Best Tent Camping near Pinconning, MI

Pinconning, Michigan offers several tent camping opportunities within driving distance of town. Russell Canoe Livery & Campground in nearby Omer provides riverside tent sites with basic amenities, while House Lake State Campground in Gladwin offers a more secluded tent camping experience about 30 minutes west. The Rifle River Recreation Area, located north of Pinconning, contains Spruce Rustic Campground with tent sites situated near water access points.

Tent campsites in the region typically include picnic tables and fire rings, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Most primitive tent areas have vault toilets rather than flush facilities. House Lake State Campground features drinking water spigots and vault toilets but lacks showers or electrical hookups, making it suitable for traditional tent camping. Access roads to many sites are unpaved, requiring careful driving during wet weather. Several campgrounds close seasonally, with most operating from May through October or early November, depending on weather conditions.

The tent camping experience near Pinconning offers varying levels of seclusion and natural settings. Spruce Rustic Campground provides good site separation with tree coverage between campsites, creating privacy even when the campground has multiple occupants. For those seeking complete disconnection, House Lake State Campground offers a no-cell-service zone with sites somewhat distanced from each other. A visitor to House Lake noted, "There is no cell service within 20 minutes of the campground, and the closest restaurants are 30 minutes away, but if you prepare it is an excellent location." Many tent sites throughout the region provide access to water recreation, with Russell Canoe Livery offering direct river camping opportunities for paddlers. According to one camper, Spruce Rustic Campground features "large and level campsites that are well spaced" making it "ideal for trout anglers."

Best Tent Sites Near Pinconning, Michigan (14)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Pinconning, MI

4 Photos of 14 Pinconning Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Pinconning, MI

301 Reviews of 14 Pinconning Campgrounds


  • Z
    Apr. 25, 2023

    Pinconning County Park

    Nice campground, we’ll be back!

    Nice campground with great access to the Saginaw Bay for boaters/kayakers/etc with a small beach. Some campsites are better than others, like most campgrounds but all have some perks. Only a couple miles away from Pinconning for supply runs!

  • Nona A.
    Aug. 30, 2017

    Sleeper State Park Campground

    A nice campground for a weekend by the water

    Sleeper State Park Campground is located a few miles north of Caseville, MI. This is a modern campground, and has 226 camp sites, and 1 mini cabin. The campground sits right off of M25, so I recommend getting a site towards the back. We unfortunately were only able to get sites at the front and the road noise was obnoxious, 3 a.m. cars and trucks flying by. Campground, bathrooms, and showers were all kept very clean. Most sites are set up for trailers, and RV’s, and tents. There are a few sites that are tent only sites. Each site has a picnic table, fire pit and electric hook up. There is firewood available at the park office for $5 a bundle, they also rent kayaks $10 for 2 hours or $40 for the day. The campgrounds host site has coffee, tea, and hot chocolate available in the mornings. They also offer activities in the afternoon. Across M25 and part of Sleeper State Park is the beach, and picnic area. There is a walkway overpass that goes over M25 making for a safe walk from camp to the beach. The beach area has a bathroom and drinking water. There are charcoal grills, and picnic tables in the picnic area around the parking lot. The beach is a lovely stretch of shoreline along the Saginaw bay.

  • D G.
    Jul. 5, 2020

    Ambrose Lake State Forest Campground

    Hidden Inland Lake Gem

    Rustic first come first serve sites. Well water pump and vault toilets. No shower. We started on spot 8 but moved to 21 after one night - 8 was near the toilets and you get the occasion whiff of poop while 21 is on lake and more secluded. All the spots are very large with picnic table and fire pit. No grate for cooking so be sure to pack. The lake is small but good for kayak & paddle boarding. Areas of sand but fairly murky. We swam and floated for a few hours in tubes. My friend did catch a handful of bluegill.

  • Rodger M.
    Oct. 19, 2021

    Port Crescent State Park Campground

    Batten Down the Hatches

    We loved this campground. The proximity to the beach was phenomenal. Our site, 95A was along the old river channel which made for nice views of water fowl. I will say though, the Canada Geese were extremely active…even at late hours of the night and early morning (expected). Lake Huron did not disappoint. We enjoyed some sunsets, weathered driftwood, more geese, sea gulls, and sand pipers.

    The weather started out decent and very fall like, but come late Friday night, sustained 20 mph winds and unrelenting downpours ensued. Did I mention we were in a tent?! Fortunately, I truly did “batten down the hatches” so to speak. This is not a tent review, but the Sam’s Club 9’ x 14’ tent never leaked, never ripped, and held its own!

    Flies out did mosquitoes, and bees were in full pollination mode. We did fog our site and used Thermacells which helped within Mosquitoes. Chipmunks ruled the campground. They were busy everywhere. Also a local woodpecker was going to town at a site next to us. We didn’t see any raccoons or deer…did I mention geese?!?

    Site had 120v and 30 amp service, a picnic table, and fire ring. It was directly across the street from the restrooms and showers.

    Site Size was approx 33’ x 50’

    Shower facilities were a bit dated but functional. Restrooms were clean with nice hot water and high powered hand driers.

    We’re planning another trip and hoping to make it to the sites closer to the lake.

  • Dave E.
    Aug. 16, 2017

    Port Crescent State Park Campground

    Great family campground

    This has been an annual destination for my family. We would camp here 2 weeks every summer with all of our relatives and basically turn this little place into home. There are nice clean sites, facilities, and easy access to town (Pt. Austin) if you want to go explore. I highly recommend Grindstone's Ice Cream place in Grindstone City. During summer months, it books up 6 months in advance. So learn their online reservation system and be quick at it if you have a specific site in mind. The sites on the front row by the water are the best in my opinion. Amazing sunset views and quick access to the beach. When storms come it, make sure you have everything put away and your tent staked down reeeeeal good, cause I've definitely seen 60mph+ winds and tents end up in the trees.

  • J
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Frankenmuth Jellystone Park

    Fun RV park and very close to downtown

    Our site was averaged out to $82.71 a night with the weekly rate discount.

    We were in Site# 306 (a deluxe plus RV site - be aware that some of these are back-ins and not clearly labeled on the site map - we had to change sites to a pull-thru). We had Full hook- up with a gravel pull-through.
    We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site along with my jeep.
    The site was easy to level.

    Our site was not shaded with zero trees. We weren’t able to sit outside because of the direct sun until after 8:30pm.
    This was a smaller lot with our neighbors fairly close.

    The deluxe plus lot comes without a concrete patio but with a picnic table and fire ring. They do sell firewood and will deliver to your site.

    There is free WiFi. They do not offer Cable TV but there are quite a few channel options.

    There is not a community outdoor kitchen or community fire pit.

    They do not provide garbage service at your site so you must walk to garbage dumpster.

    You are allowed to ride personal golf carts. They also allow you to rent pedal bikes. They do not provide golf cart rentals.

    They do have a heated indoor and heated outdoor Swimming pool and one hot tub.

    There is a Playground. They also offer Gaga ball, basketball sport court, and volleyball courts. There is a Game room for kids. They have a Putt putt course and Jumping pad.

    They have a great general store. There is a separate Activity Center for kids.
    There are tons of scheduled activities for kids like wagon rides, arts & crafts, scavenger hunts, obstacle courses, etc. Activities are scheduled all day from 9am to 8pm.

    There is a snack bar on site from 4pm-9:30pm where you can get hot dogs, brats, pretzels, nachos, ice cream, etc.

    The streets are mostly paved and good for riding bikes.

    This is an RV park with cabins to rent also. Tent camping is also allowed.

    They have two shower houses. The shower house has the typical stalls. There is a great area to hang clothes and store your toiletries in the shower stall. These are kept very clean.

    There is a laundry facility. It is a cash only facility, but they have a change machine in the arcade room. There are approximately 4washers and 4 dryers. It is approximately $2.75 to wash and $0.75 to dry a load.

    They do not have a fenced in dog park. There are areas to walk dogs though.

    Flies were an issue and bug spray was needed.

    There were no trails to hike off of the campground.

    Some fun things to do outside of the campground are Frankenmuth FunShips (chocolate & wine tasting), the Golden Ticket Trolley, the Bavarian Belle (popcorn & sodas) River Place Shops, wineries, and Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland store. This RV park is less than a mile to downtown/River Place Shops where there is tons of shopping.

  • Kitty B.
    Aug. 7, 2019

    House Lake State Campground

    Secluded Get-Away

    There is no cell service within 20 minutes of the campground, and the closest restaurants are 30 minutes away, but if you prepare it is an excellent location! The camp sites were somewhat far apart, the tree coverage was nice, and they are overrun with chipmunks which was adorably magical! They have vault toilets available, a water spigot, and a self serve firewood station as well as a picnic table and fire pit at every site. All in all a very nice campground!

  • Rodger M.
    Sep. 3, 2021

    Devoe Lake Rustic Campround — Rifle River Recreation Area

    Spacious, Quiet, Relaxing

    We were greeted at the gate by an extremely helpful and knowledgeable gentleman. He provided good directions, and helped us with our Rec Pass.

    The site was easy to find, spacious, and had adequate distancing from other campers. It included a fire pit and picnic table too.

    The lake was serene in the early mornings and evenings. Listen for the woeful call of the loons. What a treat!

    Word of caution, the raccoons start partying as soon as you bed down. Make sure your food and trash is adequately covered/contained.

    Campground has vault toilets. We never used them but good to know they have them.

  • Erica K.
    Aug. 20, 2018

    Bay City State Park Campground

    Family Friendly

    I used to work at this state park for two years and really enjoyed my time there. I spent many nights there with family and coworkers. The staff is very friendly and they patrol all through the night to ensure safety and noise control. The sites vary from close together, to secluded. It is easy to camp in a group with sites all close to each other, or to be off on your own. the bathrooms on the campground side are very clean. They are newer and updated and are cleaned 2-3 times a day or more as needed. The visitor side has less updated bathrooms, making them appear more dirty, but they are cleaned 4-6 times a day at the least. These bathrooms are also close to the beach, so sand makes it seem dirty as well. Sites vary in size, allowing tents or large rvs to be in most spaces. This campground does get very full most weekends Memorial Day through Labor Day, especially around the 4th of July. Bay city has lots to do and the visitor side has plenty of interesting programs for kids to do. swimming is iffy, as the city closes the beach depending on bacteria in the water and which way the wind is blowing it on a given day. The water is not clean (not the parks fault). there is a splash pad for younger children to enjoy though. There are no water sites. you must cross a relatively busy road to get to the visitor side where the beach/splash pad/visitor center is.


Guide to Pinconning

Tent camping near Pinconning, Michigan, offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.

Explore Local Attractions

Tent Camping Prices

  • Tent camping at Sugar Springs Campground typically ranges from $20 to $30 per night, offering spacious sites with electric hookups.
  • At Arrowhead Lake Camp, expect to pay around $25 for a tent site with beautiful lakeside views.
  • For a more rustic experience, House Lake State Campground offers tent sites for approximately $15 to $25 per night, surrounded by nature.

Activities for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pinconning, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pinconning, MI is Russell Canoe Livery & Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Pinconning, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Pinconning, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.