Best Tent Camping near Pinckney, MI

Tent Camping Reviews near Pinckney, MI

531 Reviews of 15 Pinckney Campgrounds

• 

  Neil T.

  Legend

  Aug. 31, 2021

  Seven Lakes State Park Campground

  Great waypoint when camping across the UP

  Vibe: Woodland getaway with no flash and really nice sites. 

  Cleanliness: Sites are above average. Vault toilets are…vault toilets. 

  Facilities: Nothing flashy. 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. 

  General spots: Large, very well treed, gravel, picnic table and fire ring. 

  Privacy: Can see neighbors through sites, but better privacy than most places. 

  Our site: 39. Could drive circles around inside it. Even has a tree in the middle of it with room to drive all the way around it(not with a trailer). Depending where you set up your rig, you may need an extra long extension cord. 

  Noise: Quiet. Occasionally hear wolves howling. Cell signal(Verizon): 1 bar. No internet loads. Text messages will send and receive. Sometimes immediately, sometimes hours later. Other: Wish we had a chance to explore the lakes. Sounds like the swimming and fishing is good. Saw several kids on bikes toting rods.

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• 

  Christopher P.

  Guide

  Sep. 5, 2021

  McGinnis Lake Modern Campground — Holly Recreation Area

  Quiet, well kept state park

  Just a quick overnight tent camp with my son. Tent sites are relatively well spaced out and clean. Fire rings and picnic tables at each site.

  Modern bathrooms and shower rooms are available.

  Many playgrounds, horseshoe pits, and a basketball court available.

  Firewood and ice available at the front gate.

  RV spaces are well spaced out and give a sense of privacy. Electrical hook ups.

  Cabins available for rent as well.

• 

  Ryan F.

  Traveler

  Oct. 20, 2021

  Brighton Recreation Area

  Lake Murray Rustic Sites

  This was our first camping experience in Michigan, so we weren’t exactly prepared. My rating takes this into consideration.

  First of all, if it’s rainy or muddy, you might want to think twice about entering the rustic camping area. We have a 4Runner, so it was no problem but a few little cars did slide around and have trouble on the hill by our site.

  Our site wasn’t level, so we were rolling around a bit. If I went there again I’d try to find a spot towards the end of the loop by the exit. These sites were higher and some of them were private. I’d examine the map carefully because some of the sites were horrendously open and basically on the road. Maybe good for a vehicle with a rooftop tent or a trailer of some sort, but it would have been annoying for us. Site M22 was big and far enough away from other campers, but again not level. Probably a good location for a group of hammock campers.

  All that aside, the biggest problem was mosquito activity. The camping area sits on an inaccessible lake with a marsh area.

  When we rolled in the first thing we noticed was that everyone had screen houses set up.

  We didn’t have anything but our tent and a hammock with a big net so everyone got bitten up while cooking and hanging out by the fire. It was pretty miserable. Yes, I realize this is mostly our fault.

  I’ve since purchased a thermacell backpacker and some bug net hats and stuff. I’m looking into constructing an ultralight screen house that can be suspended from trees.

  The last problem was drunk campers hooting and hollering all night but that isn’t the camping areas fault.

  This place is super close to where we are living so I’ll probably schedule it next spring and come prepared. There are lots of nearby lakes and recreational trails so it’s a fun place to be with family.

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• 

  Don H.

  Guide

  Jul. 9, 2019

  Island Lake Recreation Area

  Hidden Canoe Camps

  Island Lake Recreation Area is home to two Huron River Canoe Camps. The sites are boat-in only (!) meaning you must haul any and all gear in a kayak or canoe for your stay. The sites, Canoe Camp #1 and #2, can be only be reserved by calling or visiting the main office.

  This is an awesome place to stay, especially if you live in the area, as it provides a backcountry, boat-in camping experience very close to town. The sites each feature a fire ring and picnic table. Canoe #1 sports a floating dock to tie up boats. There is also a vault toilet, and firewood provided for both sites to share, as well recycling and trash cans.

  The sites and common area (toilet and garbage cans) are connected by short trails and you may, once in awhile, hear the folks at the site next to you. Thankfully, In my experience, people have always been friendly and respectful.

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• 

  Rodger M.

  Guide

  Sep. 19, 2021

  Ridgewood Campground

  An Quick Camping Escape

  We were warmly greeted by the attendee and the camp host. Firewood, snacks, camp essentials, and ice available on site. Nice touch having firewood delivered to our site. The gentleman could not have been kinder and offered assistance with us setting up. 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.

  Fair warning, the staff aren’t the only ones ready to greet you! Bugs, Mosquitoes, bees, and even raccoons (if food left out - which we did not). We have been to sites before that must have sprayed for pests because we have never experienced the amount of mosquitoes we did here. Thankfully we had Off Area Camp Spray, our Thermacell, and citronella burning and it helped dramatically reduce the pests.

  The noise level was very “citified.” Traffic could be heard throughout the evening and early morning. That’s what we get for camping so close to civilization. Also, beware of Poison Oak and Ivy! The entire site was bordered with it.

  Lastly, make sure that if you car camp or SUV Camp, you let them know. They have a policy of making you park your car/SUV in the lot after setting up your tent (if tent camping).

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• 

  beth S.

  Guide

  Aug. 13, 2022

  Lansing Cottonwood Campground

  Primitive Sites!

  We came to the Lansing area for a family function and stayed at one of the Primitive Sites at Cottonwood Campground. The front of the grounds did seem a bit congested and not many trees, but we had a primitive site and it was everything we wanted. We camped in hammocks and had a pretty large site with great trees that could accommodate at least three to four hammocks (siteP5). Our site had a picnic table which was very helpful to have. There are a lot of wildlife noises, owls, frogs, crickets, etc. and you can hear some of the highway traffic but the nature sounds kind of drown it out.

  Overall was a good experience and staff were friendly and the primitive sites were over half empty. We will definitely come again.

  Second night, it had rained pretty much all day. Spiders came out at alarming numbers, mostly daddy long legs and the night before, raccoons had gotten into our food storage bins by undoing the side latches on them. The next night we made sure to house trash and food items in our truck.

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• 

  Mike B.

  Ranger

  Sep. 3, 2018

  Appleton Lake Campground

  Quiet, private rustic campground

  I liked that this campground had sites that were fairly secluded from each other. Each site has a fire ring and ample space to park your vehicle and set up a tent or small trailer.

  My only complaint is the vault toilets were not clean and very full.

• J

  Jacki F.

  Traveler

  Jun. 9, 2019

  Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area

  Rustic campground near civilization

  This campground is part of the Waterloo State Recreation area, about 6 miles north of Chelsea MI. Sites are decent-sized, not much privacy between some sites. Only a couple of sites overlook the lake. Picnic table, fire ring, vault toilet and hand pump water. Quiet little campground.

• 

  Mike B.

  Ranger

  Sep. 5, 2018

  Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area

  Rustic Campground Close to Town

  I stayed here with my kids because it was close to home and town. It makes for an easy getaway for a night or two.

  It is rustic with just vault toilets. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring.

  The lake is not good for swimming as it is very mucky and covered in Lilly pads.

  It can fill up quick because it is close to town.

  There is a Yurt for rent here as well through the Waterloo Recreation web page.