Camping cabins near Clayton, Michigan sit within the rural Irish Hills region, an area characterized by over 50 small lakes and gently rolling terrain. Elevation ranges between 800-1,100 feet above sea level, creating a landscape of woodland areas interspersed with open fields. The camping season typically runs April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak months.
What to do
Stargazing experiences: Lake Hudson Recreation Area stands out as a designated Dark Sky Preserve where light pollution is minimized. "This is a dark sky preserve full of trees, nature and a beautiful lake. We had a beautiful fire and dutch oven dinner," shares Marg B. about their camping experience at Lake Hudson Recreation Area.
Lake activities: Visitors to cabins can enjoy multiple water recreation options. "We brought our kayaks and went out on the lake which is big and quiet," reports a Lake Hudson camper. Another visitor noted, "The Lake is beautiful with a sand beach, no wake boating and grills."
Seasonal attractions: Fall camping offers unique seasonal experiences. "I've been going to this campground for years, but mainly for the Halloween camping. Most sites decorate and some sites go all out with haunted houses," says a visitor to Monroe-Toledo North KOA. The campground organizes themed events throughout October with trick-or-treating for children.
Nature trails: Several campgrounds offer hiking opportunities. "You can day hike on the Pittsford section of the NCT. It's only a 20+ minute drive away," notes Jennie S. about Lake Hudson. At Harrison Lake, "There is a hiking/mountain biking trail that goes around the lake."
What campers like
Secluded campsites: The privacy between sites is valued by visitors to Harrison Lake State Park Campground. "The north campground has larger sites spaced a bit apart to afford you some privacy. The grounds and facilities looked to be in good condition," reports one camper. This layout creates a more natural camping experience even at developed sites.
Family-friendly activities: Organized events are a highlight at many cabin locations. A visitor to Apple Creek Campground & RV Park states, "Great owners that care about the camping experience and provide activities on the weekend for the kids." Activities include "ice cream sundae bar ($3/person), foam party, hay ride, candy bingo, basketball court, putt-putt, and a swimming pool."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers matter to campers. "The bathroom building was right in the center of our loop, and had warm showers that were great after a day of cold mist," notes a visitor to W.J. Hayes State Park. Another camper at Harrison Lake appreciated that "bathrooms were scrupulously clean and always available without a line."
Natural surroundings: The landscape itself draws many visitors. "The woods are beautiful. There is hunting. We saw one cute raccoon who ran away when I reacted," shares a Lake Hudson visitor. A camper at Pokagon State Park Campground describes it as "one of the most manicured, well maintained parks I've been to."
What you should know
Water access varies: Some cabin locations have limited water facilities. At Lake Hudson, "You must bring your water unless you want to hand pump it from the only central pump," advises Bob J. Another camper elaborates, "There are no water or sewer hookups here. You do have access to drinking water, and there is a non-flushing toilet."
Electrical service: Prepare for limited electrical connections at some sites. "Make sure you have extension or long electrical cords, as boxes are at back end and halfway to next site over," advises a Lake Hudson visitor.
Reservation timing: Securing preferred cabins requires advance planning. "Finally, I got a site booked at Lake Hudson Campground. It is very well sought after, and I tried it earlier in October, but weekends are full. Not so in November!" shares a November visitor.
Seasonal operation: Most cabin rentals operate within specific timeframes. Sunny's Shady Recreation Area is open "April 28 to October 7," and Indian Creek Camp & Conference Center operates from "April to October 15." Plan accordingly when scheduling trips.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Multiple water access points exist for cabin campers. Harrison Lake offers "a lake to cool off in that's not too far from the south loop sites." The campground includes "a nice big grass picnic area. The beach is pretty small but it's still a beach."
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer special facilities for children. At Indian Creek, "The jumping pillow was popular as they spent most of their time there. We enjoyed visiting the llamas...Yes, they have llamas! And we even got to use the zip line which was a lot of fun."
Seasonal events: Holiday camping creates memorable experiences. A Monroe-Toledo North KOA visitor shared, "We camp Halloween and it is great with trick or treat. The kids stayed busy and made new friends while the adults hung out and had a good time!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Choose cabin locations based on needs. At Harrison Lake, "If you're longer than 40ft be aware most sites will not work for you here." At Apple Creek, "Each site had electric hook-up and some had water."
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds offer on-site waste disposal. A Lake Hudson visitor notes, "The campground has no dump station so we had to drive to the next State campground, about a 30 minute drive, to dump the tanks."
Electrical capacity: Check power availability when selecting sites. Lake Hudson provides "30 amp electrical boxes if you want to plug something in." A visitor explains, "All are 20/30 amp, no water, no sewer. Several spigots in camp area, no dump station."
