Best Glamping near Essexville, MI

Bay City State Park Campground and Tawas Point State Park offer distinctive glamping accommodations with yurts nestled among established trees. Both parks provide comfortable alternatives to traditional camping with electricity, fire rings, and picnic tables at each site. Glamping options in these parks include climate-controlled yurts with comfortable sleeping arrangements and convenient access to modern bathroom facilities with showers that are "very clean, smelled of bleach," according to a recent visitor. These luxury camping options blend outdoor adventure with essential comforts, positioned within easy access of Lake Huron's shoreline and the natural amenities of Michigan's state parks.

The Saginaw Bay region surrounding these glamping destinations features numerous outdoor recreation opportunities within walking distance of accommodations. Visitors at Bay City State Park can explore the Tobico Marsh trails leading to observation towers ideal for bird watching, while the adjacent day-use area offers a splash pad, playground, and sandy beaches. Water activities dominate the summer season, with boat access available at several nearby glamping locations including Wesleyan Woods Camp and River View Campground. "The nature trail around the lagoon is a birder's dream. We saw white egrets, blue heron, sandpipers and their babies," noted one guest who stayed in the area. Most luxury camping sites operate seasonally from April or May through October, with some locations offering extended booking options.

Best Glamping Sites Near Essexville, Michigan (17)

    1. Bay City State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Kawkawlin, MI
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 684-3020

    "Fire pit. Sites are electric only. Recommend to have extension cord for some sites, as plug in can be far. Website has pictures for sites and will advise if lot gets wet."

    "Each site has a cement fire ring and electric hookup. There are communal water spickets generously scattered around the grounds. The bathrooms and showers are very clean."

    2. Wesleyan Woods Camp

    4 Reviews
    Millington, MI
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 823-8840

    "Nice big sites and nice bath house. Great staff as well."

    "My only complaint would be that bathrooms and showers could be cleaner. Went in right after they mopped and it looked like they just slid the dirt around."

    3. Sebewaing County Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Pigeon, MI
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 883-9192

    "Nice place to stay,it’s sitting just off of the river,and the lake is next to it,if you like fishing you’re going to love it.the site is a little tight but you can pull through,overall it’s really quiet"

    4. Pine Ridge RV Campground

    5 Reviews
    Clio, MI
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 624-9029

    "Knowledgeable and friendly staff."

    "No tents allowed but pop-up are welcome. The bathrooms are key for me and are very clean. There shower are private and are quarter operated. This is our go-to when in the area."

    5. Port Crescent State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    Port Austin, MI
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 738-8663

    "General: A real hodgepodge of options: paved sites, sandy sites, some with electric, hammock sites, several different types of cabins, and domes."

    "This park is in a great location—The Thumb felt quite isolated."

    6. Covenant Hills Camp

    8 Reviews
    Otisville, MI
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (810) 631-4531

    "Staff was helpful with activities such as archery but, seldom seen if not directly helping with things. "

    "Large play areas, dog run, basketball court, lots of walking trails, and family friendly."

    7. Tawas Point State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Tawas City, MI
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 362-5041

    $20 - $50 / night

    "It is an important stopping point for the migratory pattern of warblers in the spring, and has a very nice nature walk."

    "We stayed on site 70, and while it was crowded, we didn’t mind. We were close by to the boat launch, and just a short walk to the bathroom; not too far and not too close either."

    8. River View Campground & Canoe Livery

    5 Reviews
    Alger, MI
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 654-2447

    "Campground offers many amenities and with the river right on site there is so much to do. We always go tubing and kayaking. Bathrooms and showers are decent for a campground."

    "It sits along the Rifle River next to Rifle River Campground and Whites Campground.  The campground is huge and offers so much!"

    9. Otter Lake Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Otisville, MI
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (810) 793-4258

    "The lake is soooo beautiful and you can rent kayaks $7/hour or a 2 person small boat for $10/hour. Laundry facility is nice and cheap, with a great sink to wash dishes."

    "I grew up in Otter lake spent lot's of summers running around the campground and beach area. I haven't stayed in the campground for years but I have visited friends staying in the campground."

    10. City of Au Gres Riverfront Campground

    1 Review
    Au Gres, MI
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 876-8310

    "Great walking paths."

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Recent Glamping Photos near Essexville, MI

4 Photos of 17 Essexville Campgrounds


Glamping Reviews near Essexville, MI

116 Reviews of 17 Essexville Campgrounds


  • H
    Jun. 5, 2024

    Covenant Hills Camp

    Group camping for Sukkot

    We had a large group of families with varying ages and abilities.  We used multiple different styles of cabins and a few RV sites, as well as various buildings for activities.  All in all, it was an incredible time and I highly recommend it.  Staff was helpful with activities such as archery but, seldom seen if not directly helping with things.  It was nice to feel like we had the run of the place but, still know that help was available if we needed it.  The location is pretty great, off the beaten path but, within 30 minutes of major stores and conveniences. 
    Laundry facilities would have been awesome since we were staying a full week but, there was a laundromat only about 15 minutes away. 
    The food selection was about what you'd expect in a public school cafeteria and resulted in health-minded guests needing to make their own meals in the cabins and meals were VERY rushed, only allowing 30 minutes for our large group to get their food, eat and be out of the building. 
    The grounds were well maintained for a rustic campground but, bathrooms and meeting buildings were adequately upgraded and offered pleasant amenities, such as a game room, large gym and decent air conditioning.  

    We had a great time here and look forward to returning one day!

  • Hallee L.
    Aug. 26, 2023

    Tawas Point State Park Campground

    Nice but busy

    It is very nice and extremely clean. However it is kind of cramped. Sites feel close and everyone was very nosey. Pet beach is nice. Water is beautiful. Convenient location. People didn't listen to rules such as quiet hour and let their badly behaved dogs run loose. Bath house is extremely nice! All in all, I would camp here on an off day/season.

  • Emily F.
    Jul. 10, 2021

    Bay City State Park Campground

    Close sites

    Nice and clean. I’m in the inner loop though and the sites are very close together. If I came back I would definitely try to stay out the outer loop. Electric, fire pit, and picnic table on site. No grate. Showers and bathrooms available.

  • N
    Oct. 6, 2020

    Northern Bear Paw RV Park

    Words Can’t Describe

    This place is gorgeous. Owners have done a great job with the property. Pine trees left intact. It’s sits on the Au Gres River trail to the river with seating, picnic table and fire pit. The grounds are immaculate. Very peaceful setting.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 12, 2025

    Port Crescent State Park Campground

    Very popular campground nestled between the highway and the beach

    General: A real hodgepodge of options: paved sites, sandy sites, some with electric, hammock sites, several different types of cabins, and domes. Our stay was in 2023, and this review is based on that, but the campground was closed for the 2024 season for upgrades. 

    Site Quality: Varies greatly. We were able to secure two different sites for our two-night stay. Upon arrival, however, we doubted we would be able to navigate our 18-foot camper van into Site 58– it was sandy, narrow with trees, and cars were parked alongside the narrow access road, making backing in very difficult to impossible. We were able to switch to Site 69 for the first night. The second night we were in site 56 and enjoyed listening to the waves lapping up against the shore. Not all sites are level. Little privacy/separation between sites but if you can score a waterfront site, then it’s all good. Sites 93, 95, 95A, 98, 99A, 101, 103, 105, and 107 back up to the old river channel and the water was very stagnant and green. The beachfront sites mostly have nice views of Saginaw Bay/Lake Huron but be cautious when selecting: some are sand and not level. You will hear road noise from M25 on the 19 sites that back up to the road (and also some of the sites opposite these). 

    Bath/Shower: Two bathhouses (east and west) plus a couple of vault toilets. The East Bathhouse was very modern and clean. The West Bathhouse looked to be a bit older but still seemed fine. 

    Activities/Amenities: Beach access, fishing, swimming, and an observation platform for bird watching or night sky viewing (the weather did not cooperate to check these out). There are nearby hiking trails, a playground, a basketball hoop, and a horseshoe pit. There is a dump station. Kudos to Michigan for extensive recycling! 

    We arrived late at night, and I was able to get in a nice walk around the campground before the rain started, dampening our options for the rest of the day. Obviously, our stay here would have been better with better weather, but I caution you to be careful when reserving your sites based on your type of camping. Despite the abundance of mayflies (gross but not biting) and the muddy sand-covered road from all the rain, we’d stay here again if we could get a beachfront site. We enjoyed our time here and would love to see what improvements were made when the campground was closed (although I thought it was very nice before).

  • Tanner G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 4, 2022

    Bay City State Park Campground

    "Late night check in"

    We came in late for just a place to rest before heading further north. Drop box available after 10pm(summer). Between 8p-10p there is a yellow phone to check in with. Can book day of until 8pm online. Easy to get into late at night. Big lots. Fire pit. Sites are electric only. Recommend to have extension cord for some sites, as plug in can be far. Website has pictures for sites and will advise if lot gets wet. Staff was very friendly the next morning. Updated our rec pass at the park before leaving. Lots of trails and swimming beach near park.

  • Mark H.
    Sep. 22, 2016

    Tawas Point State Park Campground

    Nice place on the bay

    We went on a family trip to the Tawas Pointe State Park. It is an important stopping point for the migratory pattern of warblers in the spring, and has a very nice nature walk. The nature walk leads out to the lighthouse by the bay, and comes up to the beach. The camp grounds have electrical and water access for RVs and campers, but people also camp out in their tents, and everything in between. There is a small playground that my daughter enjoyed, and a paved pathway through the grounds to Rollerblade/bike on. Most sites come with a fire pit. There is also a large dumpster near the entrance for waster disposal.

  • Emma W.
    Jun. 21, 2019

    Tawas Point State Park Campground

    Great summer camping

    Tawas Bay is an awesome area to visit in the summer, and this state park is about the best camping you can get in the area. We stayed on site 70, and while it was crowded, we didn’t mind. We were close by to the boat launch, and just a short walk to the bathroom; not too far and not too close either. The bathrooms were clean, stocked, and had hot water for the showers whenever we needed it. On the opposite side of the bathroom, there’s even a full dishwashing sink, something I have yet to see at another campground. The ranger station has firewood and ice for sale, as well as maps and activity lists. As far as things to do at the campground, there are plenty of trails, including one leading to the lighthouse at the end of the point, as well as kayaks for rent at the boat launch. One thing I have to recommend it waking up early to catch the sunrise over Lake Huron. It is amazing! If you’re more of a night owl, sunsets are equally as great looking over the bay.

    Locally there are tons of places to eat and things to do. Catch a sailboat race through the bay, head to any of the many beaches, or even walk through the small downtown. If you have a sweet tooth like me, there’s a super good chocolate shop called the Village Chocolatier, and an amazing place for ice cream called Marion’s. Totally recommend visiting Tawas, and staying at Tawas Point State Park!

  • T
    Jul. 21, 2019

    Port Crescent State Park Campground

    Gem on the tip of The Thumb

    This park is in a great location—The Thumb felt quite isolated. There are some pretty rad sites right on Lake Huron—unfortunately, we were on site 41 which buts right up against a main road and it got quite loud at times (especially on the weekends). Bathrooms were good for a state park. The beach was a little small, but water levels are high this year. DNR staff were pleasant, helpful and good at being present. Firewood is for sale at the gate for $5 a bundle. This campground is close to Caseville, Bad Axe and Port Austin where I would recommend renting a kayak and checking out Turnip Rock (only accessible by H2O). This park didn’t get a full 5 stars because of the proximity to the road (which wasn’t really that bad…). Great Park!


Guide to Essexville

Camping around Essexville, Michigan offers diverse accommodation options within the Saginaw Bay watershed region. Located at approximately 585 feet above sea level, this area experiences warm summers with average July temperatures around 80°F and cold winters averaging 20°F in January. Sites throughout the region range from electric-only to full-hookup facilities, with many campgrounds providing access to the Saginaw Bay and associated waterways.

What to do

Hiking and wildlife observation: The trails at Port Crescent State Park Campground provide excellent opportunities for nature exploration. "There are trails for hiking around the wider state park area as well as a few that lead across the street to the swim area and day park," notes one visitor. The park's location makes it ideal for birdwatching, with many migratory species passing through.

Water activities: River recreation stands out at River View Campground & Canoe Livery, where summer visitors enjoy floating the river. "This is a fun camp with lots of stuff to do. Nothing like grabbing a tube a flowing down the river with friends," reports one camper. Hourly and daily rental options are available for water equipment with prices starting around $7-10 per hour.

Playground facilities: Families camping at Bay City State Park Campground appreciate the recreational infrastructure. One visitor describes it as "one of the best campgrounds for kids that I've ever visited" and notes the "huge timber playground, beautiful sandy beach along Lake Huron, sandy swim area, geocaching, pavilions, well kept bathrooms and changing rooms."

What campers like

Clean facilities: Campers frequently comment on bathroom cleanliness at regional campgrounds. At Sebewaing County Park, facilities are described as "clean enough & refreshing enough" while maintaining an almost "prehistoric" feel that distinguishes it from more developed sites.

Spacious campsites: Pine Ridge RV Campground receives praise for its site layouts. "Each site has full hook-ups and are a good size. Nice shade trees at most sites," according to a recent visitor. Larger sites provide more privacy and comfort during peak camping season.

Organized activities: Many campgrounds in the Essexville region offer structured recreation options. One visitor at Covenant Hills Camp notes they have "lots of things to do. climbing wall, zip line, swimming, fishing a lot of pike," making it particularly appealing for family luxury camping experiences near Essexville.

What you should know

Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly, especially waterfront locations. "During summer months, it books up 6 months in advance. So learn their online reservation system and be quick at it if you have a specific site in mind," advises a camper about Port Crescent State Park.

Weather considerations: Storms can develop quickly around Saginaw Bay, affecting camping conditions. A camper warns, "When storms come it, make sure you have everything put away and your tent staked down reeeeeal good, cause I've definitely seen 60mph+ winds and tents end up in the trees."

Seasonal operations: Most glamping in Essexville, Michigan is available only during the warm months. Otter Lake Park Campground operates from mid-April to mid-October, typical of many local campgrounds, with some sites offering late check-ins: "Drop box available after 10pm(summer). Between 8p-10p there is a yellow phone to check in with."

Tips for camping with families

Check playground locations: At Bay City State Park, "There is a small playground in the campground, but you have to cut through campsites to reach it." Knowing the layout helps plan family activities more effectively.

Consider the schedule: Many campgrounds coordinate special events for younger visitors. "They have campground hosts that facilitate free activities organized by the park. We did a kids craft and enjoyed hot cocoa or coffee Saturday morning and then returned after dinner for Back-to-School bingo and popcorn," reports a camper from Bay City State Park.

Water safety planning: Tawas Point State Park Campground offers varying water conditions that families should consider. "The public beach on Lake Huron has rougher water and more rocks" while the bay side features calmer waters more suitable for younger swimmers.

Tips from RVers

Extension cord requirements: Several campgrounds have unusual electrical setups. One camper notes, "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."

Site selection considerations: Carefully review site details before booking, especially for premium glamping sites in Essexville area. A visitor to Pine Ridge explains: "Some camp sites are squished up to others. Other camp sites have plenty of room. So when you are stuck in a spot that is tight it kind of ruins the experience. Weird thing is, the bugger sites are the same price."

Lighting awareness: RVers should be mindful of exterior lighting that might impact tent campers. "It's really hard to sleep in a tent when your neighbor's RV 'porch' light is on literally all night shining in the tent while your neighbors are sound asleep in RV," advises a visitor at Bay City State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Essexville, MI?

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

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Essexville, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 glamping camping locations near Essexville, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.