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."
