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Best Tent Camping near Holly, MI

488 Reviews

Tent campers near Holly, Michigan have several options in the surrounding area, ranging from rustic sites to more developed campgrounds. Island Lake Recreation Area in Brighton provides tent-specific sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and toilet facilities. Nearby Appleton Lake Campground offers a more primitive experience with secluded sites that provide a remote feeling despite being relatively close to urban areas.

Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities including fire rings and picnic tables, though facilities vary considerably. Appleton Lake provides vault toilets that some visitors note can be poorly maintained. Sites are typically set on dirt or grassy surfaces with natural buffers between camping areas. Island Lake Recreation Area offers unique boat-in only canoe camps along the Huron River, requiring all gear to be transported by kayak or canoe. Water access can be limited at several campgrounds, so tent campers should plan to bring their own supply.

Tent sites throughout the Holly area provide varying levels of privacy and natural settings. The Crooked Lake Rustic Campground in Pinckney Recreation Area offers lake views and a wilderness feel uncommon in southeast Michigan. Sites feature natural spacing between neighbors with some offering direct lake visibility. Trail access is available at most locations, with hiking paths connecting campgrounds to broader recreation areas. According to one visitor, "Sites were not as secluded as I'd prefer but we made do. Nice hiking trails around the camp." Seasonal considerations include heavy mosquito activity in summer months and raccoon encounters at several campgrounds, particularly at Appleton Lake where campers report having to defend food supplies after dark.

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Best Tent Sites Near Holly, Michigan (12)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Holly, MI

10 Photos of 12 Holly Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Holly, MI

488 Reviews of 12 Holly Campgrounds

  • Neil T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2021

    Seven Lakes State Park Campground

    Great waypoint when camping across the UP

    Vibe: Woodland getaway with no flash and really nice sites. 

    Cleanliness: Sites are above average. Vault toilets are…vault toilets. 

    Facilities: Nothing flashy. Wish there was a few additional water filling points and that the dumpsters were all located near the camp entrance/exit. But really nothing to complain about. 

    General spots: Large, very well treed, gravel, picnic table and fire ring. 

    Privacy: Can see neighbors through sites, but better privacy than most places. 

    Our site: 39. Could drive circles around inside it. Even has a tree in the middle of it with room to drive all the way around it(not with a trailer). Depending where you set up your rig, you may need an extra long extension cord. 

    Noise: Quiet. Occasionally hear wolves howling. Cell signal(Verizon): 1 bar. No internet loads. Text messages will send and receive. Sometimes immediately, sometimes hours later. Other: Wish we had a chance to explore the lakes. Sounds like the swimming and fishing is good. Saw several kids on bikes toting rods.

  • Christopher P.
    Sep. 5, 2021

    McGinnis Lake Modern Campground — Holly Recreation Area

    Quiet, well kept state park

    Just a quick overnight tent camp with my son. Tent sites are relatively well spaced out and clean. Fire rings and picnic tables at each site.

    Modern bathrooms and shower rooms are available.

    Many playgrounds, horseshoe pits, and a basketball court available.

    Firewood and ice available at the front gate.

    RV spaces are well spaced out and give a sense of privacy. Electrical hook ups.

    Cabins available for rent as well.

  • Don H.
    Jul. 9, 2019

    Island Lake Recreation Area

    Hidden Canoe Camps

    Island Lake Recreation Area is home to two Huron River Canoe Camps. The sites are boat-in only (!) meaning you must haul any and all gear in a kayak or canoe for your stay. The sites, Canoe Camp #1 and #2, can be only be reserved by calling or visiting the main office.

    This is an awesome place to stay, especially if you live in the area, as it provides a backcountry, boat-in camping experience very close to town. The sites each feature a fire ring and picnic table. Canoe #1 sports a floating dock to tie up boats. There is also a vault toilet, and firewood provided for both sites to share, as well recycling and trash cans.

    The sites and common area (toilet and garbage cans) are connected by short trails and you may, once in awhile, hear the folks at the site next to you. Thankfully, In my experience, people have always been friendly and respectful.

  • Rodger M.
    Sep. 19, 2021

    Ridgewood Campground

    An Quick Camping Escape

    We were warmly greeted by the attendee and the camp host. Firewood, snacks, camp essentials, and ice available on site. Nice touch having firewood delivered to our site. The gentleman could not have been kinder and offered assistance with us setting up. The site was a larger site (#12) tucked nicely away in a corner.

    Picnic Table and Nice Fire Ring onsite. Port-a-potty, dumpster near site.

    Fair warning, the staff aren’t the only ones ready to greet you! Bugs, Mosquitoes, bees, and even raccoons (if food left out - which we did not). We have been to sites before that must have sprayed for pests because we have never experienced the amount of mosquitoes we did here. Thankfully we had Off Area Camp Spray, our Thermacell, and citronella burning and it helped dramatically reduce the pests.

    The noise level was very “citified.” Traffic could be heard throughout the evening and early morning. That’s what we get for camping so close to civilization. Also, beware of Poison Oak and Ivy! The entire site was bordered with it.

    Lastly, make sure that if you car camp or SUV Camp, you let them know. They have a policy of making you park your car/SUV in the lot after setting up your tent (if tent camping).

  • Ryan F.
    Oct. 20, 2021

    Brighton Recreation Area

    Lake Murray Rustic Sites

    This was our first camping experience in Michigan, so we weren’t exactly prepared. My rating takes this into consideration.

    First of all, if it’s rainy or muddy, you might want to think twice about entering the rustic camping area. We have a 4Runner, so it was no problem but a few little cars did slide around and have trouble on the hill by our site.

    Our site wasn’t level, so we were rolling around a bit. If I went there again I’d try to find a spot towards the end of the loop by the exit. These sites were higher and some of them were private. I’d examine the map carefully because some of the sites were horrendously open and basically on the road. Maybe good for a vehicle with a rooftop tent or a trailer of some sort, but it would have been annoying for us. Site M22 was big and far enough away from other campers, but again not level. Probably a good location for a group of hammock campers.

    All that aside, the biggest problem was mosquito activity. The camping area sits on an inaccessible lake with a marsh area.

    When we rolled in the first thing we noticed was that everyone had screen houses set up.

    We didn’t have anything but our tent and a hammock with a big net so everyone got bitten up while cooking and hanging out by the fire. It was pretty miserable. Yes, I realize this is mostly our fault.

    I’ve since purchased a thermacell backpacker and some bug net hats and stuff. I’m looking into constructing an ultralight screen house that can be suspended from trees.

    The last problem was drunk campers hooting and hollering all night but that isn’t the camping areas fault.

    This place is super close to where we are living so I’ll probably schedule it next spring and come prepared. There are lots of nearby lakes and recreational trails so it’s a fun place to be with family.

  • beth S.
    Aug. 13, 2022

    Lansing Cottonwood Campground

    Primitive Sites!

    We came to the Lansing area for a family function and stayed at one of the Primitive Sites at Cottonwood Campground. The front of the grounds did seem a bit congested and not many trees, but we had a primitive site and it was everything we wanted. We camped in hammocks and had a pretty large site with great trees that could accommodate at least three to four hammocks (siteP5). Our site had a picnic table which was very helpful to have. There are a lot of wildlife noises, owls, frogs, crickets, etc. and you can hear some of the highway traffic but the nature sounds kind of drown it out.

    Overall was a good experience and staff were friendly and the primitive sites were over half empty. We will definitely come again.

    Second night, it had rained pretty much all day. Spiders came out at alarming numbers, mostly daddy long legs and the night before, raccoons had gotten into our food storage bins by undoing the side latches on them. The next night we made sure to house trash and food items in our truck.

  • Mike B.
    Sep. 3, 2018

    Appleton Lake Campground

    Quiet, private rustic campground

    I liked that this campground had sites that were fairly secluded from each other. Each site has a fire ring and ample space to park your vehicle and set up a tent or small trailer.

    My only complaint is the vault toilets were not clean and very full.

  • 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.

Guide to Holly

Tent camping in Holly, Michigan sits within Oakland County's mixed forest region at around 900 feet elevation. The area features glacial landforms and several small lakes formed during the Wisconsin glaciation period. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping offers milder temperatures in the 50-70°F range with increased chances of precipitation.

What to do

Hiking trails: Crystal Creek Christian Campground offers family-friendly hiking paths through wooded areas that connect to their other recreation areas. According to one visitor, this campground provides "amenities including but not limited to horse shoes, swimming (man dug pond) hiking, basketball, volleyball and etc."

Fishing spots: Camp Agawam provides fishing access that's particularly popular with families. One camper notes, "This park is great! It has campsites, a playground, swimming, fishing, an outdoor amphitheater (with concerts!), pavilion rentals, and disc golf!"

Kayaking opportunities: Island Lake Recreation Area offers unique paddling experiences on the Huron River. A camper explains, "Island Lake Recreation Area is home to two Huron River Canoe Camps. The sites are boat-in only (!) meaning you must haul any and all gear in a kayak or canoe for your stay."

Trail running: Several campgrounds near Holly maintain trails suitable for running. One visitor at Appleton Lake Campground specifically mentioned, "Great trails - perfect for trail running."

What campers like

Lake views: Crooked Lake Rustic Campground offers sites with direct water views. A camper shares, "The views of the lake are awesome, it's a great slice of wilderness in this part of the state." Another visitor recommends "SITE #22" noting they "could see the lake and had an outhouse right nearby."

Local convenience: Campers appreciate that many Holly-area campgrounds provide a remote feel without long drives. As one visitor to Island Lake Recreation Area noted, "Island lake really does feel like you're up north with the hours spent on I-75. There are great hiking trails that give novice and Intermediate hikers a chance to sharpen their skills."

Affordable rates: The best tent camping near Holly includes budget-friendly options. Crystal Creek Christian Campground offers especially reasonable rates, with a camper noting, "Want the full camping ambiance $15 a night for rustic tent camping! Great place to take the family even several times a season on a budget!"

Winter options: For cold-weather camping, Hilltop Campgrounds near Lapeer remains open seasonally. One full-time winter camper reported, "We are full timers here for the winter into spring. The campground here is simple but the people are so friendly it will be difficult to leave when our season here is over."

What you should know

Toilets vary widely: Vault toilets at many rustic campgrounds receive mixed reviews. At Appleton Lake Campground, one visitor complained, "My only complaint is the vault toilets were not clean and very full."

Seasonal campers dominate some parks: At certain campgrounds, permanent seasonal campers occupy the best sites. A visitor to Genesee Otter Lake Campground warned, "All of the lakefront sites are seasonal site…in fact most of the campground were seasonal sites. Don't be one of the poor suckers that fell for this false advertising."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Holly, MI is Camp Agawam with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Holly, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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