Best Tent Camping near Temperance, MI

Tent campers near Temperance, Michigan have access to several well-maintained campgrounds within a 30-mile radius, including White Oak Campground and Wiregrass Lake Metropark. These locations offer dedicated tent sites with varying levels of amenities and natural surroundings. Maumee Bay State Park Campground, located across the state line in Oregon, Ohio, provides additional options with spacious tent sites separated by privacy-enhancing vegetation.

Most tent sites in the area feature raised gravel or sand pads that provide good drainage during wet weather. White Oak Campground offers primitive tent camping with clean restroom facilities and free firewood, an uncommon amenity in the region. Wiregrass Lake Metropark maintains just three tent camping spots surrounding the lake, each with a fire ring, picnic table, and complimentary firewood box. The tent sites at these locations typically include basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, but limited electric hookups. Reservations are required at most locations, with some parks requiring online booking before staff departure at 4 PM.

The tent camping experience near Temperance provides opportunities for quiet nature immersion despite occasional traffic or aircraft noise. Areas with fewer campsites, such as Wiregrass Lake, offer increased privacy and tranquility. A visitor commented, "Wiregrass lake was a very nice camping atmosphere with only 3 camping spots around the lake so you're not packed in like sardines." White Oak Campground features spacious, sandy sites well-suited for tents and hammocks, with some sites situated near small streams. Most tent campgrounds in the region are situated within walking distance of hiking trails, fishing spots, and other outdoor recreation opportunities. One camper noted that White Oak Campground provides "nice flat sand pads for tents to set up on" and clean bathroom facilities, making it an excellent base camp for exploring the extensive trail system in Oak Openings.

Best Tent Sites Near Temperance, Michigan (16)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Temperance, MI

485 Reviews of 16 Temperance Campgrounds


  • Megan T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2019

    White Oak Campground

    Peaceful Greenery

    I had a friend's wedding at The Stables (which I didn't realize was 3 min away) and decided to camp here rather than get a hotel. I set up right at 3 at Site 7 - there's no check-in process or attendant. I hadn't printed my permit, so I wondered if I would get a visit from a ranger but all was quiet. The site was spacious, sandy, and well suited for both tent and hammock. The fire ring was in good condition and fire wood was already stacked. The property was well maintained and the bathrooms clean and cool - the women's did have some standing water from a leaky toilet it looked like. You can hear distant cars and some not so distant planes. Also, while all the sites are wooded the woods are not very thick so you can see and hear your neighbors pretty well. Site number three looks at the most secluded to me while site number four was pretty much in the open beside the bathrooms. Group sites were full sun it appeared. The stream behind my site was dry. Nice map and brochures at the parking area. Sturdy picnic tables.

  • L
    Oct. 15, 2018

    White Oak Campground

    BEAUTIFUL! 10/10 would camp here again!

    Campground is nicely kept, only 5 individual sites, has two group sites. Nice restroom facilities, FREE firewood available. Grey water sinks for dish cleaning. Picnic table and fire ring at each site. Parking is general, but close to each site. We were there on a Monday night, only had one other tent in the campground. Nice flat sand pads for tents to set up on!

    DOWNSIDE: MUST RESERVE ONLINE BEFORE 4PM. There is no walk-up service, and online site goes down after employees go home at night.

  • J
    Jun. 9, 2019

    Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area

    Rustic campground near civilization

    This campground is part of the Waterloo State Recreation area, about 6 miles north of Chelsea MI. Sites are decent-sized, not much privacy between some sites. Only a couple of sites overlook the lake. Picnic table, fire ring, vault toilet and hand pump water. Quiet little campground.

  • R
    May. 3, 2021

    South Bass Island State Park Campground

    Perfect Ohio Oasis

    We camp here at the beginning and end of the season where the bars are less crowded and the campground isn’t as booked.

    These lakeside campsites are stunning and even the one tucked further into the park have a lot of options too. From open areas where it would be fun to book a couple sites with friends, and some secluded for more privacy.

    We always stay lakeside because you cannot beat the view! We’ve stayed 103 and 114!

    One hint: be we are on the cliffs of Lake Erie, some sites you might have to hunt for soft ground to stake your tent.

  • Mike B.
    Sep. 5, 2018

    Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area

    Rustic Campground Close to Town

    I stayed here with my kids because it was close to home and town. It makes for an easy getaway for a night or two.

    It is rustic with just vault toilets. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring.

    The lake is not good for swimming as it is very mucky and covered in Lilly pads.

    It can fill up quick because it is close to town.

    There is a Yurt for rent here as well through the Waterloo Recreation web page.

  • Kate K.
    Aug. 22, 2019

    Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern — Waterloo Recreation Area

    A Wonderful Winter Getaway

    We stayed in the Southfork Rustic Cabin at the end of Feb and it was lovely much needed get away. The cabin was semi modern (solar lighting) but only a wood stove for heat. Small kitchen unit with table for eating. You had to hike in about a quarter mile to get there, and it sleeps four people with two bunk beds. There is an outside vault toilet behind the cabin. Lots of trails connecting the cabin to the rest of the park. Cheap too! Only $68 per night.

  • Jordan B.
    Sep. 3, 2020

    Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area

    Simple rustic camping with great access

    Greenlake rustic campground offers 3 pit toilets a hand pump and small garbage site. Sites are generally first come first serve though reservations are now taken since the Covid-19. Most sited are shaded and all have a fire ring. Not always 100% level ground but nothing un-tentable. 2 sites probably won't take a trailer but most are fine for small rigs. A major roadway passes along the other side of the lake making lake front sites noise until about 12am and rear sites sit near a wetland aka the boarder of the mosquito kingdom; neither of these problems are terrible if you plan accordingly.

    Please note this is a quiter campground filled with mtn bikers, day hikers, tent campers, anglers, small craft boaters, and thru hikers.

  • J
    Oct. 6, 2019

    Wiregrass Lake Metropark

    Great local camping area

    Wiregrass lake was a very nice camping atmosphere. There are only 3 camping spots around the lake so you’re not packed in like sardines. The atmosphere is very calm, quiet, and relaxing. The lake offers great fishing opportunities and doubles as a nice spot to sit by the water, enjoy the local wildlife and relax. Each site has a raised gravel pad for your tent, a picnic table, fire ring, and a trash and free wood box that is fully stocked. If your looking for a camping experience without being surrounded by a whole bunch of people this is it

  • Marg B.
    Jun. 14, 2018

    Lake Hudson Recreation Area

    Beautiful Nature, Dark Sky Rustic Camping

    Lake Hudson is a dark sky preserve full of trees, nature and a beautiful lake. The camping sites come with an electric plug in, a nice fire ring and a picnic table. They are cute sites. Most are not by the lake. There is a dumpster. The facilities are rustic. The facilities are port a potty type with wooden walls and cement floor. No showers. A hand pump well for water. The swimming part of the lake requires a drive. The Lake is beautiful with a sand beach, no wake boating and grills. However it is rustic so there is goose poo. The woods are beautiful. There is hunting. We had heard that some people partied there but the night we were there it was quiet and people were respectful. We had a beautiful fire and dutch oven dinner. We saw one cute racoon who ran away when I reacted. We were worried about mosquitos but we only saw one.


Guide to Temperance

Tent camping near Temperance, Michigan offers access to southeast Michigan's wetland-rich landscapes at an average elevation of 620 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F during peak camping months (June-August). Most campgrounds in the area sit on sandy soil that drains well after rainfall but requires tent stakes designed for looser ground conditions.

What to do

Birding and wildlife viewing: Oak Openings region near White Oak Campground offers exceptional bird watching opportunities. "I came for the birding and wasn't disappointed. Parts of this park are very built up as a resort feel but the nature center, shore swimming, and wilderness is still very nice," notes Dan N.

Hiking trail access: Connect directly to the 15.5-mile Scout Trail loop from your campsite. "I was able to park my car here in the morning, hop on the trail (which runs right through the campground), and return later in the day," explains Cassandra C. from White Oak Campground.

Fishing: Wiregrass Lake Metropark provides fishing access directly from campsites. "The lake offers great fishing opportunities and doubles as a nice spot to sit by the water, enjoy the local wildlife and relax," notes Joe C.

Water recreation: Kayaking and canoeing options available at several locations, particularly along the Maumee River. "There is an opening near the middle of the campsite which allows access, along with access for kayaks, which is pretty cool," reports Andy K. about Independence Dam State Park.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural barriers between tent sites. "One of my favorite things about this campground is that your spots are close together which is great for safety, however with the bushes and brush, it feels super private," writes Kayla H. about Maumee Bay State Park Campground.

Free firewood: Several campgrounds offer complimentary firewood, saving campers $5-10 per night. "The firewood is free, which is amazing. There is also a dish washing station near the restrooms, with a huge sink and hot water," notes Cassandra C.

Minimal crowding: Independence Dam State Park Campground provides a more secluded camping experience along the Maumee River. "The park itself is very narrow and long, and stretches down the Maumee River bank. It's very green with lots of trees and shade cover," describes Andy K.

Clean facilities: Despite being primitive sites, restrooms are well-maintained. "The restroom is cleaned regularly and maintained well, and it is relatively peaceful overall," reports Aaron from White Oak Campground.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most tent campsites near Temperance require online booking before staff departure. "MUST RESERVE ONLINE BEFORE 4PM. There is no walk-up service, and online site goes down after employees go home at night," warns Lisa T. about White Oak Campground.

Environmental conditions: The region's wet landscape means insect preparation is essential. "Bring the deep woods Bug juice as standing water seemed pretty much the landscape at any point that dipped 3 feet or more," advises Jacob N. from Wiregrass Lake Metropark.

Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience some traffic or aircraft noise. "It falls short of 5 stars as there was still a bit of road noise from the state highway a couple hundred yards away, as well as the large airplane taking off early in the morning at the nearby Toledo airport which woke us," mentions Aaron.

Site terrain: Most tent sites feature sandy soil or raised gravel pads. Kevin K. notes about White Oak: "We loved the hiking, bike trails, playground at Mallard lake area, and the kids liked exploring the sand dune area."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Cannaley Treehouse Village offers unique accommodations popular with younger campers. "This little village was so much fun for my 2 little people! I think 1 night is plenty as the site itself doesn't offer a ton of amenities but there are some trails that you can walk/bike without leaving base," shares Leah R.

Weather preparation: Even summer evenings can get cool in this region. "My only tip would be to bring plenty of bug spray in the summer, there are lots of bugs that come off the lake. Also make sure you bring jackets and blankets, even in the summer it can get pretty cool in the evening," advises Kayla H.

Bike-friendly paths: Several campgrounds feature flat, paved trails suitable for children of all ages. "It is also an amazing place to ride bikes, everything is flat and there are also plenty of bike paths," states Kayla H. about Maumee Bay State Park.

Playground access: Some campgrounds provide play areas within the park system. Kevin K. mentions, "We loved the hiking, bike trails, playground at Mallard lake area, and the kids liked exploring the sand dune area."

Tips from RVers

Site selection: At Maumee Bay, certain sites offer full hookups. "Sites 1-11 and 21-29 have full hookups (water, sewer, electric). The park is very well maintained," notes Lee D. about Maumee Bay State Park Campground.

Pad specifications: RV sites typically feature paved pads long enough for larger vehicles. "All camper pads are paved and long enough to accommodate large RVs. Some have concrete pads for picnic tables, although the sites in our loop did not," adds Lee D.

Shower and bathroom access: Bathroom facilities may be shared between camping loops. "Very clean, however, bathhouses are shared between two loops. Each bathhouse only has two shower stalls, which may necessitate a wait when the campground is full," says Lee D.

Seasonal considerations: Spring camping may encounter wetter conditions. "We stayed there in early May, we didn't have reservations so they had three sites open. We took the driest spot we could find. The ground was soft and marshy," reports Jeffery R.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Temperance, MI is Maumee Bay State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 41 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Temperance, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Temperance, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.