Gladwin County offers diverse camping options across pine forests and river valleys. Typical summer temperatures range 65-85°F with occasional thunderstorms, particularly in July. The area features several state forest and county-run campgrounds with varying terrain from flat riverfront sites to more rugged lakeside locations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Trout Lake provides excellent fishing in a secluded setting. "Great spaces, sites are usually pretty clean. There is plenty of fishing and exploring. Also amazing berry picking in the grow season," notes camper Mandy D. about Trout Lake.
Riverside activities: The Cedar River at Gladwin City Park offers swimming and paddling options. "River is nice for swimming, mostly shallow, good for kids, canoeing and kayaking also," explains Jayne R. about Gladwin City Park & Campground.
Rail trail access: The Pier-Marquette Rail trail sits about 1.5 miles from Herrick Recreation Area. "Great for biking, running etc.," says Jennifer H., who adds that the location is in "Amish country and the campground has horse hitching posts near the fishing lakes."
Multi-lake exploration: The Trout Lake area features a cluster of four lakes in close proximity. "One awesome thing about this campground is the amount of lakes in a small cluster. With 4 lakes in the area, there is plenty to explore and great opportunities for kayaking and canoeing," reports Jerry K.
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Hidden Hill Family Campground earns praise for its comfortable environment. "Very quiet, clean and relaxing park. Dog friendly and the owners are so nice and welcoming," writes Erin B. about this Hidden Hill Family Campground.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds near Gladwin maintain high cleanliness standards. "Bathrooms are cleaned 3x a day. Showers were warm and clean," mentions Jennifer H. about Herrick Recreation Area.
Affordable rates: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value. "For the price ($80 for 3 nights) it's great. Slightly cheaper than Wilson State Park, at $67 for 2 nights. It's a happy mix between boondocking and full on state park," notes Dj W. about Herrick Recreation Area.
Town proximity: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Gladwin offer convenient access to urban amenities. "Park is in town so easy everything you might need close to town," reports Kenneth W. about Gladwin City Park.
What you should know
Site variations: Wilson State Park Campground has mixed reviews regarding site conditions. "Very very small cramped sites right on top of each other. Campground is in the middle of the town on a main highway the noise was horrible," warns Tracy A. about Wilson State Park Campground.
Water hookup limitations: Not all campgrounds provide full hookups. "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 Curtis S. about Herrick Recreation Area.
Seasonal considerations: Most pet-friendly campgrounds near Gladwin operate from spring through fall. Countryside Campground & Cabins runs from "May 1 to October 15," while River Valley RV Park operates "May 1 - Oct 1."
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise. "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'," reports Dj W. about Wilson State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Countryside Campground offers substantial recreation options. "There are activities for the kids, a playground, heated pool, hiking/bike trail, and even a baseball field," says Megan W. about Countryside Campground & Cabins.
Beach considerations: Several campgrounds separate their beach areas from the main camping sections. "Beach is across the road from the park and no pets/dogs allowed in that side of the park," notes Jennifer H. about Herrick Recreation Area.
Special activities: Some campgrounds offer scheduled recreation. "Offered hay rides Saturday evening. Had a foam party (my 5 year old loved this)," shares Emily W. about Countryside Campground & Cabins.
Cabin options: For families wanting more shelter, several locations offer cabins. "We brought our travel trailer and my brother and his family stayed in a cabin. Very well run campground with plenty for all of our kids to do," reports Jake about Countryside Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection advice: Choosing the right loop makes a difference. "If given the choice get a site in the pine loops. It's more of a walk from the lake but the other loops have no shade and seem more crowded together," advises Jennifer H.
Water connection planning: At Gladwin County campgrounds, prepare for water access challenges. "May want to bring extra water hose as water hook ups can be farther away than expected," suggests Andrea B. about River Valley RV Park.
Leveling needs: Some sites require adjustment for comfortable setup. "We stayed on site 78. It's slightly sloped but leveling is easy," notes Dj W. about Herrick Recreation Area.
Slide-out maintenance: Pine tree areas require special attention. "No issues with backing in our 36' TT with 2 slides (make sure to clean your slides from the pine needles before you go)," recommends Macy M.
