The St. Charles area sits along Michigan's Shiawassee River watershed, where the terrain remains predominantly flat with elevations rarely exceeding 650 feet above sea level. Most RV campgrounds near St. Charles, Michigan operate seasonally due to the region's cold winters, with typical camping season running April through October. Local parks experience average summer temperatures between 75-85°F during peak camping months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Bay City State Park Campground, you'll find multiple fishing spots including a lagoon area. "The nature trail around the lagoon is a birder's dream. We saw white egrets, blue heron, sand pipers and their babies," notes Jennifer H. The park's proximity to Saginaw Bay provides additional fishing access.
Golfing options: Holiday Shores RV Park offers an attached 9-hole course right on the property. "The attached 9 hole golf course was well maintained and had some tricky holes. There were changes in elevation and multiple water hazards," shares Jamie H. The course features several water hazards and terrain variations not commonly found in the region's typically flat landscape.
Water recreation: Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground provides lake access for paddlers and swimmers. "We did go for a short paddle on Ovid Lake, but again, no shade and HOT," reports Amy D. The park maintains a beach area, though it requires a walk or short drive from the main camping areas.
Splash pad access: Several parks offer water features beyond natural bodies of water. "There was a splash pad area for the kids which they begged to go to every day!" Samantha C. mentions about Bay City State Park. These water play areas typically operate from late May through early September.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Pine Ridge RV Campground offers varying site layouts. "We enjoyed this very quiet campground. It is not a family 'resort' style campground. Each site has full hook-ups and are a good size. Nice shade trees at most sites," reports Mary S. The campground maintains a more adult-oriented atmosphere compared to family-focused alternatives.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently note bathroom cleanliness as a key factor. "The bathrooms are key for me and are very clean. The showers are private and are quarter operated," Dawn W. shares about Pine Ridge RV Campground. Most parks in the region feature updated shower facilities, though operation systems vary between token, quarter, and timed options.
Tree coverage: Finn Road Park offers shaded sites. "Campground is very nice sites are concrete pads and level! Sites are mostly shaded," notes Dave P. The established trees provide natural cooling during summer months when temperatures can reach into the 80s.
Level sites: Several campgrounds feature cement pads that eliminate leveling needs. "Very nice, quiet and clean, everything you need, water electric, sewer, cement pad," lathan W. comments about Finn Road Park. These level sites accommodate larger rigs without additional stabilization equipment.
What you should know
Varying site sizes: Site dimensions differ significantly even within the same campground. Mitchell C. notes about Pine Ridge, "Nice pull through sites, some are tight, but none are impossible." When booking, request specific site dimensions if traveling with larger equipment.
Extension cord needs: Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park and other campgrounds may require longer power cords. "Recommend to have extension cord for some sites, as plug in can be far," advises Tanner G. about Bay City State Park. Standard 25-foot power cords often prove insufficient at certain sites.
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds in the St. Charles area operate only from April through October. Soaring Eagle Hideaway operates "April 1 to October 31" according to their listing information, with similar seasons at other parks.
Reservation requirements: "We have camped at Pine Ridge Campground for the past five years. Additionally, communication at this campground is poor — it's often hard to reach someone to even make a reservation, there's no automation and poor responsiveness," notes Kris H. Many campgrounds in the area lack online reservation systems, requiring phone calls during limited office hours.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Church Grove Park provides basic playground equipment. "Very nice little campground. Run by the Lutheran church. Gary is very welcoming and friendly," shares Deb H. The campground also features a prayer trail for quiet walks.
Water activities: Beach areas provide free entertainment for children. "We took a group of 6 adults and 3 kids to Bay City which was a pretty good drive for us. We had a lot of fun! Park was clean and located across from the lake," Samantha C. reports. Many families bring beach toys and water shoes for comfort on potentially rocky shorelines.
Bring bikes: The paved roads at Bay City State Park create ideal cycling conditions. "This is a great campground if you enjoy riding bicycles or going on nature walks with trails that seem endless," Nick B. recommends. Several campgrounds feature bike-friendly paths ranging from 1-3 miles in length.
Scheduled activities: Some parks organize family-friendly events. "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," Sarah S. notes about Bay City State Park. Activity schedules typically post monthly at park offices or on bulletin boards.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Holiday Shores RV Park offers cement pads that eliminate leveling needs. "Our lot had a cement pad which required no leveling. The electrical, water and sewer connections were all easy to access and each lot had a picnic table and fire ring," reports Jamie H. Request specific site numbers when making reservations.
Shuttle services: Outdoor Adventures Mount Pleasant Resort and Soaring Eagle provide transportation options. "This campground is a few miles from the casino, but offer free shuttles to the soaring eagle properties (including the water park)," Stephanie C. mentions about Soaring Eagle. Shuttle schedules typically operate hourly during daytime and evening hours.
RV lot characteristics: Michael G. notes about Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park, "Pretty basic campground with paved sites and a nice lake. Not much space, trees or privacy." Many RV campgrounds in St. Charles, Michigan prioritize utility access over spaciousness or privacy between sites.
Night lighting considerations: "It would be nice if there was an RV lights out policy at night. It's really hard to sleep in a tent when your neighbor's RV 'porch' light is on literally all night," advises Melissa H. about Bay City State Park. Light-sensitive campers should bring eye masks or request sites away from RV sections.
