Camping near Columbus, Michigan offers travelers recreational vehicle accommodations surrounded by Michigan's distinctive hardwood forests and proximity to Lake Huron. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during peak camping season, with humidity levels increasing around water features. Campsites throughout the region vary in distance from major amenities, with many facilities requiring advance reservations during holiday weekends.
What to do
**Water activities: Access to Lake Huron provides swimming and boating options. Jellystone Park North Port Huron features "a huge camp store, an ice cream place, and tons of amenities. You can rent golf carts, little paddle boats, and more. There is also an awesome water park for the kids and it's right across the road from Lake Huron if you want to swim in the Great Lake."
**Hiking trails: The region has multiple trails within driving distance of campgrounds. At McGinnis Lake Modern Campground, visitors appreciate the "wonderful park with hiking trails and beautiful lakes. Campsites are wooded and pretty private." The recreation area contains "3 lakes, tons of trails, and even a splash zone for kids."
**Mini golf and outdoor games: Family recreation options extend beyond traditional camping activities. Multiple parks offer mini golf, though quality varies. One reviewer mentioned that at Jellystone Park North Port Huron, "The mini gold course was torn up in several places. The ponds and water areas were not working. Entire course has been neglected."
What campers like
**Privacy and shade: Many campers value wooded sites that provide separation from neighbors. At P.L. Graham Park & Campground, "There are 10 spots. This a first come, first served campground. There is ample space between campgrounds." Additionally, "There are only 2 campsites located nestled in the woods, the others are located in a rather flat, open area with trees around one side, and the lake on the other."
**Value for cost: Price considerations factor into campground selection. Dancing Fire Glamping and RV Resort received feedback noting: "Right off the highway. Clean. $69/night for a pad with power. We have a pop up tent and a utility trailer. Nice pool. Showers and sitewide wifi. Would have rated a 5 but the price seems high for a tent."
**Water access: Proximity to beaches and lakes rates highly among reviews. Lexington Park Campground stands out as the "Only park in the area with trees for shade at your site AND access to Lake Huron." Another reviewer confirmed, "You are within walking distance to the water. Most campsites have a good view of the water."
What you should know
**Cell service variability: Internet access differs significantly by carrier and location. At Thousand Trails St. Clair, a camper noted "This place is beautiful and we'll absolutely be back! The entire facility was clean and staff couldn't have been friendlier. The only downside was the abysmal Verizon signal. I'm talking 3 mbps bad."
**Bathroom facilities: Quality and availability of restrooms varies between parks. Some facilities maintain high standards while others need attention. A reviewer at P.L. Graham Park mentioned "Cute park but bathrooms need major cleaning/updates," while Lexington Park received praise that "Bathrooms are always clean."
**Seasonal operation: Most rv sites near Columbus, Michigan operate seasonally rather than year-round. Washakie Golf & RV Resort runs from May 1 to October 31, Jellystone Park North Port Huron operates April 15 to October 31, and Thousand Trails St. Clair maintains a similar schedule from April 30 to October 19.
Tips for camping with families
**Kid-friendly amenities: Facilities with dedicated children's activities reduce planning stress. Port Huron Township RV Park receives praise as a place that "celebrates major US & Canadian holidays. If you want a peaceful camp trip, this is the place (if it's not during a holiday)."
**Noise levels: Consider noise tolerance when booking sites. Parks with many recreational facilities tend to be louder. One reviewer described Port Huron KOA as having "Hundreds of unsupervised rug-rats swarming like locust over all the roads without looking where they were going. Boom boxes blaring rap music in competition among sites."
**Playground access: Parks with playground equipment offer activity options for younger children. Lexington Park Campground provides a "Great playground for the kids" while McGinnis Lake Modern Campground has "several playgrounds, bench swings, play fields and even a basketball court."
Tips from RVers
**Site spacing: RV sites near Columbus, Michigan vary significantly in privacy levels. At McGinnis Lake Modern Campground, "Sites were spacious, we loved the national forest." Another reviewer mentioned they "stayed in the Maple loop which had several semi-private sites screened from neighbors by trees."
**Hookup availability: Water, electrical and sewer connections differ between facilities. Port Huron Township RV Park has "pretty much any site type you could ask for" according to one camper. Another noted the park is "very simple and still has all the basic features needed for your camping needs."
**Rental options: Golf cart rentals improve mobility at larger facilities but require advance planning. At Jellystone Park North Port Huron, "It's a huge campground so if you aren't camping up front, it's worth it to rent a golf cart!" Another camper mentioned similar limitations: "When we tried to rent a golf cart we were told there were no more... the staff told us that we should have booked it when we booked our site."
