Sterling State Park Campground provides full-hookup sites near Flat Rock, Michigan. Most campsites feature paved slabs with varying shade due to immature trees. The park connects to Lake Erie with clean beaches that are regularly maintained. Expect seasonal mayflies in June and persistent winds throughout the year. Campground roads are wide and sites are spaced appropriately for larger RVs, with 30-amp electric service standard at all sites.
What to do
Beach activities on Lake Erie: Sterling State Park Campground offers access to a sandy beach with kayak and fishing opportunities. "Sites are nice and large paved slabs, most trees are immature offering little shade. Beach is kept fairly clean and raked often," notes Nicole A. The park includes both the main lake and a smaller inland body of water suitable for various activities.
Go-kart racing and mini-golf: Located at Harbortown RV Resort, these family attractions provide additional entertainment beyond standard camping activities. "Next door to putt putt go karts batting cages and arcade - this was pricey but fun," mentions Kourtney D. The resort offers concrete roads and pads for easy access to these amenities.
Lake Erie island exploration: Take the ferry to South Bass Island State Park Campground for a unique camping experience. "About twenty of the tent spots overlook the cliffs with great views of the water. Sites 97 and 114 sit on the edge of the cliff," shares T S. The island features multiple transportation options including bicycle and golf cart rentals.
What campers like
Clean shower facilities: Many campgrounds in the area maintain excellent bathroom facilities. At Maumee Bay State Park Campground, "Bathhouses are shared between two loops. Each bathhouse only has two shower stalls, which may necessitate a wait when the campground is full," advises Lee D. Despite this limitation, campers consistently note the cleanliness of facilities.
Community garden access: Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park offers a unique amenity not commonly found at campgrounds. "My favorite aspect of this campground is that they had a community garden that you were welcome to pick from. We got tomatoes, Swiss chard, peppers, broccoli, and more," reports Nancy W. This feature provides fresh produce during your glamping stay near Flat Rock, Michigan.
Water recreation options: Multiple waterfront options exist throughout the region. At Bishop Lake Campground, "The beach was nice but you have to walk a trail to get to it from the campground or drive. Nice walking trails. Our favorite was the lake for kayaking," shares Debra B. Many sites offer views of the water, enhancing the camping experience.
What you should know
Island logistics: When camping on Lake Erie islands, transportation planning is essential. For Kelleys Island State Park Campground, "You have to take a ferry to the camp ground. It is a few miles to camp ground so if you are renting and don't bring a vehicle you will want to rent a golf cart," advises Lauri J. Ferry schedules can impact arrival and departure flexibility.
Weekend noise levels: Several campgrounds experience increased activity and noise on weekends. At South Bass Island, "The interior sites are inland from the cliff and while wooded are generally very close together and most do NOT have a lake view. The ONLY quiet areas in the campgrounds on the weekends are the cliff tent areas," warns Stephen S.
Seasonal insect considerations: Lakefront camping means dealing with seasonal insect hatches. "First two nights were perfect but then the may flies hatched (in mid june) and covered everything," reports Kourtney D. about Sterling State Park. Bug spray is recommended particularly during summer months at all area campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Inflatable water park access: Bishop Lake Campground features Jump Island, a floating water attraction. "It's connected but costs money. $15 for a 45 minute jump session. Follow on Facebook for coupons. You can also just swim at the lake," advises Beth G. The combination of swimming beach and water park provides multiple options for family water activities.
Halloween camping events: Several area campgrounds offer special seasonal activities. Wayne County Fairgrounds hosts Halloween-themed weekends where campers "decorate your site and the kids get dressed up an go trick or treating in camp, there's a costume contest and hay rides, fun family atmosphere," according to Justin G. These events typically run in September and October.
Playground options: Multiple campgrounds feature play structures for children. Harbortown RV Resort offers "basketball court, sand volleyball, playground, dog run, batting cages and go karts within walking distance," according to Bill B. Kelleys Island State Park Campground also provides "a beach and playground" as noted by Erin H.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At East Harbor State Park Campground, "The key is site selection...we happened to be in section C which was a newer section of the park. Section C was nice, though in hot sunny days there is very little shade to protect you. The other sections of the park have tall shade trees," advises Mark S. Research campground maps before booking to select optimal sites.
Leveling considerations: Many campgrounds in the region require minor adjustments for RVs. At Proud Lake Recreation Area, "There are a few sites on an incline and that made it hard to get in and out of our fifth wheel," notes Stephanie C. Bring leveling blocks even at campgrounds with paved pads.
Full hookup availability: Limited full-hookup sites exist at most area campgrounds. Maumee Bay State Park Campground notes "Sites 1-11 and 21-29 have full hookups (water, sewer, electric)," according to Lee D. Reserve these sites well in advance during peak season as they book quickly.
