Who says that winter camping has to be a suffer fest? Here we invite you take sit back, warm up, and explore the cozy side of camping with these 5 best glamping destinations near Detroit during Winter 2025!
Eight degrees Fahrenheit. -13.3333º Celsius for our Canadian faithful.
I could barely make out the temperature from my near-frozen watch while burrowed inside a tent perched high on the "Island in the Sky" in Canyonlands National Park. All that I knew was that I had never been so cold in my life. A type of cold where sleep becomes a foregone conclusion, leaving you huddled and shivering while endlessly waiting for the sun to make its grand arrival.
You'd think that a bitter Michigan winter would provide enough conditioning for a backpacking trip to the deserts of Moab, Utah in early spring. You'd also be damn wrong for underestimating the temperature swings of the desert - especially when compounded by the critical error of leaving nearly all of their winter camping gear back home.
Air mattress? Deflated. Sleeping bag? Not tundra-rated. Expedition Detroit's own Dr. Eric Reilly? Snoring profoundly about two feet to my right.
Sunrise couldn't come soon enough.
Friends: winter camping does NOT have to be an all-night "Suffer Fest." While nights spent in a backcountry tent - in the dead of winter - will inevitably produce greater resiliency and legendary campfire stories, we'd be fools to suggest that such experiences are for everyone. Especially if you have friends and family that you hope will actually want to continue adventuring through the Detroit region's outdoors with you.
This article wanders from the backcountry campsites of our typical content to the cozier side of camping: Glamping, or "glamorous camping." In the spirit of Scandinavian hygge traditions, we invite you to schedule a relaxing and rejuvenating wintertime retreat to these five idyllic destinations for glamping near Detroit.
1. Green Lake Yurt | Waterloo State Recreation Area | Chelsea, Michigan
Weekend Reservation Fee: $78 per night
How to Reserve: Online via Michigan State Park & Harbor Reservations
If you're looking for the most adventurous destination for glamping near Detroit, then Waterloo Recreation Area's famous Green Lake Yurt will provide the perfect destination for your crew this winter! The Yurt sits on a scenic bluff overlooking its namesake Green Lake. The Yurt is located within the Green Lake Rustic Campground and is close to the reknown Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, the Detroit region's preeminent backpacking thru-trail.
The Yurt is ADA accessible with a ramp leading up to the deck and a handicap parking area in front. The yurt will sleeps 5 people with its 2 futons that each convert to a double bed and a single bunk above one of the futons (bedding is not provided). The Yurt is heated by a propane stove, has solar powered lights inside (no electricity though), features a small inside table inside, a propane cooking stove (bring a 1-pound canister), and an outdoor grill are provided.
Logistical Information: From December 1st to the first Friday in May, the gate to Green Lake Campground is closed. Depending on the weather, you may have to hike in to the Yurt (approximately 3/4 of a mile). If weather and snow permits, there is a combination lock on the gate to provide driving access to the Yurt. The Yurt door key is located in a lock box on the deck rail by the door. The combination to the lock box and the gate will be available 2 days prior to your arrival. Contact the park at (734) 475-8307 during business hours (8-12 & 1-4:30) to obtain the combination.
Recommended Experience: Hike or bike the DTE Green Trail along the banks of Green Lake.
2. Point Pelee oTENTik Campsites | Point Pelee National Park | Leamington, Ontario
Weekend Reservation Fee: $133.25 (CAD) per night
How to Reserve: Reserve by calling 1-877-RESERVE (737-3783) or online by visiting Parks Canada Campground Reservation Service.
Experience the prisitine lakeside wilderness of Point Pelee National Park like never before this winter by experiencing the glamping life in an oTENTik tent! Located at Point Pelee's Camp Henry campsite, the oTENTik tents provide a relaxing, comfortable, and easy camping experience for adventurers of all experience levels. The oTENTik tents are a cross between an A-frame cabin and a prospector tent, permanently fixed to a raised wooden floor, and maintained for visitors all year round.
There are 24 oTENTik sites nestled in the heart of Point Pelee, making them a great base to explore all the park has to offer. Point Pelee is located at the southernmost point of the Canadian mainland and boasts world-class cycling, paddling, and hiking throughout Canada’s second smallest and most ecologically diverse national park. Better yet, your overnight stay will provide you with an unparalleled stargazing opportunity thanks to Point Pelee's status as a Dark Sky Preserve.
Recommended Experience: Hike to "the Tip" - the southernmost point of mainland Canada!
3. Waymeet "Orchardside" Homestead | Ann Arbor, Michigan
Weekend Reservation Fee: $50 per night
How to Reserve: Online via Hipcamp
Introducing the first Hipcamp destination to be featured in an Expedition Detroit article! Visitors to the stunning "Orchardside Homestead" will pair this gorgeous destination for glamping near Detroit with native Michigan woods, pastures grazed by North American Heritage Yak, an ancient orchard, a natural swimming pond, and free ranging chickens. Visitors are free to explore the site's pond, wander the woods, meet a chicken, pet a yak, and live the "small farm experience" by following the hosts through their morning farming chores.
Orchardside features a 16 ft. diameter glamping tent, lavishly furnished with a king bed, furs and Persian carpets. The tent is heated by a wood burning stove capable of keeping the tent toasty down to 0ºF. Nestled in beside its namesake orchard and one of their yak pastures, the glamping tent is located just a short walk from the destination's hot outdoor shower and natural swimming pool.
Recommended Experience: Hike or paddle through Ann Arbor's Barton and Bird Hills Nature Areas.
4. Rustic Cabins at Island Lake | Island Lake State Recreation Area | Brighton, Michigan
Weekend Reservation Fee: $100 per night
How to Reserve: Online via Michigan State Park & Harbor Reservations
Does a rustic cabin truly constitute "glamping"? Eh...we may be stretching the definition slightly, but we simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to live the cabin life at one of the Detroit region's most celebrated recreational destinations: Island Lake State Recreation Area.
According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Island Lake's "White Pine" and "Blue Spruce" cabins provide campers with an "Up North experience close to the city." Each cabin includes bunk beds (8 beds in each cabin), a propane heater, a closet, and a grill. Vault toilets are located nearby, and both cabins share the same water supply.
Recommended Experience: Hiking Island Lake's famous "Yellow Trail Loop." Bonus points if you pair your rustic cabin stay with one of our top-rated guided hikes on the Yellow Trail!
5. Territorial Acres | Whitmore Lake, Michigan
Weekend Reservation Fee: $50 per night
How to Reserve: Online via Hipcamp
Couple a peaceful getaway with an idyllic glamping experience this winter at the top-rated "Territorial Acres" Hipcamp destination! You'll find yourself right at home in their large 4-season canvas tent, which is fully-outfitted on a wood platform with a wood burning stove, fire pit, grill, and private bathroom containing a hot shower and composting toilet.
Located off-grid yet in the heart of Washtenaw County, Territorial Acres boasts 15 acres of pristine wetlands, open fields, and forests. In the winter, the site's wetlands freeze over for added adventure opportunities. Territorial Acres also features 12 chickens on site, 2 hoop houses, perennial berry bushes, grape vines, and seasonal veggies. Within 20 minutes of our property there are dozens of options for hiking and mountain bike trails, lakes, rivers, restaurants, museums, and more.
Additional Amenities: Queen bed, pillows, blankets, linens, dining table, dishes/silverware, french press coffee maker, pots and pans, games, towels, dish cloths, potable water, hot shower, and composting toilet.
Recommended Experience: Explore the hiking and cross-country skiing trails at Huron Meadows Metropark.
Do you own or operate a unique destination for camping or glamping near Detroit? Amazing - we'd love to hear about it! Contact us to collaborate via info@expeditiondetroit.com.
This article contains affiliate links that align with Expedition Detroit's Disclosures policy. This article does not constitute an endorsement by Expedition Detroit of any of the featured destinations for camping or glamping near Detroit.
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