Campgrounds near Sand Lake, Michigan offer rustic options that connect with the Au Sable River watershed and surrounding Huron National Forest. The region sits at approximately 600-800 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Winter camping options remain limited primarily to RV sites with electrical hookups, as water systems at most campgrounds shut down by mid-October.
What to do
Kayaking transportation services: At Rollways Campground, campers can arrange boat transportation. "What's really awesome about this place is if you pay a little extra, they will provide dropoff and pickup of both your party and all your kayaks to the appropriate points so you don't have to deal with transporting everything yourself," explains Kelsey P., noting this service is "definitely worth every penny" to avoid carrying kayaks up the steep staircase from the river.
Birdwatching opportunities: The Sand Lake region serves as a critical migratory stopover. Tawas Point attracts various bird species, particularly during spring migration. As Emma W. describes, "There are plenty of trails, including one leading to the lighthouse at the end of the point, as well as kayaks for rent at the boat launch."
Hiking to scenic overlooks: The area features several observation points with educational components. At Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center, Max O. recommends taking "the forest observatory trail on the way and learn a bit about the history of the area. Definitely a place to bring the kids." Another visitor suggests hiking to "the AuSable sand dune" which requires descending "a 100+ ft sand dune down to the water."
What campers like
Clean facilities despite rustic settings: Monument Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance despite minimal amenities. "Clean pit toilets and water spigots throughout," notes Lianne H., who adds there are "18 spots available. Half are reservable and half are first come first serve." Campers appreciate the balance of rustic experience with basic necessities.
Dog-friendly water access: Several campsites accommodate pets with specialized areas. As Sasha K. explains about one location, "The dog beach gives it an extra star for me. The shallows go out quite far, and is pleasantly sandy. The water is warmer than on the Huron side of the point, too."
Sunrise viewing opportunities: The region's east-facing shoreline creates optimal sunrise conditions. Emma W. recommends, "One thing I have to recommend is waking up early to catch the sunrise over Lake Huron. It is amazing! If you're more of a night owl, sunsets are equally as great looking over the bay."
What you should know
Reservation systems vary widely: Some campgrounds use mixed booking methods requiring advance planning. At Devoe Lake Rustic Campground, "Sites require a reservation either at the office or Online. Not somewhere you can just pay for on spot because it's in the rifle river recreation area," explains Erin S. Other campgrounds operate on first-come systems with limited spots.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. Stephanie C. notes at one campground, "Cell phone reception is nill here so do not plan to make or receive calls!" This affects emergency communications and navigation capabilities.
Seasonal campground populations: Visitor numbers fluctuate dramatically by season. As Erika P. describes at one location, "We arrived on 10/12 and on 10/15 most of the available spots to rent were taken by people paying to store their RV. We are glad we arrived when we did because the few spots that are kept open for people to actually stay at the campground would not fit us."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple beach options: Tawas Point State Park Campground provides various swimming areas for different preferences. Marie H. explains, "Our family loves this campground- it has a nice playground, and beach volleyball court near the entrance. There's a nice sandy beach that faces Tawas Bay in the campground, the public beach on Lake Huron has rougher water and more rocks."
Educational programs: Several campgrounds offer structured learning activities. Becky K. notes that near one campground, families can enjoy "Geocaching, canoeing, fishing or hiking to the nearby visitor center with a reproduction logging shanty or the educational programs in the pavilion."
Playground facilities: Multiple campgrounds feature play equipment. Edward C. mentions, "There's also a kids playground and volleyball court," making these sites particularly appealing for families with young children who need activity options beyond water recreation.
Tips from RVers
Winter camping limitations: East Tawas City Park maintains limited winter operation. Erika P. warns, "The city turns the water off around the 3rd week in October. There is one bathroom building open for showers and you can also get water from the side of the office building to fill your tanks." RVers should plan accordingly for reduced services.
Length restrictions: Many campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. "37' is the longest length recommended. We have a 42' 5th wheel and made it fit only because we were here during the off-season," notes one RVer, adding "There's no way we would of got the RV in if people had the vehicles parked in their campsite or on the road."
Train noise considerations: Some campsites experience significant railway disruption. At East Tawas City Park, "There is a train. A very LOUD, slow moving train that blows its horn around 22 times when it goes by. When we were here, it ran Monday-Friday and went by twice between 9:30pm-12:30am."
