Camping options near Troy, Michigan include both established campgrounds and luxury glamping locations within a 45-minute drive. The area around Troy receives approximately 33 inches of precipitation annually and features several parks near lakes, rivers, and wooded terrain. Campsites typically range from $25 to $45 per night, with modern facilities available at most locations.
What to do
Water activities: access fishing and boating at Proud Lake Recreation Area, where visitors can enjoy Lake Erie and connected waterways. "The park has a boat launch and a canoe/kayak livery on site," notes John F. There's also "a kayak launch into a small inlet which is navigatable all the way to the beach, approximately two miles," according to Frances V.
Mountain biking: explore dedicated trails at local parks near Troy. "The trails available here are where I learned to mountain bike, they're not the easiest but they are not so challenging that you won't have fun," shares Syed M. about Proud Lake Recreation Area. Trails range from beginner-friendly paved paths to more technical dirt routes through wooded areas.
Disc golf: play a round at Holly Recreation Area, located 35 minutes from Troy. "There are several well marked trails. We stayed in the Maple loop which had several semi-private sites screened from neighbors by trees," writes Jennifer H. The park maintains an 18-hole disc golf course with varying difficulty levels.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: at certain campgrounds like Addison Oaks County Park, campers appreciate the spacing. "Loop C is spacious with some trees," notes Ron E. The park offers both open and wooded sites with different levels of separation.
Clean facilities: consistently mentioned across reviews. "The bathrooms are clean. Great lake to kayak on. Trails to hike on!" reports Debra B. Most parks near Troy maintain modern restroom buildings with hot showers, though some charge a small fee (typically 25 cents) for shower use.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: in the natural areas around Bishop Lake Campground. "The campgrounds restrooms and showers were clean. Our campsite had a view of the lake, but no shade. The beach was nice but you have to walk a trail to get to it from the campground or drive," shares Debra B. Early morning and evening hours provide the best chance to spot local wildlife.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. "We chose this campground because we wanted to go to Ann Arbor and Dearborn and it was a very convenient location," explains Nancy W. Reservations can typically be made up to 6 months in advance through park websites or the Michigan DNR reservation system.
Site differences: vary significantly between parks and within the same park. At Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area, "Front camp sites are better than back. If it rains everything is mud if you're in the back camp section," warns D P. Some parks have full-hookup sites while others offer only electric or no utilities.
Seasonal considerations: affect availability and camping conditions. "The camping season typically runs from late April through October," with some parks like Sterling State Park open "April 1 to November 6." Winter camping is limited to a few locations that maintain plowed roads and open facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated activities: that keep children entertained. At Groveland Oaks County Park, "There is a host site with activities and a lending library for books and some sporting equipment," mentions John F. about another park. The campground also includes "a lake for swimming, water slide, arcade, boat rentals, mini golf, biking trails and fishing."
Consider themed weekend events: especially during holiday periods. "Proud lake is very nice... we've been going to halloween camping for the past 2 years, decorate your site and the kids get dressed up an go trick or treating in camp, theres a costume contest and hay rides, fun family atmosphere," shares Justin G. Similar events occur at multiple parks from July through October.
Check playground proximity: when selecting a campsite. "The park has a large beach, boat rentals, bike paths plus a BMX area and several playgrounds," notes Carol W. Sites closer to playgrounds mean less walking for children but potentially more noise during daytime hours.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: requires attention to park layout. At Camp Dearborn, "Pull behind sites were easy to access. Staff are very helpful and responsive. There is a dump station on site," according to Ryan S. Some parks have dedicated sections for larger RVs with pull-through sites and 50-amp electrical service.
Levelness varies significantly: between campgrounds and individual sites. "A good number of sites are not level," reports Cheryl K. about Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area. Bringing leveling blocks or hydraulic leveling systems helps address this common issue at older Michigan state parks.
Hookup availability: differs between parks, with full service more common at county parks. "Large campground with lots of trails and activities... Most of the activities (IE beach and rentals) open Memorial Day," mentions Carol W. Water and electric hookups are standard, while full hookups with sewer connections are less common.
