176 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
State forest campgrounds and city parks form the backbone of camping near Gladwin, Michigan, a region characterized by wooded landscapes and lake access. Trout Lake State Forest Campground, located in Gladwin, offers year-round rustic camping with basic amenities like drinking water and vault toilets. Gladwin City Park & Campground provides more developed facilities with electric hookups, showers, and water connections, operating from May through November. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access additional options like River Valley RV Park and Calhoun City Campground in nearby Beaverton, both offering full hookup sites for RVs alongside tent camping areas and cabin rentals.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability in the Gladwin area. Most campgrounds operate from May through October, with only select state forest sites remaining open year-round. Summer weekends typically require advance reservations, particularly for sites with water access or electrical hookups. As one camper noted about a nearby state forest campground, "The sites have decent distance between them and vary from tucked into the trees or more open near the lake. Several sites have views of the lake, and a couple have direct access down small paths." Cell service varies throughout the region, with stronger coverage near town and more limited connectivity in remote forest areas. Spring conditions can create muddy access roads, while fall offers colorful foliage but cooler temperatures.
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Gladwin region. Sites with lake views or water access typically receive higher ratings and fill quickly during peak season. Campers frequently mention the spaciousness of sites and privacy between camping spots as positive attributes. "Campsites are spacious and wooded. There is a lake for swimming, fishing and putting in a kayak," noted one visitor to a nearby recreation area. Vault toilets and water pumps are standard at rustic campsites, while developed campgrounds offer shower facilities and electrical connections. Road noise can be an issue at some locations near highways, with interior sites generally providing a quieter experience. Wildlife sightings, particularly deer, are commonly reported at forest campgrounds throughout the area.
"It attaches to the city’s river walk which makes walking into town safe and easy. Nice playground area."
"This is a very nice city park, nice play area, tennis and basketball courts, trails, river with beach area, pavilions, two bath houses, lots of shaded sites with a couple right on river, there’s a local"
"Pure Michigan"
"Only negative is that the lake is very low and not really a part of the camping experience"
from $15 / 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"River borders the campground. Rentals of boats, paddle boards, fishing boats, paddle boats and banana bikes. Nice camp store. WiFi."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"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 $31 - $186 / 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 Availabilityfrom $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Staying two nights in Trout Lake State Forest Campground. The lake is beautiful and plenty of choices of spots to camp. 3 Loops which two offer on the water camping."
ScoutEvidently we are too loud for all the other guests at 8:00 at night so the park rangers had to come up and quiet us down three times and we barely have the radio even up where we could hear it in our campsite they take care of the whine bags there that's for sure
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.
ScoutStandard camping affair. Many of the spots are sloped, so be careful when choosing your spot.
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.
ScoutMaintained to perfection, great camping, everything you could ask for. All facilities are available and clean. The owners of the site are always happy to help and are a pleasure. Fantastic sites with full hookups, river, pond, playground and forest
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
The camping sites near Gladwin, Michigan range in elevation from 750 to 850 feet above sea level, with most nestled among the region's mixed hardwood forests and small glacial lakes. The area experiences typical Michigan seasonal transitions with camping conditions at their peak from June through September when average temperatures range between 55-80°F. Most rustic sites offer limited cell service coverage, with stronger signals at developed campgrounds closer to town.
Fishing and paddling opportunities: Trout Lake offers multiple water activities with excellent kayaking access. "We stumbled on this campground accidentally but I am sure happy that we did! What a beautiful place... I will definitely be heading back in the spring/summer for a paddle," notes one camper who visited in late fall.
Swimming options for families: The public beach at Herrick Recreation Area provides dedicated swimming areas with gradual entry points. "Day use is across the street. Playground, beach, etc. One pond near the camping area," reports a visitor. Another camper adds that "There is a lake for swimming, fishing and putting in a kayak."
Trail connections: Several campgrounds connect to local trail systems. As one visitor mentioned about Herrick Recreation Area: "There is the Pier-Marquette Rail trail about 1.5 miles from the campground, great for biking, running etc." These trails offer packed dirt surfaces suitable for mountain biking and hiking.
Spacious, private sites: Campers frequently note the generous spacing between sites at Countryside Campground & Cabins. "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," mentions one reviewer who appreciated the natural setting.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. One camper noted about Countryside Campground & Cabins: "W.O.W. This is the CLEANEST campground I have ever been to. Seriously not 1 cigarette but or candy wrapper on my site when I arrived. Picnic tables are freshly washed." Another mentioned that at Herrick Recreation Area, "Bathrooms were cleaned three times a day and the showers were just the right temperature."
Multiple lake access points: Secord Lake Campground offers ideal water access. "Perfect Spot for Kayakers," states one review, highlighting the direct lake access that attracts paddling enthusiasts.
Seasonal changes affect roads: Spring thaw often creates muddy conditions on access roads to forest campgrounds, with fall bringing earlier sunsets around 7:30 PM by late September. Some campers recommend avoiding peak summer weekends when seeking quieter experiences.
Site variations within campgrounds: At Wilson State Park Campground, site quality varies significantly. "Varying topography. 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. One spot in the corner, the very Northeast corner camp spot, is low, and flood prone during rain," reports one detailed review.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise due to proximity to main roads. "Unfortunately, it's bordered on 2 sides by 2 major roads, Old 27 and Townline Lake Rd," notes a camper about Wilson State Park, adding that "Harrison is loaded with people who think 'no exhaust' equals 'cool car', and are happy to show you just how big a POS they have while driving by the campground."
Look for dedicated play areas: Many local campgrounds feature playground equipment. At Countryside Campground & Cabins, "There are activities for the kids, a playground, heated pool, hiking/bike trail, and even a baseball field," according to one family's experience.
Consider cabin options: For families new to camping, several locations offer cabin rentals. Gladwin City Park & Campground provides cabin options close to amenities. One visitor notes, "Very nice campground, river us nice for swimming, mostly shallow, good for kids, canoeing and kayaking also."
Check for special activities: Some campgrounds schedule regular family events. A camper at Countryside Campground describes, "They offered hay rides Saturday evening" and "Had a foam party (my 5 year old loved this)," showing how scheduled activities can enhance a family camping trip.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring leveling equipment. "Sites are nice sized, we camped in the back and enjoyed less congestion but even up front the sites were nice too. May want to brIng extra water hose as water hook ups can be farther away than expected," advises one RVer about Gladwin City Park & Campground.
Electric hookup variations: Most developed campgrounds offer 30-amp service with limited 50-amp availability. At Herrick Recreation Area, "Rustic feel as all sites are electric but no water hook up. There are spigots in the center as well as a dump station and potable water fill," explains a camper who visited with an RV.
Tree clearance considerations: Pine needle accumulation can affect slide-outs at wooded sites. One RVer at Herrick Recreation Area advises, "No issues with backing in our 36' TT with 2 slides (make sure to clean your slides from the pine needles before you go)."
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there cabin accommodations at campgrounds near Gladwin?
While traditional cabins are limited in Gladwin's immediate vicinity, nearby options exist for those seeking cabin-style accommodations. Northern Bear Paw RV Park offers comfortable facilities with a welcoming atmosphere in a well-laid-out setting. For state park cabin options, North Higgins Lake State Park Campground is within driving distance, featuring lakeside amenities in a family-friendly environment. Many private campgrounds in the broader region offer rental cabins as alternatives to tent or RV camping. Contact specific campgrounds directly for current cabin availability, as these accommodations often require advance reservations, especially during peak seasons.
What campgrounds are available in Gladwin, MI?
Gladwin offers several camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. Gladwin City Park & Campground provides convenient access with water and toilet facilities right in town. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Mud Lake State Forest Campground features 8 non-reservable sites with varying proximity to the lake - some tucked into trees, others with lake views and access. Additional options in the area include River Valley RV Park, Secord Lake Campground, and Trout Lake State Forest Campground, giving campers a range of experiences from fully developed facilities to more primitive settings.
What amenities does Secord Lake Campground in Gladwin offer?
Secord Lake Campground offers drive-in and walk-in access with reservable sites, making it convenient for planned trips. Basic amenities include water access and toilet facilities. The campground is big-rig friendly, accommodating larger RVs and trailers. For comparison, nearby Spring Lake State Forest Campground features large, clean vault toilets, a water pump, and spacious sites without electric hookups. The natural setting provides lake access, making both campgrounds good options for water activities like fishing and swimming in the Gladwin area.
Is there dispersed camping available in Gladwin County?
Yes, dispersed camping opportunities exist in Gladwin County, primarily in state forest areas. White Pine Canoe SF Campground offers a secluded backcountry experience reached by hiking a mile of mostly level sandy trail. This primitive site includes an outhouse and bear food locker. The surrounding forest features interesting ridge terrain. Goose Lake State Forest Campground provides another option for those seeking a more remote camping experience. Always check current regulations with the Michigan DNR before dispersed camping, as rules regarding permits and allowed locations may change.
Keep Exploring
