Looking to get away and reconnect with nature? Glamping near Trenton is the perfect choice. Glamping is not only a fun alternative to traditional tent camping, but also allows you to pack more or less gear as you see fit. These scenic and easy to access Michigan glamping locations are perfect for any adventurer.
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp
$36 - $45 / night
Campground closed for renovations starting Nov 2019
East Harbor State Park Campground is the largest in the Ohio State Park system. It offers Full Hookup, Electric, Non-electric and ADA sites. Pets are permitted at all sites. Other options include a Yurt (ADA), two Sherman Cabins (one ADA cabin), and Group Camping. Reservations are required and can be made online or by calling (866) 644-6727.
Located in Ohio on the sandy shores of Lake Erie awaits an enormous haven of fun, with tons of chances to recreate. Boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, and camping all attract flocks of visitors to East Harbor State Park.
Nature lovers will rejoice thanks to the dense population of waterfowl, shore birds, and other species of wildlife. Owing to the swampy, wetland climate, a host of migratory species regularly flock to the region. However, the land was not always this rich. It wasn’t until the draining of the Great Black Swamp that the land transformed into an agricultural oasis, producing regional varieties of fruits such as grapes and peaches.
Before European Settlement, East Harbor region was home to Native American tribes like the Ottawa and Wyandot Tribes. Stemming from the translation “trader”, the Ottawa tribe earned its title due to the geographic location of East Harbor. During the period of Westward Expansion, this park’s acreage was first the heart of popular trade routes for Native Americans.
As it developed, the region has long been valued for its recreational potential. In fact, Lake Erie is more similar (and exotic) to a tropical beach resort than you’d first think. This is due to the extensive range of plant and animal life, long sandy beaches, and the immense size of the lake itself. As a result of these factors, 1,831 acres were reserved and protected, to be known today as East Harbor State Park.
Camping at East Harbor is readily available with 352 electric sites. Furthermore, there are 160 non-electric sites available for a cheaper nightly rate. There are also an additional 51 full hook-up sites for those in Recreational Vehicles. Working Nomads and Van Dwellers will be grateful to find Wifi Available, however there is a small fee to use it.
Finally, there’s Dump Stations, Bathrooms, and Showers are routinely located throughout. For a more secure (and expensive) shelter option, there is one Yurt available for reservation. Book in advance, however, as it tends to be very competitive.
If you’ve got furry friends, you can take a breath of relief as pets are permitted on all sites. Moreover, Bike rentals are available as well as games and sporting equipment from the camp office/lodge. Get outside with your friends (any number of legs invited) and enjoy everything that East Harbor State Park has to offer.
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
$17 - $90 / night
Legend
General: This campground is huge with a mix of FHU (some back-in and some pull-through), electric hookup, no hookup, group sites, cabins, and one yurt. On a Monday night in June, many of the sites were occupied.
Site Quality: All camper pads were paved and appeared level. Some sites were a little close together but there was reasonable separation and there was plenty of foliage. Site H3 was a good one as it had no site next to it on one side.
Bath/Shower house: In our loop, the bathhouse was clean. It took a while for the water to get hot but once it did, it was very hot. The water pressure was very good. The only problem with the shower was that water leaked out onto the floor outside and there always appeared to be a lot of water, which could pose a slipping hazard.
Activities/Amenities: A camper store and nature center, game room, laundry, dump station and potable water, disc golf, hiking trails, multi-use trails, marina (for large boats, not kayaks or SUPS), basketball, volleyball, archery, fish cleaning station. I think I mentioned everything!
We enjoyed our two-night stay here, and if/when we return, we would consider taking a ferry to some of the smaller islands nearby.
Scout
This park will accommodate any size travel trailer? Fifth wheel camper of any kind, the pull throughs are huge. The park is enormous with lots of fishing activities. Great water, the only downfall is there's no shade. Showers and restrooms are updated and always clean.
Ranger
This state island campground is more than expected! worth the ferry travel, a paradise kept secret. We stumbled upon this island by accident along our travels after Labor Day and we totally fell in love. The water front camping, swimming, boating, kayaking, historic sites, attractions and facilities are superb. Everything you need and more than you expect. We traveled in with our 34’ trailer. The ferry cost was a bit high, around $200 round trip for us, truck and camper….but it was worth it!! The campground is immaculate, quiet during the week especially after Labor Day, the weekend brings a larger crowd. Walking trails, sites, boating and swimming all available from campground. Sandy shallow beach with beautiful view. Ice, firewood and a store conveniently located at campground. The campground is small and sites a bit tight but spaced accordingly and comfortable. Two waterfront cabins and two yurts available for rent as well. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and the island overall. The glacial grooves, limestone crusher, north loop trail, beach and boat launch all withing walking distance. We rented bikes downtown to explore rest of island, including winery, cantina and local bars. Counting the days to go back.
GuideStayed 5 days. Had a FHU site, of which there's a lot here. That all worked fine. Almost no trees here. None of the usual painted lines on the pavement to indicate your site boundaries, which sucks. You have to guess, and hope your neighbor doesn't spread out.
Nothing seems enforced here, and I mean nothing. Rarely saw anyone patrolling the park, never saw any staff checking sites before the next camper came in. My site had dog droppings and cigarette butts in the firepit. Neighbors had FOUR vehicles on site, two more than the rules. Witnessed endless speeding and people going the wrong way on the roads. Without exaggerating, 80% of the cars were going too fast, 75% going the wrong way. No one seems to care or enforces anything. I think the supervisor here should be fired or retrained. I camp in 4 to 8 MI state parks per summer, this is the only one where it felt like no one cares.
They need some "wrong way" signs and "speed limit 10" signs. (15 is too high, cause 15 means 20 to people, 10 means 15... ). Then they need to care.
At least the bathrooms were clean.
You can get TV from Detroit or Toledo, and T-Mobile service was ok.
Groceries and many dining options not far off.
We're 50/50 on staying here ever again.
Scout
Great out of the way campground. It was nice and quiet. Bathrooms were clean and well kept. The gentleman that checked us in moved things around so we could all be together not on different sites well away frome each other. Would definitely go there again.
Guide
Camped here thru the 4th of July weekend. The staff kept noise and other stupidity tamped down. They say quiet time is all the time, and I love that.
Typical MI state park, sites are electric (30a and/or 50a) only.
No real beach, but there is a swimming area. Picked up Detroit TV stations easily, good for the rainy mornings we had.
With T-Mobile, Internet service was practically non-existent. Phone calls & texts worked. The camper across from us said it was the same for Verizon.
One section is mostly paved & ADA sites, the "upper" section is grassy and/or dirt. Both restroom/shower buildings were fine, I just wish they had posted times when they'll be closed for cleaning.
All in all, we'd have no problem returning here.
Guide
This is the second time staying in these campgrounds in two weeks. Both times stayed in the more wilderness area D with lots of trees and sites for tents or back-in trailers. The grounds are huge with bike/hike trails, a lake and a disc golf course. Mountain biking seems to be very popular there are dirt trails off the paved hiking loop. Sites have electricity and water and are well spaced out.
GuideWonderful views from site 117. We booked the last spot of the night. It was an easy pull through with water, electric, and sewer hookup. You are right across from some good walking trails and walking distance to the beach. Lots of electric scooters, dogs, and bikes around.
Guide
Well maintained and up kept with some neat features and trails.
Avoid the vending machines.
GuidePark on the lake and close to many amenities including Cedar Point Amusement Park. Sites are very tightly packed. Park was mostly empty while we were there early in season. We camped at East Harbor State Park in a Motorhome. Sites in our section were back in and would be difficult to back a trailer into a site with a full campground.
Ranger
My family only got to stay here for a night while traveling. But it was very nice, in a modern state campground kind of a way. The sites were spacious, flat, and fairly private. There was plenty of room for riding bikes around, including a paved path to the lake. One that I would go back to.
Ranger
This was a campground that we stayed at on our way to the northern part of the state. This for me, was a place that I would like to come back to for a longer stay. The camp sites were nice, there was a nice swimming area in crystal clear water and a beautiful bathhouse. It had a more modern layout that could accommodate many campers. My only complaint, and the reason that I'll have a hard time talking my wife into going back was the mosquitoes were pretty bad the evening that we were there. Other than that I liked it a lot.
Scout
I arrived for a 2 week stay in the area on 11/12. I discovered this campground was closed for the season.
RangerVery popular campground, lots of people. Easy drive-up spots, fire pits, clean showers, bathrooms, and a camp shop. Really nice bike/walking bath out to the water.
TravelerThe campground was nice and the neighbors were quiet. The dump station is at the first buildings. So fill up before you head down to the campground.
Traveler
Stayed here for the DGLO Disc Golf tournament. Had a great time. Clean campground, and activities to do. Everyone was friendly as well. We’re from the metro Detroit area so it was nice to have a quick trip 30 minutes away
Guide
We stayed the weekend at greenlake rustic, the access road into the Campground is a nice 1/2 ish mile in. We were on sites 5 and 3. Both sites seemed larger then most suburban house lots. Site 5 had a decent view of the lake, Site 3 had odd fire pit placement under 2 trees. Even though the sites were large they didn't have much for privacy in between sites.
Overall, it was a quiet stay. The freeway is on the other side of the lake, but it didn't bother us. At night it was like white noise.
The Campground has a small boat dock, no swimming area. We checked out half moon lake, wasn't really impressed, was told sugarloaf but its only for sugarloaf campers. We were then directed to Portage lake beach, which was a larger beach but it was really silty.
Green lakes vault toilets had nice motion sensor lights in them. The hand pump took a long time to get going.
We went on both east and west sides of the waterloo-pickney trail, located off the Campground access road. I believe it was the west trail after Cassidy road we experienced some steep inclines.
We also were able to see some awesome stars at night
FYI sugarloaf and portage both have firewood for sale $6.
Traveler
We stayed at lot M18 of the rustic site, Murray Lake. The site was large and had a picnic table and fire pit. There are TONS of mosquitos.
Gas and convenience is not far away. I had spotty Verizon service but I did get all of my notifications. Internet use was slow.
ScoutNice campground. Sites are close together and sites 60-72 or so are really tent site, not level, and need extension cord for electric. No water hookups. No ATT service.
TravelerI had a fantastic and totally welcoming weekend at Maumee Bay State Park with my dog. First time taking him camping and I was so appreciative of the facilities at the campgrounds & the park - I was able to focus on making sure he was comfortable instead of worrying about anything else!
Campsite neighbors were very respectful - lots of RVers and large family groups. The park store was clean & efficient and the park itself offered coffee & donuts every morning for a dollar. Very sweet!
One item of note is that there are sooooo many mayflies around - flying, landing on you & your gear, and oftentimes covering the ground around the park. Totally fine if you’re not shy of bugs, but something to be mindful of.
TravelerFirst two nights were perfect but then the may flies hatched (in mid june) and covered everything
Good size sites, friendly staff, great beach and boat launch
GuideFirst time out with the camper and we wanted to stay close to home so we found a campground right outside the city. You couldn't tell how close we were because there were so many trees in the area. Looked like up north
While there are plenty of trees around the grounds and lake there are not too many trees between the camp sites so you do totally see your neighbor. Bathrooms were clean at all times. Showers available. I saw basketball and ladder ball. There is a big lake with a boat launch and swimming area. Pets are allowed (leashed) Fire pit and picnic table at camp site. It was a grass site and not paved, some definitely looked more even than others. I did see more activities but we did not check them out. We also didn't go hiking due to the air quality/Canadian fires.
We would go again for a quick get away!
RangerWe spent two nights here on our trip to Michigan. We were quite pleased with the campsites and how large they are. You don't feel like you are close to anyone because most sites are surrounded by trees and shrubs. If you are looking to stay more than two nights keep in mind that there are only electric hook ups, so you have to fill your fresh water tank before you set up. Water fill stations are conveniently located throughout the campsite. Don't forget your bikes for this campsite! There are miles of paved bike paths throughout the campsite and a short ride to the lake.
GuideI have not camped here but had a family member use the campground while visiting the area. They spoke very highly of it. They have a large camper and stayed for a few nights.
I've been here quite a few times to fish. Great fishing spot.
Guide
The cliffside sites are absolutely beautiful. We stayed in 107 and the view is breathtaking! Bathrooms and shower house were good! Staff was very friendly. I wouldn’t suggest booking a cliffside site if you have small children. We also liked that the campground is gated. We will be going back!
ScoutI would recommend getting a reservation before showing up. They have laminated signs posted on the campsites to let you know which ones are taken. When I showed up I found site 13 open for only one night. In the morning I was told by the DNR that most weekends are booked solid, but half the sites are empty and people don't cancel the reservation; so they can't legally rent them out. Many sites are large enough to pull a camper thru. No hookups but that wasn't an issue for me.
RangerNice park very clean. Nice bike trails and large campsites. First time at Lake Erie don’t know if I would swim in it… but there is a large beach as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Trenton, MI is Sterling State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 23 reviews.
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