Best Campgrounds near St. Johns, MI

St. Johns is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near St. Johns, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near St. Johns and user-submitted reviews.

Best Camping Sites Near St. Johns, Michigan (90)

    1. Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Ovid, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 447-2757

    $25 - $101 / night

    "What can I say, I love the Michigan State Parks.  I find they are the best, Sleepy Hollow is not different and it has so many things to do. "

    "Quietly tucked into Clinton co Michigan. Sleepy is easily accessible. Its close to Lansing. There are shopping centers nearby. Country party store is closer!! Very large lake....Ovid is her name!"

    2. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park

    2 Reviews
    St. Johns, MI
    3 miles
    +1 (231) 238-8259

    "This is a smaller camping space and wished we could have switched to a bigger one, but everything was booked even tho no one was in the empty lots around us."

    3. Maple River Campground

    3 Reviews
    Pewamo, MI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 981-6792

    "September 9th 2017 I hosted a Kayak/Canoe trip and we used this location for our landing and camping. It was a great little location that even had some river side cabins you could rent."

    "They do have ice and firewood for sale there, but there isn’t a little store so you have to leave the campground and drive a few miles for that (so just do your best to remember everything!)"

    4. Lansing Cottonwood Campground

    11 Reviews
    Holt, MI
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (517) 393-3200

    $38 - $48 / night

    "There are a lot of wildlife noises, owls, frogs, crickets, etc. and you can hear some of the highway traffic but the nature sounds kind of drown it out."

    "Beautiful location, great owners, very clean and well kept. Nice Pool and great view. Kayakers and Paddle Boats. Uneven sloped site so come prepared. We love it!"

    5. Campgrounds R Us

    2 Reviews
    Owosso, MI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 721-9120

    "We were visiting family nearby and this was a convenient location. We found there to be a lot for kids to do."

    "If you drive a larger rig and have any concern about backing in, the owner is always willing to back your trailer in with the tractor. We have a 40’ fifth wheel and they have helped us every time."

    6. Just-In-Time Campground

    2 Reviews
    Hamilton, MI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 875-2865

    "Beautiful view of the lake and functional facilities make this a pleasant stay for a small family."

    "I think the lake is fully private so no license required to fish. and it's stocked.

    They have some nice little cabins and pontoon boats you can rent."

    7. Moon Lake Campground

    2 Reviews
    Haslett, MI
    18 miles
    +1 (517) 675-7212

    8. Ionia State Recreation Area — Ionia Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Ionia, MI
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (616) 527-3750

    $24 / night

    "There is a disc golf course, mountain bike trail, equestrian trails, hiking trails, a beautiful no wake lake perfect for swimming, kayaking, or fishing.   "

    "First let me say the rustic area is walk-in only. I was unaware of this until we arrived."

    9. Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds

    15 Reviews
    Cohoctah, MI
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 634-9782

    $31 / night

    "We were told to pick a place relatively close by for our first RV trip. We are so glad we picked Walnut Hills Family Campground in MI."

    "We were backed up to the pond with ducks always coming around.  Very peaceful and beautiful."

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Recent Reviews near St. Johns, MI

343 Reviews of 90 St. Johns Campgrounds


  • l
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Black Creek State Forest Campground

    Black Creek State Forest Campground

    Pull up, grab a registration envelope, look for a spot then part. Fill out the registration. Put one portion of it on the clip at the spot number market, keep another portion then return the completed envelope and $20 cash or check per night plus $19 for Michigan recreation passport (if you don’t already have one). They will mail you the passport, keep receipt for proof. Vault toilets available, some river spots, some secluded spots, clean. Saw DNR in the morning checking on everything.

  • Chris R.
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Tyler Creek

    Absolutely garbage

    Had a reservation for 6 months and the day we were to arrive, we were told we could not have the site we prepared for because someone else wanted to stay longer.  Management has the right to alter your reservation without your consent or the courtesy of a phone call.  When questioned, the owner treated us like garbage and was rude as hell.  Would never recommend this place to anyone, stay away!!!

  • Shelly The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Waterloo Portage Lake Modern — Waterloo Recreation Area

    Had a good time, a little crowded

    We stayed for the weekend tent camping, getting to the site was a little crowded (alot of kids on bikes) our site was pavement but had some space to set the tent on the grass. I seen alot of sites with trees for shade. The vista walkway was across from us, it led right to the beach concessions. The beach walkway is handicap accessible. The fishing pier is new, has two benches and tables for your stuff. It is a bit of a walk to get to but is handicap accessible.
    There are two bathrooms throughout the loop and one at the beach. The park workers walk around and tell you about the activities they have that day. We enjoyed our stay there is alot to do

  • linda F.
    Jul. 19, 2025

    Snow Lake Kampground

    There are to many rules to keep up with.

    This campground used to be great. I don't know what happened I believe they have so many seasonal that they have become the bread and butter. Don't seem to care bout weekender. Every time you turn around there's another rule and/ or fee. It has gotten to the point we no longer enjoy the place. We will never come back! I understand having rules but this is ridiculous. They advertise all these amenities but ya got to pay for it all as well as the site rental. They have gone downhill in customer service. The office staff is very rude as well as the campground seasonal that patrol and watch your every move.

  • AmcPhotography
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Chesaning Showboat Camping

    Camping

    it's a alright campground,quit,few things it could use,like another playground ,water hookups,and WiFi other than that it's good.

  • Holly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Seven Lakes State Park Campground

    Family friendly

    The campground has a private lake that’s good for swimming and fishing. The sites are decently sized with most being easily gotten into with an RV. Plenty of hiking/biking trails easily accessed from the campground. Only 2 downsides to this campground are the showers (not very clean and very small), and it’s very busy.

  • N
    Jul. 7, 2025

    Indian Valley Campground & Canoe Livery

    horrible and don’t recommend

    Review for Indian Valley Campground– NOT Family-Friendly I would strongly caution anyone considering a stay here, especially families.• Staff Behavior: The staff are extremely rude and unprofessional. They seem more interested in enforcing inconsistent rules than providing any sort of hospitality. Expect to be yelled at by an older man who appears to take pride in confrontation. The cleaning lady is especially unpleasant to deal with.• Facilities: The playground is in poor condition and unsafe for kids. Water sources were often overflowing and filthy—completely unacceptable.• Environment: Seasonal campers are often drunk and creepy, creating a very uncomfortable and unsafe atmosphere. One weekend, a man even exposed himself to others at the campground. That alone should disqualify this place as a family destination. Overall, the experience was terrible. Between the unpredictable rules, rude staff, unsafe environment, and unsettling behavior from other campers, I cannot recommend Indian Valley Campground to anyone—especially families with children.

  • K
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Bishop Lake Campground

    Fantastic Family Fun In The Sun!

    I have been visited bishop lake family campground since I was a little girl. My mom brought us here every summer to have the time of our lives! She came here every summer with HER mom before that! So on and so on. We now officially have 5 generations of bishop lake lovers! And what's not to love...from beaches to boats...from camping to cabin-ing, theres endless enjoyment to be had! For those looking to stay thr night, Bisho Lake h Will surely have the site that's right!


Guide to St. Johns

Camping near St. Johns, Michigan, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore the trails: Many campgrounds, like Fort Custer Recreation Area, have great hiking and biking trails. One visitor mentioned, "We took full advantage of the mountain bike trails which are very easily accessed from the campground."
  • Visit the beach: Campgrounds such as Bay City State Park Campground are close to sandy beaches. A reviewer said, "Beach, trails and children's solace pad, just an easy walk across the road."
  • Fishing and kayaking: Many lakes in the area are perfect for fishing or kayaking. One camper at Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground noted, "Walk-in site F was literally the perfect campsite... can kayak right up to it on the calm lake."

What campers like:

  • Secluded sites: Campers appreciate the privacy offered at places like Holly Recreation Area. One visitor shared, "Huge beautiful campground. Lots of privacy."
  • Clean facilities: Many campgrounds, including Bishop Lake Campground, are praised for their cleanliness. A reviewer mentioned, "The bathrooms are pretty far away as there is only one building, but they were very clean."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. At Haas Lake Park RV Campground, one camper said, "Haas Lake is quiet, clean and has friendly staff who are ready to help anytime."

What you should know:

  • Bug spray is a must: Many campgrounds are wooded, which can lead to bugs. A camper at Fort Custer Recreation Area warned, "It was EXTREMELY buggy. If you weren't covered in Deep Woods bug spray the whole time, you were getting bit."
  • Limited cell service: Some areas have poor cell reception. A visitor at Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground noted, "Verizon service was basically non-existent other than at the beach."
  • Check for amenities: Not all campgrounds have the same facilities. For example, Yankee Springs Recreation Area lacks showers, which some campers found disappointing.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places like Bay City State Park Campground that have playgrounds and splash pads. A reviewer said, "Great newer playscape and splash pad (!) for the kids."
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep the kids entertained. One camper at Groveland Oaks County Park mentioned, "There are lots of family activities like mini golf, kids bike courses and playgrounds."
  • Pack snacks and drinks: Having food on hand can save you trips to the store. A visitor at Holly Recreation Area suggested, "Don’t leave any food or garbage out ever or you will be robbed by a gang of raccoons."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Some sites may be too small for larger RVs. A camper at Holly Recreation Area advised, "Any site above 80ish is very hilly and may be difficult to level an RV."
  • Bring extension cords: Some sites have far-off electrical hookups. A visitor at Bay City State Park Campground noted, "Recommend to have extension cord for some sites, as plug in can be far."
  • Reserve early: Popular campgrounds fill up fast, especially on weekends. A camper at Groveland Oaks County Park mentioned, "A park employee told me they would be fully booked for the next two weeks."

Camping near St. Johns, Michigan, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds near St. Johns, MI?

Ionia State Recreation Area is highly recommended for its excellent outdoor activities including disc golf, mountain biking, equestrian trails, hiking, and a beautiful no-wake lake perfect for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. The beach is especially great for young children. Another excellent option is Seven Lakes State Park Campground, which offers numerous lakeside sites and is praised by campers as a fabulous destination. For those seeking a more private experience, Moon Lake Campground near Laingsburg provides a quieter setting close to St. Johns.

How much does camping cost at St. Johns, Michigan campgrounds?

Camping costs near St. Johns vary by amenities and location. At Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground, expect to pay around $20-30 per night for modern sites with electrical hookups. Reservations are recommended, especially for weekends. Pleasant Lake offers more affordable options around $15-25 per night with basic amenities. Most Michigan State Parks also require a Recreation Passport ($12 annually for Michigan residents or $9 daily for non-residents) for vehicle entry in addition to camping fees. County parks and private campgrounds may have different fee structures, with private facilities typically charging $25-45 per night depending on hookups and amenities.

What RV camping options are available near St. Johns, Michigan?

RV campers near St. Johns have several good options. Waterloo Recreation Area offers modern campsites with electrical hookups that can accommodate RVs, providing convenient access to Ann Arbor while still enjoying nature. Hell Creek Ranch & Campground is an excellent private option featuring electric, water/electric (30 amp), and concrete pad sites ideal for RVs. The campground is very clean with nice shower facilities. For those needing big-rig friendly options, Leisure Lake Family Campground near Sumner and Lansing Cottonwood Campground both offer accommodations for larger RVs with full hookup options.