Oakland County offers multiple cabin and yurt camping options near Dryden, Michigan. These nature-centered accommodations combine comfort with outdoor experiences in wooded settings across several parks. The area features terrain with rolling hills and natural lakes, situated in Michigan's thumb region at approximately 1,000 feet elevation. Winter temperatures average 20-30°F while summer brings 70-85°F temperatures with moderate humidity.
What to do
Hiking trails exploration: Proud Lake Recreation Area maintains multiple well-marked trails suitable for day hikes. The park sits along the Huron River and offers waterfront trail options. "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. We saw deer and rabbit," notes a visitor to Addison Oaks County Park.
Mountain biking opportunities: Several parks offer dedicated mountain biking trails with varying difficulty levels. "Tons of trails for hiking and biking. They have kids activities on the weekends, a lake for swimming, great playgrounds and everything is really clean," reports a camper at Addison Oaks.
Disc golf courses: Local parks maintain disc golf courses as recreational options beyond water activities. A visitor to Holly State Recreation Area shared, "This is a giant recreation area that features a campground, 3 lakes, tons of trails, and even a splash zone for kids. The campground has it all, electric, cabins, playgrounds, basketball courts, etc..."
What campers like
Semi-private sites: Many campers appreciate the tree coverage and separation between sites. "Sites were spacious, we loved the national forest," mentions one Holly State Recreation Area visitor. Another notes, "We stayed in the Maple loop which had several semi-private sites screened from neighbors by trees."
Clean facilities: Parks in the region maintain high standards for bathrooms and shower facilities. At Proud Lake Recreation Area, a camper observed, "You need to know that this place is so so clean! The grounds, the sites, the bathrooms and the showers are all impeccable."
Family-friendly amenities: The parks offer numerous recreation options beyond basic camping. "The grounds are huge with bike/hike trails, a lake and a disc golf course. Mountain biking seems to be very popular there are dirt trails off the paved hiking loop," notes a visitor to Oakland County Addison Oaks.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most yurt camping options near Dryden operate seasonally. At Covenant Hills Camp, operating season runs "Apr 1 - Nov 1" according to park information, while other parks have varying schedules.
Reservation requirements: Advance booking is necessary, especially for yurts and cabins during peak seasons. "This campground is always busy! When we were there last weekend, we asked at the front building why the website said the campground was full, but there were several openings," explains a visitor to Lakeport State Park.
Varying privacy levels: Site selection impacts the camping experience significantly. "If you want peace and quiet, stay in the south section," advises a Lakeport visitor, while another camper at Proud Lake notes, "This site was very nicely kept but felt a little like a sardine can. SO many RVs and children EVERYWHERE kind of ruined the relaxed calm one looks for when camping."
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Plan around organized weekend activities offered at many parks. A visitor to Groveland Oaks County Park shares, "We joined a group site and meet up every major holiday at Groveland. We feel like we went up North without the driving four hours. The park is well laid out and includes a ton of fun activities for young and old."
Beach options: Most parks feature swimming areas with varying amenities. "The beach is nice, a little small, but clean and fun," notes a camper, while another mentions, "They have a large beach, boat rentals, bike paths plus a BMX area and several playgrounds."
Playground access: Consider proximity to playgrounds when selecting sites with children. "Tons of trails for hiking and biking. They have kids activities on the weekends, a lake for swimming, great playgrounds and everything is really clean," reports an Addison Oaks visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Research specific site characteristics before booking. A Proud Lake visitor cautions, "There are a few sites on an incline and that made it hard to get in and out of our fifth wheel," while an Oakland County Addison Oaks camper notes, "Sites have electricity and water and are well spaced out."
Hookup availability: Hookup options vary between parks and specific sites. "Cement pads, water, and electric. Loop C is spacious with some trees," observes one Addison Oaks visitor, providing practical details about RV accommodations.
Dump station access: Some parks have unusual dump station configurations. "This is one of the weirdest dump stations I have seen at a state park," explains a Lakeport visitor, noting the unusual route required to access the facility.
