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Best Tent Camping near Rutland, MI

325 Reviews

Tent camping options surrounding Rutland, Michigan include several established campgrounds with varied amenities. Camp Clear Sky offers a more rustic tent camping experience with drive-in and walk-in access. East Lake Camping provides tent sites with basic amenities during their May to October operating season, while Wheel Inn Campground maintains year-round availability for tent campers seeking longer stays.

Most tent sites in the region feature dirt or grass surfaces with minimal leveling. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard at Camp Clear Sky and Wheel Inn Campground, while drinking water access varies significantly between locations. Campgrounds like East Lake Camping provide flush toilets and showers, making them suitable for campers seeking more comfort. Deerfield Nature Park offers a unique tent camping experience requiring a one-mile hike to access its ten primitive sites, creating natural separation from RV camping areas. During peak summer months, reservations are recommended for weekend stays at the more developed campgrounds.

The tent camping experience in this region of Michigan varies from developed sites to more secluded options. Deerfield Nature Park provides a genuine backcountry feel with its hike-in access, pit toilets, and proximity to water for kayaking. Most tent campers will find moderate tree cover at established campgrounds, offering partial shade during summer months. The primitive sites at Deerfield are particularly notable for their natural setting. A review from a Deerfield camper noted that "you can access by boat or it's a one-mile hike. Very peaceful, there are only 10 sites and pit toilets. Lots of nature... We are making this a yearly trip as it was such a good time."

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Best Tent Sites Near Rutland, Michigan (9)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Rutland, MI

1 Photos of 9 Rutland Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Rutland, MI

325 Reviews of 9 Rutland Campgrounds

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2019

    Brookside City Park

    Beautiful super small camping in town

    The campsites are located past the playground and shelter. Just keep driving down the road that looks like an alley. There is a wonderful place set up for just a few campers. 

    A couple sites are for tents only and the others are standard sites. There are a few trees by the sites but it’s mostly open area. Portable toilets are at the end of the camping area and in the playground area. The playground is a day use area for town so expect to meet some locals. 

    Driving just down the street takes you to the police station. This is where you register for the site. Town is around you and ready to explore. There are a few train tracks and industrial businesses which provide a bit of noise along with traffic. For us, the noise just slid right into the background. 

    This is a great place for a low price.

  • beth S.
    Aug. 13, 2022

    Lansing Cottonwood Campground

    Primitive Sites!

    We came to the Lansing area for a family function and stayed at one of the Primitive Sites at Cottonwood Campground. The front of the grounds did seem a bit congested and not many trees, but we had a primitive site and it was everything we wanted. We camped in hammocks and had a pretty large site with great trees that could accommodate at least three to four hammocks (siteP5). Our site had a picnic table which was very helpful to have. There are a lot of wildlife noises, owls, frogs, crickets, etc. and you can hear some of the highway traffic but the nature sounds kind of drown it out.

    Overall was a good experience and staff were friendly and the primitive sites were over half empty. We will definitely come again.

    Second night, it had rained pretty much all day. Spiders came out at alarming numbers, mostly daddy long legs and the night before, raccoons had gotten into our food storage bins by undoing the side latches on them. The next night we made sure to house trash and food items in our truck.

  • Christopher P.
    Jul. 25, 2021

    Deep Lake Rustic Campground — Yankee Springs Recreation Area - TEMPORARILY CLOSED IN 2024

    Nice rustic site

    Nice rustic campground with a beautiful lake view. Nice big fire rings. Vault toilet and water pump nearby. Some what level site but in the small side. Perfect for tent camping or a teardrop. Definitely nothing over 15'. Was able to park across from my site to maximize space.

    Gorgeous little lake town just 8 miles away has a full grocery store and restaurants.

    Campsites border the Deep Lake trail.

  • Jamie H.
    May. 12, 2019

    Holiday Shores RV Park

    Disclosure: This review is from a newbie RVer's perspective with a 32ft. Travel Trailer!

    Holiday Shores has a good website that gives great info, however there is no booking online so you have to call. Which was super easy! The lady on the phone was very nice and completely understanding of our total lack of experience. We planned to golf during our stay so she thoughtfully put us in lot 511 which is relatively close to the pro shop!

    This place is conveniently located off M13 in Durand. The roads are in good condition which made for smooth travel... this is Michigan! We arrived after the office was closed but our paperwork was waiting for us just as promised. The park itself has nice roads as well. Making for easy navigation and maneuvering. Our lot had a cement pad which required no leveling. The electrical, water and sewer connections were all easy to access and each lot had a picnic table and fire ring!

    Holiday Shores has several ponds both large and small, which might make for good fishing but we never gave it a try. There is a swim beach and it's available after Memorial Day! You will also find several nicely paved paths up to 3 miles long. These were walking only which was sort of disappointing because we brought our bikes, however they were very nice to walk or go for a run! The attached 9 hole golf course was well maintained and had some tricky holes. There were changes in elevation and multiple water hazards... we may have lost some balls. The only negative is they currently do not have their liquor license but the new owners are working on it. Overall it was a fun, mostly challenging round of golf that is worth checking out!

    Breaking camp and checkout were easy as pie! The bottom line we can't wait to go back it was great time, with better people. We made new friends the first night there that truly made our stay memorable. Thank you again for all the hospitality!!!

  • J
    Aug. 10, 2023

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    Nice place to camp

    Nice sites, very well organized for privacy. Trees and shrubs dividing sites. The lake is a couple miles away from campground, only 20 miles per hour if I recall. No alcohol permitted

  • Nathan V.
    Sep. 9, 2018

    Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    Beautiful Park

    Rangers working the area are very friendly. Many options to choose from in terms of camping, from rustic, tent to fully functional cabin lodging. The park is very large, so it is always good to have a vehicle able to drive to the trails and beach. Campsites are decent sized, can fit probably 3 four person tents per site, which includes a concrete firepit and picnic table. In the north campsites there is a lot of tree covering, and there are a lot of walnut trees that were shedding a lot this time of the year. Bathrooms are well spaced between the campsites you, and have showers along with some vending machines outside of them. Spigots are scattered throughout and are very accessible. Be sure to bring at least 100 feet of extension chord if you want electricity, because the power ports are not as accessible from some areas. Overall very pleasant campground.

  • M
    May. 22, 2018

    Deep Lake Rustic Campground — Yankee Springs Recreation Area - TEMPORARILY CLOSED IN 2024

    Great rustic campground.

    If you want seclusion away from the parking lot atmosphere down the road at Yankee Springs this is your place. There is much more space at each campsite and lots of old growth trees. The sites over looking Deep Lake are wonderful if you can snag one. This is a rustic campground and they have NO electricity or water and many are smaller tent sites. But the peace and quiet is great. You are just a short drive away from Yankee Springs and Gun Lake with the huge beach, plus you are basically right on the NCT and have access to miles of hiking and biking trails. This is a great campground if you don’t mind “roughing it”.

  • Ricky C.
    Aug. 28, 2021

    Ionia State Recreation Area — Ionia Recreation Area

    Ionia Recreational Area

    Bathrooms/showers need upgrading . Sites are good size and paved. Our fire pit needs repair. The top is gone so no ledge to put cooking utensils on. Our site number was not reasable.

Guide to Rutland

Tent camping near Rutland, Michigan offers options ranging from primitive sites to more developed campgrounds across Ionia, Isabella, and Barry counties. The region features a mix of inland lakes and wooded areas with sandy soil that provides good drainage during wet weather. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with higher humidity in July and August, while spring and fall camping experiences cooler nights averaging 40-55°F.

What to do

Kayaking on Chippewa River: Access the river directly from Deerfield Nature Park for paddling adventures. One camper noted, "We did 2 kayak trips while we stayed and was great to have landing so near sites. I do recommend going by boat as the hike with gear will wear you out."

Outdoor cooking amenities: Camp Clear Sky provides unexpected facilities for meal preparation. According to a visitor, "Outdoor kitchen with running water and flush toilet were unexpected amenities. Not to mention the chickens keeping us company!"

Swimming beaches: Several campgrounds offer lake access with designated swimming areas. At East Lake Camping, visitors enjoy "Pretty lake with swimming beach and playground lovely for day use," though one camper mentioned, "They took away some of the water toys they used to have like water slide and float which was disappointing for the older kids."

What campers like

Natural solitude: The primitive sites at Deerfield Nature Park limit crowds with their hike-in requirement. A camper shared, "Very peaceful, there is only 10 site and pit toliets. Lots of nature, seen a lot of colorful fungas."

Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention bathroom maintenance at several campgrounds. One visitor at East Lake Camping reported, "Bathrooms were clean and functional. Sites were clean, kids loved the beach and play area."

Welcoming environment: Smaller campgrounds often create community atmosphere. At Wheel Inn Campground, a camper found it to be "Very clean and nice camp ground. The ours are very nice and don't bother you."

What you should know

Campground closures: Some previously established campgrounds in the region have ceased operation. Regarding Moon Lake Campground, a local resident noted, "Grew up here. I believe the campground area was shut down in 2012-2015."

Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. East Lake Camping runs from May 1 to October 1, while Wheel Inn Campground maintains year-round availability for tent campers seeking longer stays.

Site variations: Campgrounds differ significantly in site types and sizes. At East Lake Camping, "The sites are very small, not much privacy, but well kept. There are more spacious sites available on the upper grassy loop."

Tips for camping with families

Check playground facilities: Some campgrounds have removed or altered play equipment. One East Lake visitor mentioned, "They took away some of the water toys they used to have like water slide and float which was disappointing for the older kids who look forward to it."

Consider site location: At larger resorts like Sandy Pines RV Resort and Campground, location within the property matters. A visitor cautioned, "If you have a large camper, you can only get a spot in phase 3, which is really far away from all of the fun activities. You can rent a golf cart."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rutland, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rutland, MI is Camp Clear Sky with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Rutland, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Rutland, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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