108 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"It's a typical Michigan state campground, not much different. Nice bathrooms and big lots."
"The near by nature preserve is a great place to take a hike or bike ride. There are a couple restaurants right outside the park entrance."
from $32 - $80 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Lots of fisherman.water and electric only.great access to Saginaw Bay."
from $28 - $30 / night
Check Availability"The office where payment is made is a few miles away from the actual campground. There is a dump station and water at the fairgrounds. "
from $15 / night
Check Availability"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"
"New Senior Center closeby. Easy to get attached to."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"We weren’t able to sit outside because of the direct sun until after 8:30pm.
This was a smaller lot with our neighbors fairly close."
ScoutMaintained to perfection, great camping, everything you could ask for. All facilities are available and clean. The owners of the site are always happy to help and are a pleasure. Fantastic sites with full hookups, river, pond, playground and forest
ScoutNice campground pretty quiet very well shaded lots. Some lots would be a bit difficult to get a camper in due to the amount of trees but nice for tent camping. Bathrooms are a bit dated is only downfall. Could use some maintance and upgrades
ScoutHusband and wife owners that are extremely rude Husband has the attitude of I own this here water wife is the mother of all Karen's. You usually pay to swim here but they ruined that and took that away cause they own that there water merica can't wait for the new owners!!!
TravelerWoohoo! What a campground! I’m currently camping here attempting to stay long term. It’s a bit packed of long term-ers but there are a few openings. As far as the daily hookup sites/regular tent sites are absolutely darling. Plenty of space for whatever you need plus a vehicle! There’s a huge pond in the center of the campground with an inflatable slide that the kids absolutely love. The pond gets fairly deep which makes it perfect for all ages. Including the little beach front it has making it perfect for the lounging parents or the toddlers to play in puddles of water. I brought my own electric scooters to ride around site but the campground is walkable! The store up front has almost everything you’d need in an emergency or an “oops I forgot XYZ” situation. There is a small cafe as well on site which is awesome for a quick bite! Laundry on site has 2 washers and 2 dryers.. which I think is fair! The bathrooms/showers are clean and plentiful. Staff is fairly friendly as well. I do feel the employees need proper training based on the campground itself (like the price of propane or the ability to book sites without management assistance) which are all an easy fix for such an awesome place.
ScoutQuite area not to much of anything to do but it work's.
ScoutGary is one of the nicest people…campground very clean nice and quiet just a hop and a skip to the downtown area
TravelerClean, quiet, great service. Bathrooms and showers were fine. They have firewood for $5/bundle on-site that they’ll deliver to your site. We would stay here again.
ScoutPeaceful
GuideLots of fisherman.water and electric only.great access to Saginaw Bay.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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."
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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