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Tent Camping near Plainfield, MI

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Several tent campgrounds populate the green spaces surrounding Plainfield, Michigan, offering primitive camping experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Appleton Lake Campground provides rustic tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables on secluded sites under mature trees. Crooked Lake Rustic Campground in the Pinckney Recreation Area offers lakeside tent camping with basic amenities and access to hiking trails.

    Tent sites at these campgrounds typically feature dirt or grassy surfaces with minimal leveling. Most locations provide vault toilets but no shower facilities or running water. Fire rings are common at established sites, though campers should check current fire restrictions before arrival. Appleton Lake Campground has sites spaced for privacy, though some reviewers note issues with wildlife, particularly raccoons after dark. Camp Agawam and Island Lake Recreation Area offer additional tent camping options with varying levels of amenities and facilities.

    The tent camping experience near Plainfield provides good opportunities for nature immersion and outdoor activities. A camper described Appleton Lake Campground as having "sites that were fairly secluded from each other" with "ample space to park your vehicle and set up a tent." Wooded settings provide shade at most locations, though exposure varies by site. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to surrounding natural areas, making them suitable base camps for day hikes. Island Lake Recreation Area features unique boat-in canoe camps accessible only by water, creating a backcountry camping experience close to urban areas. Several campgrounds remain open year-round, though facilities may be reduced during winter months. Most tent campgrounds require reservations during peak summer season.

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    Best Tent Campgrounds near Plainfield (15)

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      1. Appleton Lake Campground — Brighton Recreation Area

      3.4(9)14mi from Plainfield25 sitesTents

      "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."

      "Picnic table pit ring outside toilets best site was 24 17$ dollars a night 3 parks Brighton recreational is for Rv and electric sites indoor plumbing hot showers Murry is only for weekend visits Appleton"

      from $20 / night

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      2. Crooked Lake Rustic Campground — Pinckney Recreation Area

      4.5(2)8mi from Plainfield25 sitesTents

      "The views of the lake are awesome, it’s a great slice of wilderness in this part of the state. Wish there were better noise restrictions and the campgrounds were more separated."

      "We could see the lake and had an outhouse right nearby."

      from $20 / night

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      3. PINCKNEY RAILS-TO-TRAIL CAMPGROUND

      5.0(1)9mi from PlainfieldTents

      "Would prefer more shade but this is very nice place"

      from $30 - $50 / night

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      4. Wheel Inn Campground

      5.0(1)12mi from PlainfieldRVs, Tents

      5. Island Lake Recreation Area

      4.5(4)20mi from Plainfield4 sitesTents, Cabins

      "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."

      "Island lake really does feel like you’re up north with the hours spent on I-75. There are great hiking trails that give novice and Intermediate hikers a chance to sharpen their skills."

      from $20 - $108 / night

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      6. Pines Campground

      Be the first to review12mi from PlainfieldTents

      from $20 / night

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      7. Moon Lake Campground

      3.0(2)24mi from PlainfieldTents

      8. SASHA Farm Animal Sanctuary

      Be the first to review26mi from PlainfieldTents

      9. North Haven Resort - CLOTHING OPTIONAL

      Be the first to review27mi from PlainfieldTents

      10. Camp Agawam

      5.0(1)42mi from PlainfieldTents

      from $20 - $30 / night

      Check Availability
    View all 15 campgrounds

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    Recent Tent Camping Photos near Plainfield, MI

    10 Photos of 15 Plainfield Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Tent Camping Reviews near Plainfield, MI

    482 Reviews of 15 Plainfield Campgrounds

    • Neil T.
      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.

    • Christopher P.
      Sep. 5, 2021

      McGinnis Lake 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.

    • Don H.
      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.

    • Ryan F.
      Oct. 20, 2021

      Murray Lake Campground — 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.

    • beth S.
      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.

    • Mike B.
      Sep. 3, 2018

      Appleton Lake Campground — Brighton Recreation Area

      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
      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.
      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.

    Guide to Plainfield

    Plainfield, Michigan offers several tent camping options set amid the rolling terrain and lake-dotted landscapes of southeastern Michigan. Appleton Lake Campground provides a rustic tent camping experience with secluded sites nestled in a wooded setting, while Crooked Lake Rustic Campground in nearby Pinckney Recreation Area offers lakeside tent sites with scenic water views. Both campgrounds maintain a primitive character suitable for those seeking a more traditional tent camping experience within an hour's drive from larger cities.

    Most tent campgrounds near Plainfield feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Sites typically include picnic tables and fire rings on natural, ungraded surfaces. Appleton Lake provides vault toilets but no drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Crooked Lake offers drinking water and vault toilets accessible to tent sites. Access to most campgrounds is via drive-in sites, though some like Crooked Lake also offer walk-in tent sites that provide more privacy. Camping permits and reservations are generally required, with fees ranging from $17-25 per night depending on the facility.

    The tent camping experience near Plainfield offers a sense of wilderness despite proximity to urban areas. Areas like Pinckney Recreation Area provide hiking trails and water access directly from tent campsites. A camper noted, "The sites were fairly secluded from each other with ample space to park your vehicle and set up a tent." Most tent campgrounds maintain a rustic character with mature tree cover providing shade at many sites. Reviewers frequently mention wildlife encounters, with raccoons being particularly active around Appleton Lake campsites after dark. Seasonal variations affect the camping experience, with early fall offering more comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds at tent campgrounds throughout the region.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Plainfield, MI is Appleton Lake Campground — Brighton Recreation Area with a 3.4-star rating from 9 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Plainfield, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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