J
John S.
Scout
ScoutProud Lake Recreation Area
Peaceful area.
The lake is very weedy. But silver lake or Bishop lakes are close.
Camping near Hamburg, MI
105 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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The Hamburg, Michigan area provides a mix of established campgrounds across several recreation areas, primarily centered around Brighton Recreation Area and Pinckney Recreation Area. Murray Lake Campground, Appleton Lake Campground, and Bishop Lake Campground offer varied accommodation options including tent sites, RV hookups, and in some locations, cabins and yurts. Most sites are situated within wooded settings with access to lakes for fishing, paddling and swimming. Brighton Recreation Area features both modern campgrounds with electrical hookups and rustic options for those seeking a more primitive experience.
Camping seasons typically run from April through November for most developed campgrounds in the region. "Rustic only. 2 outhouse and well pump," notes one visitor about Murray Lake Campground, highlighting the basic amenities at rustic sites. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends. Modern facilities with electric hookups, drinking water, and shower buildings are concentrated at Bishop Lake Campground and Proud Lake Recreation Area. Winter camping options are limited, though some recreation areas remain open year-round with reduced services. Most rustic campgrounds offer vault toilets and hand pumps for water but lack shower facilities.
The proximity of lakes to camping areas represents a significant draw for visitors to Hamburg-area campgrounds. Water recreation opportunities include fishing, paddling, and swimming at several locations. "We love the large sites with walls of greenery separating the campsites. This is rustic camping at its best. Small fishing lake for paddling," commented one camper about Murray Lake. Mountain biking and hiking trails interconnect many of the campgrounds, providing recreational opportunities beyond water activities. Campground occupancy varies significantly by season, with rustic sites at Appleton Lake and Murray Lake offering more privacy than the more developed options at Bishop Lake. Several campgrounds feature sites that accommodate larger RVs with hookups, while others are suitable only for tent camping or small trailers.
Best Campgrounds near Hamburg (105)
1. Bishop Lake Campground — Brighton Recreation Area
"Campground Review: Bishop Lake is a great campground located in the middle of the Brighton Rec Area. The upper and lower campgrounds are both modern, with every site including electric."
"Great family place with paved and dirt biking/hiking trails. Very nice beach with grass and sand. There are 2 areas of inflatables, one of them is for the little kids 48 in. and under."
from $32 - $37 / night
Check Availability2. Blind Lake Rustic Campground — Pinckney Recreation Area
"Nice place to camp right on the lake. It's a 7 mile hike in(can also be accessed via boat), part of the Potowatomi loop trail(~18 miles) located in Waterloo-Pinckney recreation area."
"Camp ground is located along the Potawatomi Trail in Pinckney Recreation area. Bikers head the opposite direction from hikers. The route I followed was about 8 miles in to Blind Lake."
from $20 / night
Check Availability3. Bruin Lake Campground — Pinckney Recreation Area
"There is a new large playground structure and nice but short paved path for kids to bike or scooter around."
"On Crooked Lake, it has 25 sites, two of which are right on the water; #7 is full sun, larger, and 20 is sun/shade and tucked away in the back of the campground."
from $30 - $120 / night
Check Availability4. Haas Lake Park RV Campground
"Nice lake view across the road. This location has 4 lakes. There is plenty of nature. Lots of trees along a nature trail. Cranes and ducks in the water . The first night was super quiet!"
"I highly recommend Hass Lake campgrounds. It is a very clean, quite, Beautiful campgrounds."
5. Camp Dearborn
"Booked a two week stay at Pontiac Lake Rec. area in Whitelak, MI. Huge sites not stacked on top of one another. They have electric hookups, but only 30 amp."
"You will either need a longer electrical cord or if you can back your RV up far enough to reach you will need something to put under your steps to make them touch the ground."
from $47 / night
Check Availability6. Murray Lake Campground — Brighton Recreation Area
"This was our first camping experience in Michigan, so we weren’t exactly prepared. My rating takes this into consideration."
"This often overlooked campground is part of Brighton Recreation area in lower Michigan. Only 25 sites, with no electricity and vault toilets. Pump water available."
from $20 / night
Check Availability7. Appleton Lake Campground — Brighton Recreation Area
"Close by but up north feel."
"Picnic table pit ring outside toilets best site was 24 17$ dollars a night 3 parks Brighton recreational is for Rv and electric sites indoor plumbing hot showers Murry is only for weekend visits Appleton"
from $20 / night
Check Availability8. Hell Creek Ranch & Campground
"Direct connections to the Waterloo Pinckney trail system. Near Hell, Michigan and Chelsea, Michigan. Large pool in season. Priced reasonably."
"Wow.. what a nice little getaway in Hell, Michigan area! Camp host, “Lightening” is a friendly and helpful guy who NEVER stopped working (except to chat with campers here and there)."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability9. Proud Lake Recreation Area
"I had no clue what to expect when booking so close to a few major cities in Michigan. I love feeling secluded while camping and was nervous this would feel like parking lot camping."
"First, I'd like to say that I was born and raised in Northern Michigan. That's where I'm used to camping and hiking. I moved to the metro Detroit area a few years ago."
from $32 - $286 / night
Check Availability10. Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area
"The lack of cover between sites gave everyone a nice view of the lake from our tents on our inland sites, which was beautiful."
"I stayed at #6 and had a beautiful view of the lake. There is muddy lake access on that site and I paddled from there in my kayak. There is an official boat launch nearby."
from $20 - $100 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 12 min from Ann Arbor, MI
- 38 min from Flint, MI
- 40 min from Detroit, MI
- 45 min from Jackson, MI
Recent Camping Photos near Hamburg, MI
152 Photos of 105 Hamburg Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Murray Lake Campground — Brighton Recreation Area
Appleton Lake Campground — Brighton Recreation AreaP
Bishop Lake Campground — Brighton Recreation Area
PINCKNEY RAILS-TO-TRAIL CAMPGROUNDD
Blind Lake Rustic Campground — Pinckney Recreation Area
Haas Lake Park RV Campground
Bruin Lake Campground — Pinckney Recreation Area
Camp Dearborn
Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area
Proud Lake Recreation AreaD
Sugarloaf Campground — Waterloo Recreation AreaK
Highland Recreation Area Campground
Recent Reviews near Hamburg, MI
623 Reviews of 105 Hamburg Campgrounds
Alexis B.ScoutLake Interstate State Game Area- Dispersed Camping
Not bad for an overnight spot
No camping spots just a dirt parking lot.
Justin S.ScoutGreen Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area
Awesome place
It's a nice Lil tucked back campground with a nice Lil fishing lake its quite and relaxing been here a few times this year so far plan on a few more
Michael M.
GuideSterling State Park Campground
Nice stop
Sterling State Park, Quick Two-Night Stay
We stopped at Sterling State Park for two nights and had a really nice stay. We were on an electric-only site, but the view and the short walk to the beach were awesome.
If you can score one of the sites along the edge of the campground that overlooks the beach, or one that backs up to the woods, I’d definitely recommend it. Those sites have a much better setting. Most of the other sites are more out in the open, with very little shade and not much of a view.
The central part of the campground feels busy and crowded, but surprisingly, most of the sites are actually spaced out pretty well. We didn’t use the bathhouse, so we can’t comment on its cleanliness or condition.
The campground itself was neatly mowed, and the staff seemed to do a good job keeping up with the grounds and general maintenance. We didn’t notice much trash or anything else that would be a negative.
The beach right in front of the campground was probably our favorite part. It was clean, spacious, and never seemed particularly busy while we were there.
Overall, Sterling State Park was a great stop for a couple of nights. If you can get one of the better-located sites, especially along the beach or woods, it makes the stay even better.
Justin O.GuideLake Hudson Recreation Area
Pretty average
Had to buy this campsite because there’s damn near nothing for dispersed in Michigan. Lotta kids screaming into the night, campsites are in sight of each other, lots of mosquitoes, but yknow what can you really expect? I think upwards of $30 is a rip-off, I can’t even find an electrical hook-up if I wanted one. Granted, I got here at night and didn’t look very hard. It’d be 5 stars if it were 15 bucks, which is what I think its worth.
- ssusan V.Scout
Indian Creek Camp & Conference Center
Nice family campground
Pool, nice playground, small putt putt course, rec room and other activities available. We are retired and just needed overnight camping and the only site available was tiny and right on the curve of the road. Our firepit and picnic table were less than 10 feet from the road so not private at all. We felt it was overpriced for the site. Others were better but none very private(smallish and no trees).
Austin R.ScoutLansing Cottonwood Campground
Randos in your site late at night
This place is a weird one for sure, they’ll let you do whatever you want there, even wander into random tent sites asking minors for alcohol and drugs.
We planned on camping here longer but after an evening where a drunk camper pursued our coolers at 1 in the morning and then asked our teenagers who’d were sleeping in tents if they had any alcohol or weed.
We told management of the incident, they did nothing. We also told them of the Lansing homeless who were coming in the early morning hours to use the facilities… nothing.
So if you like randoms in your site late at night, this is the campsite for you.
Gary G.GuideSterling State Park Campground
State Park, almost zero trees
Why the Dyrt has this place listed under "glamping" is beyond me. This is very far from that. A state park, some FHU sites, some pull thru, but it's almost like camping in a prairie. There's so very few trees here, so almost every site will be full sun. Full, blisteringly hot, sun.
It's an ok campground, but that's it. Host (each time we were there) did nothing that we could see. People tend to drive fast here, even staff.
It's right on Lake Erie, which can be good/bad, depending on if the toxic algae blooms are occuring.
City of Monroe is nearby for whatever you might need. (Aldi, etc)
Even though this park is close, it's just not one we like to choose because of the barren feel of the place. (We've been here three times)
- Gary G.Guide
Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area
Nice state park
As usual, there's only electric at sites, but the pedestals seem fairly new, and tight. South loop is nicely wooded & has a newer, larger restroom/shower building, not much lake view. The north loop is a little less wooded, with the NW end having a little better lake views, but a pretty ancient restroom/shower facility.
Across the lake is the day use area with a beach and concession stand. (There's a small camp store in the north loop.)
ADA Only sites are asphalt paved. Some of the regular sites could be a challenge to get level on, but the rangers told me they have wood blocks for loan if you don't have enough.
Our first night & a half, we had some terrible neighbors two sites over. Constant profanities, yelling at & threatening their kids... real dirtbags. Rangers booted them from the park! Good to see them taking such positive action. I have not run into a single staff member here that wasn't pleasant.
This was our first time here. A test run, since it's only an hour from home (but feels farther). We'll be back for sure. (Especially with gas prices so high anymore.)
T-Mobile was only slow LTE at our site, but our Starlink worked perfectly at our site. Might be harder to get a clear shot in the more wooded areas of the park.
Guide to Hamburg
The Hamburg area sits between Ann Arbor and Brighton, with camping options scattered across 20,000+ acres of recreation areas. Most campsites near Hamburg, Michigan are positioned around a series of interconnected lakes. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during peak camping season, with evening temperatures dropping to 50-60°F.
What to do
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Pinckney Recreation Area offers extensive mountain biking routes connecting to campgrounds. "The trails are well maintained and offer varied terrain. The best site to get is site B3. It was perfect," notes a visitor to Blind Lake Rustic Campground.
Fishing in smaller lakes: The less-visited lakes provide peaceful fishing opportunities with fewer crowds. "Nice and quiet! Perfect weekend or week long get away," according to an Allison S. who stayed at Murray Lake Campground.
Kayaking chain of lakes: Several interconnected waterways allow for extended paddling trips. A Bruin Lake visitor mentioned, "Nice little campground. Bathroom facilities could use some updating. Rangers are great. Nice lake to kayak in."
Water recreation at Jump Island: A floating water park operates seasonally at Brighton Recreation Area. "It's Connected but costs money. $15 for a 45 minute jump session. Follow on Facebook for coupons," shares Beth G. who visited Bishop Lake.
What campers like
Site privacy and natural buffers: Many rustic sites offer natural separation between camping spots. "We love the large sites with walls of greenery separating the campsites. This is rustic camping at its best," comments Jennifer H. about her experience at Murray Lake.
Clean facilities at modernized campgrounds: Several campgrounds have recently upgraded bathroom buildings. "Bathroom facilities are kept up quite well and the campgrounds are secluded enough," according to Jessika A. from Proud Lake Recreation Area.
Multi-sport opportunities: The proximity of trail systems to water recreation creates diverse activity options. "What started as a little get away turned into not wanting to leave! A swimming pool and playground with basketball court to keep my kids entertained," reports Ashley S. from Hell Creek Ranch Campground.
Year-round accessibility: Several campgrounds remain open through winter for off-season camping. "This park is open all year, making the Blind Lake campground a popular stop for hikers in the winter," notes one visitor.
What you should know
Reservation requirements vary seasonally: While some campgrounds allow walk-ins during off-peak times, summer weekends fill quickly. "While you technically don't need a reservation, we made our reservations through the DNR website about a month in advance. The campsite was listed as 'full' when we arrived," reports Alaine S. about Green Lake Rustic Campground.
Limited winter services: Off-season camping means reduced amenities. Water systems are typically shut down, and trash collection may be unavailable during winter months.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise due to proximity to roadways. "A major roadway passes along the other side of the lake making lake front sites noise until about 12am," warns Jordan B. about Green Lake.
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons are active in some campgrounds. "The camp site itself was nice, but once it got dark, we were fighting off about 10 raccoons all night," warns Angie H. from Appleton Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hamburg, MI?
What camping is available near Hamburg, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hamburg, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 105 campgrounds and RV parks near Hamburg, MI and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Hamburg, MI?
Which is the most popular campground near Hamburg, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hamburg, MI is Bishop Lake Campground — Brighton Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 30 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hamburg, MI?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hamburg, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Hamburg, MI.
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