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Best Campgrounds near Freeland, MI

257 Reviews

Camping options around Freeland, Michigan include a mix of state parks, county facilities, and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Bay City State Park Campground offers tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations with electric hookups and modern amenities, while Black Creek State Forest Campground provides a more rustic experience with vault toilets and drinking water but no electric hookups. Several campgrounds in the area feature waterfront access, including Pinconning County Park on Saginaw Bay and River Ridge Campground along the Pine River.

The camping season in this region typically runs from May through October, with most facilities closing during winter months. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends and holidays when waterfront sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds offer both walk-in and drive-in access, with varying levels of amenities from primitive sites to full hookups. Weather conditions can affect camping experiences, especially in spring when rainfall may cause flooding in low-lying areas. A visitor to Black Creek State Forest Campground noted, "Pull up, grab a registration envelope, look for a spot then park. Fill out the registration. Put one portion of it on the clip at the spot number marker, keep another portion then return the completed envelope and $20 cash or check per night."

Developed campgrounds throughout the region provide amenities ranging from basic to comprehensive. Campers report high satisfaction with the variety of site types available, from secluded wooded spots to open areas with lake views. Pine Ridge RV Campground features "lots of tall pines and hardwoods providing good cover" according to one review, while others appreciate the family-friendly atmosphere at several locations. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some offering cabin rentals for those seeking additional comfort. Facilities typically include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to toilets, with many providing showers and sanitary dump stations for RVs. The proximity to water recreation opportunities on Saginaw Bay and local rivers enhances the camping experience for many visitors.

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Best Camping Sites Near Freeland, Michigan (101)

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Recent Camping Photos near Freeland, MI

104 Photos of 101 Freeland Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Freeland, MI

257 Reviews of 101 Freeland 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • A
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Otter Lake Park Campground

    Beautiful views & so much to do!

    We tent camped in site #56. I will say the sites are on the smaller side, but you can make do. 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. Bathrooms are poorly vented and gets so hot & humid, but I will say the showers are in-home quality for a campground! The owners are so nice and friendly. ORV trail butts up to the campground so bring your dirt bikes! We had a small trailer and they had no issue with us at all. Very good swimming beach with tons of places to take in the peaceful views. Playground is large and nice with a new basketball court and Gaga ball. Bring your bug spray and get ready to enjoy serene nature. Oh and I love how affordable it is :)

  • K
    Jun. 9, 2025

    Pine Ridge RV Campground

    We've chosen not to return

    We’ve camped at Pine Ridge Campground for the past five years. Over that time, we’ve chosen to overlook some ongoing issues — including a strong and persistent natural gas smell, ant infestations, loud music from a nearby bar, and no real amenities for families. The playground is extremely outdated and rarely used — it’s telling that you almost never see kids riding bikes or playing in the park. Still, we returned each year, hoping for a peaceful stay.

    Unfortunately, this year changed everything.

    Managers Joe and Susan falsely accused us of having our dog off-leash (which he never was). We always keep him leashed and use an e-collar to help manage barking. Joe even admitted that no other campers had complained, and we’ve never had any dog-related issues at any other campground. Despite this, they continued circling our site in their golf cart, closely watching us, and bullying to the point of telling us we were no longer welcome—threatening to call the police for no valid reason. Joe even made a comment about noticing my dog was standing on our dinette table - so he was peering outside our window??? No wonder my dog barked at him. We closed all our shades the remainder of the weekend to avoid feeling like we were living in a fishbowl.

    This kind of targeting isn’t new — last year, Joe also rushed over in his golf cart to confront us about a visitor pass we had already paid for, showing a lack of trust and an overly aggressive approach. So yet another instance of over-the-top behavior that seems to define their management style.

    Additionally, communication at this campground is poor — it’s often hard to reach someone to even make a reservation, there’s no automation and poor responsiveness.

    On what should have been a bustling, beautiful summer weekend, the park was nearly empty, which speaks volumes.

    After years of being respectful, loyal guests, we’ve decided it’s time to move on. If you’re looking for a welcoming, dog- or family-friendly campground with basic hospitality and amenities, we suggest looking elsewhere.

  • Deb H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 8, 2025

    Church Grove Park

    Very nice

    Very nice little campground. Run by the Lutheran church. Gary is very welcoming and friendly. No reservations, first come only. Very clean. The only thing I didn't like was shower house and bathrooms are in separate buildings. Very nice prayer trail.

Guide to Freeland

Camping near Freeland, Michigan, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakes to wooded trails, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, “I took a day hike back about a mile to site 'F'. It was pretty private with water access.”
  • Fishing: Head to Bay City State Park Campground for some fishing. A visitor shared, “The Tobico Marsh trails and observation towers were great for watching birds. Lots of trails.”
  • Kayaking: Rent a kayak at Sherman City Acres and enjoy the river. One happy camper said, “The riverside firepit and table was the perfect relaxation spot, with the soft sound of the river as background music.”

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Construction noise: At Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground, some campers reported noise from nearby construction. One reviewer mentioned, “There was lots of construction noise.”
  • Limited cell service: If you rely on your phone, be aware that service can be spotty. A visitor noted, “Verizon service was basically non-existent other than at the beach.”
  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for raccoons at Holly Recreation Area. One camper warned, “Raccoons run this place! Don’t leave any food or garbage out ever or you will be robbed by a gang of raccoons.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the right site: Look for spacious, level sites. A camper at Sleeper State Park Campground mentioned, “The sites are large and you can park your camper a few different ways.”
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to check out local attractions. A family at Walnut Hills Family Campground enjoyed the “children's activities such as swimming, volleyball net, and paddle boat rentals.”
  • Pack for comfort: Bring bug spray and sunscreen. One camper at McGinnis Lake Modern Campground said, “The bugs were pretty intense, but bug spray helped.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site conditions: Some sites can be hilly or uneven. A reviewer at Holly Recreation Area noted, “Any site above 80ish is very hilly and may be difficult to level an RV.”
  • Bring extension cords: If you’re using electric hookups, be prepared with extra cords. A camper at Bay City State Park Campground advised, “Recommend to have an extension cord for some sites, as plug-in can be far.”
  • Plan for late check-ins: If arriving late, know that some campgrounds have drop boxes for check-in. A visitor at Albert E. Sleeper State Park mentioned, “Drop box available after 10pm (summer).”

Camping near Freeland, Michigan, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. With the right preparation, you can enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Freeland, MI?

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

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