Bay City State Park Campground houses upscale glamping accommodations including yurts with electrical hookups, comfortable sleeping arrangements, and access to modern restroom facilities with showers that are "cleaned 2-3 times a day or more as needed." Tawas Point State Park also features glamping-style yurts for visitors seeking a more luxurious outdoor experience. Both locations provide electricity, picnic tables, and fire rings at their glamping sites, while maintaining proximity to natural attractions. The eco-friendly accommodations blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment while offering resort-style amenities not found in traditional camping. One guest shared, "The sites are good size, very shaded. Bathrooms are clean. Lots of things to do here as you are right across the street from the beach."
Rifle River Recreation Area's Grousehaven Campground features distinctive yurt rentals with thirty-amp electrical hookups, maintained shower facilities, and trash service—a significant upgrade from their rustic camping alternatives. Visitors can access numerous hiking trails, fishing spots, and bird watching opportunities directly from their glamping accommodations. The recreation area's location provides convenient access to Devoe Lake for water activities while maintaining a sense of natural seclusion. The nearby Northern Bear Paw RV Park extends the region's resort-style camping options with year-round availability and full hookup amenities. According to a camper, "We saw white egrets, blue heron, sand pipers and their babies. There is a long paved bike path we had a deer pass within 6 feet of us and enjoyed hiking out to the watch towers."
"Campground offers many amenities and with the river right on site there is so much to do. We always go tubing and kayaking. Bathrooms and showers are decent for a campground."
"It sits along the Rifle River next to Rifle River Campground and Whites Campground. The campground is huge and offers so much!"
"Fire pit. Sites are electric only. Recommend to have extension cord for some sites, as plug in can be far. Website has pictures for sites and will advise if lot gets wet."
"Each site has a cement fire ring and electric hookup. There are communal water spickets generously scattered around the grounds. The bathrooms and showers are very clean."
"Great walking paths."
$20 - $50 / night
"It is an important stopping point for the migratory pattern of warblers in the spring, and has a very nice nature walk."
"We stayed on site 70, and while it was crowded, we didn’t mind. We were close by to the boat launch, and just a short walk to the bathroom; not too far and not too close either."
"The site was easy to find, spacious, and had adequate distancing from other campers. It included a fire pit and picnic table too. The lake was serene in the early mornings and evenings."
"This here is one of my favorite campgrounds in Michigan. The facilities are clean and kept up. All access to trails, lakes and the river are close and easy to get to."
$40 - $50 / night
"It’s sits on the Au Gres River trail to the river with seating, picnic table and fire pit. The grounds are immaculate. Very peaceful setting."
"Pulling into the campground you notice a warm and welcoming couple greeting you, as if your were long lost cousins. The campsites are nicely laid out with comfortable amenities."
"General: A real hodgepodge of options: paved sites, sandy sites, some with electric, hammock sites, several different types of cabins, and domes."
"This park is in a great location—The Thumb felt quite isolated."
"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."
"We were in the lower unit and stayed on site 3. The lake is absolutely gorgeous and is paddle only, no motors of any kind."
"The day use beach bathroom was our first stop...not the cleanest. But the beach was nice as were the trails. Once in the camp itself, we loved how much better it was than Tawas."
TravelerIt is very nice and extremely clean. However it is kind of cramped. Sites feel close and everyone was very nosey. Pet beach is nice. Water is beautiful. Convenient location. People didn't listen to rules such as quiet hour and let their badly behaved dogs run loose. Bath house is extremely nice! All in all, I would camp here on an off day/season.
GuideNice and clean. I’m in the inner loop though and the sites are very close together. If I came back I would definitely try to stay out the outer loop. Electric, fire pit, and picnic table on site. No grate. Showers and bathrooms available.
GuideWe were greeted at the gate by an extremely helpful and knowledgeable gentleman. He provided good directions, and helped us with our Rec Pass.
The site was easy to find, spacious, and had adequate distancing from other campers. It included a fire pit and picnic table too.
The lake was serene in the early mornings and evenings. Listen for the woeful call of the loons. What a treat!
Word of caution, the raccoons start partying as soon as you bed down. Make sure your food and trash is adequately covered/contained.
Campground has vault toilets. We never used them but good to know they have them.
TravelerThis place is gorgeous. Owners have done a great job with the property. Pine trees left intact. It’s sits on the Au Gres River trail to the river with seating, picnic table and fire pit. The grounds are immaculate. Very peaceful setting.
TravelerBathroom was clean, site was large surrounded by tall pine trees. Picnic table was HC accessible. Fire pit ring. I'm a motocamper and suited my needs. No trash, so take what you brought in plus some.
LegendGeneral: A real hodgepodge of options: paved sites, sandy sites, some with electric, hammock sites, several different types of cabins, and domes. Our stay was in 2023, and this review is based on that, but the campground was closed for the 2024 season for upgrades.
Site Quality: Varies greatly. We were able to secure two different sites for our two-night stay. Upon arrival, however, we doubted we would be able to navigate our 18-foot camper van into Site 58– it was sandy, narrow with trees, and cars were parked alongside the narrow access road, making backing in very difficult to impossible. We were able to switch to Site 69 for the first night. The second night we were in site 56 and enjoyed listening to the waves lapping up against the shore. Not all sites are level. Little privacy/separation between sites but if you can score a waterfront site, then it’s all good. Sites 93, 95, 95A, 98, 99A, 101, 103, 105, and 107 back up to the old river channel and the water was very stagnant and green. The beachfront sites mostly have nice views of Saginaw Bay/Lake Huron but be cautious when selecting: some are sand and not level. You will hear road noise from M25 on the 19 sites that back up to the road (and also some of the sites opposite these).
Bath/Shower: Two bathhouses (east and west) plus a couple of vault toilets. The East Bathhouse was very modern and clean. The West Bathhouse looked to be a bit older but still seemed fine.
Activities/Amenities: Beach access, fishing, swimming, and an observation platform for bird watching or night sky viewing (the weather did not cooperate to check these out). There are nearby hiking trails, a playground, a basketball hoop, and a horseshoe pit. There is a dump station. Kudos to Michigan for extensive recycling!
We arrived late at night, and I was able to get in a nice walk around the campground before the rain started, dampening our options for the rest of the day. Obviously, our stay here would have been better with better weather, but I caution you to be careful when reserving your sites based on your type of camping. Despite the abundance of mayflies (gross but not biting) and the muddy sand-covered road from all the rain, we’d stay here again if we could get a beachfront site. We enjoyed our time here and would love to see what improvements were made when the campground was closed (although I thought it was very nice before).
GuideWe came in late for just a place to rest before heading further north. Drop box available after 10pm(summer). Between 8p-10p there is a yellow phone to check in with. Can book day of until 8pm online. Easy to get into late at night. Big lots. Fire pit. Sites are electric only. Recommend to have extension cord for some sites, as plug in can be far. Website has pictures for sites and will advise if lot gets wet. Staff was very friendly the next morning. Updated our rec pass at the park before leaving. Lots of trails and swimming beach near park.
GuideWe went on a family trip to the Tawas Pointe State Park. It is an important stopping point for the migratory pattern of warblers in the spring, and has a very nice nature walk. The nature walk leads out to the lighthouse by the bay, and comes up to the beach. The camp grounds have electrical and water access for RVs and campers, but people also camp out in their tents, and everything in between. There is a small playground that my daughter enjoyed, and a paved pathway through the grounds to Rollerblade/bike on. Most sites come with a fire pit. There is also a large dumpster near the entrance for waster disposal.
RangerTawas Bay is an awesome area to visit in the summer, and this state park is about the best camping you can get in the area. We stayed on site 70, and while it was crowded, we didn’t mind. We were close by to the boat launch, and just a short walk to the bathroom; not too far and not too close either. The bathrooms were clean, stocked, and had hot water for the showers whenever we needed it. On the opposite side of the bathroom, there’s even a full dishwashing sink, something I have yet to see at another campground. The ranger station has firewood and ice for sale, as well as maps and activity lists. As far as things to do at the campground, there are plenty of trails, including one leading to the lighthouse at the end of the point, as well as kayaks for rent at the boat launch. One thing I have to recommend it waking up early to catch the sunrise over Lake Huron. It is amazing! If you’re more of a night owl, sunsets are equally as great looking over the bay.
Locally there are tons of places to eat and things to do. Catch a sailboat race through the bay, head to any of the many beaches, or even walk through the small downtown. If you have a sweet tooth like me, there’s a super good chocolate shop called the Village Chocolatier, and an amazing place for ice cream called Marion’s. Totally recommend visiting Tawas, and staying at Tawas Point State Park!
Camping options near Standish, Michigan extend throughout the Saginaw Bay region, with most campgrounds situated along rivers or near Lake Huron. The area experiences warm summers with average July temperatures around 82°F and cold winters, making May through October the primary camping season. Winter camping is limited to select locations like Northern Bear Paw RV Park that offer year-round accommodation options.
Paddle the Rifle River: Access multiple launch points at River View Campground & Canoe Livery where "the campground is huge and offers so much" including "numerous playground areas, volleyball, horseshoes, and even an arcade area." Campers frequently mention tubing as a highlight, with one visitor noting it's "nothing like grabbing a tube a flowing down the river with friends."
Bird watching at Grousehaven Lake: The lake at Grousehaven Campground prohibits motorized boats, creating an ideal environment for wildlife observation. The "paddle only, no motors of any kind" rule helps maintain the "crystal clear" water quality. A camper shares that "there's also lots of hiking trails and even an archery range" in the recreation area.
Beach activities: Port Crescent State Park Campground offers "great sandy beach" access with "nice bathrooms and showers." The park includes geodomes and mini cabins for those seeking luxury glamping in Standish, Michigan area. Families appreciate that the "grounds offer bathrooms and showers, as well as electric and water for RVs."
Spacious sites: At River View Campground & Canoe Livery, the "rustic sites along the river in section 'N' were very large and spacious spots" though "Sections L and M seemed to be tightly packed in." Campers appreciate that "there are a lot of trees to provide shade during the hot days."
Clean facilities: The Devoe Lake Rustic Campground facilities are "clean and kept up" with "all access to trails, lakes and the river are close and easy to get to." One visitor mentions it's a "great location to bring family and pets," highlighting the area's pet-friendly nature.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Bay City State Park Campground features a nature trail around the lagoon that's "a birder's dream" where visitors can spot diverse wildlife. "The nature trail around the lagoon is a birder's dream. We saw white egrets blue heron, sand pipers and their babies. There is a long paved bike path we had a dear pass within 6 feet of us."
Site selection matters: At Port Crescent State Park, "the sites on the front row by the water are the best" with "amazing sunset views and quick access to the beach." However, "the sites closer to the beach are very sandy. Larger campers may get stuck, especially after a rainstorm."
Reservation timing: Popular parks fill quickly. For Port Crescent, "during summer months, it books up 6 months in advance. So learn their online reservation system and be quick at it if you have a specific site in mind."
Weather preparedness: The Saginaw Bay area can experience sudden storms. At Port Crescent, "when storms come in, make sure you have everything put away and your tent staked down reeeeeal good, cause I've definitely seen 60mph+ winds and tents end up in the trees."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Standish, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Standish, MI is River View Campground & Canoe Livery with a 4.6-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Standish, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 glamping camping locations near Standish, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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