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Best Campgrounds near Essexville, MI

270 Reviews

The Saginaw Bay region surrounding Essexville, Michigan features several established campgrounds catering primarily to RV travelers and family campers seeking water access. Finn Road Park, located directly in Essexville, offers 57 RV sites with full hookups including water, electric, and sewer connections. Just a short drive away, Bay City State Park Campground provides a more diverse camping experience with tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and yurts available from May through October. County parks like Pinconning County Park (operating year-round) and Sebewaing County Park (May to mid-October) round out the options with waterfront access and basic amenities for both tent and RV camping.

Michigan state parks in this region typically provide electric hookups at campsites with shared water spigots located throughout the grounds. Most campgrounds feature clean bathhouses with showers, sanitary dump stations, and picnic tables with fire rings at each site. "The park is huge and there are lots of places to ride your bike. It's a typical Michigan state campground with nice bathrooms and big lots," notes one Bay City State Park visitor. Seasonal considerations significantly impact the camping experience, with most facilities operating from spring through fall. Weekends tend to be considerably busier than weekdays, particularly at waterfront locations. Advance reservations are strongly recommended during summer months.

Water access represents the primary draw for campers in the Essexville area, with Saginaw Bay and its tributaries offering fishing, boating, and beach activities. Pinconning County Park receives praise for its "great access to the Saginaw Bay for boaters/kayakers with a small beach." Bay City State Park features extensive biking opportunities and nature preserves for hiking. Campers frequently mention the family-friendly atmosphere at most parks, with clean facilities and well-maintained grounds being consistent themes in reviews. Site sizes and privacy vary considerably between parks and even within the same campground, with waterfront sites typically being the most sought-after and first to fill during peak season.

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Best Camping Sites Near Essexville, Michigan (98)

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Recent Camping Photos near Essexville, MI

94 Photos of 98 Essexville Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Essexville, MI

270 Reviews of 98 Essexville Campgrounds

  • l
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Black Creek State Forest Campground

    Black Creek State Forest Campground

    Pull up, grab a registration envelope, look for a spot then part. Fill out the registration. Put one portion of it on the clip at the spot number market, keep another portion then return the completed envelope and $20 cash or check per night plus $19 for Michigan recreation passport (if you don’t already have one). They will mail you the passport, keep receipt for proof. Vault toilets available, some river spots, some secluded spots, clean. Saw DNR in the morning checking on everything.

  • Edward C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Port Crescent State Park Campground

    Beautiful views

    Beautiful, newly renovated park with a great beach and beach access.

    Be advised that the sites closer to the beach are very sandy. Larger campers may get stuck, especially after a rainstorm.

  • Edward C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Tawas Point State Park Campground

    Terrific location

    This is a beautiful and picturesque park. The bathrooms are clean and well maintained.

    Sites are large in general with plenty of room for activities.

    The pet friendly beach is fantastic for dogs as the water is very shallow and let's them be active.

    The access roads on the loop are narrow, so you may need to take some care of if you have a large vehicle.

    There's also a kids playground and volleyball court.

  • Melissa H.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Bay City State Park Campground

    Bustling, clean and friendly

    Easy friendly check-in. Firewood prices are cheaper than on roads in. Small and large bags of ice at a good price. Great for families. Clean facilities. They do spray for mosquitoes, so that wasn't too bad at all even in the heat of August. We stayed at 106, the description was on point, level and shaded. Campers were super friendly. We had no complaints about the campground itself but it would be nice if there was an RV lights out policy at night. It's really hard to sleep in a tent when your neighbors RV "porch" light is on literally all night shining in the tent while your neighbors are sound asleep in RV. We had to ask our neighbors politely to turn their outside LED light strips off the second night. They were great about it but, didn't seem to realize it would bother tent campers next to them.

  • Deb M.
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Bay City State Park Campground

    Crowded and inconvenient

    So, this campground looks nice at first, with lots of trees on the sites. However, once you really start looking at them, none have a camping pad, so it’s random parking on the grass. Lots of moving around to get your electric hooked up to the shared and oddly placed power poles. Make sure to come with an extension cord - one member of our party had their power halfway into their neighbor’s site through a bunch of bushes. The sites near the entrance are very crowded together and filled with large loud groups. (please don’t park any extra vehicles hanging out over the road…) And cleaning the bathrooms at 8:30 and 9:30 in the MORNING? Bummer for tenters. It’s ok for a quick stop, but wouldn’t want to stay here too long. I would expect better from a State Park.

  • Ethan R.
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Port Crescent State Park Campground

    Great lakeside campground

    Very nice campground. Great sandy beach. Nice bathrooms and showers. Has geodomes and mini cabins for rent.

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Pettit Park Campground

    City park

    Water and electric and a dump station. Near downtown Clare, nice park with pavilions, no reservations needed. Sites are within the city’s park so there’s local traffic.

  • AmcPhotography
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Chesaning Showboat Camping

    Camping

    it's a alright campground,quit,few things it could use,like another playground ,water hookups,and WiFi other than that it's good.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Arthur Latham Park

    No campground

    Called the office and was told that there is no longer a campground here. Used to be but not anymore

Guide to Essexville

Camping near Essexville, Michigan, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. With beautiful parks and campgrounds, you can enjoy nature while making lasting memories with family and friends.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Holly Recreation Area. One visitor mentioned, "We did a 7-mile loop hike and then went to Battle Alley Brewing in Holly (10 min away)."
  • Water Activities: At Port Crescent State Park Campground, you can enjoy swimming and kayaking. A camper shared, "The nature and wildlife there are simply amazing and the sunsets on the beach were incredible."
  • Fishing and Birdwatching: The Bay City State Park Campground is great for fishing and observing local wildlife. One reviewer noted, "The Tobico Marsh trails and observation towers were great for watching birds."

What campers like:

  • Spacious Campsites: Campers appreciate the roomy sites at McGinnis Lake Modern Campground. A visitor said, "The camp site was spacious but tucked back in a bit."
  • Clean Facilities: Many enjoy the well-maintained restrooms and showers at Tawas Point State Park Campground. One camper remarked, "It is very nice and extremely clean."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpful staff at Walnut Hills Family Campground. A reviewer stated, "The staff fell all over themselves to make sure we were comfortable."

What you should know:

  • Busy Weekends: Many campgrounds can get crowded on weekends. A visitor at Tawas Point State Park Campground noted, "It can get really packed here on weekends."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Devoe Lake Rustic Campground, have fewer amenities. A camper mentioned, "They have wood for sale at the entrance of the park."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for raccoons and other wildlife. A camper at Holly Recreation Area warned, "Raccoons run this place! Don’t leave any food or garbage out ever or you will be robbed."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids, like Walnut Hills Family Campground, which offers a playground and swimming area. A parent shared, "They have a few children's activities such as swimming, volleyball net, and paddle boat rentals."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. One family at Albert E. Sleeper State Park enjoyed the beach access, saying, "The beach is fantastic."
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on kids near water and wildlife. A camper at Port Crescent State Park Campground advised, "Make sure your food and trash is adequately covered."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Conditions: Some sites can be uneven or sloped. A reviewer at Holly Recreation Area mentioned, "Any site above 80ish is very hilly and may be difficult to level an RV."
  • Bring Extra Cords: Some sites may require long extension cords for power. A camper at Bay City State Park Campground noted, "Recommend to have an extension cord for some sites, as plug-in can be far."
  • Book Early: Popular campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Tawas Point State Park Campground advised, "This would make a more pleasant experience for campers."

Camping near Essexville, Michigan, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some unforgettable memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Essexville?

The Essexville area offers several excellent camping options. Bay City State Park Campground is closest, featuring spacious sites, clean facilities, and a huge park with extensive biking trails. For waterfront experiences, Port Crescent State Park Campground at the tip of Michigan's thumb provides large campsites with fire pits and picnic tables, plus proximity to fishing, kayaking, and beautiful beaches. Both parks require a Michigan Recreation Passport for entry, and reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak summer months.

Are there any free or low-cost camping sites in Essexville?

While true free camping is limited near Essexville, several affordable options exist. Finn Road Park offers basic amenities at budget-friendly rates, with water and toilets available. Herrick Recreation Area provides spacious, wooded sites with electric hookups and shared water at reasonable prices. This family-friendly location features a lake for swimming and fishing plus kayak access. For those willing to travel slightly further, Michigan State Forest Campgrounds typically charge modest fees (around $15-20 per night) for more rustic experiences. County parks often represent the best value, offering basic amenities without the higher costs of private RV parks.

Which is the most popular campground near Essexville, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Essexville, MI is Bay City State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 22 reviews.

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