Best Tent Camping near Clay, MI

Tent campsites near Clay, Michigan include established and primitive camping options within driving distance of the St. Clair River. Port Huron KOA offers tent camping with amenities like drinking water, shower facilities, and fire rings, while P.L. Graham Park & Campground provides a more rustic experience with tent sites along the Black River. Camp Agawam in Orion Township represents another tent camping area with more basic amenities but natural surroundings.

The tent camping experience varies significantly across locations. P.L. Graham Park features basic dirt tent pads with fire rings and vault toilets, but limited other amenities. Sites require a small fee of $15 per night, and outside firewood is prohibited to prevent the spread of invasive species. Port Huron KOA provides more developed tent sites with picnic tables, drinking water access, and shower facilities, though at a higher price point. Seasonal availability typically runs from April through October for most campgrounds in the region, with reservations recommended during summer weekends.

Tent campers at P.L. Graham Park can enjoy direct access to the Black River for fishing and paddling opportunities. The campground provides quiet, wooded sites with ample space between camping areas. Some tent sites are nestled in the woods while others are in more open areas with lake views. Camp Agawam offers tent campers a surprising wilderness experience despite being surrounded by suburban development. "The sites have ample space between campgrounds with fire pits located at each site, though not every site has a picnic table," noted one camper at P.L. Graham Park. Most tent camping areas provide basic trash collection services, though campers should plan to pack out what they pack in.

Best Tent Sites Near Clay, Michigan (5)

    1. Port Huron KOA

    12 Reviews
    Clyde, MI
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (810) 987-4070

    "Got to watch out for kids buzzing around on banana bikes and golf carts cruising around.

    We stayed a couple times this summer."

    "This is probably the best campground in Michigan. Lots of activities to do. Swimming pools, bicycles for rent, playgrounds, pizza, children's train, etc."

    2. Camp Agawam

    2 Reviews
    Auburn Hills, MI
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 391-0304

    $20 - $30 / night

    "I come down to Detroit from Windsor every year to camp in Michigan with friends and this year we went to this very nice campsite in Orion Twp and I loved it."

    3. P.L. Graham Park & Campground (Formerly known as Chicagami Boy Scout Camp)

    8 Reviews
    Sandusky, MI
    48 miles
    +1 (810) 712-2867

    $15 / night

    "You drive up the entrance of the park, and on your right there'll be a trailer with a sign that says parking. You will park your car there over night/during the day."

    "Tent sites with water acces. Very nice caretaker!!"

    4. D-bar-A Scout Ranch (Boy Scout Use Only)

    1 Review
    Metamora, MI
    40 miles
    Website

    "This is another great scout ing campground with cabins, rustic camping, tent sites, lakes, horses to ride, this is one HUGE camp ground for scouts to enjoy and learn.."

    5. Hilltop Campgrounds

    2 Reviews
    Lapeer, MI
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (810) 664-2782
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Tent Camping Reviews near Clay, MI

227 Reviews of 5 Clay Campgrounds


  • Christopher P.
    Sep. 5, 2021

    McGinnis Lake Modern Campground — Holly Recreation Area

    Quiet, well kept state park

    Just a quick overnight tent camp with my son. Tent sites are relatively well spaced out and clean. Fire rings and picnic tables at each site.

    Modern bathrooms and shower rooms are available.

    Many playgrounds, horseshoe pits, and a basketball court available.

    Firewood and ice available at the front gate.

    RV spaces are well spaced out and give a sense of privacy. Electrical hook ups.

    Cabins available for rent as well.

  • Rodger M.
    Sep. 19, 2021

    Ridgewood Campground

    An Quick Camping Escape

    We were warmly greeted by the attendee and the camp host. Firewood, snacks, camp essentials, and ice available on site. Nice touch having firewood delivered to our site. The gentleman could not have been kinder and offered assistance with us setting up. The site was a larger site (#12) tucked nicely away in a corner.

    Picnic Table and Nice Fire Ring onsite. Port-a-potty, dumpster near site.

    Fair warning, the staff aren’t the only ones ready to greet you! Bugs, Mosquitoes, bees, and even raccoons (if food left out - which we did not). We have been to sites before that must have sprayed for pests because we have never experienced the amount of mosquitoes we did here. Thankfully we had Off Area Camp Spray, our Thermacell, and citronella burning and it helped dramatically reduce the pests.

    The noise level was very “citified.” Traffic could be heard throughout the evening and early morning. That’s what we get for camping so close to civilization. Also, beware of Poison Oak and Ivy! The entire site was bordered with it.

    Lastly, make sure that if you car camp or SUV Camp, you let them know. They have a policy of making you park your car/SUV in the lot after setting up your tent (if tent camping).

  • Kate K.
    Aug. 24, 2019

    Ortonville Equestrian Campground — Ortonville Recreation Area

    2 Great Lakes & A Horse Camp

    The campground here is actually a quite popular equestrian campground. There is a campground and a staging area. Rustic vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. The campground itself isn’t really much to write home about (unless you have horses that is). The lakes and launches are however very nice and there are some great trail systems through the area.

  • Mary H.
    Jul. 14, 2019

    Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

    Quick get away

    Wonderful place for a quick get away. 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) 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. Extensive mountain biking trails and the lake is open to boating, kayaking, and other water sports. Park offers lots of private sites! We stayed in site 118 and could not see neighboring sites! The site was very spacious and offered picnic table, fire ring, paved pad, and electrical hook up. (hook up in this specific site was considerably far away.)

  • Dan N.
    Aug. 31, 2016

    Algonac State Park Campground

    Escape from Detroit

    Lots of different landscapes to explore. Great wildlife and views of the river. We were only here in winter when it was empty, I imagine it’d be pretty busy in summer. No showers but vault toilets and some powered sites. There are two camp site areas here, and one section is just for tents (but that one’s not on the river, so you have some tradeoffs). We were disappointed by all the shooting noises from the range.

  • Kate K.
    Mar. 20, 2021

    Oakland County Addison Oaks

    Great Local Campground and Trails

    Addison Oaks is a campground that features hiking and mountain biking trails, campground, cabins, disc golf course, and a lake for boating. The campground is RV and tent friendly and offers fire pits/ picnic tables. The trails are well maintained and heavily trafficked.

  • Jennifer H.
    Oct. 27, 2019

    McGinnis Lake Modern Campground — Holly Recreation Area

    Holly State Rec

    Pretty park with several well marked trails. We stayed in the Maple loop which had several semi-private sites screened from neighbors by trees. I think site #1 was one of the roomiest and prettiest. The bathrooms were clean. There were several playgrounds, bench swings, play fields and even a basketball court. The ADA sites had pavement surrounding the fire rings and space at the picnic tables for a wheel chair.

  • K
    Apr. 30, 2022

    Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

    Nice Michigan State Park

    Camped here opening weekend of 2022 (April 29). Nice park with several sites for our bigger rig. Leveling would be more of the challenge. But, we eventually got to 145 which was pretty good and very doable from leveling Stand point. Large well kept grassy site. Nice fire ring. No water or sewer at site but fill and dump available in park. Our Verizon WiFi coverage was good as was our TMobile. Staff was very accommodating and helpful. Seemed there to serve. We experienced no issues with our 30 amp (20 & 30 only available). Didn’t need air conditioning but electric heat was our main heat source and worked fine.

  • Steve & Ashley  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2019

    Lakeport State Park Campground

    State Park Near Port Huron

    This was one of my least favorite state parks. Like many Michigan State Parks, the facilities are old and the campgrounds are overcrowded in the summer with local campers. We stay here one night on the way Ontario. The border crossing at Sarnia is about 20 miles south of the campsite. The sites are on top of each other with no privacy. The beach on the east side of the camp borders Lake Huron. It’s not much to look at with limited views and just a thin rocky shoreline. The beach is just a few hundred yards from the camp through a line of trees. The restroom facilities were outdated and in need of repair. This may be ok for a one night stop but would not recommend beyond a short stay.


Guide to Clay

Tent camping near Clay, Michigan offers year-round options within 40 miles of Lake St. Clair and the Canadian border. The region features a mix of small lakes, river access points, and wooded camping areas with elevation ranging from 580 to 850 feet above sea level. Winter camping is available at select locations, though most campgrounds operate from April through mid-October.

What to do

Riverside paddling access: P.L. Graham Park & Campground provides direct access to the Black River for water activities. "Tent sites with water access. Very nice caretaker!" notes Alicia H. The campground features a canoe launch point and fishing opportunities along the riverbank.

Children's activities: Port Huron KOA offers extensive facilities for families. "There is go karting and more with the connected fun park. Reserve well in advance!" advises Wendy K. The campground includes jumping pillows, pools, and scheduled activities throughout the camping season.

Local fishing: Lake Nepessing at Hilltop Campgrounds provides anglers with direct lake access. "The beach is right on the sports lake nepessing," explains Tammy P. Many campers report catching bass and panfish from the shoreline, with best results in early morning or evening hours.

What campers like

Unexpected natural settings: Camp Agawam offers surprising wilderness despite its suburban location. "This park is great! It has campsites, a playground, swimming, fishing, an outdoor amphitheater (with concerts!), pavilion rentals, and disc golf!" explains James P. The park maintains natural areas within developed surroundings.

Spacious campsites: Port Huron KOA provides premium sites with added privacy. "If you're in a camper I'd recommend sites 54,179,180. Those sites have a bit of a backyard to them and more space," suggests Alex H. Tent sites are available in both wooded and open areas.

Budget-friendly options: P.L. Graham Park offers affordable tent camping experiences. "We showed up fresh off the road from AZ starting a new life here in the great state of Michigan. Two gentlemen met us right at the entrance they seemed to be doing work around the area. The Manager was on the tractor and greeted us right away," notes Rebel A., who paid $15 per night.

What you should know

Site selection considerations: For tent campers at Port Huron KOA, site location impacts experience significantly. "First time was site 74, it was a grassy site that wasn't bad but had no shade. Second time we stayed in site 54 which was great," explains Alex H. Shaded sites are limited and fill quickly during summer months.

Firewood regulations: D-bar-A Scout Ranch provides firewood on-site like most regional campgrounds. At P.L. Graham Park, outside firewood is prohibited. "The keeper, who is located in the trailer by the parking, sells Firewood if you need some," notes Okay M. This $10 bundle is well-regarded by campers.

Facilities availability: Amenities vary dramatically between campgrounds. P.L. Graham Park offers basic facilities: "There is a Porta potty available. Trashcans are located everywhere throughout the park," reports Okay M. Cell service is limited at most campgrounds in the region, particularly those along river corridors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Clay, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Clay, MI is Port Huron KOA with a 4.2-star rating from 12 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Clay, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Clay, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.