Best Tent Camping near Prescott, MI

Multiple tent camping options exist within driving distance of Prescott, Michigan, with several established campgrounds scattered throughout the surrounding area. Spruce Rustic Campground in the Rifle River Recreation Area provides tent campsites in a natural setting with good site separation, while Pine River Campground offers more secluded tent sites. Both locations are situated within wooded areas that provide natural shade and access to water features.

Tent campsites in this region typically feature level dirt or grass surfaces with varying degrees of privacy. Most locations include fire rings and picnic tables, with vault toilets available at developed sites. Water access varies considerably; Pine River and Spruce Rustic both offer access to rivers, but campers should verify drinking water availability as not all sites provide this amenity. Many tent camping areas in the region maintain rustic conditions with minimal facilities. The camping season generally runs from May through September, though some sites close earlier due to weather conditions.

The Hoist/Reid Lake Areas provide walk-in tent opportunities for those seeking more solitude. These backcountry sites require foot travel to access, making them ideal for tent campers looking to escape more developed areas. Trail systems connect various camping areas, with sites typically positioned near water features. According to one visitor, "It is such a great weekend hike to some beautiful backcountry scenery. Not heavily trafficked, and most of the campsites have a pretty decent set up from past campers." Wakeley Lake Area represents another option for walk-in tent camping, offering lakeside sites that provide excellent fishing opportunities. These areas remain considerably less crowded than drive-in campgrounds, providing a more immersive natural experience for tent campers willing to hike in with their gear.

Best Tent Sites Near Prescott, Michigan (34)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Prescott, MI

434 Reviews of 34 Prescott Campgrounds


  • Lexi G.
    Jul. 30, 2020

    4-Mile Trail Camp DNR

    Cheap horse camp

    It’s never busy here. I don’t have horses but I’ve seen people stay with horse trailers with their tie outs to the poles that are designed for it. There’s trails in the surrounding areas. Also water pump and vault toilets. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided as well.

  • L
    Oct. 15, 2020

    Canoe Harbor State Forest Campground & Canoe Camp

    Spacious campsites, well-maintained campground.

    We spent three nights at Canoe Harbor in mid-September 2020 and thought it was wonderful. Campsites were spacious and had nice stands of trees in between to provide privacy. Fire rings had a great design. Vault toilets were kept clean and stocked. Paths from campsites connect to the Au Sable and to hiking trails. We loved this campground.

  • Mike B.
    Sep. 21, 2018

    Muskrat Lake State Forest Campground

    Easy to ride ORVs or dirt bikes from

    This rustic campground is right on the ORV route. This means you can camp here and even ride in you Jeep or side by side right from camp.

    I stayed here and rode dirt bikes from jere and swam in the lake afterwards. It was refreshing and there is a small sandy area to swim out of.

    The lake is very peaceful and quiet. Great for kayaking or canoeing! There are no houses on the small lake and it is typically calm water.

    The campground has vault toilets, camp fire rings, and picnic tables. The fee is $15 per night and is paid at the entrance.

    There is a water pump here so fresh water is available. There is also a dumpster for your trash.

    I will be coming back as it is easy to get to as well.

  • Nona A.
    Aug. 30, 2017

    Sleeper State Park Campground

    A nice campground for a weekend by the water

    Sleeper State Park Campground is located a few miles north of Caseville, MI. This is a modern campground, and has 226 camp sites, and 1 mini cabin. The campground sits right off of M25, so I recommend getting a site towards the back. We unfortunately were only able to get sites at the front and the road noise was obnoxious, 3 a.m. cars and trucks flying by. Campground, bathrooms, and showers were all kept very clean. Most sites are set up for trailers, and RV’s, and tents. There are a few sites that are tent only sites. Each site has a picnic table, fire pit and electric hook up. There is firewood available at the park office for $5 a bundle, they also rent kayaks $10 for 2 hours or $40 for the day. The campgrounds host site has coffee, tea, and hot chocolate available in the mornings. They also offer activities in the afternoon. Across M25 and part of Sleeper State Park is the beach, and picnic area. There is a walkway overpass that goes over M25 making for a safe walk from camp to the beach. The beach area has a bathroom and drinking water. There are charcoal grills, and picnic tables in the picnic area around the parking lot. The beach is a lovely stretch of shoreline along the Saginaw bay.

  • D G.
    Jul. 5, 2020

    Ambrose Lake State Forest Campground

    Hidden Inland Lake Gem

    Rustic first come first serve sites. Well water pump and vault toilets. No shower. We started on spot 8 but moved to 21 after one night - 8 was near the toilets and you get the occasion whiff of poop while 21 is on lake and more secluded. All the spots are very large with picnic table and fire pit. No grate for cooking so be sure to pack. The lake is small but good for kayak & paddle boarding. Areas of sand but fairly murky. We swam and floated for a few hours in tubes. My friend did catch a handful of bluegill.

  • Melissa M.
    Jul. 18, 2020

    Au Sable River Primitive Camping

    Peaceful • Rustic

    We absolutely love camping here weather it’s in a tent, hammock or RV we have always loved camping here.

    Night sounds are so relaxing.

    We typically do the sites closer to Mio sites 1-6

    Plenty of trails and fishing.

    No water No electric No sewer

  • Kate K.
    Sep. 3, 2019

    McCollum Lake State Forest Campground

    Not What I Expected

    I was super excited to visit this place because I heard good things... but I was a bit disappointed. The campground itself is more of an open field and there isn’t much for privacy or even tree cover. The lake was nice but pretty weedy and there were only 1 or two campsites that even had lake access. All the sites had the standard fire pit and picnic table but nothing else very exceptional about this place.

  • Rodger M.
    Oct. 19, 2021

    Port Crescent State Park Campground

    Batten Down the Hatches

    We loved this campground. The proximity to the beach was phenomenal. Our site, 95A was along the old river channel which made for nice views of water fowl. I will say though, the Canada Geese were extremely active…even at late hours of the night and early morning (expected). Lake Huron did not disappoint. We enjoyed some sunsets, weathered driftwood, more geese, sea gulls, and sand pipers.

    The weather started out decent and very fall like, but come late Friday night, sustained 20 mph winds and unrelenting downpours ensued. Did I mention we were in a tent?! Fortunately, I truly did “batten down the hatches” so to speak. This is not a tent review, but the Sam’s Club 9’ x 14’ tent never leaked, never ripped, and held its own!

    Flies out did mosquitoes, and bees were in full pollination mode. We did fog our site and used Thermacells which helped within Mosquitoes. Chipmunks ruled the campground. They were busy everywhere. Also a local woodpecker was going to town at a site next to us. We didn’t see any raccoons or deer…did I mention geese?!?

    Site had 120v and 30 amp service, a picnic table, and fire ring. It was directly across the street from the restrooms and showers.

    Site Size was approx 33’ x 50’

    Shower facilities were a bit dated but functional. Restrooms were clean with nice hot water and high powered hand driers.

    We’re planning another trip and hoping to make it to the sites closer to the lake.

  • Dave E.
    Aug. 16, 2017

    Port Crescent State Park Campground

    Great family campground

    This has been an annual destination for my family. We would camp here 2 weeks every summer with all of our relatives and basically turn this little place into home. There are nice clean sites, facilities, and easy access to town (Pt. Austin) if you want to go explore. I highly recommend Grindstone's Ice Cream place in Grindstone City. During summer months, it books up 6 months in advance. So learn their online reservation system and be quick at it if you have a specific site in mind. The sites on the front row by the water are the best in my opinion. Amazing sunset views and quick access to the beach. When storms come it, make sure you have everything put away and your tent staked down reeeeeal good, cause I've definitely seen 60mph+ winds and tents end up in the trees.


Guide to Prescott

Tent camping near Prescott, Michigan offers sites across diverse woodlands in the eastern Lower Peninsula. Many campgrounds connect to water features like the Rifle River, Pine River, and inland lakes through maintained trail systems. Camping season typically runs May through October with variable site sizes and amenities depending on location.

What to do

Canoe trips: Russell Canoe Livery & Campground provides river access for paddling adventures along with camping facilities. According to visitor H E., "Great place to pull off the river and camp. Everything you need for your river adventure. Rent or bring your own watercraft. I've camped here on and of for many years. I prefer later in the season."

Biking excursions: Browns Landing RV Park connects to a scenic trail network with lakeside routes. "There is a bike path that goes all the way i to Tawas. About 9 miles. It goes thru the woods and is just lovely with jasmine and lilac bushes and views of Lake Huron," notes camper Tammy.

Fishing access: Multiple waterways near Prescott campsites support trout and bass fishing. Spruce Rustic Campground has specific river access points for anglers. Jason N. reports, "Although only one of the sites has a river view this campground Ideal for trout anglers. There's a access point to Gamble Creek between sites 171 and 173."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Pine River Campground features spacious sites with natural buffers. John H. mentioned, "Great Campground. Great sites where you don't feel like you are on top of other campers."

Level terrain: Most tent camping areas near Prescott feature forest floor sites with minimal slope. Many tent sites include established fire rings and picnic tables. Camper Willow W. simply states about Pine River Campground, "It's quiet and just peaceful!"

Sunrise views: Waterfront camping locations offer morning views across area lakes. A Browns Landing visitor remarked, "We love Browns Landing. It is family owned and the family is very friendly and helpful. The sun rises here are my favorite."

What you should know

Variable site leveling: Some campgrounds have uneven sites requiring careful tent placement. Michelle S. noted at Sugar Springs Campground, "The sites are spacious and clean. The sites have electric only. Water is shared between 3-4 sites, so you better bring a hundred feet of hose to fill your tank. The sites have a picnic table and large fire-pit. Most sites are wooded & grass covered. Downside: horrifically not leveled."

Toilet facilities: Restroom quality varies across camping areas near Prescott. Some offer vault toilets with basic maintenance. At Spruce Rustic Campground, RJ W. observed, "Nice campground deep within the park. There are 2 loops in this campground with good sized sites that are separated by trees. The vault toilets do need some attention."

Water availability: Water sources aren't universal at Prescott area tent sites. Many rustic campgrounds require campers to bring their own water supply or share distant spigots between multiple sites. Check specific campground regulations before arrival.

Tips for camping with families

Weekday advantages: For quieter family tent camping experiences near Prescott, consider non-weekend visits. D G. shared about Spruce Rustic Campground, "This was my first solo camping experience - I went up on a Thursday and the area was empty. It was super clean and the spots were large."

Multi-activity options: Families benefit from campgrounds offering diverse activities within walking distance. Lisa R. detailed her experience at Arrowhead Lake Camp, "We went kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and fishing. The wildlife is plentiful and the lake is full of fish. The staff are fantastic. If we needed anything, they were there in minutes."

Firewood collection: Some campgrounds permit gathering deadfall for campfires while others require purchased wood. Check specific campground rules regarding firewood collection or transportation restrictions due to invasive species concerns.

Tips from RVers

Trailer access considerations: Most tent camping areas near Prescott can accommodate small trailers but have limitations for larger RVs. Jason N. shared his experience at Spruce Rustic Campground, "Small, rustic, remote, clean and quiet. Large and level campsites that are well spaced. I got my 20' trailer back there no problem."

Hookup limitations: Electric hookups are uncommon at rustic tent camping locations around Prescott. RVers should prepare for dry camping at most forest sites. Water fill stations may require lengthy hoses at campgrounds with shared spigots.

Site reservation timing: The most desirable RV-compatible tent sites fill quickly during peak summer months. Advance reservations are recommended for weekend camping between Memorial Day and Labor Day at developed campgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

TheDyrt.com has all 34 tent camping locations near Prescott, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.