Glamping in Plymouth, Michigan offers an accessible nature retreat with multiple campground options within a 35-mile radius. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures averaging in the 80s and cool fall nights dropping into the 40s. Modern bathrooms, clean shower facilities and well-maintained trails are common features at many sites.
What to do
Kayaking the Huron River: At Brighton Recreation Area, visitors enjoy water activities including kayaking. "The lake you can rent kayaks, paddle boards, row boats or paddle boats," notes a camper who appreciates the variety of water recreation options.
Hiking trails for all levels: Bishop Lake Campground offers multiple hiking trails suitable for different experience levels. "There are lots of nearby lakes and recreational trails so it's a fun place to be with family," mentions one visitor who found plenty of natural areas to explore.
Trail riding on horseback: Hell Creek Ranch & Campground features equestrian facilities right on the property. One visitor shares, "A horse barn (Heavenly Horse Stables) right on property offering riding lessons, trail rides and meet and greets with their houses and other barn animals, my daughter wanted to move here."
Mountain biking adventures: The trails at Holly Recreation Area are perfect for mountain bikers of all skill levels. "The trails available here are where I learned to mountain bike, they're not the easiest but they are not so challenging that you won't have fun," explains a regular visitor.
What campers like
Clean facilities: McGinnis Lake Modern Campground receives consistent praise for its maintenance. "Bathrooms are clean. There were several playgrounds, bench swings, play fields and even a basketball court. The ADA sites had pavement surrounding the fire rings and space at the picnic tables for a wheel chair," details one satisfied guest.
Community garden access: Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park offers a unique amenity not found at other sites. "My favorite aspect of this campground is that they had a community garden that you were welcome to pick from. We got tomatoes, Swiss chard, peppers, broccoli, and more," shares a visitor who appreciated this fresh food option.
Beach swimming areas: Sterling State Park Campground provides lake access for swimming. "Nice, well maintained park. The shower house is clean and in good condition. Sandy beach on Lake Erie is very nice," notes a recent visitor who enjoyed the water access.
Seasonal events: Camp Dearborn hosts special seasonal activities that families enjoy. "We've been going to Halloween camping for the past 2 years, decorate your site and the kids get dressed up an go trick or treating in camp, theres a costume contest and hay rides, fun family atmosphere," explains an enthusiastic repeat visitor.
What you should know
Bug preparation essential: Pack plenty of insect repellent, especially for woodland campsites. "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," warns a camper who visited Brighton Recreation Area.
Booking windows: Reservations for popular glamping sites near Plymouth fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. "Tough to get in but we love it," mentions a visitor to Camp Dearborn who recommends planning ahead.
Site privacy varies: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options than others. "The sites are all in full sun, with not much privacy between them, but most campers are respectful," shares a Sterling State Park visitor, highlighting the importance of choosing the right site for your needs.
Water sources: Blind Lake Rustic Campground provides basic water facilities. "The campground itself is nice, with an outhouse, water spigot, and a trash can so you won't need to pack out everything if you stay here," explains a hiker who appreciates these basics in a remote setting.
Tips for camping with families
Water attractions for kids: "Such a cool place to enjoy with the kids, we had a blast at Jump Island!" explains a visitor to Bishop Lake Campground, referring to the inflatable water park that offers 45-minute sessions for $15.
Look for recreation options: Bruin Lake Campground provides multiple activities to keep kids entertained. "It has a boat launch and a canoe/kayak livery on site," notes a visitor who found plenty of ways to keep active during their stay.
Check for playground accessibility: Many Plymouth-area glamping sites feature play areas. "There is a host site with activities and a lending library for books and some sporting equipment," shares a visitor to Proud Lake Recreation Area who appreciated these family-friendly amenities.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds maintain stricter quiet hours than others. "There was a karaoke machine set up which is a fun group activity but it also took away from the nature experience," notes a Camp Dearborn visitor, suggesting families consider their noise tolerance when selecting sites.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Check site descriptions for level information before booking. "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," advises an RVer who stayed at Brighton Recreation Area's rustic sites.
Hookup availability: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of services. "They offer 50 amp full hook-up sites, 50 amp/water, and 30 amp/water sites with pull-thru and back-in options," explains a Wayne County Fairgrounds RVer, detailing the electrical options available.
Road access considerations: Some glamping areas near Plymouth have limited access for larger vehicles. "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," warns a visitor to Brighton Recreation Area.
