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Best Campgrounds near Kawkawlin, MI

250 Reviews

Camping options surrounding Kawkawlin, Michigan include several established campgrounds along the Saginaw Bay shoreline and nearby inland areas. Bay City State Park Campground offers tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations approximately 15 miles south of Kawkawlin, while Pinconning County Park provides year-round camping with tent, RV, and cabin options about 10 miles north. The region includes a mix of state parks, county fairgrounds, and private RV resorts, with many facilities providing electric hookups, drinking water, and sanitary stations. Waterfront camping locations are particularly popular, giving visitors access to Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay for swimming, fishing, and boating activities.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with peak availability from May through October. Bay City State Park's camping season runs specifically from May 1 to October 31, though some private campgrounds like Outdoor Adventures Saginaw Bay Resort remain open year-round. Reservations are recommended, especially for summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds offer both 30-amp and 50-amp electrical hookups, with varying levels of other amenities like showers, toilets, and picnic tables. According to one visitor at Pinconning County Park, "Nice campground with great access to the Saginaw Bay for boaters/kayakers/etc with a small beach. Some campsites are better than others, like most campgrounds but all have some perks."

Campers consistently rate the shaded sites at Bay City State Park highly, with visitors appreciating the combination of wooded camping and beach access. "The sites are good size, very shaded. Bathrooms are clean. Lots of things to do here as you are right across the street from the beach," noted one camper. Black Creek State Forest Campground, located farther inland, provides a more rustic experience with vault toilets and drinking water but no electrical hookups. This state forest option attracts visitors looking for a quieter setting away from more developed campgrounds. Several reviews mention the mix of sun and shade at these campgrounds, with many sites offering some tree cover for summer camping. Most campgrounds in the region have fire rings and allow pets, though specific rules vary by location.

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Best Camping Sites Near Kawkawlin, Michigan (106)

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Recent Camping Photos near Kawkawlin, MI

92 Photos of 106 Kawkawlin Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Kawkawlin, MI

250 Reviews of 106 Kawkawlin Campgrounds

  • l
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Black Creek State Forest Campground

    Black Creek State Forest Campground

    Pull up, grab a registration envelope, look for a spot then part. Fill out the registration. Put one portion of it on the clip at the spot number market, keep another portion then return the completed envelope and $20 cash or check per night plus $19 for Michigan recreation passport (if you don’t already have one). They will mail you the passport, keep receipt for proof. Vault toilets available, some river spots, some secluded spots, clean. Saw DNR in the morning checking on everything.

  • Edward C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Tawas Point State Park Campground

    Terrific location

    This is a beautiful and picturesque park. The bathrooms are clean and well maintained.

    Sites are large in general with plenty of room for activities.

    The pet friendly beach is fantastic for dogs as the water is very shallow and let's them be active.

    The access roads on the loop are narrow, so you may need to take some care of if you have a large vehicle.

    There's also a kids playground and volleyball court.

  • Melissa H.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Bay City State Park Campground

    Bustling, clean and friendly

    Easy friendly check-in. Firewood prices are cheaper than on roads in. Small and large bags of ice at a good price. Great for families. Clean facilities. They do spray for mosquitoes, so that wasn't too bad at all even in the heat of August. We stayed at 106, the description was on point, level and shaded. Campers were super friendly. We had no complaints about the campground itself but it would be nice if there was an RV lights out policy at night. It's really hard to sleep in a tent when your neighbors RV "porch" light is on literally all night shining in the tent while your neighbors are sound asleep in RV. We had to ask our neighbors politely to turn their outside LED light strips off the second night. They were great about it but, didn't seem to realize it would bother tent campers next to them.

  • Deb M.
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Bay City State Park Campground

    Crowded and inconvenient

    So, this campground looks nice at first, with lots of trees on the sites. However, once you really start looking at them, none have a camping pad, so it’s random parking on the grass. Lots of moving around to get your electric hooked up to the shared and oddly placed power poles. Make sure to come with an extension cord - one member of our party had their power halfway into their neighbor’s site through a bunch of bushes. The sites near the entrance are very crowded together and filled with large loud groups. (please don’t park any extra vehicles hanging out over the road…) And cleaning the bathrooms at 8:30 and 9:30 in the MORNING? Bummer for tenters. It’s ok for a quick stop, but wouldn’t want to stay here too long. I would expect better from a State Park.

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Pettit Park Campground

    City park

    Water and electric and a dump station. Near downtown Clare, nice park with pavilions, no reservations needed. Sites are within the city’s park so there’s local traffic.

  • AmcPhotography
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Chesaning Showboat Camping

    Camping

    it's a alright campground,quit,few things it could use,like another playground ,water hookups,and WiFi other than that it's good.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Arthur Latham Park

    No campground

    Called the office and was told that there is no longer a campground here. Used to be but not anymore

  • Corey L.
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Northern Bear Paw RV Park

    Northern Bear Paw

    An awesome place to stay! Owners are very thoughtful, through, and considerate of the campers. Second visit here and would highly recommend!!

  • A
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Otter Lake Park Campground

    Beautiful views & so much to do!

    We tent camped in site #56. I will say the sites are on the smaller side, but you can make do. The lake is soooo beautiful and you can rent kayaks $7/hour or a 2 person small boat for $10/hour. Laundry facility is nice and cheap, with a great sink to wash dishes. Bathrooms are poorly vented and gets so hot & humid, but I will say the showers are in-home quality for a campground! The owners are so nice and friendly. ORV trail butts up to the campground so bring your dirt bikes! We had a small trailer and they had no issue with us at all. Very good swimming beach with tons of places to take in the peaceful views. Playground is large and nice with a new basketball court and Gaga ball. Bring your bug spray and get ready to enjoy serene nature. Oh and I love how affordable it is :)

Guide to Kawkawlin

Camping near Kawkawlin, Michigan, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From beautiful parks to family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone in this area.

What to do:

  • Explore the Beach: The Bay City State Park Campground is right by Lake Huron, making it perfect for beach days. One visitor mentioned, “Beach, trails and children's solace pad, just an easy walk across the road.”
  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Check out the trails at Rifle River Campground. A camper shared, “The Tobico Marsh trails and observation towers were great for watching birds. Lots of trails.”
  • Fishing and Water Activities: At River View Campground & Canoe Livery, you can enjoy tubing and kayaking. A regular visitor said, “We always go tubing and kayaking. Bathrooms and showers are decent for a campground.”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at places like Gladwin City Park & Campground. One reviewer noted, “Park is great even when full on weekends. It is in town so everything you might need is close.”
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers mention the helpful staff at Pine Ridge RV Campground. A visitor remarked, “The owners are friendly and willing to help.”
  • Family-Friendly Activities: The Frankenmuth Jellystone Park offers tons of activities for kids. One parent said, “There are tons of scheduled activities for kids like wagon rides, arts & crafts, scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, etc.”

What you should know:

  • Site Selection Matters: At Rifle River Campground, some sites have slopes. A camper advised, “Most sites are good, though some have slopes to them. Choose carefully.”
  • Noise Levels: Campers at Krystal Lake Campground reported loud music on weekends. One visitor said, “They started blasting loud music that drowned our campfire conversation from 1000ft away.”
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Berwagana Campground, may need updates. A reviewer mentioned, “The campground is average and needs some updates.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Check for Activities: Look for campgrounds with planned activities for kids, like Wesleyan Woods Camp. A camper noted, “There was a ton of activities. My only complaint would be that bathrooms and showers could be cleaner.”
  • Choose the Right Site: Some sites are better for families. At Pinconning County Park, a visitor said, “Some campsites are better than others, like most campgrounds but all have some perks.”
  • Bring Outdoor Games: Campgrounds like River View Campground & Canoe Livery have plenty of space for outdoor games. One camper shared, “There were numerous playground areas, volleyball, horseshoes, and even an arcade area.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your site has the right hookups. A visitor at Pine Ridge RV Campground mentioned, “Each site has full hook-ups and are a good size.”
  • Plan for Privacy: Some sites can be close together. A camper at Jellystone Campground said, “Most sites are relatively cramped, a few are spacious.”
  • Bring Your Own Fire Pit: At Frankenmuth Jellystone Park, you may need to bring your own fire pit. One visitor noted, “Biggest disappointment was you need to bring your own fire pit!”

Camping near Kawkawlin, Michigan, has its perks and quirks. With a little planning, you can enjoy a great outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any public boat launches on the Kawkawlin River?

Yes, there are public boat launches that provide access to the Kawkawlin River. Pinconning County Park offers excellent water access with boat launching facilities to Saginaw Bay, which connects to the Kawkawlin River system. Another option is Finn Road Park near Essexville, which provides a public boat launch with convenient access to the river. Both locations offer parking for vehicles and trailers, making them popular spots for fishing enthusiasts and recreational boaters exploring the Kawkawlin waterways.

Where can I find camping near Kawkawlin, Michigan?

Several excellent camping options exist near Kawkawlin. Bay City State Park Campground is one of the closest options, offering large shaded sites, clean facilities, and direct beach access across the street. Linwood Beach Marina & Campground provides another nearby option with toilets and big-rig friendly sites. For those willing to drive a bit further, Black Creek State Forest Campground offers a quieter experience with huge sites featuring both shade and sun, clean vault toilets, and peaceful creek views, perfect for a mid-Michigan getaway.

What amenities are available at Kawkawlin River Campground?

While specific information for Kawkawlin River Campground is limited in the available reviews, nearby campgrounds offer comparable amenities. Holiday Shores RV Park provides excellent phone service, helpful staff, and a booking process that's particularly accommodating for novice campers. Similarly, Pine Ridge RV Campground features nice pull-through sites, clean facilities, and knowledgeable staff. For river camping experiences in the region, you can typically expect electric hookups, shared water access, dump stations, and basic restroom facilities. Most riverfront campgrounds in this area also provide boat launches and fishing access.

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