Best Tent Camping near West Branch, MI

The lake has an island in the middle and is great to explore by boat. Not sure how much there is to do without watercraft, as there’s just a really short trail. A friend snowmobile camps here in winter, that’d be beautiful to try. Nice basic primitive state park tent camping. Clean and simple. Shady.

We visited this campsite for a long weekend in October, looking for that autumn experience. Our site was right on the lake, and had a great view of the river and the trees changing. Our site was very large, especially for tent camping, and that seemed to be the trend. Others were camping with campers and tents, but there was pretty of room to spread out in the late fall.

Short backpacking walk to this no-reservations rustic campsite. You need a backcountry permit and there’s usually a small fee. Lovely forested secluded tent sites. There’s only one or two fire pits, but going there is a nice way to meet your neighbors (only 2 other groups when I was there in April). Sites aren’t too sandy and are pretty shady. Follow bear rules!!

The campsites are purely for tent camping and are around 20'x40'. We went with a group and fit four tents on one site with a picnic table and fire pit for less than $10 each. There is a large bath house with showers, a pavilion/picnic area, where they sometimes have a DJ at night. And there's a really nice open area and playground for the kids. The front store /check-in desk has some supplies for while you're there, and they also offer canoe/tubing/kayak trips with transport, directly from the grounds. We had a great time and plan on going back again.

I tent camped there July 2023 and the site was $20.  The campground host was a very nice and helpful lady.  There are electric at the sites and there were water supply spigots throughout the park.  They do have free wifi, but it is very weak by the river sites.  It is strongest near where the camp host is since the antenna is behind her camper.  There was an old wifi access point plugged into my site's electrical outlet, but it was inoperative.  Cell signal is good there though so it wasn't a big deal to me.  Since I was tent camping I cannot attest to what size RVs and electrical amperage they have.  The showers and rest rooms are locked at night.  Just ask the campground host and she will lend you a key for the night.  In addition to the main camping loop, there are about 12 river RV sites near the fairgrounds.  It was fairly quiet being a week day.  Just leave your trash in a bag near the lane and she will pick it up when she makes her rounds in her golf cart.  A grocery store and a convenience store are across the road.    You can book a site online via the village's website at https://marionmichigan.org/campground/  According to a google search the phone number is  231-667-0100.  If that number is not valid the village office's phone number is 231-743-6801

They charge per person, so I paid $75 for my boyfriend and I to tent camp on the river for the 2 night minimum required. They are money grubbers who charge per person then put multiple parties on one site. Firewood available on site is soaking wet so had a lot of issues getting a fire started. Not much to do at the campground unless you want to pay an arm and a leg to rent one of their watercraft. Staff is incredibly rude and unhelpful. Everything they offer is an extra charge. Will not be returning here ever again.

the sites are sandy and surrounded by tall pines and ferns. some biting flies, especially near river (late june). multiple vault toilets and one water pump. sites are spacious enough for small campers and walk/boat-in tent sites are great and have their own vault toilets and pump (though they are less shaded and a little more open than the forest sites). there's a river trail to walk and parking for the walk/boat-to sites. there's an ORV trail nearby and the road can get noisy from that. otherwise quiet and cozy.

Nice rustic campground located just north of west branch. No showers, privy is is decent shape. Not the worst not the best. Several lake front sites to choose from with excellent views. There is a public boat launch here. There is an ORV trailhead here as well so the majority of the campers here are off road enthusiasts. Sad to to see the gypsy moths have decimated a majority of the trees in this campground.

Location is excellent.  This is a well maintained park, fantastic beaches and nice trails.  I arrived on a Thursday and left Sunday.  The sites are on the small side without any barriers, which was fine midweek.  On the weekend, overcrowding was the norm.  This was my first experience at a Michigan state park, and I do not know if others have designated spaces based on the size of the RV or tent.  This would make a more pleasant experience for campers.  My guess is the park was designed long before people hauled around a 30 foot camper.  No park rangers facilitated parking that I could see, and clearly you should book your spot as early as possible.

Midweek 5 stars, Weekend 1

Needed a tent sight for 3 pup tents motorcycle camping. Nice quiet secluded campground in the woods. Nice clean baths and showers. $25 for tent $35 RVs pull threw.

Pprivate. Modern and Rustic, so tents don't need to be in a Zoo of RVs. Tons of trails, great kayaking and canoeing

This campground has sites for RV’s and tents. Vault toilets that are cleaned daily. Small lake with a beachfront. No motor boats allowed. We come every year!

This is a family owned campground that is about half seasonal lots and half daily lots. The daily lots are large with room for a couple tents or even a travel trailer and tent. There are two bathroom buildings with showers, which were always clean. When we were there the campground was quiet and the owners were laid back and helpful.

There are ORV trails on the campground property, as well as a good sized playground. There are nearby lakes and drop-in points to the Au Sable River for kayaking and canoeing, and Hartwick Pines is down the road with hiking trails. Grayling and Gaylord are both within a convenient distance. I'd happily camp here again!

We absolutely love camping here weather it’s in a tent, hammock or RV we have always loved camping here.

Night sounds are so relaxing.

We typically do the sites closer to Mio sites 1-6

Plenty of trails and fishing.

No water No electric No sewer

Not a great place to tent. Great place to stay with a small camper or RV if passing through Bay City or going to an event. Beach is not the most sanitary.

Loved camping on this lake. We hauled our canoe loaded with our tent and amenities on a dolly the half mile or so back to the camp sites. Some of the best catch and release artificial lure only fishing. Loved watching the loons on the lake.

Stayed here before the 4th of July for the weekend and was really impressed with the facilities and size of spaces at the campground. For being such a busy campground (since there is a boat launch) the sites are still quite large! We were able to fit 2 large tents, a small tent, 2 cars, 1 boat trailer and a sun shade for our gear with plenty of room to spare.

The restrooms (which I am told were recently renovated) were very clean.

The beaches were well maintained and plenty of space to moor boats overnight.

In addition to the boat launch there is also a camp store down the road with tons of snacks, camping gear/utensils, and Higgins lake souvenirs.

I will definitely return again! Be sure to catch a sunset from the campground beaches, you won’t regret it!

If you aren't familiar with this lake it is extremely clear (see video) and very large, there are 2 sandbar areas which are very popular providing 3-4 feet water to hangout in.

One of my favorite parks in Michigan. Beautiful beaches and always a fun week during Harvest Fest!

Nice large sites. Some full hookups, unusual for Michigan state parks that I’ve seen.