Paint River Hills Campground, near Crystal Falls, Michigan, is a cozy spot that offers a laid-back atmosphere for campers looking to unwind. With sites that come equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, it’s perfect for roasting marshmallows and sharing stories around the fire.

This campground is known for its clean facilities, including well-maintained bathrooms and showers, which visitors appreciate after a day of outdoor activities. One camper noted, “The bathhouse was very clean and so was the campground,” highlighting the attention to cleanliness that makes for a pleasant stay.

For those who enjoy outdoor adventures, the campground is conveniently located near river hiking trails, making it easy to explore the beautiful surroundings. Plus, the ORV route is right outside the entrance, so you can hop on your ride and hit the trails without any hassle. 

While some campers mentioned that they didn’t have enough time to fully explore the area, many expressed a desire to return for a longer stay. With its friendly atmosphere and easy access to nature, Paint River Hills Campground is a solid choice for anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors.

Paint River Hills Campground sits on 24 acres of scenic bluffs along the Paint River in downtown Crystal Falls. Guests are provided with easy access to both the State and County ATV trail systems. The campground features a clean modern shower building, 5 fully insulated sleeping cabins, 10 pull through sites (4 FHU), and 18 RV/tent sites. It offers a half mile, scenic, and unusual hiking trail along the river through cool bluffs, calcite outcroppings, and 140 year old cedars. Multilingual tree identification markers featuring the native Ojibwa language are displayed throughout the campground and along the trail. When the campground was built in 2003 an Ojibwa wigwam was constructed under a large white pine by a local Ojibwa and is the subject of a documentary. The wigwam has since been removed but the documentary is still available from the Hannahville Indian School in Wilson, Michigan.

Paint River Hills Campground

Searching for the best camping near Crystal Falls, MI? There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Michigan camping adventure.

Crystal Falls

The Best Camping Near Crystal Falls, Michigan

Very small and quiet campground. We stayed in a cabin that was small and reasonably priced. The river is only a 5 min hike from the camp ground. The showers and bathroom facility were clean. If I am ever stopping by I would stay here again. Perfect place to stay when going through town. 

Great place to stay

Most of the sites looked like they had been deserted for years. A few good sites for campers though. The primitive camp sites couldn’t fit a tent if you tried. Bathroom was clean but no one at front desk or to answer my calls. 

Wouldn’t suggest 

Great campground 20$ a nite with electric and water!!!!!Some have sewer. 
 Beautiful walking trail along river. Quiet. 
Campsite for tents and RV.  Call for directions lol
The gps takes you to the old back entrance. 
The owner was an awesome lady she helped us find a repair guy for a breakdown. 
 They do not take credit cards !!

Some sights could be mowed but hey for this price and this location so what!!
 Definitely will return 


Nice place cheap

Awesome 

Great little campground. It's small, clean and quiet. You self register for check-in, there's a bathroom building with 3 stalls and two showers(women) and hot water. We purchased an RV site($20) even though we were camping in a tent so our truck and trailer would fit and it comes with water and electricity at the camp site. Each campsite comes with a picnic table and fire ring. The ORV Route is right outside the campground entrance and you can ride to the trail. You can also get ice and gas at the gas station in town by taking the alley. We stayed again in 2020 in Our RV. They have 4 pull through sites with full hook-ups;$25 a night. 50/20 amps, high water pressure.

Quiet campground right by town and ORV trails.

So in all fairness this was just a overnight stop for us traveling between Petoskey MI and Silver Bay MN.  We arrived late since we had spent the day on Mackinac Island, but the camp host was nice enough to touch base with us while on the road and make sure everything was ready for our arrival.  Due to the early freezing weather, water and sewer had been unexpectedly, but understandably, disconnected, but they made sure to have a hose ready for us to fill our tank (and the dump station still worked when we left).  She set us up in a big spot with a huge firepit (we actually had 2 spots for the night) and had wood ready for us.  We had a nice quick fire that night while we setup and made dinner.  The next morning it was lightly snowing so we had a fire and breakfast in the falling snow.  We did not get any chance to actually enjoy the area but it seemed like it would be a great place.  Bathhouse was very clean and so was the campground.  Met the owner the in the morning who was extremely nice and helpful in pointing things out and what to do.  If we ever make it to the UP again we would definitely stay (and longer).  He originally set this place up as a hunt camp but people started to want to stay during non-hunting season so he is open till it freezes and opens memorial Day weekend.

  

PROS:  Nice sized sites

Right out of town but still in the woods

Close to river hiking trails

  

CONS: Didn't really spend enough time there to see anything negative

Photos of Paint River Hills Campground

Real photos from real campers