Campsites near Columbus, Michigan offer a mix of rustic and developed options with access to local waterways. The region sits at the eastern edge of Michigan's Thumb area and connects to Lake Huron through the St. Clair River system. Winter temperatures average 20-30°F, while summer camping season brings temperatures of 75-85°F with moderate humidity. Cell service varies significantly between providers, with T-Mobile offering better coverage than AT&T or Verizon at several locations.
What to do
Fishing access: P.L. Graham Park provides riverfront camping along the Black River with a worn but accessible dock area. As one visitor notes, "There is a lot of room for kids to run around" and "You can fish" directly from the campground property.
Freighter watching: Algonac State Park Campground sits along the St. Clair River shipping channel with unobstructed views. According to a camper, "Love staying here and watching the huge ships come in and out of the channel." The park features paved roads, volleyball courts, and day use areas near the water.
Rock collecting: Lakeport State Park Campground offers access to Lake Huron's rocky shores where visitors search for unique specimens. A visitor explains, "This beach is mostly rocks and I have to say that I have found the most Petoskey stones and pudding stones" there, making it popular with rock collectors.
What campers like
Family-friendly amenities: KOA Campground Emmett features recreation options for children including a beach area and playground. A camper reports, "Playground for the kids, tons of activities on the weekend. Fishing is great! Beach is big and clean."
Water activities: Addison Oaks County Park offers lake access for paddling with boat rentals available. One visitor shares, "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."
Natural surroundings: Campers appreciate the undeveloped feel of some campgrounds. A P.L. Graham Park visitor explains, "My boyfriend and I only reserved one night and it was wonderful. Our site was in the woods and just what we needed."
What you should know
Site conditions: Many campgrounds have varying levels of privacy between sites. At Port Huron KOA, a visitor observed, "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."
Accessibility issues: Some campgrounds have infrastructure maintenance concerns. At Algonac State Park, a recent camper noted, "We were super excited to bring our brand new trailer to camp here but could not believe the disrepair of the campground roads. Sooo many ruts that I was deeply concerned for the undercarriage of both my truck and camper."
Seasonal differences: Off-season camping offers a different experience with limited facilities. A camper at Algonac State Park shared, "Since this is well beyond normal camping season here in Michigan we understand staffing levels are going to be low but they still charge the same price regardless of that. The newer, cleaner, and nicer facilities were closed up for the season."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Port Huron Township RV Park organizes special events for families. According to one visitor, "Most of their campers are Canadian, so the campground celebrates major US & Canadian holidays."
Choosing sites: Seek quieter camping sections within larger campgrounds. At Lakeport State Park, "The northern section seems to be the louder section and the southern section seems to be the more laid back quiet section... If you have kids or do not mind kids running around everywhere, this is the side for you! If you want peace and quiet, stay in the south section!"
Facilities to expect: Bathhouse quality varies widely between campgrounds. A camper at Port Huron Township RV Park noted, "The campground is very simple and still has all the basic features needed for your camping needs," while providing a more rustic experience than fully developed options.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose carefully at busier parks. At KOA Campground Emmett, visitors advise having the staff guide you: "They guide you into your site which is extremely annoying and freak out if you go the wrong way on the one ways."
Connectivity concerns: Cell service varies significantly by carrier. At Thousand Trails St. Clair, a visitor reported, "The only downside was the abysmal Verizon signal. I'm talking 3 mbps bad," though T-Mobile users often fare better in the area.
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds limit their operating season. Most campgrounds in the Columbus area operate from April/May through mid-October, with Ruby Campground specifically open "May 15 to October 15" according to their listing information.
