The St. Clair River defines the camping experience near Algonac, Michigan, with sites positioned along this international waterway separating the United States and Canada. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 580-600 feet above sea level, with flat terrain making them accessible for all types of camping equipment. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from December through March, limiting water availability at most sites during these months.
What to do
Shooting sports and archery: Algonac State Park Campground offers specialized ranges for both firearms and archery practice. "They also have a range for archery, and firearms. The park was kept clean," notes Sandy K. The ranges provide a distinctive recreational option beyond standard camping activities.
Rock collecting along shorelines: Lakeport State Park Campground's shoreline is known for rock hunting opportunities. "I have found the most beautiful Petoskey Stones at Lakeport. I have also found a large pudding stone," shares one visitor who recommends bringing a chair and spending hours searching the beach for Michigan's state stone and other geological treasures.
Biking on dedicated paths: Several campgrounds feature dedicated biking routes. "Bike trail runs through the park," mentions Kelly B. about Algonac State Park. At Addison Oaks County Park, "There 26 miles of bike trails and hiking. Many in park are paved," according to a visitor, making it suitable for different skill levels and bike types.
What campers like
Riverfront camping and freighter watching: Sites along the St. Clair River offer unique opportunities to watch massive ships. "If you can get a River View site its is awesome. Freighters come by at all times of the day," explains Kelly B. about Algonac State Park Campground. This activity distinguishes the area from other Michigan camping destinations.
Modern restroom facilities: Many campers mention clean facilities as a highlight. "The bathrooms are absolutely beautiful," notes Bryan A. about Algonac State Park, while another visitor at Lakeport State Park Campground mentioned "Showers and restrooms keep very clean," making extended stays more comfortable.
Seasonal holiday events: Several campgrounds host special themed weekends. At Port Huron Township RV Park, "Most of their campers are Canadian, so the campground celebrates major US & Canadian holidays," explains Terri W. Similarly, Port Huron KOA is known for its Halloween activities: "We come for Halloween camping every year! We love this campground," shares Wendy K.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Several campgrounds have challenging internal roads. At Algonac State Park, one visitor noted, "Sooo many ruts that I was deeply concerned for the undercarriage of both my truck and camper," warning that drivers should proceed with caution, especially with larger rigs.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity can be inconsistent throughout the region. At Thousand Trails St. Clair, one camper mentioned "the abysmal Verizon signal. I'm talking 3 mbps bad," suggesting visitors might need to plan for limited connectivity, especially for work-related needs.
Weather and seasonal considerations: Most facilities operate on limited schedules. "Since this is well beyond normal camping season here in Michigan we understand staffing levels are going to be low," explains one Algonac State Park visitor who camped in late fall, noting that newer facilities were closed during off-season periods despite full-price fees still being charged.
Tips for camping with families
Choose activity-rich campgrounds: Port Huron KOA offers extensive family activities. "Jumping pillow, 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," shares Melissa B., making it suitable for families who need to keep children entertained.
Consider noise levels: Family-friendly campgrounds can become noisy, especially on weekends. "Hundreds of unsupervised rug-rats swarming like locust over all the roads without looking where they were going. Boom boxes blaring rap music in competition among sites," warns George H. about Port Huron KOA, suggesting mid-week visits might be better for those seeking quieter experiences.
Look for theme weekends: Many campgrounds host special activities on weekends. At Addison Oaks County Park, visitors mentioned, "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)," providing built-in entertainment for younger campers.
Tips from RVers
Site selection is crucial: Different campground sections offer varied experiences. At Algonac State Park, "The northern section seems to be the louder section and the southern section seems to be the more laid back quiet section," explains a reviewer, noting that the north section has "more of an open space, smaller lots, crowded feel" while the south offers "more of a woodsy outdoor feel."
Be aware of electrical limitations: Some campgrounds struggle with power supply during peak periods. One visitor at Ruby Campground praised the small, friendly atmosphere but didn't mention power issues while another camper at Dancing Fire Glamping and RV Resort mentioned paying "$69/night for a pad with power," suggesting pricing varies significantly for electrical hookups in the region.
Dump station logistics: Plan for potentially long waits at dump stations. At Algonac State Park, a visitor noted the unusual arrangement: "The dump station is at the north campground and to get to it, you have to enter the north campground and drive all the way through it, come back out, and then go to the dump station," creating potential delays during busy checkout periods.
