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Best Tent Camping near Williamsburg, MI

934 Reviews

Tent campers visiting Williamsburg, Michigan have several nearby backcountry and established options for primitive camping experiences. Sand Lakes Quiet Area offers backcountry tent sites surrounding multiple lakes, with both drive-in and walk-in access points leading to secluded campsites. Manistee River Trail provides free dispersed camping opportunities that are accessible by hiking or boating in, while Hopkins Creek State Forest Campground features established tent sites in a more managed setting.

Most primitive tent sites in the region are situated on natural, ungraded surfaces with minimal development. Sand Lakes Quiet Area features basic amenities with vault toilets available but no drinking water at most sites, requiring campers to filter water from lakes or bring their own supply. The area permits fires at designated rings, and most sites offer reasonable separation from neighboring campers. Visitors should note that finding specific tent camping locations can be challenging as several reviewers mentioned difficulty locating sites initially, with one camper stating they "had a difficult time finding a proper area to camp" and eventually set up "near a hiking trail to avoid getting lost."

Established tent-only areas near Williamsburg provide varying levels of seclusion and nature immersion. The backcountry sites at Sand Lakes Quiet Area offer tent campers peaceful surroundings with multiple lakes for fishing and swimming opportunities. Hiking trails connect the various campsites and lakes, allowing for exploration throughout the camping area. The natural setting attracts wildlife viewers and anglers, with one visitor reporting "some of the best fishing I have ever done. We caught so many bass we lost count." Many tent sites feature lake views and shaded settings, though campers should prepare for seasonal bugs, especially in spring and early summer. Areas farther from main access points typically offer greater privacy for those willing to hike further with their tent gear.

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Best Tent Sites Near Williamsburg, Michigan (46)

    1. Sand Lakes Quiet Area Backcountry Campsites

    10 Reviews
    Williamsburg, MI
    4 miles
    Website

    "Amazing fishing and spacious campsites fire away from everybody."

    "Absolutely serene and secluded in the gorgeous northern Michigan wilderness. This is a park and walk camping spot. Also permits are apparently required as this is a state park."

    2. Power Island County Park Primitive Campsites

    2 Reviews
    Suttons Bay, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 922-4818

    "This place is primitive, but worth it.. lots of beautiful trails. 5 campsites on Power (big island) and apperantly 5 on Basset (little island) We kayaked with all our gear!!"

    3. Torch Grove Campground

    2 Reviews
    Rapid City, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 322-2891

    4. Camp Stonewood Ranch

    1 Review
    South Boardman, MI
    17 miles
    +1 (269) 685-7258

    $20 - $40 / night

    "We want to welcome this partner to our platform. Situated on 40 acres, your tipi site is in the center of it all."

    5. Hopkins Creek State Forest Campground

    2 Reviews
    Fife Lake, MI
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 775-9727

    $15 / night

    "Follow the winding road all the way until it ends. It is way back in but you'll be so impressed by the beauty and secluded serene area, that you won't want to leave."

    "Drive into this, you'll love it forever!"

    6. Scheck's Place Trail Camp

    Be the first to review!
    Kingsley, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 922-5270

    7. Pinney Bridge

    1 Review
    Mancelona, MI
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 732-3541

    $15 / night

    "This campground is hike in/walk in only. The closest parking space is 700 yards and 50 feet in elevation lower than the campground."

    8. Ascension Pines

    Be the first to review!
    South Boardman, MI
    16 miles
    +1 (231) 313-3922

    $30 - $50 / night

    9. Manistee River Trail Dispersed Camping

    7 Reviews
    Huron-Manistee National Forests, MI
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 775-2421

    "Although this is listed as "dispersed" camping, the camping on the Manistee River Trail side of this loop is mostly at designated sites. Most sites seemed to be able to accommodate large groups."

    "Did a 1 night backpacking trip on the MRT/NCT loop and we loved the spot we had. All spots are very spread out so you get privacy at night. Spots for a fire and very peaceful!"

    10. South Manitou Island Group

    8 Reviews
    Glen Arbor, MI
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 326-4700

    $30 / night

    "Site 3 has easy access to an overlook which we made use of for photos of a storm that rolled in over North Manitou Island, our original destination."

    "The island does have drinking water but you have to hike from your sites ot get it our you can get water from Lake Michigan and make it drinkable."

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Williamsburg, MI

37 Photos of 46 Williamsburg Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Williamsburg, MI

934 Reviews of 46 Williamsburg Campgrounds

  • Amanda L.
    Aug. 7, 2018

    D.H. Day Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    Sleeping Bear Bliss

    Quiet campground with sites quite close to one another. This campground butts up to the heritage trail, which is 20 miles of hiking, biking, walking, or skiing fun. A short walk will get you to Lake Michigan and it’s sandy beach. Each site has a nice picnic table, a designated tent pad (if it’s a tent site) and a fire ring with a grill top. Firewood is available on site for $5/bundle, vault toilets are also available. No shower facilities. Lots and lots of poison ivy! Stay on the paths!! And tIcks! Stay in trails and out of tall grass or weeds. The tent pad is very compacted ground, definitely need a hammer or decent sized rock to pound in the tent stakes, and also definitely bring a sleeping pad or air mat. Tent sites are only $20/night, but you also need a National Park Pass, which is $20/1 week or $40/ 1 year, so be aware of that! Stayed at site 88, seemed to be a slightly more “roomy” site than others, as there were no neighbors behind us. PLUS thIs Is located very near to thw sleepIng bear dunes and natIonal lake shore!

  • Amanda L.
    Aug. 9, 2018

    D.H. Day Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    Perfect Proximity

    This campground is in this system ( the Dyrt) like 3 times under similar names, and I just want to be sure you all know how great it is! This is a first-come-first-served campground, so get there earlier in the day if you want a site, even on a weekday. There are rustic bathrooms, no flushing, no sink, nothing. No showers available here, either. However, it is so close to Glen Haven, Glen Arbor, Empire, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes. The location is truly fabulous. You are able to take a short walk down to Lake Michigan from your site. The sites are hard packed ground, dirt, rocks...so bring a mallet or hammer to pound in your tent stakes! I would also advise a sleeping pad or air mat for this same reason. The tent pads are nice and level though, which is awesome. It rained quite a bit over night when I stayed, so I’m thankful for the level ground. There is LOTS of poison ivy on location, so stay on the trails!!! Sites were only $20/night but you also need a National park pass which is $20/week or $40/year, so be mindful of that. This is also an “Active Black Bear Site,” so everything with a scent—clothes, candles, etc., must be stored in your vehicle. No, we did not see any bears while we were there. Everyone was very friendly, and the campground was so much more quiet than anticipated. It was very peaceful and serene. Firewood is available for purchase on site through a wood vending machine basically, so have $5 bills on hand. Stayed at site #88

  • Ash S.
    May. 15, 2022

    Leelanau State Park Campground

    Very peaceful lakeside campground

    No hookups, No problem! Very quiet campground on the Shores of Lake Michigan. Sites are large and private with large fire rings and picnic tables. Vault toilets only but they are kept very clean.

  • Hilary S.
    Jul. 24, 2022

    Platte River Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    Walk-in sites practically on top of each other

    Pros: Designated dish-washing sink, as well as shower/bathroom building for walk-in sites specifically. Short 0.8 mile hike from camp to Lake Michigan. Bear boxes are shared between only two adjacent campsites, and are large. 

    Cons: Walk-in sites have essentially no privacy and are much less secluded than other walk-in sites where I have stayed at other parks. I was at site A003, which abutted adjacent A-loop sites as well as B-loop sites. The other sites were visible, and folks at a neighboring site were playing music late into the night.

  • Gemma G.
    Apr. 24, 2019

    Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    Schecks Place-TRAIL CAMP enjoy privacy, the river, horse trails

    There are 2 sections of Schecks Place. One is a campground with picnic tables and site numbers.

    The other is the trail camp. You drop your money in the box pick a spot of as much space as you want (there is hardly ever a lot of people).

    The last 2 times we went there was maybe one or two people with their horses or just passing thru.

    There are bathrooms and a well for water. No showers No electric.

    The river runs by and is awesome to go tubing down.

    There are trails that go through so if you are an equestrian this spot is perfect.

  • Ari A.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2019

    Jones Lake State Forest Campground

    Peaceful spot, plenty of room

    Seems much larger than most state forest campgrounds in Michigan. There are 6 loops here with numerous sites on each loop. And yet, you don't feel crowded in and there's decent privacy in many of the sites. Jones Lake is peaceful and offers some great sunsets. Dirt road leading in is in decent shape and navigable by any size rig. Some of the sites may require some tight maneuvering for larger rigs but site size is good overall. Trees offer good shade cover at different times of the day depending on site location.

    Rustic campground, so no water or electric are available, but there are vault toilets, as well as trash and recycling receptacles.

    Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.

    We had a very pleasant stay.

    Deecnt cell coverage -- 2 bars LTE on Verizon, 2-3 bars LTE on Google Fi.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2023

    D.H. Day Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    Small Sites h

    DH Bear. Sept 2023 (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer). I rate based on desire for at least a moderate wilderness type experience w at least some camp site privacy. Overall Rating: 3.75 Price 2023: Usage during visit: Very full Site Privacy: Most sites are not real great.
    Site Spacing: Close Site surface: Gravel Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Fine Road Noise: Bone Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: No. Platt River CG has electricity. Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes Potable Water Available: Yes Generators: Be careful. Some sites do not allow generators. The more private sites are in the No-generator loop . Bathroom: Yes Showers: No Setting: Forest Weather: Very nice Bugs: Not bad Solar: Most sites do not offer enough sunlight .

  • A
    Sep. 11, 2021

    D.H. Day Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    Great spots, close to beach

    Great campsite with spacious sites not too close to each other. Sites are close to the beach (3-5 min walk). Vault toilets are to be expected. Quiet at night when I was there. Easy access to hiking trails and Glen Arbor. Would stay again! $20 for basic tent site (non-electric).

  • Lexi G.
    Jul. 30, 2020

    4-Mile Trail Camp DNR

    Cheap horse camp

    It’s never busy here. I don’t have horses but I’ve seen people stay with horse trailers with their tie outs to the poles that are designed for it. There’s trails in the surrounding areas. Also water pump and vault toilets. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided as well.

Guide to Williamsburg

Tent camping near Williamsburg, Michigan offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of outdoor activities. With several well-reviewed spots nearby, campers can find the perfect setting for their next adventure.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Williamsburg, MI is Sand Lakes Quiet Area Backcountry Campsites with a 4.6-star rating from 10 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 46 tent camping locations near Williamsburg, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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