Best Campgrounds near Owosso, MI

Campers looking for spots near Owosso, Michigan will find several good options within driving distance. Bay City State Park Campground has many shaded sites that help keep things cool during hot Michigan summers. You can reach Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground with just a 12-mile drive from Owosso, where campers have quick access to hiking trails and a lake for swimming and fishing. Both parks have the basics covered with restrooms and drinking water available. The camping season around Owosso follows Michigan's weather patterns - winter camping is tough due to cold conditions, while spring and fall bring milder temperatures and fewer people. Summer brings crowds, so you'll want to book ahead of time. Families tend to gather at Bay City State Park, while Sleepy Hollow feels more tucked away from others. Each campsite comes with standard picnic tables and fire rings for cooking and evening fires. Always check if the campgrounds are open before heading out, as some close during certain times of year. Activities range from fishing and swimming to hiking through the woods, depending on which campground you choose. The Owosso area campgrounds work well whether you want to hike all day or just sit back at your campsite.

Best Camping Sites Near Owosso, Michigan (98)

    1. Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Ovid, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 447-2757

    $25 - $101 / night

    "Quietly tucked into Clinton co Michigan. Sleepy is easily accessible. Its close to Lansing. There are shopping centers nearby. Country party store is closer!! Very large lake....Ovid is her name!"

    "Because we didn't get any shade from the nearby trees we had to run the ac which is unusual for us in Michigan. We were in the midst of a heat-wave though and it was much appreciated."

    2. Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds

    15 Reviews
    Cohoctah, MI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 634-9782

    $31 / night

    "We were told to pick a place relatively close by for our first RV trip. We are so glad we picked Walnut Hills Family Campground in MI."

    "We were backed up to the pond with ducks always coming around.  Very peaceful and beautiful."

    3. Campgrounds R Us

    2 Reviews
    Owosso, MI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 721-9120

    "We were visiting family nearby and this was a convenient location. We found there to be a lot for kids to do."

    "If you drive a larger rig and have any concern about backing in, the owner is always willing to back your trailer in with the tractor. We have a 40’ fifth wheel and they have helped us every time."

    4. Chesaning Showboat Camping

    2 Reviews
    St. Charles, MI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 845-7850

    $15 / night

    5. Holiday Shores RV Park

    1 Review
    Corunna, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 288-4444

    "We planned to golf during our stay so she thoughtfully put us in lot 511 which is relatively close to the pro shop!

    This place is conveniently located off M13 in Durand."

    6. Moon Lake Campground

    2 Reviews
    Haslett, MI
    15 miles
    +1 (517) 675-7212

    7. Myers Lake Camping & Cabins

    3 Reviews
    Cohoctah, MI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (810) 266-4511

    "Met the new owners as we were driving by and they gave us a brief description of what they were doing to the grounds to make it more cozy but comfortable as before sites were pretty tight."

    "Great little campground very relaxed, clean, nice lake. Showers are a little cold but clean. Friendly staff and seasonal campers."

    8. McGinnis Lake Modern Campground — Holly Recreation Area

    33 Reviews
    Ortonville, MI
    35 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."

    9. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park

    2 Reviews
    St. Johns, MI
    18 miles
    +1 (231) 238-8259

    "This is a smaller camping space and wished we could have switched to a bigger one, but everything was booked even tho no one was in the empty lots around us."

    10. Song Dog Meadows

    1 Review
    Linden, MI
    17 miles

    $18 / night

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Recent Reviews near Owosso, MI

566 Reviews of 98 Owosso Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Melissa H.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Bay City State Park Campground

    Bustling, clean and friendly

    Easy friendly check-in. Firewood prices are cheaper than on roads in. Small and large bags of ice at a good price. Great for families. Clean facilities. They do spray for mosquitoes, so that wasn't too bad at all even in the heat of August. We stayed at 106, the description was on point, level and shaded. Campers were super friendly. We had no complaints about the campground itself but it would be nice if there was an RV lights out policy at night. 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. They were great about it but, didn't seem to realize it would bother tent campers next to them.

  • Deb M.
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Bay City State Park Campground

    Crowded and inconvenient

    So, this campground looks nice at first, with lots of trees on the sites. However, once you really start looking at them, none have a camping pad, so it’s random parking on the grass. 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. The sites near the entrance are very crowded together and filled with large loud groups. (please don’t park any extra vehicles hanging out over the road…) And cleaning the bathrooms at 8:30 and 9:30 in the MORNING? Bummer for tenters. It’s ok for a quick stop, but wouldn’t want to stay here too long. I would expect better from a State Park.

  • 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.

  • Shelly The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Waterloo Portage Lake Modern — Waterloo Recreation Area

    Had a good time, a little crowded

    We stayed for the weekend tent camping, getting to the site was a little crowded (alot of kids on bikes) our site was pavement but had some space to set the tent on the grass. I seen alot of sites with trees for shade. The vista walkway was across from us, it led right to the beach concessions. The beach walkway is handicap accessible. The fishing pier is new, has two benches and tables for your stuff. It is a bit of a walk to get to but is handicap accessible.
    There are two bathrooms throughout the loop and one at the beach. The park workers walk around and tell you about the activities they have that day. We enjoyed our stay there is alot to do

  • 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.

  • 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.


Guide to Owosso

Camping options around Owosso, Michigan range from state parks to family-run campgrounds along rivers and lakes. Most sites sit at elevations between 750-850 feet, providing flat terrain for easy tent and RV setup. The camping season typically runs from April through October, with July temperatures averaging 82°F during the day and dropping to 60°F at night.

What to do

Fishing for largemouth bass: Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground offers productive fishing for specific species. "Fishing is good here for some largemouth bass, and huge blueguils," notes Michael P., who uses the park for day trips.

Paddle the water: At Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds, visitors can rent watercraft for on-site recreation. "They had a little arcade and store that sold icees for the kiddos. We were all very happy!" reports Kelly L. The lower section backs up to a pond with regular duck visitors.

Disc golf and geocaching: Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground provides multiple outdoor activity options beyond standard camping. Jacob B. mentions "fun backpacking trails, best trails close to state capital, fishing, boating, disc golf, horse and bike trails, geocaching available."

Golfing access: Holiday Shores RV Park includes a 9-hole golf course next to camping areas. "The attached 9 hole golf course was well maintained and had some tricky holes. There were changes in elevation and multiple water hazards," Jamie H. explains from their experience as a new RVer.

What campers like

Shaded, grassy sites: Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds offers terrain that stands out from other campgrounds in the region. One camper appreciated that "the area was grassy and not all dirt. The campground had big sites, nice bathrooms, and a great pond to swim in."

Secluded camping spots: At Holly State Recreation Area, campers find sites with more privacy than many other Michigan campgrounds. "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," reports Ashley F.

Family-focused amenities: Campgrounds R Us provides multiple activities for children. "We found there to be a lot for kids to do. The water was inviting and there were plenty of beach chairs and you could rent a paddle boat for the afternoon at the office. There is a giant jumping pillow for kids," notes Paula W.

Water recreation: Myers Lake Camping & Cabins features a clean lake suitable for swimming and fishing. Daniel observes it's a "great little campground very relaxed, clean, nice lake. Showers are a little cold but clean. Friendly staff and seasonal campers."

What you should know

Electric hookup challenges: Some campgrounds in the region have inadequate electrical setups. At Sleepy Hollow, Nick W. found that "most electrical posts are designed to accommodate at least 2 adjoining lots, and as many as 4. This in itself is not a concern until you realize the posts are way too far away to reach without an extension."

Weather preparation: Summer heat can affect camping comfort even with tree coverage. Amy D. shares her experience at Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground: "Our site backed up to trees and I can't recall seeing our neighbors to the left or right. Because we didn't get any shade from the nearby trees we had to run the ac."

Distance to facilities: At some parks, beaches and bathrooms require longer walks than expected. "The path led to another path that led to a parking lot for the beach. After crossing the parking lot we still had to cross a large yard/park that finally opened onto the beach on this small lake," explains Nick W. about Sleepy Hollow.

Water quality concerns: Campgrounds R Us visitors should be prepared for water issues. "We drew water from the spigot and it was very discolored and one jug we put it in had red flakes in it. Make sure you use your water filter," warns Paula W.

Tips for camping with families

Halloween events: For special seasonal camping experiences, Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground offers popular Halloween activities. Stephanie C. advises, "Every year they put together an awesome Halloween trick or treat weekend, but be sure to book the day of six months before because otherwise you will not get a site."

Beach access planning: Holly State Recreation Area provides water facilities that require transportation planning. "Beach is nice. Has a water park on the lake. Downside is that the campground and stuff to do, are far apart. Bring a bike or drive," Ethan R. recommends.

Playground options: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park provides dedicated children's activities beyond natural recreation. "Great campground, but more for families with younger children. Great staff, great events, always a fantastic time!!" says Martin W.

Visitor fees: Some campgrounds charge for day visitors. Paula W. notes at Campgrounds R Us: "We did not like the $5 per person just for family to visit your campground. They were in regular clothes and were not partaking of any of the campground amenities."

Tips from RVers

Site selection: For RVers seeking privacy at Walnut Hills Family Campground, Gary G. recommends specific locations: "The lower section is the best. We were backed up to the pond with ducks always coming around. Very peaceful and beautiful."

Backing assistance: Larger rigs can get help at some campgrounds. Mary F. shares that at Campgrounds R Us, "If you drive a larger rig and have any concern about backing in, the owner is always willing to back your trailer in with the tractor. We have a 40' fifth wheel and they have helped us every time."

Extension cord needs: RVers at Sleepy Hollow should come prepared with additional electrical equipment. Nathan V. advises, "Be sure to bring at least 100 feet of extension chord if you want electricity, because the power ports are not as accessible from some areas."

Weather preparation: Summer camping in the Owosso area can require air conditioning. Amy D. notes that at Sleepy Hollow during a heat wave, "We had to run the ac which is unusual for us in Michigan. The park needs to upgrade the electrical system as this was putting a strain on their electrical equipment."

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available in Owosso, Michigan?

While Owosso itself has limited camping options, several quality campgrounds are available within a reasonable driving distance. Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground in nearby Clinton County offers accessible sites with electrical hookups and is conveniently located near Lansing. Chesaning Showboat Camping provides another option with water access and facilities for RVs. Other nearby options include Moon Lake Campground near Laingsburg and Myers Lake Camping & Cabins near Byron. Most campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities like water and toilet facilities, with varying levels of accessibility and site types.

Are there tent camping options near Owosso, MI?

Tent campers near Owosso have several good options within driving distance. Brighton Recreation Area offers rustic tent camping sites, though be cautious during rainy conditions as some areas can become muddy. Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area provides generously sized tent sites with limited privacy but beautiful surroundings. For a more secluded experience, check out Song Dog Meadows which offers hike-in and walk-in access. Most tent camping areas in the region provide basic facilities including pit toilets and water access, but amenities vary by location, so it's advisable to check specific campground details before your trip.

Can I find cabin accommodations at campgrounds near Owosso?

Yes, cabin accommodations are available at several campgrounds within driving distance of Owosso. Myers Lake Camping & Cabins near Byron offers cabin rentals in addition to their traditional camping sites. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park also provides cabin options for those seeking more comfort while camping. These cabins typically offer basic amenities like beds and shelter, though specific features vary by location. Cabins are popular and tend to book quickly, especially during peak summer months, so making reservations well in advance is recommended. Prices typically range from $60-120 per night depending on the season and cabin size.