Camping near Madison Heights, Michigan offers several options within a 30-minute drive for outdoor recreation in Oakland County. The southeastern Michigan area features rolling terrain with elevation changes between 600-1,100 feet across various recreation areas, creating diverse landscapes for camping. Winter temperatures average 24-34°F, while summer temperatures reach 70-83°F with moderate humidity levels throughout the camping season.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: At Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, campers can access extensive networks of trails. "There are tons of mosquitoes and ticks, so make sure you bring bug spray. Also make sure that all food and garbage is secure at night, the raccoons have no fear," notes Kristina J. The recreation area offers "extensive mountain biking trails and the lake is open to boating, kayaking, and other water sports."
Water activities: Many campgrounds feature lake access within the recreation areas. Christie V. mentions that Pontiac Lake has a "nice big lake. Only drawback is you must drive to the lake or hike 1.8 miles through the woods on a trail to get there." For paddling enthusiasts, the Huron River at Proud Lake Recreation Area provides kayak rentals and river access. John F. notes it "has a boat launch and a canoe/kayak livery on site."
Disc golf courses: Several parks near Madison Heights feature disc golf as a recreational option. At Addison Oaks County Park, Joe S. found the "disc golf and overall wonderful Park staff" made for a "truly a beautiful vacation spot." The 18-hole course winds through wooded areas with varying terrain challenges.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the seclusion offered at campsites despite proximity to urban areas. At Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, Mary H. found that the "park offers lots of private sites! We stayed in site 118 and could not see neighboring sites! The site was very spacious and offered picnic table, fire ring, paved pad, and electrical hook up."
Clean facilities: Modern amenities receive positive mentions from campers at several parks. Sam H. found Pontiac Lake campground "was full but quiet. The bathrooms and showers were nice and clean with hot water. Site 71 wasn't the most private but still nice. The spots are all pretty private due to trees and vegetation."
Year-round accessibility: Unlike some seasonal parks, Holly Recreation Area remains open throughout all seasons. "We stayed in the rustic Aspen loop and it was fine for early season but come peak season, the sites lack privacy and are kind of small," shares Ashleigh M. Winter camping is available with cabins providing shelter during colder months.
What you should know
Lake access varies: Not all campgrounds offer direct water access from campsites. At Pontiac Lake, Renee R. points out the "only drawback is the distance from the lake. The lake is not within walking distance, you would need to drive."
Reservation requirements: Booking in advance is essential, especially for weekend camping during peak season (May-September). Most sites can be reserved up to six months in advance through the Michigan DNR reservation system or county park websites.
Diverse camping styles: From rustic tent sites to modern RV pads, options vary across parks. At Haas Lake Park RV Campground, Karen C. found "a pull thru that was very spacious with a long driveway. Nice lake view across the road. This location has 4 lakes."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated activity areas: Several parks offer specific children's programming. Teresa B. shares that Camp Dearborn "has activities for both children and adults, two beautiful beaches, a pool, tennis courts, and now a zip line. Options for camping range from tent sites to luxury cabins."
Consider cabin options: For families new to camping, cabins provide comfort with outdoor access. At Holly Recreation Area, Stephanie H. reports, "We've stayed at this campground on and off for roughly 3 weeks staying mostly at the Cedar cabin but we also tent camped as well. The staff is amazing, the campground is well maintained and quiet."
Check for playground access: Parks with playground equipment offer entertainment for children. BrianaLynn R. found Holly Recreation Area had "a lot of activities for the whole family, and the camp site was nice and shaded."
Tips from RVers
Extension cord requirements: Some electrical hookups require additional planning. At Pontiac Lake, Mary H. advises, "If you are hoping to hook up to electrical, bring extension cords; some hook ups are exceptionally far away from the designated RV parking pad."
Pad surface considerations: Paved pads offer stability but vary in quality across parks. Daniel from Pontiac Lake mentions the "camp site was nice with blacktop pad and once parked felt very secluded and could barely see site past truck in parking spot."
Full hookup availability: Water and electric availability varies by campground. At Haas Lake Park RV Campground, John C. appreciated the "lakefront full hookup" and noted "the fire rings are double insulated with sand, which made for a safer experience."
