The South Lyon area features a unique mix of wetlands, forest, and mixed-use recreation land across gently rolling terrain with elevations between 850-950 feet. Campsites near South Lyon, Michigan provide access to both the Huron River watershed and the Highland Recreation Area chain of lakes. Winter camping options remain limited, with most sites closing from early November through mid-April due to Michigan's heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.
What to do
Inflatable water fun: Bishop Lake in Brighton Recreation Area features Jump Island, a floating water park. "Such a cool place to enjoy with the kids, we had a blast at Jump Island!" notes Jillian E. The attraction costs $15 for a 45-minute session, though campers can "follow on Facebook for coupons" according to Beth G.
Mountain biking: Pontiac Lake Recreation Area offers extensive mountain biking trails that connect to the campground. "World class mountain bike trails" are mentioned by Christie V., who notes this is a key attraction alongside the "nice big lake." The trail system accommodates various skill levels with loops of different difficulties.
Backcountry hiking: For those seeking a more immersive experience, Blind Lake Rustic Campground requires a 7-mile hike to access. "Hiked the complete potawatomi trail (18 miles) great site for lakeview but #3 looked to be the best with swimming access," shares Michael S. Hikers should "keep your head up as there are many mountain bikes on the trail."
Kayaking access: Multiple lakes across the recreation areas provide paddling opportunities. "The beach was nice but you have to walk a trail to get to it from the campground or drive. Nice walking trails. Our favorite was the lake for kayaking," writes Debra B. about Bishop Lake Campground.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Murray Lake Campground offers "large sites with walls of greenery separating the campsites" according to Jennifer H., who adds "this is rustic camping at its best." The campground features "small fishing lake for paddling" with mountain bike and hiking trails running through.
Clean modern facilities: Campers consistently note bathroom quality as important. At Proud Lake Recreation Area, "the bathrooms are BEAUTIFUL. They must have been recently renovated because they are spacious, tiled, well maintained, and very modern feeling for a campground," notes Jennifer O. Another camper, Laura M., emphasizes that "the grounds, the sites, the bathrooms and the showers are all impeccable."
Waterfront access: Many South Lyon area camping locations offer direct water views. At Haas Lake Park, Joseph S. describes "very clean, quite, Beautiful campgrounds" with "waterfront, fire rings, clean water, full hook ups." The campground offers "very reasonable weekly and monthly rates" according to Josh B.
Urban convenience with rural feel: Despite proximity to metro Detroit, many sites maintain natural character. Pontiac Lake Recreation Area provides "wooded and up north feel" despite being close to urban areas, according to Christie V. At Proud Lake, one camper noted it's "tucked away in an oasis of water, greens, and wildlife galore" while still being close to amenities.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Michigan Recreation Passport ($12/year for residents) is required at state recreation areas. Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for summer weekends. For Blind Lake Campground, "reservations can be made ahead for 1 of the 10 sites" with a "$17 campsite fee if done at the Ranger Headquarters" while "advance reservations have an additional $8 fee," notes Pat W.
Bug preparedness: Ticks and mosquitoes are prevalent, particularly at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area. "There are tons of mosquitoes and ticks, so make sure you bring bug spray," warns Kristina J., who notes her group "had to triple check each other and our pets for ticks" with at least one found nightly and "over 30 mosquito bites" from a single trip.
Wildlife encounters: Multiple campgrounds report active wildlife, especially after dark. At Appleton Lake Campground, Angie H. reports that "once it got dark, we were fighting off about 10 raccoons all night." Another camper advises "make sure that all food and garbage is secure at night, the raccoons have no fear."
Site selection factors: Terrain varies significantly between sites. At Proud Lake, Jennifer O. notes "there's a severe hill from the back part of the loop towards the lake - at one point I was worried an improperly locked down camper would roll straight through our tents!" Site privacy also varies - some campgrounds offer secluded sites while others are more open.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Camp Dearborn offers extensive family programming. "Activities almost every night. Paddle boats, mini golf, golf, and more," notes Ryan S. The campground features "lots of beach area and water to fish or swim" making it a complete family destination.
Theme weekends: Several area campgrounds host special events. According to Justin G., Proud Lake offers Halloween camping where you can "decorate your site and the kids get dressed up an go trick or treating in camp, there's a costume contest and hay rides, fun family atmosphere."
Beach access considerations: Water features are a major draw for families, but location within campgrounds varies. At Bishop Lake, "the beach is pretty good for swimming" according to Mike B., though others note requiring a walk or drive to reach swimming areas. One camper mentions Bishop Lake has a "big playground and nice bathrooms" along with "lakes for swimming and can take your pet as well!"
Noise levels: Family-friendly doesn't always mean quiet. At Camp Dearborn, Mary W. notes there are "lots of activities for the kids" but also mentions "lots of rules to follow." Another camper described a campground as "very crowded and people were very rowdy late into the night and obviously intoxicated" with "karaoke machine set up" - potentially disruptive for families seeking natural quiet.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Haas Lake Park RV Campground provides full-service options. "We have a pull thru that was very spacious with a long driveway. Nice lake view across the road," reports Karen C. The park offers "weekly and monthly rates" making it suitable for longer stays.
Electrical access quirks: At Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, campers should "bring extension cords; some hook ups are exceptionally far away from the designated RV parking pad," warns Mary H., who found the "hook up in this specific site was considerably far away."
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds feature uneven terrain. Brighton Recreation Area campers noted some sites are "on an incline and that made it hard to get in and out of our fifth wheel."
Seasonal considerations: While most campgrounds operate April through November, Bishop Lake in Brighton Recreation Area and Proud Lake Recreation Area offer year-round access, though with limited winter services. Seasonal campers should note that "most campers are seasonal residents making it difficult to get a decent spot for weekend campers" at some locations like Haas Lake Park.
