Our Favorite Campgrounds in Michigan’s Thumb
Michigan’s Thumb has some of the finest beaches, cutest towns, and best campgrounds in the state. When choosing which is best for you, we’ve got you covered!
Compared to other shoreline areas of Michigan, the Thumb has fewer campgrounds than most. However, that doesn’t mean those that exist aren’t worth checking out! Some of our favorite campgrounds in Michigan are in the Thumb, and you’ll find all of those in this list.
One of our favorite things about camping in Michigan’s Thumb is the variety of landscapes you’ll find there. From the sandy beaches of Caseville County Park to the historical architecture at Stafford County Park, there’s something here for everyone. Plus, you’re never far from a cute town like Port Austin, Caseville, or Port Hope, so you can grab a bite to eat or go shopping while you’re camping.
Be sure to check out our full guide on exploring Michigan’s Thumb! Let’s dive into our favorite campgrounds in Michigan’s Thumb!
Our Favorite Campgrounds in Michigan’s Thumb
Click ‘Details’ on any of the points to drop down to more information, or just scroll down
Only a short drive north of Port Huron, Lakeport State Park is one of the best camping options in southeastern Michigan. There are sites with full electric hookups, a camp store, a beach for swimming, trails meandering throughout the park, and miles of shoreline for rock hunting! We’ve found dozens of gorgeous stones here, and it’s our go-to rock hunting destination in Michigan’s Thumb.
Because of this park’s location, the campground tends to fill up when the weather gets warmer. However, we’ve had good luck booking last minute because of cancellations, so it never hurts to check the DNR camping website to see if you can snag a spot for the weekend.
Another perk of this campground is your proximity to Port Huron, making this an excellent jumping-off point for your adventures through the boyhood home of Thomas Edison.
We first discovered Stafford County Park during the pandemic; we stayed there the first weekend it reopened, and we’ve been in love ever since. Full hook-up and rustic sites are available, with the latter being our first choice. There are a handful of sites right on Lake Huron; the sunrise is a breathtaking way to be woken up every morning! Plus, there are cabins for rent here, too.
Stafford County Park’s history goes back over a century, with the park sitting on land that once belonged to William R. Stafford, a lumber baron whose family still resides in the town. Half the appeal of staying at Stafford County Park is being able to walk or ride into Port Hope and the businesses on the main drag in town. We have a complete guide on Port Hope; however, we can’t help but mention the breakfast at Buck’s Port Hope Diner, the wide variety of antiques at Port Hope Antiques, and the huge portions of ice cream at the Chill Zone.
Whether you’re looking for a jumping-off point for your explorations in Michigan’s Thumb or want a relaxing place to enjoy Lake Huron, Stafford County Park has you covered.
Originally a county park, Huron State Park opened on the premises in 1927. In 1944, the park would be renamed after Albert E. Sleeper, Michigan’s 29th governor. Since then, the park has been continuously improved and enlarged and offers amenities on both sides of M-25. The beach is the park’s crown jewel; however, it isn’t the only reason we love this place.
The campground is huge, and some of the sites are quite large, too. Multiple playgrounds and a few hiking trails are spread out around the park. The bathroom facilities are modern and well-kept, and there are trees all over the place, providing shade for campers. Depending on when you visit, you may be greeted by thousands of Gypsy Moth Caterpillars, which call the park home in the summer.
There’s a pedestrian bridge to cross the busy road, so you don’t have to worry about sending the kids to the beach by themselves. There’s ice cream within walking/biking distance, too, which is always a good shout!
Caseville County Park is likely the most popular in the Huron County Parks system, and for good reason. Perched on the shores of Lake Huron right next to the largest sandy beach in Michigan’s Thumb, the park is a popular place for camping from when it opens in mid-April until it closes after Halloween. This place is huge, too, offering over 200 sites.
In addition to the beach, which gets crowded in the warmer months and on holiday weekends, the park offers access to the Caseville Pier and Light, downtown Caseville’s bars, restaurants, and shopping, and the beach cafe, which, at the time of writing, is called Baywatch on the Beach Grill.
If you’re looking for something quiet and secluded, this isn’t the campground for you. However, if you want to be right in the heart of Caseville and on the water, Caseville County Park is the place for you!
At one time, there was a village called Pinnebog near the current location of Port Crescent State Park. Fueled mainly by lumbering jobs, the village would be decimated by the timber industry moving north and the Thumb Fires of 1871 and 1881. Sand mining continued here for a few decades; however, by the 1950s, that was gone, too.
In 1956, Michigan purchased a large swathe of land that once encompassed Pinnebog (and the Pinnebog River), and a state park would open there three years later.
Today, Port Crescent State Park has modern amenities, a dog-friendly beach, and fishing on the river and the big lake. Port Crescent is also a designated Dark Sky Park, which makes this a perfect place to watch (or photograph) the night sky due to how little light pollution there is in the area. When the aurora is powerful, you can see the northern lights here, too.
Located just outside Port Austin, Port Crescent State Park is the perfect place for a summer camping getaway in Michigan’s Thumb.
Lighthouse County Park is likely the most unique campground on this list because of its proximity to a historic lighthouse. Perched on the shores of Lake Huron next to Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse, it’s hard to find more history in a campground than at Lighthouse County Park.
There aren’t many sites here, so planning your trip in advance is best. Still, we’ve had good luck booking on short notice. The sites are designed for RVs, but some sites will work for tents, too, and cabins are available for rent.
Despite being right on the water, this isn’t an excellent place for swimming, and the water is rocky, hence the need for a lighthouse. Still, you can wade into the water, cast out a line to try and catch a fish, or explore the lighthouse when it’s open for tours. There’s a boat launch, too, which will appeal to people who want to fish, cruise, or kayak.
Lighthouse County Park isn’t the most remote campground on this list; however, considering its location next to Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse and towns like Port Hope and Port Austin, it is well worth a visit!
Hopefully, by this point, you have a few campgrounds on your list to try this summer! Despite not being as developed as other areas in Michigan, the Thumb is one of our favorite places to camp, hike, and vacation.
To better plan your next adventure across Michigan, use our Interactive Map!
Enjoy the trip!
