175 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Farwell, Michigan include a range of options from rustic state forest sites to developed family parks with amenities. Herrick Recreation Area provides spacious campsites under trimmed pine trees with electric hookups, while Mud Lake State Forest Campground offers a more primitive experience with only eight non-reservable sites. The area features several campgrounds accommodating tents, RVs, and cabins, with some locations like Wilson State Park and Countryside Campground offering cabin rentals. Most mixed-use campgrounds are located within 15-20 miles of Farwell, providing varied camping experiences from lakeside sites to wooded settings.
Most developed campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from April or May through October, with limited winter camping options. Road access varies by location, with state forest campgrounds often requiring navigation on well-marked dirt roads. "This campground is small, 8 sites. Site number 6 is the best as it overlooks the lake and a path from your campsite leads down to the lake," notes one visitor about Mud Lake State Forest Campground. Weather considerations include mosquito activity in summer months and potential mud issues during rainy periods. Cell service is surprisingly good at many campgrounds, with visitors reporting excellent coverage for Verizon at more remote locations. Many campground options require advance planning during peak summer weekends, particularly for lakefront sites.
Campers report high satisfaction with sites near lakes that offer fishing and kayaking opportunities. The pine-covered sites at Herrick Recreation Area receive consistent praise for their spaciousness and shade. According to one visitor, "Large, clean vault toilets. A water pump. No electric. Some of the sites seem more isolated than others." Public land camping tends to offer more seclusion, while family-oriented campgrounds provide amenities like swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities. Several reviewers mentioned the cleanliness of facilities, with multiple daily bathroom cleanings at county parks. Highway noise can affect some campgrounds, particularly Spring Lake State Forest Campground which sits close to US 131. Visitors seeking quiet experiences typically prefer the more remote state forest campgrounds, while families with children gravitate toward campgrounds with recreational facilities.
"The sites have decent distance between them and vary from tucked into the trees (away from the lake) or more open (near the lake)."
"It is located off the beaten path in the middle of nowhere, down a couple of well-marked dirt roads about 20 miles from the highway. There are only 8 sites, but each site is spacious."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"This is a really good family campground in the middle of Michigan. Campsites are spacious and wooded. There is a lake for swimming ability to fish and put in a kayak."
"Near the cabins) The rest are in pine stands and really is a nice place to be. As per the normal, pines bring sap, so expect that.
Day use is across the street. Playground, beach, etc."
from $45 - $2735 / night
Check Availability"Pretty nice RV park in the middle of Michigan."
"Sites around#40 are spacious and shaded all day which was awesome. No mats allowed but it was great as the grass is green and lush. Store has apparel, camping tools, and ice cream."
from $49 - $150 / night
Check Availability"Near downtown Clare, nice park with pavilions, no reservations needed. Sites are within the city’s park so there’s local traffic."
"Unfortunately, it's bordered on 2 sides by 2 major roads, Old 27 and Townline Lake Rd, and Harrison is loaded with people who think "no exhaust" equals "cool car", and are happy to show you just how big"
"The campsites next to the road can be a little loud with road noise. The fairgrounds are across the street as well, so if there is an event going on, wear your ear plugs!"
from $28 - $186 / night
Check Availability"They come around 3 or 4 times a day, if you need wood, just flag them down and they will deliver it ($5/bundle)."
from $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Nice peaceful drive there... pulled in to find they have recently just been acquired by KOA I believe as there was signage down with few KOA signs up."
"Rather than clearing all the trees the sites were developed around many mature trees which makes for a much more attractive setting. The bathrooms/showers were immaculate. "
TravelerVisiting relatives in St Louis. Church campground with almost level sites, grass. Friendly staff and helpful. Clean and well maintained. Water and electric, no full hookup, but have dump station.
ScoutWe have camped here many times over the years and have always enjoyed our visits. The campground has made some great investments and improvements, which are appreciated. However, the overall maintenance has unfortunately declined. It is noticeable in the condition of the shower houses, tree trimming, staining, painting, and other general upkeep. A little more attention to these details would make a big difference, especially in the restroom facilities. This is a great campground for children and families, with plenty to enjoy. One area that could use improvement is consistency in how campground rules are enforced. During our stay, we observed several occasions where some seasonal campers—and even some weekend campers—were allowed to get away with things that others were not. We personally did not have any issues, but it did seem as though certain campers were singled out while others were overlooked, even when there was no obvious reason. Overall, this is still a good place to camp, and we will likely return. With a stronger focus on maintenance and more consistent rule enforcement, it could easily become an excellent campground.
ScoutIf you're looking for a family oriented campground, look no further. From the park to play in for the kids and the heated pool, to the large fields and trails, you'll find entertainment to fill your days. Visit the wishing tree or porcupine tree. Swing on your trail adventure. The owners are delightful.
GuideThis was our overall third visit in the last 4 years to this campground. The last visit was 2 years ago and we had friends visit and do the 6hr tubing ride with us and that ultimately got them into camping and willing to spend the weekend with us at this campground.
We've always been in the "rustic" area more towards the "adult/party" side of the campground, but not to scare anyone there was NOT an over abundance of loud music, or shenanigans. Everyone was pretty calmed down by 11-12.
Some of the upgrades from years past included shelving, hooks, small benches in the public shower areas (don't have to pay for shower access) water was always warm and the showers were always clean.
The store contained anything you'd need if you forget something at home, including water shoes for tubing, firewood, ice, etc.
We did the 6hr tubing trip, left at 11am and got back to the campground around 4:30. Theres more than enough locations along the tubing trip to stop and eat off to the side. The river is very shallow at some points, id say ankle deep and deep at some points, maybe 8+ ft in spots, but most of the time it was knee deep.
The staff is great, they drive around periodically and pick up trash if you leave it in bags along the driving paths, theres a security team at all hours, etc.
Cell service isn't the best, however they do offer wifi ($20 for multiple devices/week). The wifi would go in/out at times though
Overall this is one of my favorite campsites and will return next year.
ScoutThis was our first camping trip as a family and our son choked made it a memorable one. He choked on a breadstick, threw it up and had piece stuck in his throat. The park ranger ( female, maybe 5'5 light brown hair, white. Because I cant remember her name) was amazing. She was calm, asked my son questions to help distract him and her overall kindness in her all was great. The rest of the team in there was amazing as well. Next day she stopped by to see how he was doing! I loved that. The camp ground itself it very nice, the bathrooms and showers were really clean. For sure worth the stay!
GuideStayed a few nights here. Great site right in the river. Rented tubes and floated the river down to our campsite. All of the amenities. Definitely a busy place on weekends but a little calmer through the week.
ScoutTons of fishing spots and trails around to ride. We come every summer with kids and they love to fish and head into town and find things to do. Its a rustic campground so no hookup. You do have to scan a code when arriving or call the state park office to get a permit before you set up! This was new to us this year but wasnt too hard to get done! We have a 30 ft 5th wheel and we fit beautifully on site 29. Most sites seem to have a small fishing access along the water and some sort of view of the water.
GuideI camped here on my motorcycle in a tent. NO CELL PHONE SERVICE!!!It is quiet after dark, river sites all over, walkin sites at the entrance. Its $20 a night. Its a nice scenery the bugs are a little rough but there is fire wood close by for $5 a bundle. All in all a good experience except... The damn racoons!! It was like the movie the great outdoors and they come in packs!!! I had to hide everything and they stole my ketchup 😂
ScoutNice campground pretty quiet very well shaded lots. Some lots would be a bit difficult to get a camper in due to the amount of trees but nice for tent camping. Bathrooms are a bit dated is only downfall. Could use some maintance and upgrades
Near Farwell, Michigan, camping options extend throughout the central region's mixed hardwood forests and small lakes at approximately 1,000 feet elevation. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F with cooler nights, even during July and August. The region's glacial landscape creates numerous small fishing lakes with varying shoreline access restrictions.
Kayaking on Mud Lake: At Mud Lake State Forest Campground, visitors enjoy calm waters ideal for beginners. "Big Mud Lake is a decent size and is nice and calm for kayaking, etc. There is a boat ramp near the campground, although Site #6 has a small path down to the lake with a shallow spot to use for putting a kayak or canoe in and out of the water," notes Ari A.
Rail Trail access: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to regional trails. "There is the Pier-Marquette Rail trail about 1.5 miles from the campground, great for biking, running etc," reports Jennifer H. about Herrick Recreation Area.
Hiking nearby networks: The Green Pine Lake Pathway connects multiple recreation areas. "There is a 2.5-mile-long connector from this campground to the Green Pine Lake Pathway -- it's a total of about 9 miles of trails that connects you to three different lakes," explains one Mud Lake visitor.
Pine-shaded sites: Campers consistently praise the tall pine areas at several campgrounds. "We stayed in the 'pines' part of the park, it was nice and shady. The sites closer to the lake were more full sun," reports Doug about Herrick Recreation Area.
Seclusion at rustic sites: Spring Lake State Forest Campground offers dispersed camping with more privacy. "Nice park with dispersed sites. Hand pump for potable water and out houses for bathrooms. On a cute little lake ideal for kayaking or small boats," shares Christopher P.
Family-friendly activities: Family campgrounds provide organized recreation options. "There are activities for the kids, a playground, heated pool, hiking/bike trail, and even a baseball field," notes Megan W. about Countryside Campground & Cabins.
Traffic noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience highway noise disruption. "It's right next to the highway, so you hear traffic until around 1 or 2 am," warns Natalie P. about Spring Lake State Forest Campground.
Site selection strategy: At Wilson State Park Campground, site conditions vary significantly. "Many sites are rather large, like 97, but severely sloped, also like 97... Others are flat, small, and your camper is right near the road," advises Dj W., adding that "very low sites on the West edge, side nearest Old 27, far South end it is higher, sloped, can be cramped to get into for newbs."
Tick awareness: During warm months, ticks become a concern in wooded areas. "I did notice lots of ticks. Our dogs all had at least one on them and all of us campers had a few," reports Zara W. about Mud Lake State Forest Campground.
Foam parties and hayrides: Scheduled activities enhance family trips. "Offered hay rides Saturday evening. Had a foam party (my 5 year old loved this)," shares Emily W. about Countryside Campground & Cabins.
Beach access considerations: Different swimming areas have varying rules. "Beach is across the road from the park and no pets/dogs allowed in that side of the park," notes Jennifer H. about Harrison RV Family Campground.
Playground proximity: When selecting a site, consider proximity to play areas. "Wish we had a canoe or kayaks to fart around on the ponds. In lieu of that, we fed the fish some bread. Not exciting, but relaxing," shares a Herrick visitor who adds, "Maybe put a bigger playground near the camping sites, so your kids can play and be within eyesight."
Self-contained camping: Limited hookups at state forest campgrounds mean preparation is essential. "This campground is the feel of a hike-in campground while being accessible by vehicle. It is located off the beaten path in the middle of nowhere, down a couple of well-marked dirt roads about 20 miles from the highway," reports Jacki F. about Mud Lake.
Leveling challenges: Bring adequate leveling blocks for certain campgrounds. "We stayed on site 78. It's slightly sloped but leveling is easy. Biiiig sites here," notes Dj W. about Isabella County Herrick Recreation Area, adding that "site 73 should be avoided if rain is forecasted for your time there. 73 sits at the low side of that pod, and gets washed out."
Overnight convenience: For travelers passing through, Pettit Park offers accessible options. "This is a first come, self serve City Park. There is a very nice pavilion and park. It is only .5 miles from downtown Clare. They have fire rings and electric hook up," shares Jennifer H.
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities and attractions are available near Farwell, MI for campers?
The Farwell area offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities for campers. Water activities are particularly popular at locations like Mitchell State Park Campground, situated between Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell, where you can enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating. The canal connecting the lakes adds to the recreational options. Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the natural beauty at Goose Lake State Forest Campground, known for its scenic surroundings. The region also features excellent fishing opportunities at various lakes, biking trails, wildlife viewing, and photography opportunities. During winter months, activities shift to snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing. The nearby towns offer quaint shopping districts, local restaurants, and seasonal festivals that provide additional entertainment options for campers.
What are the best campgrounds near Farwell, Michigan?
Several excellent campgrounds are located near Farwell, Michigan. Mud Lake State Forest Campground offers a rustic experience with only 8 non-reservable sites providing decent privacy. Some sites feature lake views or direct access to the water. For those seeking more amenities, Isabella County Herrick Recreation Area provides spacious, wooded campsites with electric hookups and shared water. The area features a lake for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. Other notable options include Leverentz Lake State Forest Campground with its lake views, and Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground with clean bathrooms and beach access. Many of these campgrounds fill up quickly during summer weekends, so arriving early for non-reservable sites is recommended.
What camping is available near Farwell, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Farwell, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 175 campgrounds and RV parks near Farwell, MI and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Farwell, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Farwell, MI is Mud Lake State Forest Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 9 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Farwell, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Farwell, MI.
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