Best Tent Camping near Elmira, MI

Tent camping near Elmira, Michigan provides access to several rustic state forest campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground in Mancelona offers walk-in tent sites with a 700-yard hike from the parking area to the campground, which sits 50 feet higher in elevation. Graves Crossing State Forest Campground, also in Mancelona, provides year-round tent camping with drive-in access. For backcountry tent camping experiences, the Pigeon River State Forest offers dispersed camping options with drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access points throughout the forest.

Most tent campgrounds in the Elmira area feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Vault toilets are common at established sites, while drinking water availability varies by location. Pinney Bridge provides drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables but requires campers to carry all gear up from the parking area. State forest campgrounds typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration stations. The camping season generally runs April through October, though some sites like Graves Crossing remain open year-round. Michigan Recreation Passports are required for vehicle entry at most locations.

The tent camping experience near Elmira offers opportunities for solitude and natural immersion. Sand Lakes Quiet Area Backcountry Campsites, located south of Elmira, provides a more secluded tent camping experience with both drive-in and walk-in options. According to one visitor, "We pitched our tent, stoked the fire, and didn't see another soul during our entire time there." The area features multiple lakes with excellent fishing opportunities and wooded trails for exploration. Campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions, particularly in spring and fall when temperatures can fluctuate significantly. Wildlife encounters are common, with campers reporting eagle sightings and elk bugling in nearby forests.

Best Tent Sites Near Elmira, Michigan (38)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Elmira, MI

920 Reviews of 38 Elmira Campgrounds


  • Ash S.
    May. 15, 2022

    Leelanau State Park Campground

    Very peaceful lakeside campground

    No hookups, No problem! Very quiet campground on the Shores of Lake Michigan. Sites are large and private with large fire rings and picnic tables. Vault toilets only but they are kept very clean.

  • Ari A.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2019

    Jones Lake State Forest Campground

    Peaceful spot, plenty of room

    Seems much larger than most state forest campgrounds in Michigan. There are 6 loops here with numerous sites on each loop. And yet, you don't feel crowded in and there's decent privacy in many of the sites. Jones Lake is peaceful and offers some great sunsets. Dirt road leading in is in decent shape and navigable by any size rig. Some of the sites may require some tight maneuvering for larger rigs but site size is good overall. Trees offer good shade cover at different times of the day depending on site location.

    Rustic campground, so no water or electric are available, but there are vault toilets, as well as trash and recycling receptacles.

    Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.

    We had a very pleasant stay.

    Deecnt cell coverage -- 2 bars LTE on Verizon, 2-3 bars LTE on Google Fi.

  • Gemma G.
    Apr. 24, 2019

    Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    Schecks Place-TRAIL CAMP enjoy privacy, the river, horse trails

    There are 2 sections of Schecks Place. One is a campground with picnic tables and site numbers.

    The other is the trail camp. You drop your money in the box pick a spot of as much space as you want (there is hardly ever a lot of people).

    The last 2 times we went there was maybe one or two people with their horses or just passing thru.

    There are bathrooms and a well for water. No showers No electric.

    The river runs by and is awesome to go tubing down.

    There are trails that go through so if you are an equestrian this spot is perfect.

  • Emily V.
    Aug. 17, 2018

    Pickerel Lake (Otsego) State Forest Campground

    Great getaway and lots of space!

    Great state forest campground. $15 per night can’t be beat. Sites are great for tents and RVs but no electricity. Hand pump wells for drinking water and vault toilets that are well kept. About 40 spots. All with picnic table and fire ring. Some are closer to the lake than others but good trails to get to the lake. Lake is perfect for swimming.

  • Lexi G.
    Jul. 30, 2020

    4-Mile Trail Camp DNR

    Cheap horse camp

    It’s never busy here. I don’t have horses but I’ve seen people stay with horse trailers with their tie outs to the poles that are designed for it. There’s trails in the surrounding areas. Also water pump and vault toilets. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided as well.

  • Kate K.
    Sep. 3, 2019

    Avery Lake State Forest Campground

    Little Rustic Campground

    This place was really nice and not very busy. It’s on a beautiful lake that is great for swimming and boating. It has a few walk in sites that have beach access. All sites include picnic table and fire pit. Shared rustic vault toilets available. There is a nice boat launch located within the campground as well.

  • Lydia T.
    May. 13, 2024

    Jackson Lake State Forest Campground

    Rustic state forest campground

    Rustic campground on Jackson lake. Very close to clear lake state park down the road. Vault toilets and each site comes with picnic table and fire ring.

  • Chris M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Pickerel Lake (Kalkaska) State Forest Campground

    Ok for a mid week getaway

    I scouted this campground over a holiday weekend and found all the sites that could accomodate RVs were occupied, while all the tent sites were available.  Returning on the Monday after the holiday with my tent, I was the only camper on site for all three nights I was there.  

    I camped in Site 2, as it was close to the lake and fishing was my purpose in being there.  The campground is small (15 sites) and the cost is $20/night.  The vault toilets (2) were clean and well supplied with toilet paper.  The hand pump well takes a bit of priming to get going, but don't give up.  You will get water.  There is a small beach area next to a well maintained boat dock and concrete boat launch.  Everything at my site, fire ring and picnic table was in good condition.  As others have mentioned, this campground is right on a paved road.  For some reason, this road is popular with noisy motorcycles and pickup trucks.  Fortunately, the traffic almost completely stops by 9PM.  

    The fishing was just ok.  Although rumor has it the lake is stocked with Walleye, my take was limited to abundant Bluegills, Pumpkinseeds, and Largemouth bass, many of which were on the larger size.  Waterskiing and jetskiing is prohibited on the lake before 11AM, but they come out in numbers after that time.  

    All in all, being the sole camper at the site made for a pleasant stay.  I would not venture to stay there on a weekend or holiday.

  • Kate K.
    Aug. 20, 2019

    Pickerel Lake (Otsego) State Forest Campground

    Nice sites but not too close to the lake

    Nice large state forest campground with plenty of space and sites. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Shared rustic toilets and hand pump for water are also available. The sites are large but only a few are close to the lake and even those require taking a trail down to the water. The lake is beautiful and clear, perfect for a paddle or morning swim.


Guide to Elmira

Tent camping near Elmira, Michigan features several notable campgrounds within the vast northern Michigan forests at elevations ranging from 900 to 1,200 feet. The region experiences warm summers with daytime temperatures typically between 70-85°F and cool nights dropping into the 50s. Most camping areas in the region require a Michigan Recreation Passport for vehicle entry, which costs $12 for Michigan residents or $9 for non-residents when purchased with license plate renewal.

What to do

Kayaking on local rivers: Sturgeon Valley Campground provides excellent river access for paddlers. According to one visitor, "Judy is lovely. River access great. My favorite place to camp and kayak" (Sue R.). The campground serves as an ideal base for exploring multiple waterways in the region.

Fish multiple lakes: Sand Lakes Quiet Area Backcountry Campsites offers exceptional fishing opportunities across several connected lakes. One camper reported, "Literally, some of the best fishing I have ever done. We caught so many bass we lost count. Well gave up counting. Like every other cast" (Dan K.). The area features clear waters and minimal fishing pressure.

Explore equestrian trails: Elk Hill Equestrian River Trail Campground caters specifically to horse enthusiasts with dedicated facilities. A regular visitor noted, "This is a great horse camp. Have camped here many times. Pump water and river for horses. Manuer bunkers and solid poles for highline tying" (Devora D.). The campground connects to extensive trail networks throughout Pigeon River State Forest.

What campers like

Secluded lakeside spots: Keystone Landing State Forest Campground provides peaceful riverside sites with good spacing. One camper shared, "The campsites are fairly secluded and shaded. Perfect for trout fishing as there are three access spots to the river" (Walt S.). The campground sees minimal traffic even during peak season.

Complete solitude: For those seeking true isolation, the dispersed camping areas in Pigeon River State Forest offer primitive sites away from crowds. These sites require self-sufficiency but reward campers with genuine wilderness experiences and opportunities to spot elk and other wildlife.

Rural privacy: C3 farm trust provides private tent camping on farmland near Elmira. A reviewer noted it offers "Private tent camping in rural Michigan" with amenities including fire rings and picnic tables but maintains a rustic, uncrowded atmosphere (Jake C.). The farm has only three designated sites, ensuring ample space between campers.

What you should know

Navigation challenges: Finding some of the best tent camping near Elmira requires preparation. At Sand Lakes Quiet Area, a camper reported, "We struggled to find this place and knew with the reviews it was possible... You park in this small lot with a yellow gate that is in-front of the trail and then walk down for about 10 min until you see a smaller trail to left follow that down and you will see the campsites!" (Rachael T.). Downloading offline maps is recommended.

Physical requirements: Pinney Bridge State Forest Campground demands physical fitness from campers. As one visitor noted, "This campground is hike in/walk in only. The closest parking space is 700 yards and 50 feet in elevation lower than the campground" (Doug B.). Pack accordingly with lightweight gear if planning to stay here.

Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds near Elmira operate seasonally from April through October, though some like Graves Crossing State Forest Campground remain open year-round. Spring brings more precipitation and mud, while fall offers colorful foliage but requires warmer sleeping gear for overnight temperatures that can drop into the 30s.

Tips for camping with families

Choose accessible sites: Keystone Landing provides family-friendly amenities with less hiking required than other locations. A visitor mentioned, "You get the best of both worlds here, camping on the river but close to Grayling" (Walt S.), making supply runs and emergency exits easier with children.

Check for insects: Tick awareness is essential when camping with kids near Elmira. One camper at Sand Lakes Quiet Area noted, "Hiking around it was clear there were a LOT of tics though so we avoided the trails" (Katana H.). Daily tick checks and appropriate repellents are necessary, especially from May through August.

Look for recreational variety: Torch Grove Campground offers amenities that appeal to families. A visitor reported, "A clean, private campground located near orv trails. Most sites were full hook up but they had some rustic sites too. There was a small playground also" (Lydia T.). This provides entertainment options for children during downtime at camp.

Tips from RVers

Limited full-hookup options: The Elmira area offers few developed RV sites with full hookups. At Torch Grove Campground, RVers will find electric, water and sewer connections, with one camper noting it's "located in Rapid City" with convenient access to nearby attractions (Lydia T.).

Size restrictions apply: Many campgrounds near Elmira cannot accommodate larger rigs. While places like Sturgeon Valley Campground are marked as big-rig friendly, forest roads leading to most sites have low clearance and tight turns that limit accessibility for vehicles over 25 feet in length.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Elmira, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Elmira, MI is Pinney Bridge with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Elmira, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 38 tent camping locations near Elmira, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.