Best Tent Camping near St. Johns, MI

Tent campgrounds near St. Johns, Michigan offer several rustic options for primitive camping experiences. Appleton Lake Campground in Brighton provides secluded tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables in a wooded setting. Crooked Lake Rustic Campground in the Pinckney Recreation Area offers tent sites with lake views and basic amenities for primitive camping setups. Camp Clear Sky and Deerfield Nature Park also maintain tent-only areas with varying levels of accessibility and amenities.

Most primitive tent camping options around St. Johns feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, with vault toilets available at most established campgrounds. Drinking water is limited at many locations, with Appleton Lake and Crooked Lake offering minimal facilities consistent with their rustic designation. One camper noted that Appleton Lake has "sites that were fairly secluded from each other," though they mentioned vault toilets were not always well maintained. Campers should verify seasonal availability as some sites close during winter months, while others like Wheel Inn Campground remain open year-round.

The tent camping experience near St. Johns provides a natural setting with varying degrees of seclusion. Many tent sites are nestled among mature trees, offering shade and natural boundaries between campsites. At Crooked Lake, tent campers can enjoy "awesome views of the lake," according to a visitor, creating a wilderness atmosphere despite being relatively close to urban areas. Deerfield Nature Park requires a one-mile hike to reach tent sites, offering more seclusion for those willing to carry their gear. Wildlife encounters are common, with reports of raccoons being particularly active at Appleton Lake Campground. Proximity to trails makes these tent camping locations suitable for hikers and nature enthusiasts seeking day excursions from their primitive tent setups.

Best Tent Sites Near St. Johns, Michigan (12)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near St. Johns, MI

10 Photos of 12 St. Johns Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near St. Johns, MI

307 Reviews of 12 St. Johns Campgrounds


  • Neil T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2021

    Seven Lakes State Park Campground

    Great waypoint when camping across the UP

    Vibe: Woodland getaway with no flash and really nice sites. 

    Cleanliness: Sites are above average. Vault toilets are…vault toilets. 

    Facilities: Nothing flashy. Wish there was a few additional water filling points and that the dumpsters were all located near the camp entrance/exit. But really nothing to complain about. 

    General spots: Large, very well treed, gravel, picnic table and fire ring. 

    Privacy: Can see neighbors through sites, but better privacy than most places. 

    Our site: 39. Could drive circles around inside it. Even has a tree in the middle of it with room to drive all the way around it(not with a trailer). Depending where you set up your rig, you may need an extra long extension cord. 

    Noise: Quiet. Occasionally hear wolves howling. Cell signal(Verizon): 1 bar. No internet loads. Text messages will send and receive. Sometimes immediately, sometimes hours later. Other: Wish we had a chance to explore the lakes. Sounds like the swimming and fishing is good. Saw several kids on bikes toting rods.

  • Ryan F.
    Oct. 20, 2021

    Brighton Recreation Area

    Lake Murray Rustic Sites

    This was our first camping experience in Michigan, so we weren’t exactly prepared. My rating takes this into consideration.

    First of all, if it’s rainy or muddy, you might want to think twice about entering the rustic camping area. We have a 4Runner, so it was no problem but a few little cars did slide around and have trouble on the hill by our site.

    Our site wasn’t level, so we were rolling around a bit. If I went there again I’d try to find a spot towards the end of the loop by the exit. These sites were higher and some of them were private. I’d examine the map carefully because some of the sites were horrendously open and basically on the road. Maybe good for a vehicle with a rooftop tent or a trailer of some sort, but it would have been annoying for us. Site M22 was big and far enough away from other campers, but again not level. Probably a good location for a group of hammock campers.

    All that aside, the biggest problem was mosquito activity. The camping area sits on an inaccessible lake with a marsh area.

    When we rolled in the first thing we noticed was that everyone had screen houses set up.

    We didn’t have anything but our tent and a hammock with a big net so everyone got bitten up while cooking and hanging out by the fire. It was pretty miserable. Yes, I realize this is mostly our fault.

    I’ve since purchased a thermacell backpacker and some bug net hats and stuff. I’m looking into constructing an ultralight screen house that can be suspended from trees.

    The last problem was drunk campers hooting and hollering all night but that isn’t the camping areas fault.

    This place is super close to where we are living so I’ll probably schedule it next spring and come prepared. There are lots of nearby lakes and recreational trails so it’s a fun place to be with family.

  • beth S.
    Aug. 13, 2022

    Lansing Cottonwood Campground

    Primitive Sites!

    We came to the Lansing area for a family function and stayed at one of the Primitive Sites at Cottonwood Campground. The front of the grounds did seem a bit congested and not many trees, but we had a primitive site and it was everything we wanted. We camped in hammocks and had a pretty large site with great trees that could accommodate at least three to four hammocks (siteP5). Our site had a picnic table which was very helpful to have. 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.

    Overall was a good experience and staff were friendly and the primitive sites were over half empty. We will definitely come again.

    Second night, it had rained pretty much all day. Spiders came out at alarming numbers, mostly daddy long legs and the night before, raccoons had gotten into our food storage bins by undoing the side latches on them. The next night we made sure to house trash and food items in our truck.

  • Mike B.
    Sep. 3, 2018

    Appleton Lake Campground

    Quiet, private rustic campground

    I liked that this campground had sites that were fairly secluded from each other. Each site has a fire ring and ample space to park your vehicle and set up a tent or small trailer.

    My only complaint is the vault toilets were not clean and very full.

  • Mary T.
    Jun. 26, 2019

    Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    I know another great Michigan State Park

    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.  I would advise if you want to camp there on a weekend to make reservations well in advance.  We stay here because there are only 2 campgrounds in the Lansing East Lansing Area this being one of them and the other does not have all full hook ups and charges more.  When we visit our daughter at Michigan State University this is the place we stay,  20 - 30 minutes into the University depending upon the traffic.

    It has large wooded sites only electric but you can fill up the water at the dump station.  Each site has a picnic table and Fire ring.  Each campsite has a asphalt pad. They sell fire wood at the campground office. Bring what you need or you can go into St. johns to the Kroger or Walmart.  they have 2 main camping loops with 2 loops in each of the main loops and a shower restroom in each main loop.  The restrooms are very clean and kept up.  I love the showers  hot water and for me that is hot and great pressure, I could shower all day.  Sure beats our shower in the RV.

    The State Park is on Ovid Lake and it is a beautiful lake, great for fishing, canoeing, paddle boards, kayak, and swimming. they have a shelter for you if you have a big party.

    They also have a group campsite and a picnic area for large groups. d You can also bring your horses go to the Equestrian area and unload and get on the trail.  

    You can rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and paddle boards.  They also have a great play ground for the kids and a fishing pier. Bring Bikes or just hike on the trails and head down to the beach.

  • Maggie M.
    Aug. 4, 2018

    Seven Lakes State Park Campground

    A beautiful park!

    Seven Lakes has a great hike that takes you all around the lake, as well as smaller loops. You can find challenging hikes or an easy path. The campsites are close ish together but the one we stayed in was set in the woods, so we really didn’t have a problem with it. Sunrise is stunning here. Do make sure you bring plenty of bug netting/spray/gear if you come in the summer, the bugs are brutal.

  • Jamie H.
    May. 12, 2019

    Holiday Shores RV Park

    Disclosure: This review is from a newbie RVer's perspective with a 32ft. Travel Trailer!

    Holiday Shores has a good website that gives great info, however there is no booking online so you have to call. Which was super easy! The lady on the phone was very nice and completely understanding of our total lack of experience. We planned to golf during our stay so she thoughtfully put us in lot 511 which is relatively close to the pro shop!

    This place is conveniently located off M13 in Durand. The roads are in good condition which made for smooth travel... this is Michigan! We arrived after the office was closed but our paperwork was waiting for us just as promised. The park itself has nice roads as well. Making for easy navigation and maneuvering. 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!

    Holiday Shores has several ponds both large and small, which might make for good fishing but we never gave it a try. There is a swim beach and it's available after Memorial Day! You will also find several nicely paved paths up to 3 miles long. These were walking only which was sort of disappointing because we brought our bikes, however they were very nice to walk or go for a run! The attached 9 hole golf course was well maintained and had some tricky holes. There were changes in elevation and multiple water hazards... we may have lost some balls. The only negative is they currently do not have their liquor license but the new owners are working on it. Overall it was a fun, mostly challenging round of golf that is worth checking out!

    Breaking camp and checkout were easy as pie! The bottom line we can't wait to go back it was great time, with better people. We made new friends the first night there that truly made our stay memorable. Thank you again for all the hospitality!!!

  • Nathan V.
    Sep. 9, 2018

    Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    Beautiful Park

    Rangers working the area are very friendly. Many options to choose from in terms of camping, from rustic, tent to fully functional cabin lodging. The park is very large, so it is always good to have a vehicle able to drive to the trails and beach. Campsites are decent sized, can fit probably 3 four person tents per site, which includes a concrete firepit and picnic table. In the north campsites there is a lot of tree covering, and there are a lot of walnut trees that were shedding a lot this time of the year. Bathrooms are well spaced between the campsites you, and have showers along with some vending machines outside of them. Spigots are scattered throughout and are very accessible. Be sure to bring at least 100 feet of extension chord if you want electricity, because the power ports are not as accessible from some areas. Overall very pleasant campground.


Guide to St. Johns

Tent camping options near St. Johns, Michigan range from rustic sites to more developed campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The central Michigan region features rolling terrain with elevations between 700-900 feet above sea level, with a humid continental climate characterized by warm summers and cold winters. Camping seasons typically run from April through October, with some sites remaining accessible year-round.

What to do

Kayaking on Appleton Lake: The small lake offers calm waters ideal for paddling. "Appleton lake is perfect for kayaking or very small fishing boats," notes Melissa M., though she mentions there's "no real beach area at this lake."

Hiking wooded trails: Camp Clear Sky provides access to natural areas worth exploring. Paul K. mentions the "charming campsite" features "unexpected amenities" including an outdoor kitchen with running water.

Trail running: The mature forests surrounding camping areas offer great running opportunities. "Great trails - perfect for trail running," says Peter about the pathways near Appleton Lake Campground.

Wildlife observation: Campgrounds in the region host diverse wildlife. David F. reports seeing "a lot of colorful fungas" at Deerfield Nature Park, including a fascinating discovery: "at night we seen some blue chips glowing... it was from wood we had chopped. We found a log that was full of it."

What campers like

Secluded tent sites: Many campers appreciate private sites at certain campgrounds. "A nice, small, rustic campground with a lake access," writes Eric H. about Appleton Lake Campground.

Lake views: Waterfront camping provides scenic vistas. "The views of the lake are awesome," writes Jordan D. about Crooked Lake Rustic Campground, adding it's "a great slice of wilderness in this part of the state."

Boat-in camping options: Some sites offer multiple access methods. David F. notes about Deerfield Nature Park: "You can access by boat or its a 1 mile hike. Very peaceful, there is only 10 site and pit toliets."

Friendly atmosphere: Campgrounds foster community connections. "Campers are very friendly, management is beyond friendly," reports Mike L. about Pinckney Rails-To-Trail Campground, though he "would prefer more shade."

What you should know

Site selection matters: Choosing the right site affects your experience. Cathy E. shares her experience at Crooked Lake: "Staff helped us choose a site that had good views and felt private (SITE #22). It was a little slanted, but it didn't bother me. We could see the lake and had an outhouse right nearby."

Facility maintenance varies: Toilet conditions may be inconsistent across campgrounds. One camper mentioned that some vault toilets weren't well-maintained.

Campground closures: Some locations have ceased operations. Stuwart H. notes about Moon Lake: "Grew up here. I believe the campground area was shut down in 2012-2015."

Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for animal visitors. "The camp site itself was nice, but once it got dark, we were fighting off about 10 raccoons all night," warns Angie H. about Deerfield Nature Park.

Tips for camping with families

Start with beginner-friendly sites: Some locations are particularly suitable for first-time campers. "Great starter campground which is just what we wanted - my buddy and I took his 6 year old camping for the first time," shares D G. about Appleton Lake Campground.

Check for tick protection: Wooded areas may harbor ticks during warm months. D G. advises, "Watch out for ticks though" when camping at Appleton Lake.

Consider access difficulty: Evaluate how far you'll need to carry gear. For Deerfield Nature Park, David F. advises: "I do recommend going by boat as the hike with gear will wear you out."

Look for unique nature experiences: Some sites offer special encounters for children. At Wheel Inn Campground, Chris and Shy R. report a "very clean and nice camp ground" where "the ours are very nice and don't bother you."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. Cathy E. visited Crooked Lake "in my off-grid ready camper van" and found her site "was a little slanted, but it didn't bother me."

Limited hookup availability: Most tent camping sites near St. Johns lack RV amenities. Melissa M. clarifies that Appleton Lake has "very rustic and perfect for tents" sites, but they're "not for RVs and no hook ups."

Noise considerations: Campsite proximity can affect the experience. Jordan D. notes about Crooked Lake: "Wish there were better noise restrictions and the campgrounds were more separated."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near St. Johns, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near St. Johns, MI is Moon Lake Campground with a 3-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near St. Johns, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near St. Johns, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.