Camping sites near Kawkawlin, Michigan range from forested inland locations to waterfront spots along Saginaw Bay. The region experiences warm, humid summers with temperatures averaging 75-85°F from June through August, while spring and fall camping seasons bring cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. Water levels in Saginaw Bay fluctuate seasonally, affecting shoreline camping and water access at several parks.
What to do
Explore boardwalk trails: At Pinconning County Park, visitors can access miles of boardwalk with observation decks overlooking marshland. According to one camper, "The coolest thing about this campground was the boardwalk it winds back through the woods and marsh and has a lot of raised Outlook platforms to view the scenery."
Water recreation opportunities: Bay City State Park Campground offers multiple options for water activities. One visitor mentioned, "Take a 2 min walk from the camp office across to the day park and you'll find the Spray by the Bay splash pad, a huge timber playground, beautiful sandy beach along Lake Huron, sandy swim area, geocaching, pavilions, well kept bathrooms and changing rooms."
Birding and wildlife viewing: Nature enthusiasts can find excellent birding opportunities throughout the region. A camper at Black Creek State Forest Campground noted, "The Chippewa Nature Center is about 10 miles away and has great trails; excellent visitor center and reconstructed 19th century homestead."
Biking and paved trails: Extensive paved trails make biking a popular activity. "This is a great campground if you enjoy riding bicycles or going on nature walks with trails that seem endless," reported one visitor about Bay City State Park.
What campers like
Spacious, shaded sites: Many campsites offer good tree coverage. A visitor to Bay City State Park stated, "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."
Family-friendly amenities: Frankenmuth Jellystone Park receives high marks for organized activities. A recent visitor shared, "They do have a heated indoor and heated outdoor swimming pool and one hot tub. There is a Playground. They also offer Gaga ball, basketball sport court, and volleyball courts. There is a Game room for kids."
Clean facilities: Maintenance at campgrounds near Kawkawlin is frequently praised. One camper at Finn Road Park noted, "Campground is very nice sites are concrete pads and level! Sites are mostly shaded."
Boat access: Several parks provide direct water access. A Pinconning County Park visitor commented, "Nice campground with great access to the Saginaw Bay for boaters/kayakers/etc with a small beach."
What you should know
Seasonal conditions affect sites: Spring camping can be wet in some areas. A Pinconning County Park camper reported, "We camped the weekend. Staff was very friendly upon check in. The beach was nice with picnic tables and lots of playgrounds. I was very excited to do the board walks but when we arrived most were flooded I was very disappointed."
Insects vary by location and season: Insects can be present, especially near water. One camper at Bay City State Park mentioned, "Flies were an issue and bug spray was needed. There were no trails to hike off of the campground."
Traffic noise at some locations: Proximity to roads affects some camping experiences. A visitor to Black Creek State Forest Campground noted, "Campsites are pretty close together and you can hear traffic nearby most of the day. Sites are well kept and toilets were nice and clean. Easy to get in and out but doesn't really feel like camping with all the traffic noise."
Reservation timelines vary: Some campgrounds accept same-day reservations while others require advance booking. One visitor to Bay City State Park mentioned, "We came in late for just a place to rest before heading further north. Drop box available after 10pm(summer). Between 8p-10p there is a yellow phone to check in with. Can book day of until 8pm online."
Tips for camping with families
Splash pad access: Outdoor Adventures Saginaw Bay Resort and other parks offer water features for children. One visitor to Bay City State Park shared, "This is one of the best campgrounds for kids that I've ever visited! We spent all day at the park with 4 kids 6yrs and under and not a single on of them complained of being bored."
Scheduled activities: Look for campgrounds with organized events. A camper noted about Bay City State Park, "They have campground hosts that facilitate free activities organized by the park. We did a kids craft and enjoyed hot cocoa or coffee Saturday morning and then returned after dinner for Back-to-School bingo and popcorn."
Shallow swimming areas: Several beaches offer kid-friendly swimming. A visitor to Pinconning County Park stated, "The beach is shallow and great for young kids, we camped over memorial weekend and water was nice even then. They have nice beach chairs to use for free and kayaks you can rent."
Playground options: Multiple campgrounds feature playgrounds. One visitor to Frankenmuth Jellystone reported, "There is a Playground. They also offer Gaga ball, basketball sport court, and volleyball courts. There is a Game room for kids. They have a Putt putt course and Jumping pad."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Some RV sites require more setup than others. A camper at Bay City State Park advised, "Between 8p-10p there is a yellow phone to check in with. Can book day of until 8pm online. Easy to get into late at night. Big lots. Fire pit. Sites are electric only. Recommend to have extension cord for some sites, as plug in can be far."
RV lighting etiquette: Light pollution affects tent campers. One visitor to Bay City State Park mentioned, "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."
Pad types vary by campground: Some sites offer concrete while others are gravel or grass. A camper at Sanford Campgrounds noted their site "had a paved pad and patio. You definitely want to try and get one of these sites. The other sites were OK, but dirt pad and many of them had marsh behind or surrounding them."
Hookup placement: Electric connections aren't always conveniently located. A visitor to Bay City State Park mentioned, "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."
