SE Michigan Camping

[bh357]

The wife and I are looking to go camping this weekend, somewhere close to home. Modern bathrooms and shower are a must for the wife, and trail access is a must for me. We'll be taking a pop-up. So far, I'm eyeing Addison, Bruin Lake, Pontiac Lake. I'm confused on if the Addison $8 "reservation fee" is in addition to the normal camping rate.
I'd like to stay in the SE Michigan area, so we're not driving another 2+ hours after I get home from work.
It doesn't have to be church-mouse quiet, but I'd rather not be set up next to Jed and his kinfolk.

[jalopy jockey]

I'm confused on if the Addison $8 "reservation fee" is in addition to the normal camping rate.

Only a select few campsites are reservable aka the prime ones. The only way to get these is to pay the reservation fee on top of site fees. All other sites are 1st come 1st serve.

At least thats how they did it last year.

[bh357]

I'm confused on if the Addison $8 "reservation fee" is in addition to the normal camping rate.

Only a select few campsites are reservable aka the prime ones. The only way to get these is to pay the reservation fee on top of site fees. All other sites are 1st come 1st serve.

At least thats how they did it last year.

I saw on the first-come-first-serve part "Bring your tent or camper; you must set up your site at time of registration.
." How loosely do they define "set up"... i.e. can Brandy set up a tent first thing in the AM, then we roll in with the pop-up in the evening?

[jalopy jockey]

I'm confused on if the Addison $8 "reservation fee" is in addition to the normal camping rate.

Only a select few campsites are reservable aka the prime ones. The only way to get these is to pay the reservation fee on top of site fees. All other sites are 1st come 1st serve.

At least thats how they did it last year.

I saw on the first-come-first-serve part "Bring your tent or camper; you must set up your site at time of registration.
." How loosely do they define "set up"... i.e. can Brandy set up a tent first thing in the AM, then we roll in with the pop-up in the evening?

You pay for a site and reseve that site at the desk and they put a red dot over on thier map as it occupied. I've seen lawn chairs.

[risnewski]

Pontiac Lake has some decent large sites and some have a bit of privacy. Puts you close to Highland as well. Holly Rec (Grubers) also has camping and is a bit closer to your home.

[Dirtdevil]

We used to camp at Bruin Lake (Pinckney Rec Area) at least 2x/month. Nice campground, decent sized sites and pretty quiet after 10. They have bathrooms/showers and you're only 10 min. away from Poto. I'd suggest making a reservation if possible 'cause they usually fill up, but you may luck out and get a cancellation.

[drewlee13]

We used to camp at Bruin Lake (Pinckney Rec Area) at least 2x/month. Nice campground, decent sized sites and pretty quiet after 10. They have bathrooms/showers and you're only 10 min. away from Poto. I'd suggest making a reservation if possible 'cause they usually fill up, but you may luck out and get a cancellation.

+1 for Bruin Lake, our kids loved it there.

[Leroi Brown]

+2 for Bruin. Proud Lake is also a good option.

[Di_bear]

Pontiac Lake has some decent large sites and some have a bit of privacy. Puts you close to Highland as well. Holly Rec (Grubers) also has camping and is a bit closer to your home.

Holly Rec is one of my favorite parks, and it really is in a great location with fairly close access (driving) to some of the best trails.

[Roy]

If, you have passports, then the Pinery can't be beat. It is about 1 1/2 hour drive east of Port Huron. The Pinery is in a virgin Pine forest on Lake Huron. It is very popular and can be hard to get in. If the camp grounds are full (they might tell it full if you have Michigan plates), go the picnic area first, then go to 1 of the 3 camp grounds and wait in line. Burley is the best for family camping. The beach can not be beat. By now the water is warm enough to swim in. The outhouses are always clean.
If it rains, you are only a 3 hour drive from home.
The only bad thing, after camping at the Pinery you will never want to camp in a Michigan state park.
THE PINERY A

Roy

[bh357]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Bruin Lake it is.

[deezler]

If, you have passports, then the Pinery can't be beat. It is about 1 1/2 hour drive east of Port Huron. The Pinery is in a virgin Pine forest on Lake Huron. It is very popular and can be hard to get in. If the camp grounds are full (they might tell it full if you have Michigan plates), go the picnic area first, then go to 1 of the 3 camp grounds and wait in line. Burley is the best for family camping. The beach can not be beat. By now the water is warm enough to swim in. The outhouses are always clean.
If it rains, you are only a 3 hour drive from home.
The only bad thing, after camping at the Pinery you will never want to camp in a Michigan state park.
THE PINERY A

Roy

The pinery rocks, but are there any MTB trails there or nearby? I had thought not.

And how can you say it's really any better than campsites along the west coast, on Lake Michigan? The terrain is basically exactly the same. Muskegon, Ludington, Nordhouse Wilderness, Sleeping Bear Dunes (multiples campgrounds).... all just as beautiful as the Pinery, and no freaking border crossing and cavity search required. Anyway, its at least 2+ hours (if not 4) from SE Michigan anyway, depending on where you're starting from.

If you can convince your wife to not need to shower while camping, there's also the Crooked Lake campground in Pinckney Rec area, which is DIRECTLY on the Poto. Pretty awesome. Very pretty and private sites there.