Port Huron, Michigan offers several tent camping options within a short drive of the city. Port Huron KOA provides developed tent sites with amenities like drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings. For a more rustic experience, P.L. Graham Park & Campground (formerly Chicagami Boy Scout Camp) offers primitive tent camping along the Black River with 12 designated sites in a wooded setting. These locations provide varying levels of amenities for tent campers seeking outdoor experiences in Michigan's eastern thumb region.
Tent sites at P.L. Graham Park are first-come, first-served and cost approximately $15 per night. The campground features basic facilities including pit toilets, trash receptacles, and access to drinking water. Sites are situated on natural ground with minimal development, offering an authentic backcountry tent camping experience despite being only a mile from town. Campers must purchase firewood on-site as outside wood is prohibited to prevent the spread of invasive species. The park has a caretaker who maintains the grounds and sells bundles of wood.
The primitive tent camping experience at P.L. Graham Park provides access to the Black River for fishing and paddling opportunities. Sites are spaced with ample room between them, some nestled in the woods while others are in a more open area near the water. The natural setting attracts wildlife and offers a peaceful retreat for tent campers. There are limited hiking trails within the park itself, but the surrounding area offers additional outdoor recreation options. A recent review from The Dyrt noted: "We showed up fresh off the road from AZ starting a new life here in the great state of Michigan. Two gentlemen met us right at the entrance... There is a Porta potty available. Trash cans are located throughout the park."
"Got to watch out for kids buzzing around on banana bikes and golf carts cruising around. We stayed a couple times this summer."
"This is probably the best campground in Michigan. Lots of activities to do. Swimming pools, bicycles for rent, playgrounds, pizza, children's train, etc."
"You drive up the entrance of the park, and on your right there'll be a trailer with a sign that says parking. You will park your car there over night/during the day."
"Tent sites with water acces. Very nice caretaker!!"
from $15 / night
"This is another great scout ing campground with cabins, rustic camping, tent sites, lakes, horses to ride, this is one HUGE camp ground for scouts to enjoy and learn.."
TravelerWe came at the end of the busy season so most of the water and bounce activities were closed. Not a lot of campers and have of spaced out, which kind of sucks since we are almost one of the farthest out. Place does have a lot of bees. They still have hourly/couple hour activities and they were fun! Staff was friendly as well. The golf carts are snazzy too!
TravelerWe had a great stay! Didn’t enjoy any of the activities but heard they were a blast. We enjoyed the texted alerts on activities. This was our second trip with our new rv, just chilled and enjoyed. It was a bit noisy at night, it’s to be expected with children and the generation we live in today. Overall a great experience! Hope to return soon to enjoy the activities.
TravelerGreat location, right on Lake Huron. They have beach access. It is pretty quiet. This is county park. The only thing we seen was negative was people speeding down the roads. Other than that it’s a great campground, very clean, staff was very friendly. We will definitely return.
TravelerI was pleasantly surprised by this state park. I prefer camping that is more secluded and the pictures on the DNR site appeared very close together.
The North loop of the campground was very noisy and crowded. However, the South loop had more of the rustic vibe I prefer. The sites were spacious and while there weren’t trees in between each site, there were trees lining between each row that backed up to each other.
The beach is a bit rocky so beach shoes are recommended. The rocks are well worth the seclusion on the south side of the beach.
I will definitely be back to this campground!
TravelerIts huge! It has everything a family could want!
GuideWe stayed one night as a layover while heading south. Overall, it was a good spot for a quick stop.
The positives: Easy to get in and out, level campsite, very friendly staff, and just a short walk to the beach.
Our biggest issue was the setup of the full-hookup sites. The electrical hookup was on the opposite side of the RV, and we weren’t really set up for a long electrical connection or a long sewer hose. We split the difference and had just enough to make it work.
The full-hookup sites are also pretty tight. Our neighbors were sitting a few feet from our sewer hookup at their campfire, which made things feel a little cramped.
The beach is close, which is a definite plus, but it’s fairly narrow and doesn’t offer a ton of room to spread out on a busy day.
Overall, I’d say this is a great spot for a weekend or an overnight stop, especially if you want easy beach access. I probably wouldn’t plan on getting too comfortable here for an extended stay.
TravelerVery nice people, Lake Huron is just a few steps away. Very clean bathrooms, Beautiful park, we ordered Jets pizza and they delivered it to our site, no wifi but thats okay with me
GuideAs usual, there's only electric at sites, but the pedestals seem fairly new, and tight. South loop is nicely wooded & has a newer, larger restroom/shower building, not much lake view. The north loop is a little less wooded, with the NW end having a little better lake views, but a pretty ancient restroom/shower facility.
Across the lake is the day use area with a beach and concession stand. (There's a small camp store in the north loop.)
ADA Only sites are asphalt paved. Some of the regular sites could be a challenge to get level on, but the rangers told me they have wood blocks for loan if you don't have enough.
Our first night & a half, we had some terrible neighbors two sites over. Constant profanities, yelling at & threatening their kids... real dirtbags. Rangers booted them from the park! Good to see them taking such positive action. I have not run into a single staff member here that wasn't pleasant.
This was our first time here. A test run, since it's only an hour from home (but feels farther). We'll be back for sure. (Especially with gas prices so high anymore.)
T-Mobile was only slow LTE at our site, but our Starlink worked perfectly at our site. Might be harder to get a clear shot in the more wooded areas of the park.
ScoutHusband and wife owners that are extremely rude Husband has the attitude of I own this here water wife is the mother of all Karen's. You usually pay to swim here but they ruined that and took that away cause they own that there water merica can't wait for the new owners!!!
Tent camping opportunities near Port Huron, Michigan concentrate along the eastern shoreline where Lake Huron meets the St. Clair River. The region features sandy shorelines and wooded inland areas with elevations ranging from 580 to 650 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during day and 55-65°F at night, with higher humidity near the water.
Waterfront activities: Port Huron KOA offers family-friendly water recreation with multiple pools. According to camper Melissa B., "There are jumping pillows, tons of scheduled activities, equipment rentals, trails nearby. There is a movie theater, old one room schoolhouse, camp store, pools, number boats and putt putt."
Black River paddling: The Black River flowing through P.L. Graham Park provides excellent paddling opportunities for canoes and kayaks. One camper noted, "Nice place to bring a kayak & canoe. Worn in dock area but still accessible."
Seasonal events: Special seasonal camping events draw families year-round. As one Port Huron KOA visitor explained, "We come for Halloween camping every year! We love this campground. There is a ton to do for all ages. The kids keep busy all day long!"
Spacious sites: P.L. Graham Park offers tent sites with adequate separation between camping areas. A camper describes, "There are 10 spots. This is a first come, first served campground. There is ample space between campgrounds. A fire pit is located at each of the sites."
Kid-friendly amenities: Many campers appreciate the structured activities at Port Huron KOA. One reviewer mentioned, "Tons to do for kids, multiple pools including a zero entry, jumping pillow, ice cream stores, old west town hayrides, train rides($), multiple parks, and next to small water park."
Natural settings: Some sites at P.L. Graham Park offer a secluded forest experience. As one camper shared, "My boyfriend and I only reserved one night and it was wonderful. Our site was in the woods and just what we needed. Walker was very welcoming and super generous!"
Site selection matters: At Port Huron KOA, some sites provide more privacy than others. One experienced camper recommends, "If you're in a camper I'd recommend sites 54,179,180. Those sites have a bit of a backyard to them and more space."
Firewood policies: Most local campgrounds prohibit bringing outside firewood to prevent the spread of invasive species. At P.L. Graham Park, "The keeper, who is located in the trailer by the parking, sells Firewood if you need some."
Limited facilities: Primitive camping sites have basic amenities. At P.L. Graham Park, "There is a Porta potty available. Trash cans are located everywhere throughout the park... Not every site has a picnic table, so I'd suggest bringing a tiny table for food prep/surface to work on."
Activity planning: The best tent camping near Port Huron, Michigan for families often includes scheduled programming. At Port Huron KOA, "Campground is peaceful during week- due to cabins can be very rowdy and crowded on weekends. Owner is very strict but tons of staff always on site to help."
Budget considerations: Crystal Creek Christian Campground offers affordable family camping options with varying amenities. A visitor notes it's "extremely affordable! $30 a night 30/50 amp full hook up... or as low as $20 for 15 amp water n electric only! Want the full camping ambiance $15 a night for rustic tent camping!"
Timing your visit: Consider visiting during weekdays for a quieter experience. One Port Huron KOA visitor observed, "It tends to get a little rowdy and is not a quiet campground by any means but there's something fun about that sometimes. Got to watch out for kids buzzing around on banana bikes and golf carts cruising around."
Site preferences: At Hilltop Campgrounds, RVers appreciate the full-hookup options. One reviewer noted, "All sites are 50 amp full hook ups. The beach is right on the sports lake nepessing. Forget something while packing? No worries! They have you covered at their convenience store specific to their campgrounds!"
Seasonal options: Some campgrounds accommodate longer stays. An RVer at Hilltop Campgrounds shared, "We are full timers here for the winter into spring. The campground here is simple but the people are so friendly it will be difficult to leave when our season here is over."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies by location and carrier. At Port Huron KOA, "WiFi is slow but stable. You probably won't be able to watch Netflix. AT&T service is terrible. Our friends have T-Mobile and it is very fast for them."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Port Huron, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Port Huron, MI is Port Huron KOA with a 4.2-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Port Huron, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Port Huron, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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