Best Campgrounds near Washington, MI

The Washington, Michigan area features a range of established campgrounds with diverse accommodation options. Addison Oaks County Park and Oakland County Addison Oaks in Leonard provide tent, RV, cabin, glamping, and yurt camping opportunities. Other nearby options include McGinnis Lake Modern Campground at Holly Recreation Area, Bald Mountain Recreation Area with cabin-only accommodations, and Pontiac Lake Recreation Area. Most campgrounds in this region are within a 30-mile radius of Washington and offer varying levels of amenities from rustic to modern facilities.

Seasonal availability varies significantly across the region's campgrounds. Many sites operate from late April through October, though some like Holly State Recreation Area, Bald Mountain Recreation Area, and Pontiac Lake Recreation Area remain open year-round. Reservations are typically required and should be secured well in advance, especially for summer weekends. Most developed campgrounds provide electric hookups, drinking water, and toilet facilities, while amenities like showers and dump stations are available at select locations. Campers should check specific campground regulations regarding pets, fires, and alcohol. As one visitor noted, "This campground has a beautiful 2.5 mile trail around the lake that makes this campground great. Our spot #18 I felt was spacious and not too close to the people next to us and trees behind us."

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for many campgrounds in the region. Several parks feature lakes with swimming beaches, boat rentals, and fishing opportunities. Groveland Oaks County Park receives positive reviews for its family-friendly amenities including "a lake for swimming, water slide, arcade, boat rentals, mini golf, biking trails and fishing." Proud Lake Recreation Area earns high marks for its hiking and biking trails, with one camper sharing, "I had no clue what to expect when booking so close to a few major cities in Michigan. I love feeling secluded while camping and was nervous this would feel like parking lot camping. But, it was AMAZING." Privacy levels vary between campgrounds, with some offering spacious, wooded sites and others featuring more open layouts. Campers seeking quieter experiences might prefer the less developed areas or weekday visits when campgrounds are less crowded.

Best Camping Sites Near Washington, Michigan (63)

    1. Addison Oaks County Park

    13 Reviews
    Lakeville, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 858-1400

    "The park has a beautiful 2.5 mile trail around the lake that makes this campground great. We brought our own kayaks but they do rent boats. We saw deer and rabbit."

    "Cell phone tower is close by. We especially enjoy the intermediate level mountain bike trails. Showers are hot. Lots of deer to see at dusk."

    2. Oakland County Addison Oaks

    4 Reviews
    Lakeville, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 693-2432

    "Addison Oaks is a campground that features hiking and mountain biking trails, campground, cabins, disc golf course, and a lake for boating."

    "The grounds are huge with bike/hike trails, a lake and a disc golf course. Mountain biking seems to be very popular there are dirt trails off the paved hiking loop."

    3. McGinnis Lake Modern Campground — Holly Recreation Area

    33 Reviews
    Ortonville, MI
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 634-8811

    $27 - $30 / night

    "Group area is away from the main area. Kayak lakes are nice. Excellent hike/bike trails. Park is located just down the road from the Holly Oaks Off road park."

    "I love to come here when I want a quick get away from home because it is only 30min away.

    The campsites are big,secluded, wooded, and clean."

    4. Bald Mountain Recreation Area

    3 Reviews
    Lake Orion, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 693-6767

    "The trails are well maintained and well marked. There is also tons of clean, easy to access lakes within the park too. Perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding, or fishing."

    "Great trails and kids friendly."

    5. Ridgewood Campground

    2 Reviews
    Washington, MI
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (586) 781-4242

    $25 - $50 / night

    "The site was a larger site (#12) tucked nicely away in a corner.

    Picnic Table and Nice Fire Ring onsite. Port-a-potty, dumpster near site."

    6. Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

    18 Reviews
    White Lake, MI
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 666-1020

    $22 / night

    "Only drawback is the distance from the lake. The lake is not within walking distance, you would need to drive."

    "Beach is a 1.8 mile hike from the East loop in the campground but is well worth the walk."

    7. Algonac State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Algonac, MI
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (810) 765-5605

    "I've stayed all over michigan, and this is one of the best. Your right close to the water, so you can watch the ships. I was very comfortable here, and I had my dog."

    "Great campground with access to the beautiful St. Clair River as it runs between Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair."

    8. Camp Agawam

    2 Reviews
    Auburn Hills, MI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 391-0304

    $20 - $30 / night

    "I come down to Detroit from Windsor every year to camp in Michigan with friends and this year we went to this very nice campsite in Orion Twp and I loved it."

    9. Groveland Oaks County Park

    19 Reviews
    Holly, MI
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 634-9811

    $28 - $48 / night

    "This campground has a lake for swimming, water slide, arcade, boat rentals, mini golf, biking trails and fishing. Lots for kids to do... also skate park and 2 playgrounds."

    "Large campground with lots of trails and activities (although we camped in early May so many activities were not open)."

    10. Proud Lake Recreation Area

    17 Reviews
    Wolverine Lake, MI
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 685-2433

    "I had no clue what to expect when booking so close to a few major cities in Michigan. I love feeling secluded while camping and was nervous this would feel like parking lot camping."

    "First, I'd like to say that I was born and raised in Northern Michigan. That's where I'm used to camping and hiking. I moved to the metro Detroit area a few years ago."

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Recent Reviews near Washington, MI

427 Reviews of 63 Washington Campgrounds


  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Proud Lake Recreation Area

    Amazing

    You need to know that this place is so so clean! The grounds, the sites, the bathrooms and the showers are all impeccable. It is true we were there in the middle of the week, but I’ve stayed at plenty of places during the week where things have been less than desirable. Everyone was most pleasant and helpful and the view of the lake was beautiful. If the campground had been full we probably would not have been able to see the lake from our site.

  • Ethan R.
    Aug. 13, 2025

    McGinnis Lake Modern Campground — Holly Recreation Area

    In the woods

    Nice campground. Paved sites. Some are pretty secluded. Downside is that the campground and stuff to do, are far apart. Bring a bike or drive. Beach is nice. Has a water park on the lake.

  • Joe S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Port Huron KOA

    Lots of amenities

    Plenty of friendly staff. The site offers a lot of activities including pools, put put golf and play areas for the kids. The grounds are well kept. It’s very busy. Golf carts are a bit of a pain. Lots of private ones but also rentals and they’re everywhere. WiFi is slow but stable. You probably won’t be able to watch Netflix. AT&T service is terrible. Our friends have T-Mobile and it is very fast for them.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2025

    Camp Dearborn

    Great for all ages!

    Lots of beach area and water to fish or swim. Activities almost every night. Paddle boats, mini golf, golf, and more. Pull behind sites were easy to access. Staff are very helpful and responsive. There is a dump station on site.

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Oakland County Addison Oaks

    County Campground

    Nice park, family friendly, very clean and maintained. Bike and boat rental, children’s playground and activities. Hiking and biking trails. RC airport. When in this area this its the place to stay. If I lived in this area it would be a destination. Price is right!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

    Clean & convenient

    Had a nice stay here. The 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. Nice fire pit. Water hookup and dump on site.

  • Holly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Seven Lakes State Park Campground

    Family friendly

    The campground has a private lake that’s good for swimming and fishing. The sites are decently sized with most being easily gotten into with an RV. Plenty of hiking/biking trails easily accessed from the campground. Only 2 downsides to this campground are the showers (not very clean and very small), and it’s very busy.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2025

    Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area

    Okay

    Stayed here the first night of July 4th weekend. Full campground and sites are close together and crowded. With the large camping trailers and 2-3 vehicles per site, it felt claustrophobic. A good number of sites are not level. Bathrooms were well maintained and people were courteous. I would not stay here again because it felt packed with people.


Guide to Washington

Camping near Washington, Michigan, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area. One visitor mentioned, "An extensive horse back riding trail system and MTB trails are easily accessible." This makes it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • Fishing and Swimming: At Groveland Oaks County Park, you can enjoy a small swimming area and fishing opportunities. A camper shared, "The lake has a small shallow swimming area and beach that gets very busy during the day."
  • Disc Golf: If you're into disc golf, Proud Lake Recreation Area has trails and activities for everyone. One reviewer noted, "Had a great time. Clean campground, and activities to do."

What campers like:

What you should know:

Tips for camping with families:

  • Family Activities: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. Groveland Oaks County Park has mini-golf and playgrounds. One family shared, "There are lots of family activities like mini golf, kids bike courses, and playgrounds."
  • Safety Precautions: Keep an eye on your belongings, especially food. A camper at Holly Recreation Area warned, "Raccoons run this place! Don’t leave any food or garbage out ever."
  • Plan for Bathrooms: Some campgrounds may have limited bathroom facilities. A visitor at Haas Lake Park RV Campground mentioned, "Not a lot of shade relief, so make sure to bring a canopy."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Conditions: Before booking, check the site conditions. A reviewer at Auburn Hills Holly KOA noted, "The sites do not have any type of lane which causes the lots to be soggy and muddy."
  • Leveling Challenges: Some sites may be uneven. A camper at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area mentioned, "Leveling would be more of the challenge."
  • WiFi Availability: If you need WiFi, check availability at your campground. A visitor at Auburn Hills Holly KOA expressed frustration, saying, "The campground is NOT well kept."

Camping around Washington, MI, has its perks and quirks. With a little planning, you can enjoy a great outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there outdoor fireplaces at Washington state campsites?

Most Washington state campsites do provide fire rings or outdoor fireplaces for campers. At Groveland Oaks County Park, campsites come equipped with fire rings where visitors can enjoy campfires while staying near recreational amenities. McGinnis Lake Modern Campground in Holly Recreation Area also offers fire rings at its heavily wooded sites. However, fire restrictions may apply seasonally, especially during dry conditions or high fire danger periods. Always check current fire regulations before your trip, as complete fire bans may be implemented during wildfire season. Remember to only use designated fire rings and completely extinguish fires before leaving your campsite or going to sleep.

What are the camping regulations in Washington state parks?

Washington state parks have specific camping regulations visitors must follow. At Algonac State Park Campground, like most state parks, quiet hours are enforced (typically 10 PM to 8 AM), and campers must register upon arrival. Brighton Recreation Area demonstrates common regulations including maximum occupancy limits per site and vehicle restrictions. Most parks require advance reservations, especially during peak season. Additional regulations include: leashed pets only, maximum stay limits (usually 14 consecutive days), check-in/check-out times (typically 3 PM/1 PM), and prohibitions against collecting firewood on-site. Alcohol policies vary by park, and all parks enforce proper food storage to prevent wildlife interactions. Always check the specific park's website before your trip as regulations may change seasonally.

Where are the best campgrounds in Washington state?

Washington offers exceptional camping experiences across diverse landscapes. Proud Lake Recreation Area stands out for those seeking seclusion while still being near urban areas, with spacious campsites, lake views, and clean facilities. For families, Seven Lakes State Park Campground provides a fabulous experience with lakeside sites and plenty of water recreation opportunities. Washington's best campgrounds typically feature a combination of natural beauty, recreational activities, and well-maintained facilities. When choosing a campground, consider your preferences for amenities, proximity to attractions, and whether you prefer more developed or rustic experiences.