Nathan C.
Scout
ScoutBurton's Landing State Forest Campground
Great campsite. Nice spot with solid fire ring. There was also connection so we could watch football
Tent Camping near Hale, MI
38 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Tent camping opportunities near Hale, Michigan range from established sites to secluded wilderness areas within the surrounding forests. The Rifle River Recreation Area offers Spruce Rustic Campground with tent-friendly sites set in wooded terrain, while the Reid Lake Foot Travel Area provides a more primitive backcountry experience for tent campers seeking solitude. Hoist/Reid Lake Areas feature hiking-accessible tent sites with varying levels of seclusion within the Huron National Forest, providing alternatives to standard campgrounds.
Most tent campsites in the region feature basic amenities with natural settings. Fire rings are common at established sites like Spruce Rustic Campground, though some areas implement seasonal fire restrictions. Vault toilets are available at several locations, particularly in state-managed campgrounds, but backcountry sites typically have minimal facilities. Drinking water access varies significantly, with many primitive tent areas requiring campers to bring their own water or filter from nearby lakes and streams. Walk-in tent sites at Reid Lake and Hoist areas require hikers to pack in all supplies, as no vehicle access reaches these secluded camping locations.
The backcountry tent camping experience near Hale offers exceptional seclusion and natural surroundings. The Reid Lake Foot Travel Area features multiple backpacking shelters and designated tent sites along forested trails, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced backcountry campers. Many tent sites provide good shade coverage and proximity to water features. The Hoist/Reid Lake loop trail system connects numerous primitive tent camping spots with varying degrees of privacy. A review noted, "It is such a great weekend hike to some beautiful backcountry scenery. Not heavily trafficked, and most of the campsites have a pretty decent set up from past campers." Wildlife encounters are common, particularly in the less-developed areas, where campers might hear coyotes or observe other forest animals from their tent sites.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Hale (38)
1. Spruce Rustic Campground — Rifle River Recreation Area
"The vault toilets do need some attention."
"Fire pits and picnic tables in great shape. If you don’t mind not having full hook ups, this is a Great spot for some peace and quiet after a day of traveling."
from $20 / night
Check Availability2. Arrowhead Lake Camp
"We stayed in the Lakeside cabins. Amazing views! We went kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and fishing. The wildlife is plentiful and the lake is full of fish. The staff are fantastic."
from $50 - $300 / night
Check Availability3. Pine River Campground
4. Hoist/Reid Lake Areas
"Went 3 years back for a mid day hike in the winter and it was gorgeous with snow and ice! The campsites are first come first serve and they are rustic. If you are a minimalist, this loop is for you!"
"Not heavily trafficked, and most of the campsites have a pretty decent set up from past campers. Depending on your route, you can make this hike long or short."
5. Reid Lake Foot Travel Area
"This is not a drive-up campground."
"I took a hike around the lake and it was wonderful.The hike wasn't too hard and is perfect for everyone. It was only 4 miles for the whole thing."
6. Hale Plainfield Township Park
7. Browns Landing RV Park
"There is a bike path that goes all the way i to Tawas. About 9 miles. It goes thru the woods and is just lovely with jasmine and lilac bushes and views of Lake Huron."
8. Cathedral Pines Campground
"Its very secluded, a long walk, and dirty, but I love it. I think my young son loves it more. Its first-come so get there early but you can pitch your tent in a number of spots."
"Toilet has no TP, lots of hidden sites if you venture off trail"
9. Huron National Forest Reid Lake Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area
"Great beginner length trails of medium difficulty trails."
10. Corsair Area
Drive Time
- 1 hr 3 min from Bay City, MI
- 1 hr 13 min from Saginaw, MI
- 1 hr 13 min from Midland, MI
- 2 hrs 1 min from Traverse City, MI
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Hale, MI
8 Photos of 38 Hale Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Hale, MI
471 Reviews of 38 Hale Campgrounds
Kathie M.
LegendHarrisville State Park Campground
Harrisville SP fall cabin camping
Stayed in cabin 186. Cabin clean. In fall is fairly private but very near dump station and firewood vending. I can imagine in summer there is little privacy as other camp sites surround the cabin. Does have a designated dog beach which I like. Beautiful sunrises over Lake Huron. Newly built shower house. Several sites right on Lake Huron that book up fast. Campground has bags game, volleyball and basketball hoop and several horseshoe pits. Short walk to day use area that has swings, picnic area and nice beach area.
Meghan B.LegendSleeper State Park Campground
Sleeper State Park Campground
Despite no privacy between sites, I was really impressed with the amount of trees in the campground, still giving the place a woodsy feel. Really nice day use area with a sandy beach, too.
- AAnn K.Scout
Jones Lake State Forest Campground
Peaceful
Beautiful campground. Quiet and peaceful. Large sites provide privacy. Beautiful sunsets .
Dana
TravelerSouth Higgins Lake State Park Campground
Disappointing
The 2 good things about this campground was the full hook up & the large site size. However, my site & a few surrounding sites smelled like sewage from the moment I stepped out of my truck. I couldn't sit outside to enjoy the "fresh" air or open my windows. The picnic table was backed against utility boxes, & the fire pit was within a few feet of the camper behind me. Supposedly there are 3 dog beaches. I found 1 that was a tiny spot with a little bit of sand. I walked over a mile to the park's edge following signs for another dog beach. It didn't exist. Dog beaches are not marked on the map.
- Meghan B.Legend
Ossineke State Forest Campground
Ossineke State Forest Campground
Stayed for one night on a Saturday in mid-September and managed to snag one of the very few lake-view sites in the North Unit section of the campground. We stayed in Site 15, which has the added distinction of being next to a memorial and grave dating back to the late 1800s--an unexpected bit of history right at the campsite. There are only a handful of sites that offer a true view of the lake, with a few additional sites that may have lake access. The sites in the North Unit are fairly close together and very open, with little to no privacy between most sites. The South Unit is much more wooded and swampy, and while I’m not sure if any of those sites have lake access, they do offer more privacy between campsites. Mosquitoes were still buzzing around in mid-September, so I’d imagine they’re even more prevalent in the South Unit. The vault toilets are definitely old, but they were very clean and clearly well maintained by the camp host. Overall, a nice campground if you can snag one of the coveted lake-view sites!
Janel G.
GuideKneff Lake Campground — Huron Manistee National Forests
Kneff Lake Campground
We found the campground well maintained with only vault toilets. The upper sites are paved and take bigger rigs. Lower sites are gravel and for tents. The 140 stairs down to the lake are rustic but doable and only accessible from the lower sites. The lake is beautiful and nice sandy bottom. The night skies were outstanding!
- KKimberly L.Traveler
Spruce Rustic Campground — Rifle River Recreation Area
Wooded and very quiet
Wooded and quiet. Large sites that are easy to back into. Fire pits and picnic tables in great shape. If you don’t mind not having full hook ups, this is a Great spot for some peace and quiet after a day of traveling.
Michael M.GuidePort Crescent State Park Campground
Great week
We spent a wonderful week at Port Crescent State Park and absolutely loved our stay. We were fortunate enough to land one of the few full-hookup sites, and we ended up on one of the best sites in the campground, backed up to a beautiful waterway. Only negative was the slope, needed more leveling blocks than we had.
The wildlife was a constant highlight. We had geese, swans, and all kinds of other birds and wildlife right outside our site. It really added to the experience.
The entire campground was immaculate. Staff were constantly making rounds, cleaning, and keeping everything looking great. The beach was also within an easy walk from pretty much any site, and it was beautiful. The water and beach were very clean, and the breeze coming off the lake made it easy to spend the entire day there.
We also enjoyed walking down to the public beach and going a little farther beyond it with our family and dogs. There was plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the lake.
Overall, Port Crescent was one of our favorite stops. Beautiful campground, great beach, excellent staff, and an awesome setting. We would definitely come back.
Guide to Hale
The region surrounding Hale, Michigan features a mix of hardwood forests, wetlands, and inland lakes within the Huron National Forest. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F while fall brings cooler camping conditions with nighttime temperatures dropping to 40-50°F. Many tent sites in this area require hiking to access, with distances ranging from under 1 mile to 4 miles from parking areas.
What to do
Fishing access points: Spruce Rustic Campground provides convenient river access for trout anglers. "There's an access point to Gamble Creek between sites 171 and 173," notes Jason N. about Spruce Rustic Campground.
Trail exploration: The Reid Lake area offers interconnected trails suitable for day hiking or backpacking loops. "The trail is easy to follow and the camping areas are simple to find," explains Kate K. about the Hoist/Reid Lake Areas. These trails range from 4-8 miles depending on your chosen route.
Water activities: Kayaking opportunities exist throughout the region's lakes and rivers. "We went kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and fishing. The wildlife is plentiful and the lake is full of fish," shares Lisa R. about her experience at Arrowhead Lake Camp.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Pine River Campground offers well-separated tent sites. "Great sites where you don't feel like you are on top of other campers," mentions John H. about Pine River Campground.
Quieter camping options: Several campgrounds in the Hale area provide peaceful settings away from crowds. "It's quiet and just peaceful!" writes Willow W. about Pine River Campground. Similarly, Browns Landing offers tranquil settings with "sun rises here are my favorite," according to camper Tammy.
Established campsites: Many backcountry sites come with previously established amenities. Jacob S. notes about Reid Lake Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area: "Some campsites and campfire pits" are available, though some may become overgrown over time.
What you should know
Water considerations: Lake water requires proper filtration before drinking. "Bring good filtration, mosquito eggs coat all of the shorelines for the lakes," advises Jacob S. about Reid Lake Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area.
Wildlife awareness: This is active wildlife habitat requiring proper food storage. "The wildlife will get curious if you leave something out so hang your garbage-this is bear country. Neighboring campers brought coyotes last year because they didn't pack up their food," warns Krystal N. about Cathedral Pines Campground.
Seasonal access: Most campgrounds have limited seasonal availability. Pine River Campground operates from "May 15 to September 13," while Browns Landing RV Park runs "May 1 to Oct 31," making fall camping options more limited.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly backpacking: Reid Lake offers accessible sites for introducing children to backpacking. "This is not a drive-up campground. There are many backpacking shelters (and pit toilets) scattered throughout the easy forested trails here, so it's the perfect place to take a first-time backpacker or a group of scouts," recommends Dan N.
Kid-friendly water areas: Some locations offer shallow water access appropriate for children. "The river is shallow by the steps so its great for the kids," notes Krystal N. about Cathedral Pines Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to observe local wildlife. Browns Landing provides access to a "bike path that goes all the way into Tawas. About 9 miles. It goes thru the woods and is just lovely with jasmine and lilac bushes and views of Lake Huron," according to Tammy.
Tips from RVers
RV accessibility limitations: Most tent camping areas around Hale have restricted RV access. Jason N. notes about Spruce Rustic Campground: "I got my 20' trailer back there no problem," indicating smaller trailers can access some rustic sites, but larger RVs should seek alternative campgrounds.
Remote location planning: The isolated nature of many campgrounds requires bringing all supplies. "Trail is easy enough and there are so many different spots to camp along the way. It is foot travel only and most sites are a decent hike to get to," explains Hayden about Hoist/Reid Lake Areas, highlighting the need for proper packing for remote sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Hale, MI?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hale, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hale, MI is Spruce Rustic Campground — Rifle River Recreation Area with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
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tent camping near
Hale, MI?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Hale, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 38 tent camping locations near Hale, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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