Campground Question...need info.

[caseman]

I am looking to get into camping this year...My wife said she would try it out and we have 4 and 6 year old kids. We took a ride through the Holly recreation area and checked out the campground there. I was hoping the campground would be a little more secluded or rustic. There was about 50-60 groups in there camping on Saturday and they all seemed to have their campers stacked right next to each other. As we have a tent and no camper, I was hoping to find a place that was more remote, secluded, private, more woodsy, etc....It just didn't feel like camping to me as I drove through.

My questions are this:
1. Can anyone list some campgrounds within an hour or two of the Flint area that would seem more outdoorsy...take the kids hiking, fishing for panfish, etc.? Is this even a possiblity?

2. I'm kind of looking to get away from the rat-race, pitch a tent, have a fire, show the kids the outdoors...not have people closer to me than in my neighborhood. Are most campgrounds/state parks kind of crowded like that for camping?

[puttputt]

Bay City State Park is a good place for young families. We used to camp there almost every year when the kids were your kids' ages.
They have a fishing pier perfect for kids (until a 4 year old hooks a big old dogfish... )

there are decent trails for hiking and biking. Camp sites there are mostly quite nice -- treed and spacious.

secluded and rustic? no. You won't find that in a state park these days, except maybe in January. :)

have fun!

[dabarra3]

If you don't mind vault toilets and no showers, check into some of the rustic state forest sites. I believe they are all located on either a lake or river.

[AlmontHappycamper]

Perfect for taking kids to on a first outing or beginning outings. Fire truck rides on weekends, hayrides, swimming pool (later in the year though when it's reaallly warm out), etc. Super family friendly, not too crowded as far as RV's stacked on top of each other. Cabins too if you like. Near Oscoda for fishing, state property for hiking, etc. PM me if you want more info.

[shametamer]

state forest campgrounds offer a 'rustic' camping experience..vault toilets and water from a pump....avery lake,ess lake both south of atlanta are small campgrounds right on the lake(outer perimeter, 2 hours from flint) or you might drop 'snakebit' an e-mail..he has a great handle on lower peninsula campgrounds.

[snakebit67]

Alcona count park, rustic spots with a toilet/shower house on the west primitive side.

[tedshunter]

Check this link out.I stayed there last year and thought it was pretty nice and they have activities for the kids too.Hayrides etc.http://www.geneseeotterlakecampground.com/

[Big Frank 25]

Rustic Campsite (http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365-32926--,00.html) - $14-$10 per night

Scroll down.;)

Vault toilets and hand pump water. No showers or flush toilets.

$14 per night

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park-Presque Isle
Van Riper State Park
$10 per night

Brighton Recreation Area
Craig Lake State Park
Fisherman’s Island State Park
Highland Recreation Area
Interlochen State Park-Green Lake
Leelanau State Park
Newago State Park
Ortonville Recreation Area
Pinckney Recreation Area
Rifle River Recreation Area
Tahquamenon Falls State Park-Rivermouth
Tippy Dam Boating Access Site and Rustic Campground
Warren Dunes State Park
Waterloo Recreation Area-Green Lake
Yankee Springs Recreation Area-Deep Lake

[caseman]

now that is the kind of info I was looking for....thanks men!

one last question, is a "vault toilet" just an outhouse?

[craig2711]

This is about the best Michigan campground directory I have found. The campgrounds are under lodging and you select by city and miles away. Lots of the private campgrounds are also online

http://www.michigan.org/travel/lodging/more.asp?m=6.;1&type=namechar&char=A

[Big Frank 25]

now that is the kind of info I was looking for....thanks men!

one last question, is a "vault toilet" just an outhouse?


Yes.

[garybail]

check out sharron vally state game area
scratch the leaves out of the way
dig small hole put small tent over hole "outhouse "
several small ponds close for fishing, washing, swimming
not to many people around
no campsites
make your own
also open to hunting in season
no radios at 3 am
no campers no crouding just like state forests
we go during the winter
no bugs
good yote hunting
go to dnr website get info
have fun
bk