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Best Campgrounds near Pleasant Lake, MI

482 Reviews

The Pleasant Lake area in Michigan features several established campgrounds offering a mix of camping options. Waterloo Recreation Area provides multiple campgrounds including Portage Lake and Green Lake Rustic Campground, both offering varied accommodation types from tent camping to cabin stays. Pinckney Recreation Area's Bruin Lake Campground and Blind Lake Rustic Campground are also popular destinations, with the latter requiring hiking or biking access via the Potawatomi Trail. Most developed campgrounds in this region support tent, RV, and cabin camping, with some locations also offering yurts and glamping accommodations.

Seasonal considerations affect camping availability around Pleasant Lake, with some campgrounds like Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern operating from May to October, while others such as Green Lake Rustic Campground remain open year-round. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends. Facilities vary significantly between modern and rustic campgrounds—modern sites typically provide electric hookups, showers, and sanitary dump stations, while rustic sites offer more basic amenities with vault toilets and water pumps. Cell service can be limited in some areas. A visitor noted, "For hikers or mountain bikers this site is 2 miles from the Waterloo/Pinckney Rec trails and you can get there by the main roads."

Waterfront camping represents a significant draw in the Pleasant Lake region, with several campgrounds providing direct lake access. Green Lake Rustic Campground offers lakeside sites with opportunities for paddling and fishing. According to reviews, many campgrounds balance natural settings with reasonable proximity to towns and amenities. A camper described their experience at Green Lake: "I loved this quiet little campground! 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." Many visitors appreciate the region's trail systems, with connections between campgrounds and popular hiking routes like the Border to Border bike trail and the Potawatomi Trail. Despite being close to urban areas, the campgrounds generally provide a peaceful woodland experience with adequate privacy between sites.

Map showing campgrounds near Pleasant Lake, MichiganExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Pleasant Lake, Michigan (114)

    1. Waterloo Portage Lake Modern — Waterloo Recreation Area

    12 Reviews
    Grass Lake, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (734) 475-8307

    "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."

    "A few bathrooms are located around the campground. The spaces are generous and the majority have electricity only. The lake has a little beach with sands. Nice place."

    2. Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern — Waterloo Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Chelsea, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (734) 475-8307

    "It is usually easy to get multiple sites next to each other with reservations.

    There is a decent sandy beach here with a playground and volleyball net."

    "There is an outside vault toilet behind the cabin. Lots of trails connecting the cabin to the rest of the park. Cheap too! Only $68 per night."

    3. Bruin Lake Campground — Pinckney Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    Gregory, MI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (734) 426-4913

    $27 - $46 / night

    "There is a new large playground structure and nice but short paved path for kids to bike or scooter around."

    "On Crooked Lake, it has 25 sites, two of which are right on the water; #7 is full sun, larger, and 20 is sun/shade and tucked away in the back of the campground."

    4. Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Chelsea, MI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (734) 475-8307

    "The lack of cover between sites gave everyone a nice view of the lake from our tents on our inland sites, which was beautiful."

    "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. There is an official boat launch nearby."

    5. Blind Lake Rustic Campground — Pinckney Recreation Area

    18 Reviews
    Gregory, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (734) 426-4913

    $17 / night

    "Nice place to camp right on the lake. It's a 7 mile hike in(can also be accessed via boat), part of the Potowatomi loop trail(~18 miles) located in Waterloo-Pinckney recreation area."

    "Camp ground is located along the Potawatomi Trail in Pinckney Recreation area. Bikers head the opposite direction from hikers. The route I followed was about 8 miles in to Blind Lake."

    6. Portage Lake Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area

    4 Reviews
    Grass Lake, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (734) 475-8307

    "We purchased our new rPod 193 late in the fall and have been dying to give it a test camp and Michigan Winter Weather gave us a great opportunity the week after Christmas (2021)."

    "Enjoyed a nice paddle on the lake the morning before I left!"

    7. Holiday RV Campground

    5 Reviews
    Grass Lake, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (517) 522-5846

    "Playground near pool is nice, and there are 2 other playgrounds. Pool is very new. Owners and other campers very friendly.
    There is a small camp store and a very nice pool."

    8. Hideaway RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Grass Lake, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (517) 522-5858

    "Plenty to do around town, lakes everywhere just have to choose which one to go to."

    9. Greenwood Acres Family Campground

    5 Reviews
    Grass Lake, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (517) 522-8600

    $35 - $75 / night

    "The campground offered a haunted trail, trick or treating and crafts for the kids."

    "Pool, lake, arcade, golf, ice cream parlor. Bathrooms are clean."

    10. Wheel Inn Campground

    1 Review
    Pleasant Lake, MI
    6 miles
    +1 (517) 589-8097
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Recent Camping Photos near Pleasant Lake, MI

127 Photos of 114 Pleasant Lake Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Pleasant Lake, MI

482 Reviews of 114 Pleasant Lake Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Toni B.
    Jul. 12, 2025

    Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area

    Booking was horrible

    So when I booked this camp site, I was originally looking at the Rustic camping on the app The Dyrt. The app brought me to the state park site, campsites looked beautiful and absolutely gorgeous for the rustic, it’s showed a picture of the bath house etc. Booked the site for the weekend because I’m catching up with a friend after awhile. Upon arrival, it leads us to this absolutely packed campground with sites directly ontop of each other, kids in the road the entire way through, parents not paying attention, absolute nightmare. It was in fact, it was the RV park. Not what I booked. We ended up talking to the office attendant, and booked at Green Lake Campground for the weekend, having to switch between 2 campsites over the weekend due to bookings. Overall just a very frustrating thing to deal with trying to get away for the weekend. Not the attendants fault, partially my fault, but also the state website as it is VERY unclear of the difference in camp grounds. Recommend the Rustic, stay away from the RV campsite that looked like an absolute hell scape if I’ve ever seen on.

  • Holly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Seven Lakes State Park Campground

    Family friendly

    The campground has a private lake that’s good for swimming and fishing. The sites are decently sized with most being easily gotten into with an RV. Plenty of hiking/biking trails easily accessed from the campground. Only 2 downsides to this campground are the showers (not very clean and very small), and it’s very busy.

  • Jonah H.
    Jul. 10, 2025

    Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern — Waterloo Recreation Area

    Excellent

    We have been to this campground twice now. The property is very well maintained with a nice park and clean bathrooms. The campground has some nice full-grown trees, but isn't extremely wooded. It does not feel like you're up north, but I'm giving 5 stars because of how well it is maintained. The trees offer shade, but are spaced out enough that a group can pull their campers around for privacy

Guide to Pleasant Lake

Camping near Pleasant Lake, Michigan, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds nearby, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing at Bishop Lake Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "I've been here quite a few times to fish. Great fishing spot."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Bruin Lake Campground. A visitor noted, "Trails are well maintained and offer varied terrain."
  • Swimming: Spend a day at the beach at Waterloo Portage Lake Modern. One camper said, "The lake has a little beach with sands. Nice place."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Hell Creek Ranch & Campground. A reviewer shared, "Bathrooms were clean and well kept."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many families enjoy the activities at Walnut Hills Family Campground. One guest said, "Very family friendly and great atmosphere."
  • Quiet Environment: Campers often mention the peacefulness at Blind Lake Rustic Campground. A visitor remarked, "This was a nice campground but the lake had a lot of boat activity and was a bit loud during the day."

What you should know:

  • Site Sizes Vary: At Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern, some sites are small and close together. A camper noted, "Most of the campsites are tiny! Campers are crowded in together."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Green Lake Rustic Campground, do not have electric hookups or showers. A visitor mentioned, "No hookups but that wasn't an issue for me."
  • Reservations Recommended: It's a good idea to book ahead, especially during peak seasons. One camper at Bruin Lake Campground said, "I would recommend getting a reservation before showing up."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly activities. At Walnut Hills Family Campground, one parent said, "The bounce thingy on the pond. We also brought our kayaks and spent a couple days on the river."
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites, like W. J. Hayes State Park Campground. A camper noted, "Campsites were decently sized, fire pits were big."
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Some campgrounds enforce quiet hours. A visitor at Bruin Lake Campground appreciated that "quiet time is all the time."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure to confirm if your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. A reviewer at Lansing Cottonwood Campground mentioned, "Has full hookups, and electric water."
  • Look for Paved Sites: Paved sites can make parking easier. One camper at Waterloo Portage Lake Modern said, "Most of the sites are black topped."
  • Be Prepared for Wildlife: Keep food secured to avoid unwanted visitors. A camper at Hell Creek Ranch & Campground warned, "Raccoons had gotten into our food storage bins."

Camping near Pleasant Lake, Michigan, has something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet retreat, you'll find a campground that fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Pleasant Lake, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, Pleasant Lake, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 114 campgrounds and RV parks near Pleasant Lake, MI and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Pleasant Lake, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pleasant Lake, MI is Waterloo Portage Lake Modern — Waterloo Recreation Area with a 3.5-star rating from 12 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pleasant Lake, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Pleasant Lake, MI.

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