Cabin camping near Rhodes, Michigan offers visitors access to the Saginaw Bay watershed and the surrounding pine forests of central Michigan. The area sits at approximately 600-650 feet elevation with warm summers averaging in the mid-80s and cold winters that can drop below freezing. Many campgrounds remain open May through October, though some cabin accommodations require reservations up to six months in advance.
What to do
Rifle River recreation: At Rifle River Campground, visitors can enjoy river activities during summer months. According to a camper, "Lots to do if you're into exploring. Lots of hiking trails, bike trails. Lots of lakes, great beach areas!" The river provides opportunities for tubing, kayaking and canoeing with rentals available on-site.
Beach and water activities: The Bay City State Park Campground features access to Lake Huron with swimming areas. A visitor noted, "The nature trail around the lagoon is a birder's dream. We saw white egrets, blue heron, sand pipers and their babies." The park also includes a Spray by the Bay splash pad popular with families during summer months.
Hiking and biking: Many campgrounds connect to regional trail systems. A reviewer at Herrick Recreation Area mentioned, "There is the Pier-Marquette Rail trail about 1.5 miles from the campground, great for biking, running etc." Trails range from short boardwalks to longer routes connecting multiple recreation areas.
What campers like
Spacious wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the pine tree coverage at Herrick Recreation Area. One visitor wrote, "If given the choice get a site in the pine loops. It's more of a walk from the lake but the other loops have no shade and seem more crowded together. We had site #24 and it was fairly ideal and very roomy."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain regular cleaning schedules for bathrooms and shower facilities. A camper at Herrick noted, "Bathrooms are cleaned 3x a day. Showers were warm and clean," while another mentioned the area has "electric hook up was fine. Bathrooms are cleaned 3 times a day."
Town amenities: Gladwin City Park & Campground provides convenient access to local services. As one visitor described, "It attaches to the city's river walk which makes walking into town safe and easy." Another noted, "Park is great even when full on weekends. It is in town so easy everything you might need close to town."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Weather can affect site conditions significantly. At Pinconning County Park, a camper reported, "We camped the weekend. Staff was very friendly upon check-in. The beach was nice with picnic tables and lots of playgrounds. I was very excited to do the board walks but when we arrived most were flooded I was very disappointed."
Reservation requirements: Most cabins need advance booking. Many campgrounds have limited cabin availability compared to tent and RV sites. River View Campground & Canoe Livery often fills quickly, especially for river-adjacent accommodations. One visitor mentioned, "The rustic sites along the river in section 'N' were very large and spacious spots. Sections L and M seemed to be tightly packed in."
Site differences: Conditions vary significantly between sites within the same campground. A review of Herrick Recreation Area stated, "The first 3 areas you pass on the way in are in sun all day, more or less. The rest are in pine stands and really is a nice place to be. As per the normal, pines bring sap, so expect that."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: River View Campground & Canoe Livery offers family-friendly activities. A visitor reported, "The campground is huge and offers so much! The store up front had everything you probably forgot at home, plus more." Another camper mentioned, "Family goes there every year. Campground offers many amenities and with the river right on site there is so much to do."
Playground facilities: Many campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. According to a Bay City State Park visitor, "This is one of the best campgrounds for kids that I've ever visited! Take a 2 min walk from the camp office across to the day park and you'll find the Spray by the Bay splash pad, a huge timber playground, beautiful sandy beach along Lake Huron."
Organized activities: Some locations offer structured programs. At Bay City State Park, "They have campground hosts that facilitate free activities organized by the park. We did a kids craft and enjoyed hot cocoa or coffee Saturday morning and then returned after dinner for Back-to-School bingo and popcorn."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric connections vary between campgrounds. At Outdoor Adventures Saginaw Bay Resort, a visitor mentioned, "Campground is rustic, but clean, sites are relatively cramped, but lots of trees. Staff seemed nice." Most cabins have basic electric hookups but may require extension cords.
Site leveling: Terrain can present challenges. A camper at Herrick Recreation Area noted, "We stayed on site 78. It's slightly sloped but leveling is easy. Biiiig sites here." Many campgrounds feature dirt or grass pads rather than concrete or gravel surfaces.
Dump station access: Facilities may have limited dump stations. At Herrick Recreation Area, a reviewer advised, "One septic station, enter it from the pines side as the hole is on the East side." Always check water and sewer connection availability when booking cabin accommodations.
