Pleasant Lake in south central Michigan sits within Jackson County, approximately 18 miles east of Jackson. The region experiences moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F with cooler nights and spring and fall seasons suitable for camping. Most campgrounds near Pleasant Lake operate from April through October with seasonal closures during Michigan's winter months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Haas Lake Park RV Campground offers multiple lakes for fishing. "Cranes and ducks in the water. The first night was super quiet! The second night was a little louder with a live band near by the campground," reports one visitor.
Trail hiking: At Apple Creek Campground & RV Park, campers can access walking and hiking trails connected directly to the property. A reviewer notes, "There is also nice walking/hiking trails connected right to the property."
Swimming and water recreation: Several campgrounds provide swimming options. "The views while walking along Lake Huron are beautiful. The campground is clean," comments a visitor at Lighthouse Village RV Resort about the water access.
What campers like
Seasonal activities: Camp Turkeyville RV Resort offers family-oriented activities throughout the camping season. "Daily trash pickup at campsite. Very quiet and family friendly," notes one camper, while another mentions it has "Spacious sites. Concrete patio at each site."
Privacy and layout: Many campers appreciate the natural settings. At Apple Creek, a visitor commented, "The group area is circular and surrounded by trees which helped to keep it cool. Each site had electric hook-up and some had water."
Camping atmosphere: Moscow Maples RV Park creates a welcoming environment according to reviews. "This is a smaller campground with some full timers or seasonal campers. The sites were grassy and mostly level. Trees added shade throughout," notes one visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most RV camping near Pleasant Lake, Michigan operates between April and October. Campgrounds like Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA specify their season as "Apr 1 to Oct 31," while Moscow Maples RV Park runs from "May 1 - Oct 15."
Site conditions: Ground conditions vary significantly between parks. "Sites where huge and the campground was so clean and beautiful!" reports a Haas Lake visitor, while at Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA, another camper notes "The chalky gravel campsites and roads are raked everyday."
Bathroom facilities: Facilities differ in quality and cleanliness. At Apple Creek, a camper advised, "If they would fix up the bathrooms and shower stalls I'd give 5 stars. The other shower building/bathroom appeared to be more modern but we did not use those as they were too far away."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer recreational areas for children. Apple Creek provides "plenty of activities for the kids including an ice cream sundae bar ($3/person), fkam party, hat ride, candy bingo, basketball court, putt-putt (although it appeared to be outdated), and a swimming pool."
Entertainment options: Camp Turkeyville provides numerous activities. "Family campground with restaurant, gift shop, camp store, ice cream parlor, and hested pool," reports one visitor, while another states it's "Very laid back. Family oriented. Plenty of things for the kids to do."
Group camping setups: Hideaway RV Park offers spaces suitable for family gatherings. "Pull thru spot, super easy to get to, full hookup. Spots had plenty of room, some had grass others had concrete. Quiet, very chill RV park, small beach on a pond for fishing playground for kids," notes one visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: When RV camping near Pleasant Lake, consider hookup locations. At Lighthouse Village, a reviewer advises, "My only 'con' is that full hookups are scarce and don't have the perfect angle and view of the W/E sites. If you want the best sites, forego the 'full hookup', pay less for the best and closest view."
Site size and accessibility: Hideaway RV Park receives positive feedback for accommodating larger units. "This campground is a diamond in the rough. Very spacious sites, all of which are full hookups for a very reasonable price," notes one RVer.
Connectivity options: Cell service varies by location. At Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA, one reviewer reported detailed connectivity data: "Verizon via iPhone 12 via a weBoost signal booster: 22 mbps down and 3 mbps up with 29 ms ping; T-Mobile via Nighthawk MR1100 via weBoost: 36 mbps down and 19 mbps up with 46 ms ping."
