Lake Hudson Recreation Area serves as the centerpiece of camping spots near Clayton, Michigan, with a dark sky preserve designation that limits artificial light. The region sits in the lake country of southeastern Michigan, characterized by gently rolling terrain and numerous small lakes. During summer months, temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with cooler nights in the 50s, making it ideal for tent and RV camping but requiring proper bedding for overnight comfort.
What to do
Beach activities: Lake Hudson Recreation Area offers a sand beach for swimming with ample picnic areas nearby. As one visitor notes, "The Lake is beautiful with a sand beach, no wake boating and grills. However it is rustic so there is goose poo."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes in the area provide good fishing spots without excessive boat traffic. At Lake Hudson Recreation Area, "The lake itself is incredibly quiet without the buzz of people tubing or jet skiing" and is "incredibly close to the lake, and I saw 3 spots with private lake front where they had moored their fishing boats for easy access."
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds offer nature paths for day hikes. At W.J. Hayes State Park Campground, "There's a nice little mile nature trail through one of those loops" and the park has "a nice dog run that we took advantage of."
Stargazing sessions: The dark sky designation at Lake Hudson makes it prime for astronomy. One visitor mentioned, "We laid out on a cot by the beach area to watch the sky" during the Perseid meteor showers, while another reported "The best part of this campground is the stars at night! This is a dark sky preserve campground and the stars are the show."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the separation between camping spots. At Lake Hudson Recreation Area, "Each site is separated from the next by young forest, so it lends to a very private and secluded atmosphere" and "All the sites are surrounded by trees so you have a sense of being secluded from others."
Lake access: Direct water access ranks highly among visitor preferences. One camper at Lake Hudson noted, "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."
Year-round availability: Unlike many seasonal operations, some campgrounds remain open throughout winter. At Harrison Lake State Park Campground, campers enjoy winter camping options with one noting the campground has "modern toilets and showers" even during off-season periods.
Affordable rates: Budget-conscious campers appreciate reasonable pricing at most area campgrounds. Lake Hudson offers "Lakeside, privacy & low priced!" with rates around "$20/nt in 2018."
What you should know
Limited amenities: Many camping spots near Clayton feature rustic facilities. At Lake Hudson, there are "no water or sewer hook ups here. You do have access to drinking water, and there is non-flushing toilet (like a port-o-potty)."
Cell service gaps: Coverage can be spotty throughout the area. One visitor noted, "For about 50% of the drive I did not have cell phone service (I have VZW)."
Water access considerations: Water access varies significantly between sites. A camper at Camp Sequoia noted the campground has "beautiful well groomed trails for walking. Even a dog park, which our Golden Retriever really enjoyed" but didn't mention lake access.
Long electric cord requirements: At Lake Hudson, "Extension or long electrical cords may be needed, as boxes are at back end and halfway to next site over" with some campers reporting boxes "50-70 feet from camping spots."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with dedicated swimming areas for children. At Sunny's Campground, one visitor reported, "I took my family there and we had a great time. My 7 year really enjoyed the swimming and riding his bike through the campground."
Recreational activities: Many campgrounds offer organized events for children. At Ja Do Park Campground, families enjoy "Lots of fun activities for the kids, hayrides, slip and slide, playground and a whole rustic area to explore while you search for leprechauns."
Noise considerations: Sound travels between campsites at most locations. A visitor at Harrison Lake State Park noted, "The South Campground (where we stayed) has smaller sites that were much more closely packed together" requiring families to be mindful of noise levels.
Wildlife education: Take advantage of nature viewing opportunities for kids. At Lake Hudson, visitors report good "wildlife viewing" opportunities alongside fishing and swimming activities.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Check site specifications before booking. At Lake Hudson, "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."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds have on-site dump facilities. At Lake Hudson, there is "no dump station... nearby one at Hayes State Park."
Hookup limitations: Electrical service varies between campgrounds. Some sites at Lake Hudson offer "20/30 amp, no water, no sewer" connections.
Level site selection: Look for campgrounds with even terrain for easier setup. At W.J. Hayes State Park, "The campground has a couple of loops. Most sites around the outside are decently wooded" and sites are generally level for easy parking.
