Fall has FINALLY arrived in Southeast Michigan, and there's no better way to enjoy its vibrant colors and teeming wildlife than spending a night (or two) immersed in the season's glory. Don't miss the fleeting opportunity to experience these 5 best destinations for fall camping near Detroit.
"Blink and you'll miss it." While I'd be lying if I said that phrase doesn't trigger at least some degree of "FOMO" anxiety, I can't think of an instance where those words didn't describe something fantastic. Or miraculous. Bucket list-worthy types of experiences.
And for me, whenever I'm blessed with the foreknowledge that a "blink experience" is coming down the pipeline, I aim to do everything I physically can to make sure that I don't miss it. Action steps like making reservations, buying tickets, saying yes to novel opportunities - even physical conditioning. Anything to better your odds of capitalizing on a once in a lifetime moment.
Peak fall conditions in the Detroit region qualifies, without a doubt, as "blink experience." One day little bits of orange, red, or yellow color start peeking through a sea of green. Then, over the span of a week, BOOM - an explosion of the most vibrant autumnal color palate that the human eye has ever witnessed. Art in its most natural, unadulterated form.
And then, typically after a violent windstorm or two, it;s all gone. A few stray leaves remaining as lasting testaments to the brilliance that was. Another "Pure Michigan" fall in the books.
Here's the point: fall's magic is fleeting, so we strongly recommend that you set yourself up for not "missing it" but immersing yourself in its natural beauty. Literally sleeping under the foliage after hiking, biking, or paddling to a rustic, forested campground.
You know where this is heading. Here are the 5 best campgrounds for fall camping near Detroit!
1. BLIND LAKE CAMPGROUND | Pinckney State Recreation Area
Number of Sites: 10
Arrival Logistics: Hike-In or Bike-In
Reservable Dates: All Year
Cost: $20/night, plus additional fees
Located along the western rim of the quintessential Potawatomi Trail in Pinckney Recreation Area, the main allure of Blind Lake stems from its isolation from any main trailhead within Pinckney or its surrounding parks. Any arrival at Blind Lake is earned either by boot or pedal (7 miles from the Silver Lake trailhead), so your night spent under the brilliant stars and by the lapping waves will be free of headlights and slamming car doors.
Blind Lake's solitude is further enhanced by the gracious amount of space allocated between the sites. The campground ensures as much privacy as a camper could ever hope for - especially when camping in the later fall months or dead of winter.
The Blind Lake Rustic Campground is located about halfway along the 17-mile Potawatomi Trail. The campground is outfitted with a vault toilet, hand-pump water access, and fire rings. Only dead and downed timber are to be used for firewood.
Advanced reservation required to book a site.
2. CROOKED LAKE CAMPGROUND | Pinckney State Recreation Area
Number of Sites: 25
Arrival Logistics: Hike-In, Bike-In, or Drive-In
Reservable Dates: April 1st - November 29th
Cost: $20/night, plus additional fees
If you're looking for a slightly more accessible - but still rustic - stay at Pinckney Recreation Area, then Crooked Lake Campground has the ideal setup for what you're looking for. Intrepid recreationists can still readily hike or bike into camp from the main Silver Lake Trailhead along the Potawatomi Trail, although Crooked Lake's 25 sites also accommodate car-camping enthusiasts. While this attribute of Crooked Lake may detract from its "fall wilderness solitude" aesthetic a-la-Blind Lake, Crooked Lake has one key feature that makes it a massive draw for especially paddlers and anglers: The Fishing Pier.
That's right - Crooked Lake features a fishing pier/boat launch that provides an ideal location for kicking back and casting a line or setting off towards an autumnal sunset over the waves. As fantastic as secluded, forested campsites are, there's just something ethereal about kicking your boots off after a long hike and dipping your feet into crisp, fresh water.
Each site at Crooked Lake Campground features a picnic table and fire pit. Other amenities include potable water and vault toilets.
Advanced reservation required to book a site.
HIKE THE CROOKED LAKE TRAIL WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT
3. ISLAND LAKE CANOE CAMPGROUND | Island Lake State Recreation Area
Number of Sites: 2
Arrival Logistics: Paddle-In
Reservable Dates: April 1st - October 31st
Cost: $20/night, plus additional fees
Spending a night at Island Lake Recreation Area's Canoe Campground should be on every local outdoor enthusiast's "Bucket List." Why? Well, for starters, the sites are the most limited to book out of this "Best Destinations" list. As noted above, there are only 2 sites available for reservation at the campground. The scarcity of the sites is fortunately diluted by a one night-maximum stay per reservation, but still...book while you can.
The second reason - and far more adventurous one - involves how you arrive at your site. As you probably guessed, there's only one way in or out of the Canoe Campground: via canoe (or kayak/paddleboard).
One would think that "Canoe Camping" would be an immensely common way to camp in the Detroit region given our plethora of water, but amazingly Island Lake is only one of four legitimate canoe campgrounds throughout the entire Detroit region. Canoe Camping still remains a relatively niche method of camping throughout our region. All the more reason to book a site, pack up your kayak with some dry bags, and paddle down a fully-foliaged Huron River to an unforgettable experience.
Island Lake's Canoe Campground is located 0.5 miles downstream of the Riverbend Picnic Shelter launching point. Amenities include a vault toilet, fire ring, picnic table and grill. There is no potable water available, so please bring your own water or water filter.
Advanced reservation required to book a site.
EXPLORE ISLAND LAKE RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT
4. GREEN LAKE CAMPGROUND | Waterloo State Recreation Area
Number of Sites: 25
Arrival Logistics: Hike-In, Bike-In, or Drive-In
Reservable Dates: April 1st - November 29th for rustic sites
Cost: $20/night, plus additional fees
Another lakeside and ideal fall camping destination includes Waterloo Recreation Area's premiere camping destination, the Green Lake Campground. Located on the northeastern edge of Waterloo's expansive 20,000 acres, Green Lake marks roughly the mid-way point of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail and as such is frequented by backpackers, bike-packers, and car campers alike. The 25 sites in the campground overlook the idyllic Green Lake, including its golden sunsets and ample bird-watching opportunities.
For our niche "glamping" readers, Green Lake also offers something special just for you: its regionally-famous, heated, open year-round Green Lake Yurt. The Yurt sleeps 5 people and comes outfitted with 2 futons, solar powered lights inside (lantern or flashlight also recommended), small table, propane cooking stove, and an outdoor grill.
The Green Lake Rustic Campground is located near the DTE Energy Foundation Trail, Waterloo Pinckney Trail, and the Border-to-Border Trail. The campground includes vault toilets and a hand pump available for water.
Advanced reservation required to book a site.
5. APPLETON LAKE RUSTIC CAMPGROUND | Brighton State Recreation Area
Number of Sites: 25
Arrival Logistics: Hike-In, Bike-In, or Drive-In
Reservable Dates: April 1st - October 14th
Cost: $20/night, plus additional fees
Brighton State Recreation Area has something for everyone - especially in the fall when camping at Appleton Lake Rustic Campground under its towering, vibrant oak trees.
Love hiking? Then trek over to the Penosha Trail, repeatedly ranked as one of Michigan's best hiking trails. How about mountain biking? Perfect, you'll be camping with immediate access to Brighton's full MTB loop trail system. And yes, the campground also provides boat launch access to both Appleton Lake and Little Appleton Lake via a connecting stream.
Each site at Appleton Lake Rustic Campground features a picnic table and fire pit. Other amenities include potable water, vault toilets, and a dumpster.
Advanced reservation required to book a site.
EXPLORE BRIGHTON RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT
This article includes Michigan camping insights published within Matt Forster's fantastic guide book Best Tent Camping: Michigan (3rd Edition). We couldn't recommend this book any more for our regional outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the Detroit region and beyond.
What are your favorite campgrounds? Is there a particular "hidden gem" near Detroit that you have been camping at for years that deserves a special spotlight? Let us know in the comments!
Comments