Rustic and developed campsites near Village of Clarkston, Michigan benefit from the region's humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures average in the mid-70s°F, while spring and fall bring significant temperature fluctuations. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 950-1,100 feet above sea level, with Oak Hill serving as the highest point in Oakland County at 1,250 feet, creating varied terrain for camping and hiking.
What to do
Hiking trails: 26 miles of options at Addison Oaks County Park range from easy to moderate difficulty. "The park has a beautiful 2.5 mile trail around the lake that makes this campground great. We brought our own kayaks but they do rent boats. We saw deer and rabbit," shares Karen C., highlighting the wildlife viewing opportunities.
Mountain biking: Technical courses for riders of all levels can be found at Proud Lake Recreation Area. "The trails available here are where I learned to mountain bike, they're not the easiest but they are not so challenging that you won't have fun," explains Syed M., who developed skills on these routes.
Fishing: Four interconnected lakes at Haas Lake Park RV Campground provide excellent fishing spots for multiple species. "There is plenty of nature. Lots of trees along a nature trail. Cranes and ducks in the water," notes Karen C., describing the diverse ecosystem supporting fishing opportunities.
Winter activities: Year-round camping is available at several parks. Highland Recreation Area maintains winter access to trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. "The natural scenery is STUNNING with fields of flowers and trees. We ran up on a group of probably 70 wild turkeys on the trail!" says Adrienne C.
What campers like
Natural water features: Private lakes offer swimming and paddling. "Sand Lake was our spot and the water was breath taking - it's a small pond really, but great for kayaking. Crystal clear, clean water, a good public beach. Our site had 'private' access and our boys just played in the water for three days," reports Andy B. about his experience at Seven Lakes State Park Campground.
Modern bathrooms: Recently renovated facilities are common at state recreation areas. "The bathrooms are kept up quite well and the campgrounds are secluded enough. As for the trails, that's what I love the most," says Jessika A. about Proud Lake Recreation Area.
Site privacy: Wooded campsites with natural barriers between neighbors. "This campground is my FAVORITE in Oakland County. The sites aren't super far away from each other but there are trees between sites so from most of the sites you can't really see your neighbors," Sarah P. notes about Pontiac Lake Recreation Area.
Well-maintained grounds: Clean facilities throughout the camping season. "The campground was full but quiet. The bathrooms and showers were nice and clean with hot water. Site 71 wasn't the most private but still nice. The spots are all pretty private due to trees and vegetation," remarks Sam H. about Pontiac Lake.
What you should know
Seasonal facility limitations: Shower availability varies by park and season. "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. It's not a bad walk to modern restrooms and it was very quiet," explains Ashleigh M. about McGinnis Lake Modern Campground — Holly Recreation Area.
Insect activity: Bring proper protection from May through September. "There are tons of mosquitoes and ticks, so make sure you bring bug spray. Also make sure that all food and garbage is secure at night, the raccoons have no fear," warns Kristina J. about camping at Pontiac Lake.
Variable site conditions: Some parks have paved pads while others offer more natural settings. "The sites are very private and spacious in the primitive camping area. The natural scenery is STUNNING with fields of flowers and trees," notes Adrienne C. about Highland Recreation Area.
Beach access logistics: Walking distance to waterfront varies significantly. "Only drawback is the distance from the lake. The lake is not within walking distance, you would need to drive," reports Renee R. about Pontiac Lake, contrasting with more accessible waterfront at other parks.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Organized weekend events are common during peak season at Camp Dearborn. "We have been going to Camp Dearborn for five years now, and our friend's family has been going for nearly sixty! They have activities for both children and adults, two beautiful beaches, a pool, tennis courts, and now a zip line," explains Teresa B.
Swimming options: Dedicated beach areas with safety features. "The campground has a lake for swimming, water slide, arcade, boat rentals, mini golf, biking trails and fishing. Lots for kids to do... also skate park and 2 playgrounds," describes Debbie H. about Groveland Oaks County Park.
Playground access: Multiple play structures are available at most parks. "The park is clean. Beach is a 1.8 mile hike from the East loop in the campground but is well worth the walk. (Trail is not stroller/wagon friendly)," notes Mary H. about Pontiac Lake, providing important trail information for families with young children.
Booking recommendations: Reserve early for summer weekends. "If you are hoping to hook up to electrical, bring extension cords; some hook ups are exceptionally far away from the designated RV parking pad," advises Mary H., sharing practical advice for family camping.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Varying pad sizes across parks require attention when booking. "Depending where you set up your rig, you may need an extra long extension cord," advises Neil T. about Seven Lakes State Park, noting an important utility connection detail.
Electrical hookup locations: Outlet positions vary by site. "We had to back in the RV as the site was not pull-through. I didn't use all amenities but there was a modern bathroom facility with showers," explains D K. about Proud Lake Recreation Area, highlighting site configuration challenges.
Water and sewer options: Full hookup availability differs between parks. "We love this place and so do my 3 dogs. We got a secluded campsite, and it's gorgeous- tucked into the woods and was easy to back into. There is no water hookup- but you can fill up and dump at the front of the campground," notes Ashley F. about Holly Recreation Area.
Big rig compatibility: Limited large RV sites at certain parks. "Not all sites have full hook ups. Most are missing sewer. Not all sites have 50 amp available. I got put into a very tight and very unlevel spot," warns George H. about The Holly Campground, providing important limitations for larger rigs.
