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Best Tent Camping near Stanton, MI

324 Reviews

Tent campsites near Stanton, Michigan range from secluded walk-in sites to established campgrounds with basic amenities. Deerfield Nature Park offers primitive tent sites accessible via a one-mile hike or by boat, while Camp Clear Sky provides more accessible tent camping with some unexpected conveniences for backcountry tent camping. Haymarsh State Game Area and Tubbs Lake Island State Forest Campground are additional options within driving distance that accommodate tent campers seeking natural settings.

Most tent campgrounds in the Stanton area feature fire rings, picnic tables, and designated camping areas with minimal site development. Deerfield Nature Park has pit toilets but limited drinking water access, requiring campers to pack in their own supplies. Camp Clear Sky provides an outdoor kitchen with running water and flush toilets, unusual amenities for a tent-focused site. Several campgrounds, including Tubbs Lake Island State Forest Campground and Haymarsh State Game Area, offer boat-in access options for tent campers seeking more remote experiences. A recent review noted, "You can access by boat or it's a 1 mile hike. Very peaceful, there is only 10 site and pit toilets."

The tent camping experience near Stanton emphasizes natural settings and relative seclusion. Haymarsh State Game Area provides lakeside tent sites where campers can pull boats directly up to their campsite, with reviewers highlighting the private space and fishing opportunities. Tubbs Lake Island State Forest Campground features approximately 20 rustic first-come, first-served sites on what is described as more of a peninsula than a true island. For tent campers seeking isolation, reviewers recommend arriving early to secure sites on the island section, which offers more privacy than mainland areas. The sites at Deerfield Nature Park appeal to nature enthusiasts, with visitors reporting diverse fungal species and wildlife viewing opportunities. Forest cover provides shade at most sites, particularly important during summer months when temperatures can rise.

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Best Tent Sites Near Stanton, Michigan (13)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Stanton, MI

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Tent Camping Reviews near Stanton, MI

324 Reviews of 13 Stanton Campgrounds

  • J
    Jun. 9, 2019

    Mud Lake State Forest Campground

    Small campground, big ambiance

    This campground has the feel of a hike-in campground while being accessible by vehicle. It is located off the beaten path in the middle of nowhere, down a couple of well-marked dirt roads about 20 miles from the highway. There are only 8 sites, but each site is spacious. Sites are divided by small stands of trees providing some privacy from neighboring sites. 4 of the sites are facing the lake. Fire ring, picnic table, vault toilets and hand pump water. Surprisingly good cell reception. There is a dirt boat ramp, but only for trolling motor, canoes and kayaks. Very quiet campground.

  • Amanda L.
    Aug. 9, 2018

    Brower Park Campground

    Large Family Fun Campground

    There is something for everyone here. Tent, camper, or RV and fun for all ages with everything from 3 playgrounds, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and tennis courts, to a boat launch, fishing pier, and fish cleaning station. There is also a fairly large swimming area. The showers are actually nice and clean! The restrooms were surprisingly clean and modern as well. Firewood is available in bundles or loose and you stack it yourself. There are numerous picnic areas throughout the campground. There are picnic tables and fire rings at every site and hook up such as electric and water vary. Kids are riding their bikes all over, fishing, playing at playgrounds, the beach, everywhere. Everyone was very friendly. You probably don’t necessarily need a sleeping pad or air mat if you’re in a tent, but they’re always nice. The mosquitos weren’t bad at all! We stayed at site #226. You do need a county park pass, $6/day until 10pm or $25/year.

  • Christopher P.
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Spring Lake State Forest Campground

    Nice, very rustic, campground

    Nice park with dispersed sites. Hand pump for potable water and out houses for bathrooms. On a cute little lake ideal for kayaking or small boats. Not really set up for large TT, but people brought one in anyway. Close to US 131 and you can hear the traffic.

    Sites have fire rings and picnic tables.

  • Janessa L.
    Jun. 23, 2020

    River Country Campground and Livery

    Weekend Getaway

    A friend and I stayed two nights in a tent. The campground is on the smaller side. You mostly see campers and RVs, many who stay seasonally. It felt like a community where everyone knows each other well. The couple on the neighboring campsite were incredibly friendly, offering help with fire starters and a hammer to pound down the stakes on our tent.

    Our site had a fire pit, picnic table and electric hookup we used to charge cell phones. There wasn’t much shade but there are other shady sites in the campground.

    While the river site was scenic, mosquitoes were of course having a feast! There was a play area for the kids, volleyball net and horseshoe pit. The camp store had the basics with hard pack ice cream for sale. There’s also a game room off the camp store with pool, ping pong and laundry room for longer visits.

    You’re able to rent a tube, kayak or canoe to cruise down the Muskegon River. They were kind enough to shuttle us to the drop off point a couple of miles away.

    There is a restroom/shower building that’s kept quite clean. The ladies room had three separate showers and I never had to wait for a turn during my stay.

    It’s definitely a family campground so if you’re looking for a quiet camping trip, this place is perfect. It’s a bit far from the Detroit area for a weekend but I’d definitely return for a longer stay.

  • R. B.
    Jun. 25, 2018

    Newaygo State Park Campground

    Nice views, somewhat rustic sites

    We live in Kalamazoo and wanted a quick trip out in the tent for a long weekend. We chose the park for it's proximity to home and because of nearby kayak/canoe launches. We enjoy rustic camping and were a little let down with the lack of seclusion on each site (that's to be expected when car camping but the photos and website left us hopeful for more space than was offered). The sites are deep but many are close together. Ours had a little extra room but was next to the vault toilet. There are a few trails in the park that are pleasant and the views of the lake are nice. The staff at the time wasn't very helpful when we asked for nearby hikes. They only knew of a paved trail but on our way out of town we met a couple who told us of many river trails and other hikes nearby. Overall it's a decent place to stay. Personally, I don't find it worth it to have vault toilets and no shower if I'm still going to be in a fairly cramped campground. I'd prefer that they have hike-in sites or offer the amenities of car camping.

  • Natalie P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 10, 2021

    Spring Lake State Forest Campground

    Okay campsite

    My husband and I stayed here for what should have been the whole weekend. We ended up cutting our trip short.

    The campground itself seemed quite nice. Large, clean vault toilets. A water pump. No electric. Some of the sites seem more isolated than others. The sites were nice and big. The campground is right by the trailhead for some longer trails. There is a nice kayak/fishing lake surrounding the campground. We first set up camp at site #1, which is at the very beginning of the campground, and very close to the highway. It is separated from all the other camp sites, but next to the parking lot leading to the trailhead. We ended up moving to site #31, which was down a hill at the back of the campground. It is in front of a swamp that opens to the lake. This is a nice flat lot, with a lot of space. Quieter than the front of the park. Overall, the campground itself is pretty nice.

    The downsides: it's right next to the highway, so you hear traffic until around 1 or 2 am. There seemed to be some long-term residents who had a LOT of late night visitors who stayed for only 10 minutes or so. The last visitor came at 3 am. Seemed super sketchy. We did not stay the additional night due to the odd activity taking place at the other site near ours. I don't think I would stay here again, but this would be an enjoyable campground if the weird activity wasn't taking place.

  • Aaron Y.
    Jul. 28, 2018

    Ed H. Henning Park

    Nickel n Dimer

    Was $85 for a rustic, no electric, tent only site. Granted it WAS labor day weekend so ya know. Holiday rates. But even so. That was the cheapest method. Then there's a parking fee per day on top of your site fee that was also $6/day at the time. Great place to camp but not worth THAT MUCH just to pitch a tent for 2 nights.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 29, 2020

    Benton Lake Campground

    Larger sites in the woods along a lake

    In the Huron-Manistee National Forest is this rustic campground. The sites are really big and spread out. They are split between 2 loops. The first loop was almost filled so we checked the second one and found a site away from others. It felt like we were alone until we took a walk around the campground. Picnic table, fire pit and lantern stand are standard. Paved spots for rv’s with plenty of room for tents. Vault toilets are spread throughout. There is even a parking area for visitors. 

    We walked down the short trail to see the lake. The trail goes partially along the lake but it’s not very long. We saw 2 piers- one had a jet ski tied to it. Camp was quiet enough to hear the tree fall just outside our campsite. Would it still make a noise if we weren’t here? 

    This is a peaceful discovery that is perfect for a getaway.

  • Ryan M.
    Jul. 18, 2020

    Twinwood Lake Campground

    Small but well maintained

    This campground has five moderate sized sites with fire rings and lantern poles and a vault bathroom. I didn’t see any potable water but it is located on a beautiful lake. The lake isn’t ideal for swimming as it only has a gravel boat launch, but the lake is really nice and calm. It is connected to the north country trail and is very scenic. Located a short drive/hike from a small store.

Guide to Stanton

Tent campsites around Stanton, Michigan range from riverside spots to lakeside retreats across Montcalm County. The region sits approximately 850 feet above sea level with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Winter tent camping is challenging due to average lows of 15°F in January, making May through October the primary camping window when most seasonal facilities operate.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: At Haymarsh State Game Area, campers can fish directly from their lakeside sites. One visitor noted, "Our campsite was right on the lake where we were able to pull our boat right up to, plenty of private space, and so fun to fish."

Water recreation: Swimming beaches and water activities are available at several campgrounds in the region. Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground offers "2 beaches. Quiet at night. Kids biked around all day and everyone drives slow! Lots of shade, clean bathrooms, friendly staff!"

Hiking trails: Natural areas around tent sites provide exploration opportunities. At Woods and Water RV Resort, campers appreciate the "wonderful trails for hiking" alongside other amenities, making it suitable for visitors who want both natural surroundings and recreational facilities.

What campers like

Island camping: Tubbs Lake Island State Forest Campground offers a unique semi-island experience that campers praise. "Tubbs island was gorgeous! There is Tubbs mainland and Tubbs island and both you're welcome to but I recommenced staying on the island. It's more of a peninsula then an island but it's wonderfully cut off."

Quiet locations: Many campers value the secluded nature of camping areas near Stanton. One reviewer described Haymarsh State Game Area as "very quiet and secluded, nice get away, #11 is the best spot," highlighting the peaceful atmosphere that draws tent campers to the region.

Unexpected amenities: Some tent-focused sites provide surprising conveniences. At Camp Clear Sky, a camper was pleasantly surprised by "outdoor kitchen with running water and flush toilet were unexpected amenities. Not to mention the chickens keeping us company!"

What you should know

First-come-first-served policies: Several campgrounds require early arrival to secure preferred spots. At Tubbs Lake Island, "There are about 20 rustic sites on the island and all first come first serve so plan to get there early because it fills up."

Utility access challenges: Some sites require additional preparation for hookups. At Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground, campers should "Make sure to bring extra hose and extension cord as the water and electric can be a ways away from some sites."

Site preferences: Specific site recommendations can improve camping experiences. For instance, at Haymarsh State Game Area, site "#11 is the best spot" according to one regular visitor, while at Tubbs Lake, sites on the island section offer more seclusion than mainland options.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly beaches: Locations with swimming areas are particularly suited for family camping trips. One parent noted that Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground is a "Great spot for the family, 2 beaches. Kids biked around all day and everyone drives slow!"

Water activities: Some campgrounds offer additional water attractions beyond natural swimming areas. Woods and Water RV Resort features a "wonderful little swim area with water slide" that appeals to families with children.

Activity scheduling: Family-oriented campgrounds typically offer organized recreation. Woods and Water RV Resort provides "lots of activities" according to reviewers, making it suitable for families who prefer structured options alongside natural exploration.

Tips from RVers

Site access considerations: While many tent campsites are accessible by vehicle, RVers should check access restrictions. At Tubbs Lake Island State Forest Campground, access requires "a narrow dirt road over a nearly flooded over land bridge," which may present challenges for larger vehicles.

Bathroom amenities: Facility quality varies significantly between campgrounds. Clean facilities make a difference to campers, with one visitor to Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground specifically noting "clean bathrooms, easy access to lake, nice beach" as standout features.

Space between sites: Campground layout affects privacy levels. At Woods and Water RV Resort, "Sites are spacious. Easy to back into," which benefits both tent campers and RVers seeking adequate separation from neighboring campsites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Stanton, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Stanton, MI is South Shore Campground with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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