wifi access point plugged into my site's electrical outlet, but it was inoperative.  Cell signal is good there though so it wasn't a big deal to me.  Since I was tent camping I cannot attest to what size RVs and electrical amperage they have.  The showers and rest rooms are locked at night.  Just ask the campground host and she will lend you a key for the night.  In addition to the main camping loop, there are about 12 river RV sites near the fairgrounds.  It was fairly quiet being a week day.  Just leave your trash in a bag near the lane and she will pick it up when she makes her rounds in her golf cart.  A grocery store and a convenience store are across the road.    You can book a site online via the village's website at https://marionmichigan.org/campground/  According to a google search the phone number is  231-667-0100.  If that number is not valid the village office's phone number is 231-743-6801

• 

  Mark H.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 22, 2016

  Riverbend Campground & Canoe Rental

  Cheap sites, lots of extras!

  The campsites are purely for tent camping and are around 20'x40'. We went with a group and fit four tents on one site with a picnic table and fire pit for less than $10 each. There is a large bath house with showers, a pavilion/picnic area, where they sometimes have a DJ at night. And there's a really nice open area and playground for the kids. The front store /check-in desk has some supplies for while you're there, and they also offer canoe/tubing/kayak trips with transport, directly from the grounds. We had a great time and plan on going back again.

• 

  Kitty B.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 27, 2020

  Outdoor Adventures Rifle River Resort Campground

  Terrible Excuse for a “Resort”

  They charge per person, so I paid $75 for my boyfriend and I to tent camp on the river for the 2 night minimum required. They are money grubbers who charge per person then put multiple parties on one site. Firewood available on site is soaking wet so had a lot of issues getting a fire started. Not much to do at the campground unless you want to pay an arm and a leg to rent one of their watercraft. Staff is incredibly rude and unhelpful. Everything they offer is an extra charge. Will not be returning here ever again.

• 

  Sarah K.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 30, 2018

  Newaygo State Park Campground

  If you like rustic, this is the place for you!

  My husband and I have been going to Newaygo State Park for over 20 years. We started out tent camping and now have a pop camper. The thing we love most about this campground is the spacious site and that it is truly rustic with vault toilets and hand pumped water. Our kids also love this campground. They get to explore by themselves and there is plenty for them to do and keep busy. There is a playground, hiking trails, swimming area, geocaching, fishing, kayaking but the best part is the disc golf course. We spend a lot of time playing on the disc golf course. Have fun and just enjoy the outdoors.

• 

  Sarah S.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 26, 2019

  Bay City State Park Campground

  Amazing weekend for the kids!

  This is one of the best campgrounds for kids that I've ever visited!!!

  The campground itself is beautifully laid out and maintained. It features roughly a 150 some odd sites ranging from tent sites to RV and cabins. Each site has a cement fire ring and electric hookup. There are communal water spickets generously scattered around the grounds. The bathrooms and showers are very clean. They are closed an hour a day for thourgho cleaning and restocked and wiped down in the late evening. They have one large group camp area, but it is for organizational reservations only (as most of them are). Howeve, there is a cul-de-sac of 5 or 6 (I can't remember) sites off by itself. Those sites are very large (except the one on the end, which of course we had reserved for the weekend) and have huge space between them. There is also an additional parking pad there for overflow. Though they're not a sanctioned group site these would be perfect for it. We've already planned to reserve these sites next year for our large (35+people) family camp weekend. The drive around the campground is all paved and very long, so be sure to bring your bikes!!

  Now for the amusements and conveniences. . . . . There is a small playground in the campground, but you have to cut through campsites to reach it. There are trails for hiking around the wider state park area as well as a few that lead across the street to the swim area and day park. Take a 2 min walk from the camp office across to the day park and you'll find the Spray by the Bay splash pad, a huge timber playground, beautiful sandy beach along Lake Huron, sandy swim area, geocaching, pavilions, well kept bathrooms and changing rooms. We spent all day at the park with 4 kids 6yrs and under and not a single on of them complained of being bored.

  They have campground hosts that facilitate free activities organized by the park. We did a kids craft and enjoyed hot cocoa or coffee Saturday morning and then returned after dinner for Back-to-School bingo and popcorn. See pic of the August schedule for a better idea of what was offered.

  They sold ice and wood at the camp office and there was an ice cream place next door to the park. It's a 5 min walk from the park office.

  We didn't have to leave the park once all weekend. It was so relaxing to have everything we needed on hand and not have to run out for things.

  One final note: there were quite a few May Flies. According to the park office they're pretty much there all summer. They weren't bad at the campground except at night around the bathrooms. We walked over to the day park before breakfast one morning and the playground was covered with them. As the day got hotter and the playground got busier there were hardly any, but that morning visit was rough. We actually abandoned the playground till later in the day.

• S

  Sue B.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 10, 2019

  Herrick Recreation Area

  Great stay

  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. Sites have electric with shared water. Campground registration is efficient and friendly. Wood can be purchased at the campground. The small town of Clare is nearby with groceries, ice cream, restaurants and gas.

• 

  Jennifer H.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 2, 2020

  Pettit Park Campground

  Tiny City Park

  This is a first come, self serve City Park. There is a very nice pavilion and park. It is only .5 miles from downtown Clare. They have fire rings and electric hook up. I did not see water spigots, but maybe I just didnt find them. If you are looking for a convenient overnight stay it would be a good stop. But I would not stay here for an extended visit. Signs say stay at your own risk, they are not cleaning the bathroom facilities for COVID.

• 

  Gary D.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 20, 2022

  Ogemaw County Park West Branch RV Park

  Pulled off road for a quick overnight

  Needed a tent sight for 3 pup tents motorcycle camping. Nice quiet secluded campground in the woods. Nice clean baths and showers. $25 for tent $35 RVs pull threw.

• b

  bailey

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 5, 2022

  Higgins Lake-Roscommon KOA

  Good experience

  We tented at this campground. Good location, decent bathrooms.

• D

  Dayna S.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 1, 2021

  The Lost Oak's Campground

  Going back for sure

  This place was so cute and the owners were very friendly. I tented with my 2 kids here for the weekend and will be going back for sure 😁

• b

  bailey

  Traveler

  

  Apr. 15, 2023

  Bay City State Park Campground

  Loved this location

  Campground was perfect for tenting. Right by bathrooms and they were very clean. Short walk to the beach!

• 

  Brittany B.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 13, 2018

  Bay City State Park Campground

  RV heavy, busier area, good walking trails and kid friendly

  Not a great place to tent. Great place to stay with a small camper or RV if passing through Bay City or going to an event. Beach is not the most sanitary.

• w

  wanda

  Scout

  

  Sep. 3, 2021

  Trout Lake

  Peaceful

  Pure Michigan

• 

  Amanda L.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 9, 2018

  Brower Park Campground

  Large Family Fun Campground

  There is something for everyone here. Tent, camper, or RV and fun for all ages with everything from 3 playgrounds, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and tennis courts, to a boat launch, fishing pier, and fish cleaning station. There is also a fairly large swimming area. The showers are actually nice and clean! The restrooms were surprisingly clean and modern as well. Firewood is available in bundles or loose and you stack it yourself. There are numerous picnic areas throughout the campground. There are picnic tables and fire rings at every site and hook up such as electric and water vary. Kids are riding their bikes all over, fishing, playing at playgrounds, the beach, everywhere. Everyone was very friendly. You probably don’t necessarily need a sleeping pad or air mat if you’re in a tent, but they’re always nice. The mosquitos weren’t bad at all! We stayed at site #226. You do need a county park pass, $6/day until 10pm or $25/year.

• 

  Christina M.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 23, 2019

  South Higgins Lake State Park Campground

  Great campground on a great lake!

  Stayed here before the 4th of July for the weekend and was really impressed with the facilities and size of spaces at the campground. For being such a busy campground (since there is a boat launch) the sites are still quite large! We were able to fit 2 large tents, a small tent, 2 cars, 1 boat trailer and a sun shade for our gear with plenty of room to spare.

  The restrooms (which I am told were recently renovated) were very clean.

  The beaches were well maintained and plenty of space to moor boats overnight.

  In addition to the boat launch there is also a camp store down the road with tons of snacks, camping gear/utensils, and Higgins lake souvenirs.

  I will definitely return again! Be sure to catch a sunset from the campground beaches, you won’t regret it!

  If you aren't familiar with this lake it is extremely clear (see video) and very large, there are 2 sandbar areas which are very popular providing 3-4 feet water to hangout in.

• H

  Heather Q.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 1, 2019

  Brower Park Campground

  Beautiful County Park

  Brower Park is a quiet campground with three separate areas with sites. They accommodate large RVs as well as smaller trailers and tents. Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table. Electricity and water hookup is included at each site. Our site was near the Muskegon River and was very peaceful. Bathrooms and showers were clean and easily accessible.

• J

  Jeri

  Traveler

  

  Jan. 16, 2022

  Goose Lake State Forest Campground

  If you go anywhere, go here!

  Look up beauty. By definition, Michigan will come up! By location, Goose Creek SFC.

• E

  Edmund P.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 25, 2020

  South Higgins Lake State Park Campground

  Beautiful Park

  One of my favorite parks in Michigan. Beautiful beaches and always a fun week during Harvest Fest!

• 

  Janessa L.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 23, 2020

  River Country Campground and Livery

  Weekend Getaway

  A friend and I stayed two nights in a tent. The campground is on the smaller side. You mostly see campers and RVs, many who stay seasonally. It felt like a community where everyone knows each other well. The couple on the neighboring campsite were incredibly friendly, offering help with fire starters and a hammer to pound down the stakes on our tent.

  Our site had a fire pit, picnic table and electric hookup we used to charge cell phones. There wasn’t much shade but there are other shady sites in the campground.

  While the river site was scenic, mosquitoes were of course having a feast! There was a play area for the kids, volleyball net and horseshoe pit. The camp store had the basics with hard pack ice cream for sale. There’s also a game room off the camp store with pool, ping pong and laundry room for longer visits.

  You’re able to rent a tube, kayak or canoe to cruise down the Muskegon River. They were kind enough to shuttle us to the drop off point a couple of miles away.

  There is a restroom/shower building that’s kept quite clean. The ladies room had three separate showers and I never had to wait for a turn during my stay.

  It’s definitely a family campground so if you’re looking for a quiet camping trip, this place is perfect. It’s a bit far from the Detroit area for a weekend but I’d definitely return for a longer stay.

• D

  Danielle C.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 4, 2019

  Haymarsh State Game Area

  Cozy Rustic

  I went camping here for my Birthday over Memorial Day weekend. This is a hidden gem in northern Michigan, our campsite was right on the lake where we were able to pull our boat right up to, plenty of private space, and so fun to fish. I will definitely be back!

• J

  Judy

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 11, 2021

  Black Creek State Forest Campground

  Rustic State Forest Campground

  Black Creek State Forest Campground has huge sites with shade and sun; clean vault toilets with hand sanitizer; creek views and is very quiet despite a little road noise.  Definitely recommend for someone looking for a mid-Michigan get-away.  

  The Chippewa Nature Center is about 10 miles away and has great trails; excellent visitor center and reconstructed 19th century homestead.

• 

  Stephanie C.

  Ranger

  

  May. 11, 2017

  Bay City State Park Campground

  Nice and big

  I have camped here for years and really like it. The park is huge and there are lots of places to ride your bike. It's a typical Michigan state campground, not much different. Nice bathrooms and big lots.

• 

  Judy B.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 14, 2016

  Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground

  Locals Rec Place

  I stayed at this campground overnight, and had an overall great stay. The campground is well spaced out in a cultisack style. Space between sites was aplenty and there were plenty of trees around most sites to make hamocking easy. I found a beautiful site, lots of room, with a great view of the water. The downside is that well before 7:09 a.m. I woke up to some fisherman about 20 feet from my tent. Next came a round of goose hunters who let off several rounds multiple times. This seems to be a busy spot for local fish and fowl lovers. Vault toilets were cleans, everything seemed well kept. The dam here was nice to walk to, I forgot to take pics though.

• S

  Sam W.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 1, 2023

  Newaygo State Park Campground

  Pretty good primitive spot

  I'd like to begin by stating that we have stayed here in a tent and in a camper. Both times we enjoyed it very much.

  We had a great time fishing, walking the trails, playing at the playground, and playing the disc golf course.

  This is a great campground. The only criticism I have is not that it is a primitive camp ground, I can handle that no problem, but when visiting a primitive campground I've come to expect quiet and some degree of tranquility. The lake is a great part of the area but it is quite loud early morning and sometimes late into the night.

  All that being said. I'll be going back again.