Best Campgrounds near Ortonville, MI

The landscape surrounding Ortonville, Michigan features a variety of camping options within a short drive, particularly concentrated around nearby lakes and recreation areas. Clearwater Campground, located directly in Ortonville, provides tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with full hookups and modern amenities. Within 15 miles, campers can access several state recreation areas including Holly Recreation Area with its McGinnis Lake Modern Campground, Seven Lakes State Park, and Groveland Oaks County Park. These established campgrounds offer varying levels of development, from rustic sites with vault toilets to modern facilities with electric hookups, showers, and boat launches. Most campgrounds in the region maintain picnic tables and fire rings at individual sites.

Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months when lakeside sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with Groveland Oaks County Park typically open from late April through early October, while others like Holly Recreation Area remain open year-round. Michigan Recreation Passports are required for entry to state parks and recreation areas. As one camper noted at Proud Lake Recreation Area, "For a short drive, I got a huge campsite, a lake view, very clean bathrooms, well-kept hiking trails, and easy access to kayaking docks." Insect activity can be significant in summer months, particularly near marshy areas, with several reviewers mentioning mosquitoes as a consideration for preparation.

Lake access represents a primary attraction at most campgrounds in the region, with fishing, swimming, and boating opportunities widely available. At Seven Lakes State Park, a visitor reported, "The water is clear and warm, perfect for swimming, and there is both sand and grassy areas on the fairly large beach." Hiking and biking trails connect many of the recreation areas, with McGinnis Lake Campground offering what one camper called "excellent hike/bike trails." Families particularly appreciate Groveland Oaks County Park for its extensive recreational amenities including "mini golf, kids bike courses, and playgrounds." While most campgrounds provide reasonable privacy between sites, several reviewers noted that weekend crowds can impact the sense of seclusion, especially at popular waterfront locations.

Best Camping Sites Near Ortonville, Michigan (77)

    1. McGinnis Lake Modern Campground — Holly Recreation Area

    33 Reviews
    Ortonville, MI
    5 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."

    2. Groveland Oaks County Park

    19 Reviews
    Holly, MI
    6 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)."

    3. Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    White Lake, MI
    11 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."

    4. The Holly Campground

    15 Reviews
    Holly, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 634-0803

    "Thank you for having an abundance of tent space that was nice and grassy with lots of shade trees the price tag for what we got was it’s only shortfall and it was loud at night being that close to I-75"

    5. Seven Lakes State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Holly, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 634-7271

    "There are over 20 sites, about half of which are located lake side (not directly on the lake, but there are little paths that lead you there and you can somewhat see the water from these sites.)"

    "Wish there was a few additional water filling points and that the dumpsters were all located near the camp entrance/exit. But really nothing to complain about. "

    6. Addison Oaks County Park

    13 Reviews
    Lakeville, MI
    14 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."

    7. Clear Water Campgrounds

    2 Reviews
    Ortonville, MI
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (248) 627-3820

    "Milton Burro, LOL The store has stuff for the kids at very reasonable prices and the ice cream shop across the street is a nice walk after dinner. There's a light there for safe crossing, too."

    8. Proud Lake Recreation Area

    17 Reviews
    Wolverine Lake, MI
    20 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."

    9. Clearwater Campground

    2 Reviews
    Ortonville, MI
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (248) 627-3820

    "The beach is clean and the lake is warm! Very nice layout with walking trail around the lake."

    10. Outdoor Adventures Lake Shore Resort

    10 Reviews
    Davison, MI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 871-9953

    "We’ve been going here for many years, we love access to the plenty of pools and kayaking amenities that are included in our stay!"

    "I've been a never of Outside Adventures for 4 years now. Well worth the expense. This place has plenty of camping options from tents up to 50 foot Class A."

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Recent Reviews near Ortonville, MI

530 Reviews of 77 Ortonville Campgrounds


  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

    Great Spot!

    Because it’s a state park, they have fresh drinking water, would for bonfires in private spots. This is one of the best areas for hiking and biking and kayaking and swimming.

  • Vee H.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    KOA Campground Emmett

    Bed bugs in cabins

    Avoid this KOA at all costs– bed bugs and dishonest management. Our stay at the Emmett KOA was a nightmare. The cabin we rented was infested with bed bugs. When we brought it up, the owner flat-out lied and told us they hadn’t had bed bugs in“over 13 years.” That was absolutely false. There are multiple reviews on here already citing bed bug issues, and staff members themselves admitted to us that it has been an ongoing problem. Even the pest control company they claimed to use confirmed they’ve been battling bed bugs here. Instead of taking responsibility, management hid behind their ridiculous 14-day cancellation policy and refused to refund our second night(which we didn’t stay for obvious reasons). Their“solution” was insulting: a 20% discount for a future stay(as if anyone would want to come back!) and a handful of quarters so we could attempt to kill the bugs in our belongings using their dryer. The dishonesty from Toni and her father is appalling. Any business that knowingly lies to its customers about a health and cleanliness issue this serious has no integrity. Bed bugs are not a minor inconvenience– they spread, they infest, and they follow you home. We left disgusted and disappointed, and I strongly recommend avoiding this campground if you value your health, honesty, or basic respect as a paying customer.

  • Dan H.
    Sep. 28, 2025

    KOA Campground Emmett

    Avoid this KOA at all costs – bed bugs and dishonest management.

    Our stay at the Emmett KOA was a nightmare. The cabin we rented was infested with bed bugs. When we brought it up, the owner flat-out lied and told us they hadn’t had bed bugs in“over 13 years.” That was absolutely false. There are multiple reviews already citing bed bug issues, and staff members themselves admitted to us that it has been an ongoing problem. Even the pest control company they claimed to use confirmed they’ve been battling bed bugs here. Instead of taking responsibility, management hid behind their ridiculous 14-day cancellation policy and refused to refund our second night(which we didn’t stay for obvious reasons). Their“solution” was insulting: a 20% discount for a future stay(as if anyone would want to come back!) and a handful of quarters so we could attempt to kill the bugs in our belongings using their dryer. The dishonesty from Toni and her father is appalling. Any business that knowingly lies to its customers about a health and cleanliness issue this serious has no integrity. Bed bugs are not a minor inconvenience– they spread, they infest, and they follow you home. We left disgusted and disappointed, and I strongly recommend avoiding this campground if you value your health, honesty, or basic respect as a paying customer.

  • Edward C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Seven Lakes State Park Campground

    Beautiful park

    Very pretty park. Sites and facilities are well maintained.

    Sites tend to slope towards Sand Lake so have leveling blocks if that's important to you.

  • Trevor O.
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Thousand Trails St. Clair

    Cabin Stay

    We really enjoyed our cabin. The people were very nice. I like the putt putt course and the bouncing pillow

  • 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.


Guide to Ortonville

Campsites near Ortonville, Michigan concentrate around small inland lakes with terrain varying from 900 to 1,100 feet in elevation. Most camping areas sit on former glacial moraines and feature sandy soils that drain quickly after rainfall. Tent and RV camping options typically operate between April and October, with only a few locations maintaining winter operations.

What to do

Beach swimming access: Seven Lakes State Park offers clear water for swimming with both sand and grassy shoreline areas. One visitor noted, "Sand Lake was our spot and the water was breath taking - it's a small pond really, but great for kayaking. Crystal clear, clean water, a good public beach."

Mountain biking trails: Pontiac Lake Recreation Area maintains what campers call "world class mountain bike trails." According to one reviewer, "Great hiking and world class mountain bike trails. 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."

Disc golf course: Addison Oaks County Park features a disc golf course alongside multiple recreational options. A visitor mentioned, "I enjoyed the trails, disc golf and overall wonderful Park staff! Extremely clean and well-kept."

Canoe and kayak access: Many lakes in the region offer boat launches specifically designed for small watercraft. At Proud Lake Recreation Area, campers appreciate the "boat launch and a canoe/kayak livery on site."

What campers like

Secluded camping spots: The Holly Recreation Area offers sites with natural separation. A visitor remarked, "I love this place and so do my 3 dogs. We got a secluded campsite, and it's gorgeous- tucked into the woods and was easy to back into. You're far enough from people to where you don't really see a lot of them or hear them that often."

Clean shower facilities: McGinnis Lake Modern Campground earns praise for newly renovated facilities. A recent reviewer shared, "The staff is amazing, the campground is well maintained and quiet. Bathrooms are clean and it has hot showers and a place to do your dishes as well."

Paved camping pads: Several campgrounds feature improved site surfaces for easier setup. At Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, campers mention that "Camp site was nice with blacktop pad and once parked felt very secluded and could barely see site past truck in parking spot."

Petting zoo access: Clearwater Campground offers a unique animal experience alongside traditional camping amenities. A camper noted, "A fun little campground with a nice bunch of petting zoo type animals! The beach is clean and the lake is warm!"

What you should know

Bug prevention essential: The region has significant insect populations during summer months. At Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, campers warn, "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."

Distance to water varies: Not all campgrounds offer lakefront camping, and water access may require travel. As one camper at Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area explained, "Clean campground and well maintained. Two different loops to choose from for camping. Only drawback is the distance from the lake. The lake is not within walking distance, you would need to drive."

Michigan Recreation Passport required: State recreation areas require the annual vehicle permit for entry. Most campgrounds accept credit cards for site fees, but some smaller operations like Clearwater Campground only accept cash.

Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer wooded separation while others have open layouts. At Seven Lakes State Park, a visitor noted, "The campground isn't overly special but it's in a great location. Bathrooms, picnic tables, fire pit, the standard accommodations."

Tips for camping with families

Playground facilities: Groveland Oaks County Park offers extensive children's activities beyond standard camping. One family reported, "Great for families with young children, lots of activities for children."

Swimming beaches: Several parks maintain designated swimming areas with varying amenities. At Seven Lakes State Park, families appreciate that "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."

Organized activities: Some campgrounds coordinate special events, particularly on weekends and holidays. At Groveland Oaks, campers report, "We joined a group site and meet up every major holiday at Groveland. We feel like we went up North without the driving four hours. The park is well laid out and includes a ton of fun activities for young and old."

Winter camping options: Families interested in year-round camping can access certain sites during colder months. At Holly Recreation Area, one visitor mentioned, "This is a giant recreation area that features a campground, 3 lakes, tons of trails, and even a splash zone for kids."

Tips from RVers

Extension cord requirements: Electric hookups at some sites are positioned far from parking pads. At Pontiac Lake, an RVer advised, "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."

Backup site options: Some parks have inconsistent site assignments. One camper at The Holly Campground suggested, "We travel in a 42 ft motorhome and suggest if you are traveling in a large rig, drive through the park to find an appropriate site. We had called ahead but the site they had reserved for us would not have worked."

Water fill stations: Many campgrounds offer central water access rather than individual hookups. As one RVer at McGinnis Lake noted, "There is no water hookup, but you can fill up and dump at the front of the campground."

Late-season considerations: Water systems typically shut down in October at most campgrounds. Addison Oaks County Park operates seasonally from "May 1 - Oct 17," while Holly Recreation Area remains open year-round with reduced services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Ortonville campground?

Ortonville area campgrounds offer a range of amenities for campers. Clearwater Campground provides drive-in access with water hookups, toilets, and is big-rig friendly with reservable sites. For those seeking more extensive facilities, Groveland Oaks County Park nearby features a swimming lake, water slide, arcade, boat rentals, mini golf, biking trails, fishing opportunities, a skate park, and two playgrounds. The full hookup area is conveniently situated away from weekend traffic while maintaining easy access to recreational amenities, making it ideal for families looking for a well-equipped camping experience.

Where is Clearwater campground located in Ortonville, MI?

Clearwater Campground is located in Ortonville, Michigan, providing a convenient camping option in the area. While exact coordinates aren't specified in available information, it's situated in the Ortonville region and offers drive-in access for campers. For those seeking alternatives in the vicinity, Pontiac Lake Recreation Area near Waterford and McGinnis Lake Modern Campground at Holly Recreation Area are nearby options with similar amenities. Clearwater Campground's strategic location makes it a good base for exploring the natural beauty of Oakland County and surrounding recreation areas.

What recreational activities can I enjoy at Ortonville State Recreation Area?

The Ortonville area offers diverse recreational opportunities similar to other Michigan state recreation areas. Visitors can enjoy hiking and biking on trails through wooded terrain, fishing, and water activities on nearby lakes. For comparison, Proud Lake Recreation Area offers secluded camping with lake views and well-maintained hiking trails despite being close to urban areas. Similarly, Holly Recreation Area features excellent hiking and biking trails along with kayaking opportunities on multiple lakes. The region is also located near Holly Oaks Off-road park, making it appealing for outdoor enthusiasts seeking varied terrain for different activities throughout the seasons.