RV camping options near Royal Oak, Michigan range from lakeside locations to fairground settings, with most sites located within a 30-40 minute drive of the city. The camping season in this region typically spans April through October, though some facilities offer limited winter accommodations. Most campgrounds in the area feature relatively flat terrain with a mix of wooded and open sites on predominantly sandy or clay soils.
What to do
Kayaking at Proud Lake: Water activities are popular at Proud Lake Recreation Area, where visitors can enjoy paddling on the Huron River. "Great lake to kayak on. Trails to hike on! We will go again for sure," notes one camper who appreciated the combination of water and land activities.
Mini golf and swimming: Family-friendly recreation options abound at Camp Dearborn, which offers multiple activities beyond camping. "Lots of beach area and water to fish or swim. Activities almost every night. Paddle boats, mini golf, golf, and more," reports a visitor who found plenty to keep the family entertained.
Mountain biking on trails: The trail systems throughout the region provide varying difficulty levels for cyclists of all abilities. "The trails available here are where I learned to mountain bike, they're not the easiest but they are not so challenging that you won't have fun," explains a Proud Lake visitor who found the trails appropriately challenging for beginners.
What campers like
Multiple lakes for fishing: The four-lake system at Haas Lake Park RV Campground provides ample fishing opportunities and scenic water views. "Arrived to a super friendly guy Chris that escorted us to our site. We have a pull thru that was very spacious with a long driveway. Nice lake view across the road. This location has 4 lakes," reports one visitor who appreciated the natural setting.
Clean, modern facilities: Many campgrounds have updated their facilities in recent years. "You need to know that this place is so so clean! The grounds, the sites, the bathrooms and the showers are all impeccable," states a Proud Lake camper who was impressed by the maintenance standards even during busy periods.
Halloween camping events: Seasonal themed weekends are highly rated by families staying at multiple campgrounds. "We've been here a few times. Very close to our house just a nice little getaway. We enjoyed the Halloween weekends. We decorate big and enjoyed other decorations as well!" shares a camper at Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA who takes advantage of the seasonal programming.
What you should know
Weather impacts on sites: Heavy rainfall can significantly affect camping conditions at some locations. "After only a few hours of moderate rainfall, we arrived to a completely flooded park," reports one visitor who had difficulty finding a dry site during wet weather.
Train noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise disruption from nearby rail lines. "Another big issue is how close it is to the expressway which is noisy and there are trains that go by during the night. There must be a few crossings near by because they blew the horn for 5+ minutes at 4:30am," cautions a camper at Harbortown RV Resort.
Cell service variations: Connectivity differs significantly between campgrounds, with some offering better coverage than others. "This place is beautiful and we'll absolutely be back! The entire facility was clean and staff couldn't have been friendlier. The only downside was the abysmal Verizon signal. I'm talking 3 mbps bad," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails St. Clair.
Tips for camping with families
Go-kart and arcade access: Activities just outside campground boundaries can provide additional entertainment options. "Next door to putt putt go karts batting cages and arcade - this was pricey but fun," shares a Harbortown RV Resort visitor who found the nearby attractions worth the extra cost for family entertainment.
Scheduled activities: Holiday weekends often feature organized events specifically for children. "They have activities for both children and adults, two beautiful beaches, a pool, tennis courts, and now a zip line," explains a Camp Dearborn visitor describing the family-friendly amenities.
Bathhouse locations: Consider site location relative to facilities when camping with small children. "Very large campgrounds... Quite the walk to the showers if you're staying up on the hill," advises a Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park visitor who found the distance challenging with family members.
Tips from RVers
Concrete pad availability: Driving surface quality varies widely between campgrounds in the region. "All concrete roads and pads. Basketball court, sand volleyball, playground, dog run, batting cages and go karts within walking distance," notes a Harbortown RV visitor who appreciated the solid foundations for their rig.
Site selection strategies: Taking time to inspect available sites before selecting can improve your camping experience. "I would suggest to come in the park and drive through and pick a spot that you like before making reservations," recommends a Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA camper who found significant variation in site quality.
Buddy site configurations: Some campgrounds feature sites with shared common areas. "A number of the campsites are 'buddy' sites meaning your patio opens to your neighbors so be careful which one you pick. This is pretty undesirable when the neighbor is a total stranger," cautions a Wayne County Fairgrounds visitor who preferred more private options.
