Tent camping opportunities around Howell, Michigan extend beyond established campgrounds to include walk-in sites and primitive options. The region features glacial terrain with rolling hills, kettle lakes, and mixed hardwood forests at elevations between 850-1000 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during peak camping season from May through September, with spring and fall bringing cooler nights that require additional insulation for comfortable tent camping.
What to do
Hiking trails: The Pinckney Recreation Area provides extensive trail systems connecting to Crooked Lake Rustic Campground, where "the views of the lake are awesome, it's a great slice of wilderness in this part of the state," according to camper Jordan D.
Fishing access: Island Lake Recreation Area offers shoreline fishing opportunities for families. Mary O. notes, "Nice campground for family and activities. Good dock for the kids to fish."
Disc golf: Camp Agawam features an on-site disc golf course among its recreational options. James P. explains, "This park is great! It has campsites, a playground, swimming, fishing, an outdoor amphitheater (with concerts!), pavilion rentals, and disc golf!"
Canoe camping: Island Lake Recreation Area offers unique boat-in only campsites along the Huron River. Don H. describes these as "hidden canoe camps" that "provide a backcountry, boat-in camping experience very close to town" with "a fire ring and picnic table" plus "a floating dock to tie up boats."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Appleton Lake Campground, Mike B. appreciated 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."
Trail running opportunities: The mature forest setting at Appleton Lake Campground offers "great trails - perfect for trail running," according to Peter.
Wildlife watching: Campers frequently observe wildlife including waterfowl along the lakes, though some encounters are closer than desired. At Appleton Lake, Angie H. reported, "The camp site itself was nice, but once it got dark, we were fighting off about 10 raccoons all night."
Location convenience: Many campers value the relatively close proximity to urban areas while still feeling remote. Rachael D. noted about Island Lake, "Island lake really does feel like you're up north without the hours spent on I-75... Great location without having to drive too far."
What you should know
Tick awareness: Hikers and campers should perform regular tick checks when exploring the area. At Appleton Lake, camper D G. warns visitors to "watch out for ticks though" when using the hiking trails.
Vault toilet conditions: Several campgrounds maintain vault toilets with varying levels of maintenance. Mike B. mentioned his "only complaint is the vault toilets were not clean and very full" at Appleton Lake Campground.
Seasonal limitations: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Hilltop Campgrounds is open from "April 15 to October 15" according to their listing, while others like Genesee Otter Lake Campground run "April to November."
Water supply needs: Rustic campgrounds often lack drinking water. Appleton Lake has "very rustic" sites with "no hook ups" according to Melissa M., meaning campers must bring their own water supply.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Crooked Lake Rustic Campground provides lakeside sites good for children's first camping experiences with scenic views. Staff are described as "so kind and helpful" by Cathy E., who appreciated assistance in choosing "a site that had good views and felt private."
First-time campers: Appleton Lake Campground works well for introducing children to camping. D G. called it a "great starter campground which is just what we wanted - my buddy and I took his 6 year old camping for the first time."
Multiple recreation options: Families benefit from campgrounds offering diverse activities in one location. At Camp Agawam, visitors enjoy "campsites, a playground, swimming, fishing, an outdoor amphitheater with concerts, pavilion rentals, and disc golf" all within the park according to James P.
Campground programming: Some locations offer structured activities for families. Tammy P. mentioned that Genesee Otter Lake Campground has "plenty of activities planned and structured thru the grounds to keep the whole family entertained including PUTT PUTT Golf, Arcade, Saturday Night Adult Bingo weekly, and tons more!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Most campgrounds near Howell designate specific areas for RVs versus tent camping. At PINCKNEY RAILS-TO-TRAIL CAMPGROUND, Mike L. notes campers are "very friendly, management is beyond friendly. Would prefer more shade but this is very nice place."
Winter camping options: Full-time RVers can find year-round options in the region. Alicia A. describes Hilltop Campgrounds as the "Perfect, Quiet Winter Spot" explaining "We are full timers here for the winter into spring. The campground here is simple but the people are so friendly."
Hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer limited full-hookup sites. Tammy P. reports that at Hilltop, "All sites are 50 amp full hook ups" and they allow "daily, weekly and monthly visitors at a very reasonable price" at "$40 a night" for full hookups.
Site surface quality: RV campers should investigate site surfaces before booking. Cathy E. visited Crooked Lake in her "off-grid ready camper van" and noted her site "was a little slanted, but it didn't bother me."
