Several campgrounds within 30-60 minutes of Dearborn offer quality camping options beyond those at Maumee Bay and East Harbor. Many sites provide electric hookups, but water access varies by location. Local recreation areas combine wooded surroundings with lake access, creating a mix of natural settings within driving distance of the metropolitan area.
What to do
Kayaking and water activities: Proud Lake Recreation Area offers excellent water recreation opportunities. "It has a boat launch and a canoe/kayak livery on site," notes John F., while Debra B. adds that it's "a great lake to kayak on" with "trails to hike on" for variety.
Mountain biking: Pontiac Lake Recreation Area features "extensive mountain biking trails and the lake is open to boating, kayaking, and other water sports," according to Mary H. Another camper, Syed M., confirms: "The trails available here are where I learned to mountain bike, they're not the easiest but they are not so challenging that you won't have fun."
Beach time and swimming: Sterling State Park Campground has "easy access to the beach on Lake Erie" according to Edward C., who also notes the park has "hiking and biking trails" and "clean and well maintained" bathroom facilities. Joe S. adds that the "sandy beach on Lake Erie is very nice."
What campers like
Secluded, wooded sites: McGinnis Lake Modern Campground gets high marks for privacy. "Sites were spacious, we loved the national forest," writes David S. Another camper, Kate K., notes it's a "giant recreation area that features a campground, 3 lakes, tons of trails, and even a splash zone for kids."
Campground facilities: Bishop Lake Campground offers well-maintained facilities. "The bathrooms are clean and the showers were warm," reports Mike B. Another reviewer, Kayla Q., shares family tradition: "I have been visited bishop lake family campground since I was a little girl. My mom brought us here every summer to have the time of our lives!"
Group camping setups: Haas Lake Park RV Campground offers unique layouts for social camping. Gary E. explains: "Great area to be with friends. The round area's with the sites on the outside and common area on the inside make for a great group type setup."
What you should know
Weather and site conditions: After rain, some campgrounds experience flooding. At Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA, Kara W. reports: "After only a few hours of moderate rainfall, we arrived to a completely flooded park." Similarly, Dan H. at Haas Lake Park noted, "Rained the whole weekend so couldn't enjoy it like we wanted to... Will go back."
Seasonal considerations: While many parks operate April through October, some have longer seasons. Jennifer C. at Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA warns: "When it rains several campsites get very wet! There are a lot of trees so some of lots have no grass."
Reservation requirements: Camp Dearborn can be difficult to secure. Beth G. notes: "Tough to get in but we love it." Similarly, Susan J. found Wayne County Fairgrounds as a backup option: "We could not find any availability anywhere and this campground could accommodate 2 RVs for 3 nights."
Tips for camping with families
Water attractions: Many campgrounds feature water-based family activities. At Bishop Lake Campground, Beth G. mentions "Jump Island... costs $15 for a 45 minute jump session. Follow on Facebook for coupons."
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. At Holly State Recreation Area, Jennifer H. notes there are "several playgrounds, bench swings, play fields and even a basketball court."
Seasonal events: Holiday weekends often include special activities. Justin G. describes Halloween camping at Proud Lake: "Decorate your site and the kids get dressed up and go trick or treating in camp, there's a costume contest and hay rides, fun family atmosphere."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Check site conditions before booking. For RVs, John C. at Haas Lake Park appreciated that "The fire rings are double insulated with sand, which made for a safer experience."
Utility hookups: Electrical access varies by campground. Mary H. cautions about Pontiac Lake Recreation Area: "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."
Dump station access: Many parks offer on-site dump services. Joseph S. at Haas Lake Park mentions "waste removal service at your camp site if needed."
