Top Tent Camping near Pleasant Lake, MI

Looking for an adventure where you can explore Pleasant Lake and then fall asleep in your tent? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Pleasant Lake, Michigan's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Pleasant Lake, MI (17)

Showing results 1-10 of 17 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews In Pleasant Lake

395 Reviews of 17 Pleasant Lake Campgrounds


  • Wendy F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Hudson State Recreation Area
    Oct. 14, 2024

    Lake Hudson State Recreation Area

    Spacious sites

    What an absolute gem of a state park. Almost every site is private, with a few exceptions. Nice trails, well built picnic tables, and huge fire pits. Overall a fantastic experience.

  • Christina M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Hills Family Campground
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Walnut Hills Family Campground

    I’d give 0 if I could

    This campground used to be all about family and friends.  Camping friends that became family.  40+ years camping there, generation after generation.  So many wonderful people.  But the new owner has changed that camping experience for a lot of people.  Seasonals and reoccurring weekenders.  In fact over the last 2 years he has lost over 40+ seasonal families.  Many who have been there 10,20 even 30yrs.  He has done some much needed improvements but for what he is trying to charge people it’s ridiculous.  Believe all the bad reviews.  And the good reviews, well he pays for those by offering discounts for good reviews or free Wibit passes. The so called lake that he advertises is a nasty little pond that I’m sure is swimming with ecoli .  , the Wibit is small and priced outrageously at more than $35 on most days and is riddled with holes and barely filled with air in most days. Which also makes it dangerous.  The store does not have much to offer and what they do have is priced ridiculous.  There is one bathhouse and a couple nasty outhouses.  The owner also lies so much and thinks everyone else are fools.  He doesn’t live in MI so you won’t ever see him either.  Spend your money somewhere else.  For what he is charging it is not worth it.

  • Adrienne N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Way Back In Campground
    Oct. 12, 2024

    Way Back In Campground

    Do not recommend

    We camped at Way Back campground llc in Michigan for three seasons, initially building strong friendships with the owners and their grandchildren. Our kids would eagerly await our weekly arrivals during the summers, often chatting and playing video games during the off-season. The campground initially offered family-friendly activities like hayrides and crafts.. these dwindled to events that included only our children and the owners' grandchildren, often overshadowed by drunken behavior unsuitable for kids. By the second season, that sense of community soured when the owners' friends/family began uninvited weekend parties on our campsite. Groups would show up, using our firewood and partying late into the night while our kids struggled to sleep, often leaving only after we became assertive and telling them to leave so we could go to bed. This disregard for our family's needs, compounded by other unsettling issues made it clearly evident that Way Back is not a family friendly campground. Our campsite being littered with debris from a previous burned, condemned camper on our lot, promises of cleanup that went unfulfilled for 3 seasons. Obscene drunken adult behaviors in front of children that went unaddressed, only created a growing sense of disappointment. We also faced safety concerns, such as homeless individuals using drugs and living in the campgrounds. Convicted sexual offenders and known drug addicts in the park. Hostile fighting and commotion usually provoked by and instigated by the owners. A lingering presence of inappropriate adults around children at the park. Despite our initial rapport and giving the owners multiple chances to make improvements, issues only escalated, leading us to strongly advise against this campground. (Photos from last day. The glass and Debris has been collected like that every weekend for the last 3 years)

  • Mano P.
    Camper-submitted photo from W. J. Hayes State Park
    Sep. 28, 2024

    W. J. Hayes State Park

    Travel Trailers

    If your longer than 40ft be aware most sites will not work for you here, they do have some but the wood line, privacy and nature is great. Lots of activities for the family by camp staff. Water sports and lots of trails

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Indian Creek Camp & Conference Center
    Sep. 23, 2024

    Indian Creek Camp & Conference Center

    Super friendly staff

    I only stayed one night. I am a tent camper and where I was, it was only me in a fenced in area. I was right next to a cow field. The cows did not moo all night and there was no foul order. I needed no amenities so I can't vouch for that

  • Estella D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Auburn Hills-Holly KOA
    Sep. 15, 2024

    Auburn Hills-Holly KOA

    Such a disappointment

    We paid 500.00 for 5 days. At first our sights were so unleveled that we had to go In And request a site change. Looked to rent the bikes as pictured, NOPE they were toddle trikes.. very deceiving! First day kids were in the pool, looked a little dirty. 2nd day , 90 degree weather the

    Pool was green! We spoke with staff and they said they were working on it. They were putting little bags of shock in.. REALLY!  The pool ended up closing stating it was related to the weather!!! Rain 3 days prior! No refund offered, site dirty, grass not mowed, dirty unkept campers in the campground, no trash pick up! NEVER EVER AGAIN! Took a ride to other nearby sites… cost less, clean, offered more activities for kid.

  • Ronald B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hell Creek Ranch & Campground
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Hell Creek Ranch & Campground

    Great Campground

    Great out of the way campground. It was nice and quiet. Bathrooms were clean and well kept. The gentleman that checked us in moved things around so we could all be together not on different sites well away frome each other. Would definitely go there again.

  • Rachel P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sleepy Hollow State Park
    Jul. 15, 2024

    Sleepy Hollow State Park

    Decent

    We just got done with a 3 night stay at Sleepy Hallow. The campsite itself was great, nice a roomy while also being wooded. The bugs were pretty intense, but bug spray helped. They are working on the natural gas pipeline nearby, so there was lots of construction noise. Verizon service was basically non existent other than at the beach. The dog beach was small and full of algae.

  • Miranda J.
    Camper-submitted photo from W. J. Hayes State Park
    Jul. 15, 2024

    W. J. Hayes State Park

    Hayes State Park

    We stayed in a tent on site 32, this was a very nice campground, peaceful, with trails and ample shade. Campsites were decently sized, fire pits were big, $5 per bundle of dry wood, showers were private with hot water, and there were activities and a beach/playground for kids. Checkin/out was simple, and coffee/hot coco was provided by the campsite each morning. Will be returning to this campsite again. I suggest sites 93-96 for more private/shaded sites.

  • Wendy F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hideaway RV Park
    Jul. 15, 2024

    Hideaway RV Park

    Great 1st camping experience

    This was our 1st ever camping trip and it was a delight. 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 and plenty of room for our small dog. Linda (owner) was amazing, very helpful and easy to use venmo for payment and for firewood use. Overall a great experience , would definitely visit again. Plenty to do around town, lakes everywhere just have to choose which one to go to.

  • Kimberly W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hide Away Park Campground
    Jul. 14, 2024

    Hide Away Park Campground

    THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING

    Thank you to EVERYONE who takes time to REVIEW! ….WHEW!! This year seems every place is FULL or Closed for repairs or High polluted numbers. many are struggling finding someplace to go, and People do READ REVIEWS, and this “ OLD HAG”

    Really needs a class in “ consumer relations “ I have been in retail for 30 plus years and THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT, there is NO. “ what did you do to deserve to be treated THAT way? GOOD LUCK finding a NEW JOB when you don’t have one because THIS joint gets shut down do ton Bankruptcy….. hahahaha… you may think you’re smart NOW, but when you get served a dose of you’re OWN medicine out in the REAL WORLD.. well, I’d  give anything to see that…

    Making people’s lives miserable who just want to have a good time? How fucking miserable are YOU?

  • Gary G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bruin Lake - Pinckney SRA
    Jul. 12, 2024

    Bruin Lake - Pinckney SRA

    Great staff, good hosts, not bad

    Camped here thru the 4th of July weekend. The staff kept noise and other stupidity tamped down. They say quiet time is all the time, and I love that.

    Typical MI state park, sites are electric (30a and/or 50a) only.

    No real beach, but there is a swimming area. Picked up Detroit TV stations easily, good for the rainy mornings we had.

    With T-Mobile, Internet service was practically non-existent. Phone calls & texts worked. The camper across from us said it was the same for Verizon.

    One section is mostly paved & ADA sites, the "upper" section is grassy and/or dirt. Both restroom/shower buildings were fine, I just wish they had posted times when they'll be closed for cleaning.

    All in all, we'd have no problem returning here.

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Hide Away Park Campground
    Jul. 8, 2024

    Hide Away Park Campground

    Never come here!!

    First off I can’t even give it a zero star!!! But was going here for 5 years and definitely will be the Last!! Seems office has new rules now you can’t roll your 12 by 15 carpet mats out NOMORE but a 3 by 5 mat!! Who wants that little shit if you have furbabies coming in and out of your camper? Just a lot more dirt on your inside space!!Abssolety NO SERVICE!! You gotta stand in one spot just to hold a conversation on you phone!! No WiFi to check your Home ring camera!! No WiFi even if you try and USE YOUR OWN HOT SPOT!! So not even a fire stick 😩Most off lady in the office very unprofessional!! Ask her for a discount and she got the nerve to say I DONT GOT TIME FIR THIS!!! Excuse me miss grouchy, costumers are always to be satisfied!!! You got time to take our $$$$ at least have a POSITIVE ADDITUDE !!!! This probably why your campground was so EMPTY This year but best luck to you in the future!!! NEVER AGAIN!!

  • Kyla T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Twin Pines Campground & Canoe Livery
    Jun. 27, 2024

    Twin Pines Campground & Canoe Livery

    Quaint, pretty, and fun!

    I visited this campground last summer! It was a smaller campground, but very woodsy (just how I like it)! They have kayak/canoeing, a playground area for the kids, and good site sizes. The only thing that wasn’t pleasant was the beach area (too small and muddy), and the fact that my boyfriend’s mother had to pull off leeches various different times after being in the water!

  • Chef T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Auburn Hills-Holly KOA
    Jun. 15, 2024

    Auburn Hills-Holly KOA

    The Holly Campground in Holly, MI, Formerly KOA endorsed

    I rarely write reviews good or bad on any business ever, but this one is a BEWARE situation and I feel that fellow campers/RVer’s need to be aware of the campground!!!!

    It has been many years since we were last at this campground. I booked a sight online for a week, thankfully it was only a week! We arrived at the campground, setup our 5th wheel, attempted to set up the WiFi, only to find they have WiFi in the store but no WiFi was available for our site. I contacted the office, spoke with the owner, she said “I will send someone out there to check the “repeater” maybe something is wrong with it because we should have WiFi”, never sent anyone that we were aware of and never called me to confirm wether or not we had the WiFi working. I drove up to the store and this nice young man informed me that the further away from the store you will not get WiFi. I told him that I spoke with the owner yesterday and she said that she was sending someone out to check the repeater and we NEVER heard back from her. He proceeded to call the owner on his cell phone, of which I could hear her talking, he said bring your computer up to the store and login, then take it back to the campsite and you should be able to login”, so I went back to the campsite grabbed my ipad, then back to the store. I was able to login to the WiFi. Went back to our site, no WiFi. This is a problem for me, not having WiFi, not only for work purposes but also TV services. I called the store, same young man told me that you do not have WiFi, you will need to come up to the store for services. I said that was unexceptionable, we were told we would have WiFi, it is also advertised online and in your brochure. He said “I can’t help you, you do not have WiFi on your site”. I let it go until the next day. 

    The campground is NOT well kept. The grass/weeds was a foot long throughout the campground, it clearly had not been mowed in a few weeks. My husband took the dogs out on our site to go potty, he came back in only to find he had ticks on him and the dogs. Most likely because the grass hadn’t been mowed. After being lied to about the wifi and now the ticks, we decided that we would need to find another campground. We are 44’ long with an 8’ deck and being a Friday we knew we had some challenges ahead of us to find another campground, but we did, thank God!

    I drove up to the office and informed them of our displeasure and that we are checking out. I said we will pay for the 2 nights we have stayed here but we would like to be refunded the balance of what we prepaid (almost $400.00 dollars), and a refund for $20.00, $10.00 for each gate key we were charged. The young man called the owner on his cell phone, she said she will not refund the money. I said to the young man that was unexceptable, and I want my money back. He said he can’t refund our money. I told him I will get my money back one way or another, and that I will warn everyone about the “real” situation of this campground, his response was “ok, have a good day”, and I left. 

    If you are interested in staying at this campground, I highly suggest you take a ride and go see it for yourself. They are very expensive, overpriced for the campground conditions and amenities , and services that are stated online and in the brochure are not accurate! If you want to save yourself the headache, disappointment and loss of your hard earned money, STAY AWAY FROM THIS CAMPGROUND!!!

  • Mitchell S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Marble Springs Campground
    Jun. 4, 2024

    Marble Springs Campground

    More rules then posted refused to update rules.

    Fishing but is catch and release. It is not posted any where in the rules or at the fishing spots. Nore was I told this be fore being warned about it. Cancled season and went to where I could catch and eat.

  • Gary G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Waterloo State Recreation Area Portage Lake
    May. 3, 2024

    Waterloo State Recreation Area Portage Lake

    Vicious dogs not on 6-foot leash as required

    The 6-foot leash rules are very clearly stated. There are many campers whose dogs remain the exception and don't abide by the rules. My leashed dod has been threatened by vicious larger unleashed dogs as I walk my dog more than once this month. So the camp host or ranger should , after warning the offending campers once, call the county animal control. This situation is way out of control.

  • Howard M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area
    Apr. 29, 2024

    Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area

    A great getaway that's not too far

    A very quiet campground. The sites are spread out and only 2 vehicles per site are allowed. The East campground is more open and had 3 small cabins that can be rented. The West camping is more wooded and isolated. An extensive horse back riding trail system and MTB trails are easily accessible.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Eaton County Fairgrounds
    Feb. 29, 2024

    Eaton County Fairgrounds

    Wonderful quiet sites.

    My husband and I had a wonderful experience the website was well informed; pull in and pick your own site and the site manager will come by and collect your money for night stayed. In fact, we enjoyed it so much we called to ask for another night, without hesitation, and any disruption to our camping they came by later that evening, and collected for an additional night ( just as the website advised), Charlotte is a wonderful town with wonderful events. This fairground camp area very clean and well organized. Well done Eaton county, see you in May 2024. 💯

  • Evamarie I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Hills Family Campground
    Jan. 21, 2024

    Walnut Hills Family Campground

    Love love loved camping here!!!!!!!!!!!

    We was able to get a site last minute for the week prior and weekend of Labor Day. Also a river site, lots and lots for kids to enjoy they really loved the dance party on Saturday and Sunday night. The bounce thingy on the pond. We also brought our kayaks and spent a couple days on the river. Really enjoyed and will return

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Sleepy Hollow State Park
    Oct. 7, 2023

    Sleepy Hollow State Park

    Hike in Site “F” Private

    I took a day hike back about a mile to site “F”. It was pretty private with a day site about 75 feet away so if anyone hiked in to use the day site, you might have to contend with close neighbors. Otherwise, a great spot with water access.

  • Kacey T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Barry's Resort & Mobile Home Park
    Oct. 6, 2023

    Barry's Resort & Mobile Home Park

    Might as well rename it chomo resort. Nothing but a bunch of pedophiles!

    If you have kids keep far away from this place. It's full of sex offenders and people who condone it. Sick place. Even the management is in on it. These people are disgusting. As boots said "The Hills Have Eyes Compound "



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

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pleasant Lake, MI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pleasant Lake, MI is Wheel Inn Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Pleasant Lake, MI?

    TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Pleasant Lake, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.