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.
