Pinckney sits at the edge of southeastern Michigan's Waterloo-Pinckney Recreation Area, one of the largest state recreation areas in the Lower Peninsula with over 25,000 acres of protected land. The terrain features numerous kettle lakes formed by receding glaciers that left depressions filled with water. This creates multiple camping options ranging from well-developed facilities to rustic sites without amenities, all within a one-hour drive of Detroit.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Pinckney Recreation Area connects to extensive trail systems popular among mountain bikers. "The trail was in great condition and is well marked with numbered posts. Reservations can be made ahead for 1 of the 10 sites at Blind Lake Rustic Campground," reports Pat W., who appreciated the navigation system.
Kayaking on Green Lake: The small lakes around Pinckney offer protected waters for paddlers. "I stayed at #6 and had a beautiful view of the lake. There is muddy lake access on that site and I paddled from there in my kayak," writes Melissa B. about Green Lake Rustic Campground. She notes you can bike a few miles into Chelsea for restaurants and shopping.
Jump Island water park: Kids enjoy this floating water obstacle course at Bishop Lake during summer. "Such a cool place to enjoy with the kids, we had a blast at Jump Island!" explains Jillian E. Beth G. adds, "It's connected but costs money. $15 for a 45 minute jump session. Follow on Facebook for coupons."
What campers like
Secluded lakefront sites: Some campsites offer direct lake access away from crowds. "This is a rustic campground right on beautiful blind lake. It is only accessible by foot/bike/or boat. The hike/bike is about 7 miles or 4 (depending on where you park). The paddle in works out to be about 2.5 miles from the Halfmoon boat launch," notes Kate K. about Blind Lake Rustic Campground.
Clean facilities: Haas Lake Park RV Campground maintains well-kept restrooms. "The entire campground was well kept; the bathrooms, the grounds, and the laundry facility were all in great condition," writes John C., who also mentions, "The fire rings are double insulated with sand, which made for a safer experience."
Spacious sites: Some campgrounds provide larger-than-average sites. Jennifer H. appreciates Murray Lake Campground: "We love the large sites with walls of greenery separating the campsites. This is rustic camping at its best. Small fishing lake for paddling. Mountain bike and hiking trails run through the campground."
What you should know
Mosquitos at some campgrounds: Low-lying areas near marshes can have significant insect activity. "The biggest problem was mosquito activity. The camping area sits on an inaccessible lake with a marsh area," warns Ryan F. about Brighton Recreation Area. "When we rolled in the first thing we noticed was that everyone had screen houses set up."
Weekend availability challenges: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Rob notes about Green Lake Rustic Campground: "I would recommend getting a reservation before showing up. They have laminated signs posted on the campsites to let you know which ones are taken... most weekends are booked solid."
Highway noise: Some lakefront sites have road noise. Jordan B. mentions Green Lake Rustic Campground has "a major roadway passes along the other side of the lake making lake front sites noise until about 12am and rear sites sit near a wetland aka the border of the mosquito kingdom; neither of these problems are terrible if you plan accordingly."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Sugarloaf Modern Campground offers child-friendly amenities. "It has a very nice play area for the children and clean bathrooms. The boat launch was near our camp site which was nice not having to leave the campground," explains Debra B.
Biking opportunities: Children can safely ride bikes at some campgrounds. Kim S. shares her experience at Sugarloaf Modern: "Spent 4 nights and 5 days camping with my husband and 2 kids. We had fun and the kids had a blast. They rode bikes around the loop and loved swimming and the playground."
Horseback riding: Young visitors can interact with horses at specific locations. Ashley S. mentions Hell Creek Ranch Campground has "a horse barn (Heavenly Horse Stables) right on property offering riding lessons, trail rides and meet and greets with their houses and other barn animals, my daughter wanted to move here."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Large RVs need specific sites. Beth G. notes about Sugarloaf Modern: "Site was a little small for our 38foot - we had to go sideways which opened us up to other campers. Not my favorite. No WiFi or sprint service."
Park layout considerations: Some campgrounds have creative layouts for group camping. Gary E. recommends Haas Lake Park: "The round area's with the sites on the outside and common area on the inside make for a great group type setup."
Affordable extended stays: Brighton Recreation Area provides convenient amenities for longer visits. "Decently clean showers with hot water and lots of kids on bikes," reports Christina A., while Melissa M. notes "They offer all types of camping" and "Near by grocery stores."
