Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Sand Lake, MI has a lot to offer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Michigan camping adventure.
"There is a bike path that goes all the way i to Tawas. About 9 miles. It goes thru the woods and is just lovely with jasmine and lilac bushes and views of Lake Huron."
$50 - $300 / night
"We stayed in the Lakeside cabins. Amazing views! We went kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and fishing. The wildlife is plentiful and the lake is full of fish. The staff are fantastic."
"The vault toilets do need some attention."
"I wish I would have picked a different spot as I was right next to the bathroom but it was fine. Plenty of fire wood around the collect with access to trials and the river."
"This is not a drive-up campground."
"I took a hike around the lake and it was wonderful.The hike wasn't too hard and is perfect for everyone. It was only 4 miles for the whole thing."
"Went 3 years back for a mid day hike in the winter and it was gorgeous with snow and ice! The campsites are first come first serve and they are rustic. If you are a minimalist, this loop is for you!"
"Not heavily trafficked, and most of the campsites have a pretty decent set up from past campers. Depending on your route, you can make this hike long or short."
TravelerIf you're looking at getting into backpacking or unsure if backpacking is for you, Negwegon is a great place to start. First of all, each of the sites are only a mile or two away from the parking lot of the park. This gives newbies the chance to take a small hike in for that backcountry feel. Second, each site has a fire ring and picnic table... and a vault toilet. This means you get a few of the comforts of car camping but with beautiful views of Lake Huron and limited interaction with humans. Staying at Blue Bell, site #1, we were treated with Lake Huron just about 100 feet away from our campsite. We had the chance to check out site #3– for those that love sand, that is the spot for you.
As for the camping site overall, #1 is a great start. It is about 75 feet off of the trail, but in the fall, foot traffic was very limited. The wind provided us with plenty of fallen limbs and brush to start a fire. If you pack a hatchet, options are expanded to larger fallen branches. There are a few spots on the site to pitch your tent– with it being windy, we setup tucked in a flat area surrounded by thick evergreen trees that provided wind protection. Lake Huron is very clear and we filtered about 10 cups of water to drink throughout our stay.
Going in mid-fall, be prepared for that breeze blowing off of the lake, we came prepared for the cold, if you don't, you'll be miserable. Upsides of camping in the fall, limited to no bugs. We didn't have any issue with bugs and in fact, we saw no wildlife at all– even including a hike up past site #4.
ScoutSand, pine trees, vault toilet, fire ring, gorgeous views, serenity, bear pole - my family adores this place. It is possibly the nicest camping we've done in Michigan. Water filter is a MUST unless you want to walk to the parking lot every time you need potable water. None of us ever got sick drinking the filtered lake water. Kayaking and canoeing in is easy. We have walked in, too. Having a wheeled cart is nice for bringing in large family-sized tents and other heavier items.
LegendThis place was really nice and not very busy. It’s on a beautiful lake that is great for swimming and boating. It has a few walk in sites that have beach access. All sites include picnic table and fire pit. Shared rustic vault toilets available. There is a nice boat launch located within the campground as well.
GuideWe spent three nights at Canoe Harbor in mid-September 2020 and thought it was wonderful. Campsites were spacious and had nice stands of trees in between to provide privacy. Fire rings had a great design. Vault toilets were kept clean and stocked. Paths from campsites connect to the Au Sable and to hiking trails. We loved this campground.
RangerThis rustic campground is right on the ORV route. This means you can camp here and even ride in you Jeep or side by side right from camp.
I stayed here and rode dirt bikes from jere and swam in the lake afterwards. It was refreshing and there is a small sandy area to swim out of.
The lake is very peaceful and quiet. Great for kayaking or canoeing! There are no houses on the small lake and it is typically calm water.
The campground has vault toilets, camp fire rings, and picnic tables. The fee is $15 per night and is paid at the entrance.
There is a water pump here so fresh water is available. There is also a dumpster for your trash.
I will be coming back as it is easy to get to as well.
RangerSleeper State Park Campground is located a few miles north of Caseville, MI. This is a modern campground, and has 226 camp sites, and 1 mini cabin. The campground sits right off of M25, so I recommend getting a site towards the back. We unfortunately were only able to get sites at the front and the road noise was obnoxious, 3 a.m. cars and trucks flying by. Campground, bathrooms, and showers were all kept very clean. Most sites are set up for trailers, and RV’s, and tents. There are a few sites that are tent only sites. Each site has a picnic table, fire pit and electric hook up. There is firewood available at the park office for $5 a bundle, they also rent kayaks $10 for 2 hours or $40 for the day. The campgrounds host site has coffee, tea, and hot chocolate available in the mornings. They also offer activities in the afternoon. Across M25 and part of Sleeper State Park is the beach, and picnic area. There is a walkway overpass that goes over M25 making for a safe walk from camp to the beach. The beach area has a bathroom and drinking water. There are charcoal grills, and picnic tables in the picnic area around the parking lot. The beach is a lovely stretch of shoreline along the Saginaw bay.
GuideRustic first come first serve sites. Well water pump and vault toilets. No shower. We started on spot 8 but moved to 21 after one night - 8 was near the toilets and you get the occasion whiff of poop while 21 is on lake and more secluded. All the spots are very large with picnic table and fire pit. No grate for cooking so be sure to pack. The lake is small but good for kayak & paddle boarding. Areas of sand but fairly murky. We swam and floated for a few hours in tubes. My friend did catch a handful of bluegill.
RangerWe absolutely love camping here weather it’s in a tent, hammock or RV we have always loved camping here.
Night sounds are so relaxing.
We typically do the sites closer to Mio sites 1-6
Plenty of trails and fishing.
No water No electric No sewer
LegendI was super excited to visit this place because I heard good things... but I was a bit disappointed. The campground itself is more of an open field and there isn’t much for privacy or even tree cover. The lake was nice but pretty weedy and there were only 1 or two campsites that even had lake access. All the sites had the standard fire pit and picnic table but nothing else very exceptional about this place.
Tent camping near Sand Lake, Michigan, offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of outdoor activities. With several well-reviewed campgrounds in the area, campers can find the perfect spot to set up their tents and unwind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Sand Lake, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Sand Lake, MI is Browns Landing RV Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Sand Lake, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 32 tent camping locations near Sand Lake, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
