Best Tent Camping near Hillsdale, MI

Tent camping opportunities near Hillsdale, Michigan include several established campgrounds within short driving distance of town. 6 Lakes Campground offers lakeside tent sites with boat access and shaded camping areas, while Way Back In Campground provides walk-in tent sites. White Oak Campground, though slightly farther away near Whitehouse, Ohio, offers tent-specific sites with a more rustic experience for those willing to drive.

Most tent sites in the Hillsdale area feature gravel or dirt pads with picnic tables and fire rings. The 6 Lakes Campground provides drinking water and toilets, making it suitable for campers seeking basic amenities. White Oak Campground offers free firewood and clean restroom facilities, though campers should note that online reservations must be made before 4pm on the day of arrival. Seasonal availability varies by location, with most campgrounds operating from May through September, though some like White Oak remain open year-round. As one camper noted, "Sites have perfect amount of shade" at 6 Lakes Campground.

Tent campers in the Hillsdale region can expect varying levels of privacy and natural surroundings depending on the chosen campground. White Oak offers more secluded tent sites with good spacing between camping areas and access to hiking trails. Sites at 6 Lakes Campground provide lake views and recreational opportunities on the water, with some featuring small paths down to the shore. Several campgrounds in the region have walk-in tent sites that offer greater separation from RV areas. A visitor to White Oak described it as "a gem hiding within plain sight" with peaceful surroundings despite occasional road noise. Tent-only sites typically provide a quieter experience than mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate RVs.

Best Tent Sites Near Hillsdale, Michigan (20)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Hillsdale, MI

8 Photos of 20 Hillsdale Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Hillsdale, MI

400 Reviews of 20 Hillsdale Campgrounds


  • Megan T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2019

    White Oak Campground

    Peaceful Greenery

    I had a friend's wedding at The Stables (which I didn't realize was 3 min away) and decided to camp here rather than get a hotel. I set up right at 3 at Site 7 - there's no check-in process or attendant. I hadn't printed my permit, so I wondered if I would get a visit from a ranger but all was quiet. The site was spacious, sandy, and well suited for both tent and hammock. The fire ring was in good condition and fire wood was already stacked. The property was well maintained and the bathrooms clean and cool - the women's did have some standing water from a leaky toilet it looked like. You can hear distant cars and some not so distant planes. Also, while all the sites are wooded the woods are not very thick so you can see and hear your neighbors pretty well. Site number three looks at the most secluded to me while site number four was pretty much in the open beside the bathrooms. Group sites were full sun it appeared. The stream behind my site was dry. Nice map and brochures at the parking area. Sturdy picnic tables.

  • L
    Oct. 15, 2018

    White Oak Campground

    BEAUTIFUL! 10/10 would camp here again!

    Campground is nicely kept, only 5 individual sites, has two group sites. Nice restroom facilities, FREE firewood available. Grey water sinks for dish cleaning. Picnic table and fire ring at each site. Parking is general, but close to each site. We were there on a Monday night, only had one other tent in the campground. Nice flat sand pads for tents to set up on!

    DOWNSIDE: MUST RESERVE ONLINE BEFORE 4PM. There is no walk-up service, and online site goes down after employees go home at night.

  • J
    Jun. 9, 2019

    Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area

    Rustic campground near civilization

    This campground is part of the Waterloo State Recreation area, about 6 miles north of Chelsea MI. Sites are decent-sized, not much privacy between some sites. Only a couple of sites overlook the lake. Picnic table, fire ring, vault toilet and hand pump water. Quiet little campground.

  • Mike B.
    Sep. 5, 2018

    Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area

    Rustic Campground Close to Town

    I stayed here with my kids because it was close to home and town. It makes for an easy getaway for a night or two.

    It is rustic with just vault toilets. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring.

    The lake is not good for swimming as it is very mucky and covered in Lilly pads.

    It can fill up quick because it is close to town.

    There is a Yurt for rent here as well through the Waterloo Recreation web page.

  • Kate K.
    Aug. 22, 2019

    Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern — Waterloo Recreation Area

    A Wonderful Winter Getaway

    We stayed in the Southfork Rustic Cabin at the end of Feb and it was lovely much needed get away. The cabin was semi modern (solar lighting) but only a wood stove for heat. Small kitchen unit with table for eating. You had to hike in about a quarter mile to get there, and it sleeps four people with two bunk beds. There is an outside vault toilet behind the cabin. Lots of trails connecting the cabin to the rest of the park. Cheap too! Only $68 per night.

  • Laura H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2020

    Twin Mills Camping Resort

    Beautiful Wooded Campground

    Twin Mills is a really beautiful and quiet RV Campground, with tall trees in Northern Indiana. We frequent this location when getting RV Repairs and visiting Elkhart, the birth place of most RVs.

    There are cabins and tent sites and a large lake access point with a beach area. The playgrounds seemed to be in good shape and the dumpsters were centrally located.

    The park has a gate entrance for security.

    There is a large pool area and basketball court.

    There are several sections in the park, some more wooded and narrow sites, some are more spread out.

    Cellular: T-Mobile had good signal strength and bandwidth, AT&T was not as good but still doable.

    Most of the sites are full hook up, some have 30amp and some have 50amp.

    Amenities: Pool Clubhouse Basketball Volleyball Picnic tables Fire rings Trash Playground Lake access Beach area Dock Cabins Tent sites

  • Jordan B.
    Sep. 3, 2020

    Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area

    Simple rustic camping with great access

    Greenlake rustic campground offers 3 pit toilets a hand pump and small garbage site. Sites are generally first come first serve though reservations are now taken since the Covid-19. Most sited are shaded and all have a fire ring. Not always 100% level ground but nothing un-tentable. 2 sites probably won't take a trailer but most are fine for small rigs. A major roadway passes along the other side of the lake making lake front sites noise until about 12am and rear sites sit near a wetland aka the boarder of the mosquito kingdom; neither of these problems are terrible if you plan accordingly.

    Please note this is a quiter campground filled with mtn bikers, day hikers, tent campers, anglers, small craft boaters, and thru hikers.

  • Marg B.
    Jun. 14, 2018

    Lake Hudson Recreation Area

    Beautiful Nature, Dark Sky Rustic Camping

    Lake Hudson is a dark sky preserve full of trees, nature and a beautiful lake. The camping sites come with an electric plug in, a nice fire ring and a picnic table. They are cute sites. Most are not by the lake. There is a dumpster. The facilities are rustic. The facilities are port a potty type with wooden walls and cement floor. No showers. A hand pump well for water. The swimming part of the lake requires a drive. The Lake is beautiful with a sand beach, no wake boating and grills. However it is rustic so there is goose poo. The woods are beautiful. There is hunting. We had heard that some people partied there but the night we were there it was quiet and people were respectful. We had a beautiful fire and dutch oven dinner. We saw one cute racoon who ran away when I reacted. We were worried about mosquitos but we only saw one.


Guide to Hillsdale

Hillsdale, Michigan, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a serene escape in nature.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy boating and exploring beautiful lakes at 6 Lakes Campground, where you can navigate through charming canals.
  • Experience family-friendly activities and a welcoming atmosphere at Way Back In Campground, perfect for creating lasting memories.
  • Discover the peaceful surroundings and tent camping opportunities at Wildwood Acres Campground, ideal for those seeking tranquility.

Explore local attractions

  • Visit the nearby lakes and enjoy fishing or swimming while staying at 6 Lakes Campground, which provides easy access to water activities.
  • Take a short drive to local parks and nature trails from Green Acres Campground, where you can hike and enjoy the scenic beauty of the area.
  • Experience the charm of the countryside while camping at Paradise Campground, a great spot for those who appreciate nature.

Amenities that enhance your camping experience

  • Relax with electric hookups and picnic tables at Way Back In Campground, making your stay comfortable and convenient.
  • Enjoy the availability of showers and sanitary dump facilities at Green Acres Campground, ensuring a pleasant camping experience.
  • Benefit from the pet-friendly policy at Wildwood Acres Campground, allowing you to bring your furry friends along for the adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hillsdale, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hillsdale, MI is 6 Lakes Campground with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Hillsdale, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Hillsdale, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.