Best Tent Camping near Mio, MI
Multiple tent camping areas surround Mio, Michigan, including walk-in sites, canoe-accessible locations, and primitive backcountry options. Cathedral Pines Campground offers secluded tent camping with river access, while the Hoist/Reid Lake Areas provide backcountry tent sites along an 8-mile trail system. Parmalee Bridge State Forest Campground combines drive-in and walk-in tent camping options with riverside sites. Most locations are situated within Huron National Forest or state forest lands, providing access to the AuSable River and surrounding wilderness.
Many tent campgrounds in the Mio area feature basic amenities with varying levels of access. Wakeley Lake Campground requires a half-mile hike to reach the tent sites, making it more secluded than drive-in options. Vault toilets are available at some locations like Rainbow Bend and Parmalee Bridge, but many backcountry tent sites have no facilities. Potable water pumps exist at select campgrounds but may be seasonal or unreliable. According to one visitor, "The trail is easy enough and there are so many different spots to camp along the way. It is foot travel only and most sites are a decent hike to get to." Bear activity requires proper food storage, with several reviews mentioning the need to hang food and trash.
Tent camping experiences vary widely across the Mio region, with some sites offering riverside locations and others nestled in forested settings. The Reid Lake area provides multiple tent sites scattered throughout a 4-mile trail network, ideal for beginners or groups wanting separate campsites within hiking distance of each other. Sites nearest to parking areas fill quickly during summer weekends, while more remote tent locations typically remain available. White Pine Canoe Camp is accessible only by water, offering a unique tent camping experience for paddlers. A recent review noted that while "The water pump was out of commission and there was very limited access to dry wood," the site still provided a quality primitive camping experience. Fall camping offers reduced crowds and insects, making it an optimal season for tent campers seeking solitude.
