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White Pines Campground is a backcountry campground, with a restroom and a fire ring. This 60 acre greenspace is mostly undeveloped, offering only parking at the main entrance and a single trail through the forest. When the original 20 acres of the park were acquired in 1927, they contained one of the few remaining pure stands of white pines in the county. The park has since been managed with the goal of preserving this stand and enhancing it with plantings of new white pine seedlings.
Wakeley Lake Campground is a part of the Wakeley Lake semi-primitive non-motorized area .__The campground is made up of 5 walk-in sites near the east shore of Wakeley Lake.__
Trail System: The trail system within the Wakeley Lake semi-primitive non-motorized area is 8.5 miles in total. Several loops provide hikers the ability to take a hike that suits their skill level. Trails are also open to bicycles. In the winter, the Wakeley Lake area is groomed for cross country skiing and snowshoing. Water Activities: Non-motorized boating is allowed, however, visitors must hike in with their equiptment. Wakeley Lake is also a peaceful location for other water activites such as swimming and fishing.__
Trail System: The trail system within the Wakeley Lake semi-primitive non-motorized area is 8.5 miles in total. Several loops provide hikers the ability to take a hike that suits their skill level. Trails are also open to bicycles. In the winter, the Wakeley Lake area is groomed for cross country skiing and snowshoing. Water Activities: Non-motorized boating is allowed, however, visitors must hike in with their equiptment. Wakeley Lake is also a peaceful location for other water activites such as swimming and fishing.__
Visitors to the area will be treated to a forested setting that varies from tag alder and conifer swamps to upland jack and white pine mixed with oak. Wakeley Lake Campground and the Lake itself are set relatively close to the parking location in the semi-primitive nonmotorized area. The lake tapers out into a swampy marsh area along the shoreline in some areas. The 2,100 acres area is habitat for loons and eagles and visitors may view loons nesting from March 1 to July 15. Please respect wildlife and view from a distance.
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (989) 826-3252.
All reservation changes, cancellations, and refunds are managed through Recreation.gov.
$10 / night
This rustic campground sits along the picturesque shore of the Au Sable River. The campground offers excellent opportunities for trout fishing. Paddlers can easily access the river and use a group camping area. There are 7 sites for tent and small trailer use. Camping is limited to a 15-day maximum stay. Amenities include vault toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well. The campground is located 15 miles east of Grayling via M-72, McMasters Bridge and Conners Flat. Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations.
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp
Recreation areas near the Wakeley Lake Area. This is the section of the Huron National Forest furthest west, and most sites are located along or north of M-72.
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
Scout
They have a really nice area whether it’s fishing or swimming, playground or just plain camping, etc. the only negative thing is the tent camping spots DO NOT have PLUGS which was really irritating because tent camping you’re definitely gonna need an outlet.
Traveler
We enjoyed our tent camping 4-day experience at this wonderful, clean, & friendly place.
Ranger
The lake has an island in the middle and is great to explore by boat. Not sure how much there is to do without watercraft, as there’s just a really short trail. A friend snowmobile camps here in winter, that’d be beautiful to try. Nice basic primitive state park tent camping. Clean and simple. Shady.
Traveler
We visited this campsite for a long weekend in October, looking for that autumn experience. Our site was right on the lake, and had a great view of the river and the trees changing. Our site was very large, especially for tent camping, and that seemed to be the trend. Others were camping with campers and tents, but there was pretty of room to spread out in the late fall.
Traveler
Decent sized and private sites. Clean restrooms, cute camp store. Nice beach and boat ramp. We’ve stayed here several times(both with our 5th wheel and just tent camping) and enjoy it. Staff could use some improvements- can be rude, unprofessional. Nice dog run for my mutts and mini golf course(has basketball, baseball, volleyball courts too). Overall, beautiful park.
Ranger
Short backpacking walk to this no-reservations rustic campsite. You need a backcountry permit and there’s usually a small fee. Lovely forested secluded tent sites. There’s only one or two fire pits, but going there is a nice way to meet your neighbors (only 2 other groups when I was there in April). Sites aren’t too sandy and are pretty shady. Follow bear rules!!
TravelerI tent camped there July 2023 and the site was $20. The campground host was a very nice and helpful lady. There are electric at the sites and there were water supply spigots throughout the park. They do have free wifi, but it is very weak by the river sites. It is strongest near where the camp host is since the antenna is behind her camper. There was an old wifi access point plugged into my site's electrical outlet, but it was inoperative. Cell signal is good there though so it wasn't a big deal to me. Since I was tent camping I cannot attest to what size RVs and electrical amperage they have. The showers and rest rooms are locked at night. Just ask the campground host and she will lend you a key for the night. In addition to the main camping loop, there are about 12 river RV sites near the fairgrounds. It was fairly quiet being a week day. Just leave your trash in a bag near the lane and she will pick it up when she makes her rounds in her golf cart. A grocery store and a convenience store are across the road. You can book a site online via the village's website at https://marionmichigan.org/campground/ According to a google search the phone number is 231-667-0100. If that number is not valid the village office's phone number is 231-743-6801
Guide
The campsites are purely for tent camping and are around 20'x40'. We went with a group and fit four tents on one site with a picnic table and fire pit for less than $10 each. There is a large bath house with showers, a pavilion/picnic area, where they sometimes have a DJ at night. And there's a really nice open area and playground for the kids. The front store /check-in desk has some supplies for while you're there, and they also offer canoe/tubing/kayak trips with transport, directly from the grounds. We had a great time and plan on going back again.
Guide
They charge per person, so I paid $75 for my boyfriend and I to tent camp on the river for the 2 night minimum required. They are money grubbers who charge per person then put multiple parties on one site. Firewood available on site is soaking wet so had a lot of issues getting a fire started. Not much to do at the campground unless you want to pay an arm and a leg to rent one of their watercraft. Staff is incredibly rude and unhelpful. Everything they offer is an extra charge. Will not be returning here ever again.
Guide
the sites are sandy and surrounded by tall pines and ferns. some biting flies, especially near river (late june). multiple vault toilets and one water pump. sites are spacious enough for small campers and walk/boat-in tent sites are great and have their own vault toilets and pump (though they are less shaded and a little more open than the forest sites). there's a river trail to walk and parking for the walk/boat-to sites. there's an ORV trail nearby and the road can get noisy from that. otherwise quiet and cozy.
Guide
This is a very large campground that is usually full during the summer. There is no shortage of activities here: a small pond/beach, pool, jumping pillow, dodgeball, bike trails, ATV trails, crafts, parades, etc. It's great for the active family, particularly those with elementary & middle school age kids. It can be rather loud at times. There are some seasonal sites, a small "village" of tiny houses, yurts, and a lot of RV/tent sites. The location is good, as it can be a good jumping off point to explore Traverse City and the surrounding area. This definitely isn't a campground for people who like quiet and solitude, but if this is your style of camping, it's a great place.
Guide
First let me start with saying it was ok for what we needed the campground for. We stayed 4 days in total, 3 of the 4 days we were elsewhere. Site 25 was a large site that fit my 36’ TT and my brother-in-laws very large tent on with plenty of room (very deep site). Campground allows for multiple vehicles and multiple units on site (TT + tent). We had a total of 10 in our party plus 2 small toy dogs. Upon arriving, I did not realize the dump station was outside the campground as we came from the opposite direction and filled my water tank by the bathroom from the water faucet using my hose. The park does not have paved roads but is level and no pot-holes.
Upon arriving to my site, site was dirty, trash all over site and trash dumped in fire pit (old tire rim, above ground and moveable). After setting up and cleaning our site, kids took out our fishing magnet and found rusted nails (6 in total along with some unknown rusted metal shards) by where we parked our TT.
Playground is outdated but still functional, beach was somewhat clean (some trash here and there), pavilion at the beach had lost items placed in front of it, mostly sand inside of pavilion. The swimming area has a sign posted in front stating the water is not checked (for bacteria) so swim at your risk.
Just outside the park is 2 more pavilions that can be rented and looks like a wooden white movie screen so if you have a throw projector you can do a popup movie here. Also there is frisbee golf on the outskirts of the baseball diamond along with a bunch of hiking trails
Now my feelings and thoughts of our stay. We were parked next to some party people. We are a dry family and not condoning drinking but Friday and Saturday it was a large party place until almost 3am on Saturday. Neighbors had half the campground at their site (so it seemed to us) including the camp Manager but the loudness was very unappealing and disruptive to us especially my brother-in-law family who was camping in a tent and could not filter out the loud noise. Our site was very dirty, with trash and nails everywhere. The host was a nice person but if checkout is 11am and checkin is at 4pm, the host should have cleaned the sites from trash (we literally filled a meijers grocery bag with trash). I was upset about the nails but to be honest, he could of not known unless he ran a magnet through the site.
We are strong believers of leaving our site better then before we arrive.
ScoutFirefly evening strolls on sandy trails through the woods. Dog friendly. Seasonal family gathering spot. Helpful camp hosts give a friendly wave several times daily. Getting back to nature with the community works all the time.
Fire wood policy. This Policy helps protect the woodland from invasive pest, fungi, and virus. Please don’t transport wood in or out of Roscommon County. This is Just my request…. Take home a rejuvenated smile, it looks so good on you!
Traveler
A great campground about 20 min south of gaylord, on otsego lake, as with most michigan state parks they have nicely taken care of campsites and easy access to bathrooms, the beach from our site was a little bit of a hike but there was easy access to the lake via stairs, electrical is available and there was a good combination of rvs and tents so all are welcome, they offer actinities for kids on the weekends, and they usually have holiday happenings
Traveler
Needed a tent sight for 3 pup tents motorcycle camping. Nice quiet secluded campground in the woods. Nice clean baths and showers. $25 for tent $35 RVs pull threw.
Traveler
We tented at this campground. Good location, decent bathrooms.
LegendMost outdoor camping adventures are to capture memories and epic moments…this one was no different.
Ours is a very active family…we enjoy all things paddling, hiking, cycling, fishing. With a family spread out in age, we attempt to settle in on activities that will be somewhat of an equalizer of talent and ability…to maintain family harmony and interest. This is no easy task.
We love Michigan outdoors! We chose paddling and camping the Big Manistee River. As is the expectation when we camp…there will be rain…and this outing was no different.
Rains bloated the Big Manistee, so the sleepy river was moving pretty swiftly. We contacted Chippewa Landing…and they met us at our put in (Grayling area)…and drove our vehicle to their livery for our take out.
Obviously, we camped at different spots along the river, but our first stop was the Upper Manistee State Forest Campground and Canoe Camp. Which was perfect for dragging the boats out and placing them near our tents.
Nothing inherently special about this campground other than its convenience. It was clean (as most Michigan campgrounds tend to be)…and being on a weekday…empty…totally. Even with the copious amounts of rain, the ground is fairly sandy and there was no mud or puddling to contend with. With the rain came cooler temperatures, which we were prepared for and enjoyed.
If you haven't floated or paddled the Big Manistee…you owe it to yourself and those you love. Its a beautiful river…and on a early week paddle…we had the river to ourselves…save one fly-fisherman at our halfway point. It is still fairly primitive with few built up areas, so you feel like you are "out there."
Sadly, the trip took us less time because of the increased waterflow…probably should've explored the river banks more…or dragged anchor to slow us down. But it was, indeed, a memorable trip!
However, having the extra time allowed us to go to one of our very favorite campgrounds, D.H. Day campground in Empire. Yes, the Empire strikes back!!
Legend
You can pick sites on the river or back by the woods. There are vault toilets and a well for water. The Shingle Mill Pathway runs through the campground. Each site comes with fire pit and picnic table. I've seen people tenting and I've seem people with large fifth wheels. Some sites are only big enough for tents but most sites can fit large rvs.
Scout
This campground has sites for RV’s and tents. Vault toilets that are cleaned daily. Small lake with a beachfront. No motor boats allowed. We come every year!
GuideThis is a family owned campground that is about half seasonal lots and half daily lots. The daily lots are large with room for a couple tents or even a travel trailer and tent. There are two bathroom buildings with showers, which were always clean. When we were there the campground was quiet and the owners were laid back and helpful.
There are ORV trails on the campground property, as well as a good sized playground. There are nearby lakes and drop-in points to the Au Sable River for kayaking and canoeing, and Hartwick Pines is down the road with hiking trails. Grayling and Gaylord are both within a convenient distance. I'd happily camp here again!
Scout
Pprivate. Modern and Rustic, so tents don't need to be in a Zoo of RVs. Tons of trails, great kayaking and canoeing
Scout
This place was so cute and the owners were very friendly. I tented with my 2 kids here for the weekend and will be going back for sure 😁
Traveler
Loved camping on this lake. We hauled our canoe loaded with our tent and amenities on a dolly the half mile or so back to the camp sites. Some of the best catch and release artificial lure only fishing. Loved watching the loons on the lake.
RangerWe 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
Guide
Stayed here before the 4th of July for the weekend and was really impressed with the facilities and size of spaces at the campground. For being such a busy campground (since there is a boat launch) the sites are still quite large! We were able to fit 2 large tents, a small tent, 2 cars, 1 boat trailer and a sun shade for our gear with plenty of room to spare.
The restrooms (which I am told were recently renovated) were very clean.
The beaches were well maintained and plenty of space to moor boats overnight.
In addition to the boat launch there is also a camp store down the road with tons of snacks, camping gear/utensils, and Higgins lake souvenirs.
I will definitely return again! Be sure to catch a sunset from the campground beaches, you won’t regret it!
If you aren't familiar with this lake it is extremely clear (see video) and very large, there are 2 sandbar areas which are very popular providing 3-4 feet water to hangout in.
Scout
Pure Michigan
Scout
The Lake gets 5 stars, so if you’re going to kayak or boat, you’ll love it. The campground is filthy. Took me 1/2 hour to clean up the trash and cigarette butts before I could set up my tent. I kept smelling a horrible smell, then realized the dumpster was across the road wafting to my campsite, my mistake for picking this site. The campers next to me are cutting through my site (right in front of my tent) to go to the beach. Someone stole my fire wood and the neighbor ran their generator all night. Now mom has been screaming and swearing at her kids to wake up for over an hour. Starting at 7am. Now they’re up, screaming and blowing whistles. Never again.
Tent camping near Roscommon, Michigan offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the serene beauty of the area. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to pitch their tents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Roscommon, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Roscommon, MI is White Pine Canoe SF Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 4 reviews.
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