Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Bloomfield Hills, MI

Pontiac Lake Recreation Area campground offers rustic and modern camping options with 176 sites spread across two loops. Located about 10 miles from Bloomfield Hills, the campground sits at an elevation of 984 feet with surrounding terrain featuring rolling hills and hardwood forests. Winter camping is available with heated shower facilities, though only a limited number of sites remain open during colder months.

What to do

Mountain biking trails: Pontiac Lake Recreation Area features extensive mountain biking routes for various skill levels. "This is one of the best areas for hiking and biking and kayaking and swimming," notes Christine A., who gave the park five stars.

Kayaking on multiple lakes: Highland State Recreation Area offers peaceful paddling experiences on its no-wake lake. "There's a quiet lake perfect for unwinding after a long day or to get a nice rinse off," explains Adrienne C. The area includes several interconnected waterways suitable for beginners.

Disc golf courses: Multiple recreation areas maintain courses, including a complete 18-hole layout at Holly Recreation Area. "The park offers lots of private sites! We stayed in site 118 and could not see neighboring sites!" writes Mary H., who also enjoyed the extensive recreation options.

What campers like

Secluded, private sites: Campers consistently praise the sense of isolation despite proximity to suburban areas. "Camp site was nice with blacktop pad and once parked felt very secluded and could barely see site past truck in parking spot. Great for getting away and seeing the night sky," writes Daniel about his experience at Pontiac Lake.

Clean facilities: Proud Lake Recreation Area earns high marks for maintenance. "You need to know that this place is so so clean! The grounds, the sites, the bathrooms and the showers are all impeccable," reports Laura M. after her visit.

Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse animal populations. "We saw deer and rabbit," notes Karen C. about her stay at Addison Oaks. Birdwatchers often spot waterfowl species along shorelines and wetland areas.

What you should know

Tick and mosquito preparation: Insect protection is essential, particularly in summer months. "There are tons of mosquitoes and ticks, so make sure you bring bug spray. Also make sure that all food and garbage is secure at night, the raccoons have no fear," advises Kristina J.

Beach access logistics: Many campgrounds separate camping areas from swimming beaches. "Only drawback is the distance from the lake. The lake is not within walking distance, you would need to drive," explains Renee R. about Pontiac Lake's layout.

Electrical hookup locations: Haas Lake Park RV Campground provides full hookup sites but configuration varies. "If you are hoping to hook up to electrical, bring extension cords; some hook ups are exceptionally far away from the designated RV parking pad," warns Mary H., detailing her experience.

Tips for camping with families

Dog friendly campgrounds near Bloomfield Hills: Most recreation areas welcome pets with standard leash restrictions. Camp Agawam provides dedicated pet areas. "This park is great! It has campsites, a playground, swimming, fishing, an outdoor amphitheater (with concerts!), pavilion rentals, and disc golf!" says James P.

Seasonal activities: Many parks offer structured events during peak season. "It was a Boo Fest weekend. Lots of socially distanced activities for the kids and a scavenger hunt (finding clues on signs in park to solve a mystery)," reports Tim & Nancy C. about their Addison Oaks stay.

Water recreation options: McGinnis Lake Modern Campground provides family-friendly water activities. "This is a giant recreation area that features a campground, 3 lakes, tons of trails, and even a splash zone for kids," explains Kate K. who rated the campground four stars.

Tips from RVers

Site selection for privacy: RV sites offer varying levels of seclusion. "The sites aren't super far away from each other but there are trees between sites so from most of the sites you can't really see your neighbors," notes a camper at Pontiac Lake.

Lakefront positioning: Consider premium waterfront sites where available. "We thoroughly enjoyed the campgrounds- especially our lakefront full hookup. The fire rings are double insulated with sand, which made for a safer experience," writes John C. about his stay at Haas Lake Park.

Paved pad availability: Most campgrounds feature concrete or asphalt parking areas. "Sites were spacious, we loved the national forest. We stayed in the Maple loop which had several semi-private sites screened from neighbors by trees," Jennifer H. describes about her Holly State Recreation experience.