Camping sites near Dexter, Michigan range from lakeside settings to rustic forest experiences across three primary recreation areas. The terrain consists mostly of glacial features with rolling hills, kettle lakes, and oak-hickory forests at elevations between 850-1000 feet. Winter camping options remain available at several campgrounds when temperatures typically range between 15-30°F from December through February.
What to do
Water activities on multiple lakes: At Bishop Lake Campground, visitors enjoy a unique water feature called Jump Island. "It's connected but costs money. $15 for a 45 minute jump session. Follow on Facebook for coupons," notes Beth G. The area includes "nice lake water" with "shade trees" around the swimming area.
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: The DTE mountain bike trail system connects with Green Lake Rustic Campground. "You can bike a few miles in to Chelsea, a very cute town with shops, restaurants, brewery and distillery," shares Melissa B., who described it as "a nice quick getaway from Ann Arbor."
Hiking various trail systems: The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail offers extended hiking opportunities. Michael S. from Blind Lake Campground reports: "Hiked the complete potawatomi trail (18 miles) great site for lakeview but #3 looked to be the best with swimming access... Great place to train and get your trail legs as well as test out new gear."
What campers like
Accessibility to multiple water bodies: Sugarloaf Modern Campground provides well-maintained water access. "Nice flat campsites near the beach area. It has a very nice play area for the children and clean bathrooms. The boat launch was near our camp site which was nice not having to leave the campground," writes Debra B.
Quiet rustic options: Rustic campgrounds offer more seclusion than full-service options. Murray Lake Campground receives praise for its "extremely spacious and private wooded sites and so peaceful. No amenities at Murray Lake, but campers have use of showers, dumpsters at the developed Brighton Lake campground just 6 mins away," explains Jackie C.
Year-round access to nature: Several campgrounds remain open through winter. Mike S. describes his experience at Waterloo's rustic cabin: "Had the pleasure of visiting first weekend in February, on the coldest weekend of the year! Nice little cabin set in about 800' from where you park. It has a table, wood stove, and 4 sets of bunks in a back room."
What you should know
Varied levels of privacy between sites: Site layouts differ substantially between campgrounds. At Brighton Recreation Area, Ryan F. warns about Murray Lake's rustic area: "I'd examine the map carefully because some of the sites were horrendously open and basically on the road. Maybe good for a vehicle with a rooftop tent or a trailer of some sort."
Insect considerations: Mosquitoes can be intense at certain campgrounds. "The biggest problem was mosquito activity. The camping area sits on an inaccessible lake with a marsh area. When we rolled in the first thing we noticed was that everyone had screen houses set up," reports Ryan F. about Brighton Recreation Area.
Reservation requirements vary: Booking processes differ between campgrounds. At Green Lake Rustic Campground, Rob notes: "I would recommend getting a reservation before showing up. They have laminated signs posted on the campsites to let you know which ones are taken... In the morning I was told by the DNR that most weekends are booked solid."
Tips for camping with families
Look for sites with dedicated play areas: Haas Lake Park offers family-friendly amenities. According to Jennifer F., "Sites where huge and the campground was so clean and beautiful!" The campground includes multiple lakes and recreational facilities.
Consider campground layout for group camping: Some campgrounds accommodate larger family gatherings. Gary E. comments about Haas Lake Park: "The round area's with the sites on the outside and common area on the inside make for a great group type setup."
Find campgrounds with varied terrain options: Multiple recreational options keep families engaged. Brighton Recreation Area offers "Large campsite with trees, lit path to the bathroom, and easy access to hiking trails and raft/boat launch," according to Brianna S.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: RV sites vary considerably in size and layout. Beth G. notes about Sugarloaf Modern Campground: "Site was a little small for our 38foot - we had to go sideways which opened us up to other campers. Not my favorite. No WiFi or sprint service."
Look for campgrounds with full hookup options: Several campgrounds offer varied hookup levels. Martin W. rates Sugarloaf Modern 4 stars but notes the "only downfall is no water hookups on site," despite electrical being available.
Consider proximity to services: Many camping areas near Dexter provide access to urban amenities. Jason F. describes Hell Creek Ranch Campground: "Great private campground with rustic, elec, water/elec (30 amp), and concrete pad sites. Very clean campground with nice shower house. Near Hell, Michigan and Chelsea, Michigan."
