The best river, stream, or creek glamping near Pontiac, Michigan

Looking for a glamorous camping experience near Pontiac, Michigan? Hipcamp has over 200 options for you to choose from! Whether you're looking for a cozy cabin or a luxurious tent, we've got you covered. With glamping options near the river, you can wake up to the sound of flowing water and take a dip whenever you please. Our top-rated campsites include Our Lil' Ranch (78 reviews), Rusty's Loft (74 reviews), and EarthColors Farm (73 reviews). On average, prices for glamping near the river start at $45 per night and go as low as $25 per night. Popular amenities include toilets, pets, and trash. If you're feeling adventurous, try snow sports, wind sports, or wildlife watching. Book your perfect glamping getaway now!

85% (90)

Top-rated campgrounds

Looking for a glamorous camping experience near Pontiac, Michigan? Hipcamp has over 200 options for you to choose from! Whether you're looking for a cozy cabin or a luxurious tent, we've got you covered. With glamping options near the river, you can wake up to the sound of flowing water and take a dip whenever you please. Our top-rated campsites include Our Lil' Ranch (78 reviews), Rusty's Loft (74 reviews), and EarthColors Farm (73 reviews). On average, prices for glamping near the river start at $45 per night and go as low as $25 per night. Popular amenities include toilets, pets, and trash. If you're feeling adventurous, try snow sports, wind sports, or wildlife watching. Book your perfect glamping getaway now!

85% (90)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. EarthWell Retreat Center

95%

(32)

49mi from Pontiac · 7 sites · Tents, Lodging · Chelsea, MI

EarthWell Retreat Center boasts a spring-fed swimming pond situated on forty acres of rolling prairie, forest and wetland, surrounded by one hundred acres of Washtenaw County Nature Preserve. Six off-grid sleeping cabins dot the landscape, all within a short walk to our Common House, that includes a large gathering space, community kitchen/dining and bathrooms/shower. EarthWell offers Yoga and Meditation classes and weekend retreats year-round. Located in Southeastern Michigan, just 30 minutes west of Ann Arbor, and near the towns of Grasslake, Chelsea, Manchester. (All downtowns are 7-10 miles away). EarthWell allows hiking, wildlife watching (amazing sandhill cranes), swimming and canoeing/kayaking/paddleboating in our pond. East of Chelsea is the expansive Pinckney and Waterloo State Recreation areas, with over 20 lakes and trails for hikers, bikers, backpackers, and horseback riders. There are two households (the families of Ari Wakeman and Emily Adama) that live permanently on the property. (one in the lower level of the common house, and one in a cabin 200 yards from the common house.) During your rental they will maintain quiet and privacy for your group, but will remain on the property for the duration of your stay and will be available should any issues arise. SWIMMING AT YOUR OWN RISK + Paddle board, Kayak, Canoe, Paddleboat and life jackets/floaties available in the green shed by the pond. *Please note the common house is unavailable between 9:30-5:30pm on the following 2024 dates due to day long retreats. * July 28 * Aug 6 * Aug 10 * Aug 18 * Sept. 14 * Oct 19 * Nov 9 * Nov 16 * Dec 7

2. Walnut Hills Family Campground and RV Park

39mi from Pontiac · 107 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Durand, MI

Discover the unique charm of Walnut Hills Family Campground, where our short drive time, diverse activities, and efficient no-wait check-in process allow you to maximize your fun and minimize your time on the road. Spanning 45 acres and featuring 203 spacious grassy sites, our campground is beautifully situated along the Shiawassee River, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. At Walnut Hills, we pride ourselves on creating unforgettable experiences for families and friends. Our extensive amenities and engaging activities are designed to foster lasting memories. One of the highlights of our campground is the exhilarating Wibit Water Park. This exciting aquatic attraction features a variety of inflatable obstacles, slides, and platforms, ensuring endless entertainment for guests of all ages. Whether you’re ready to tackle the floating challenges or simply relax in the sun, the Wibit Water Park adds a splash of adventure to your camping experience. Join us at Walnut Hills Family Campground, where outdoor adventures and aquatic thrills come together to create the perfect getaway. Explore the natural beauty surrounding our park, enjoy nearby swimming holes, and take advantage of local restaurants and shops. Your unforgettable camping experience awaits!

3. Masters Rustic Retreat and Farm

31mi from Pontiac · 1 site · Lodging · Memphis, MI

Welcome to Masters Rustic Retreat. We have a unique cabin on a site overlooking the Belle River, Glamp under the stars. *** There is no running water, however we have 5 gallon jugs provided to clean dishes, wash your hands etc.* Unplug on this secluded hideaway, If you love to be in nature but don't like the hassle of camping this is the place for you! We have trails to walk though, a fire pit, and hammock you can enjoy.

4. The waŋblí tipi

100%

(2)

34mi from Pontiac · 1 site · Lodging · Lapeer, MI

We have a fully furnished 18 foot tipi on a 3 acre mostly wooded land. Plus a 2 and half acre pond. there are many activities to do including swimming, fishing (catch and release only), kayaking, paddle board. Hiking trails and a few games around the property. We have a outdoor bathroom. There is electrical outlet 100 feet away outdoor electrical option. Detroit is 1 hour 20 minutes away. Port Huron 1 hour away. Frankenmuth is 45 minutes away. 10 minutes away from a wide variety of restaurants and shopping.

Stories from the community

A

Anthony

September 2025

3 nights at EarthWell Retreat Center

Absolutely beautiful. Extremely accommodating. They have the most amazing pond and trails. The common house is immaculate and the wildlife and sky views are perfect

Inside the lower bungalow. Additional thick camping mat available under beds.

G

Gershy

September 2025

3 nights at EarthWell Retreat Center

Earthwell is a wonderful place to unplug and immerse yourself in nature without feeling completely cut off from humanity. The retreat has charming, well-stocked cabins that felt cozy and homey. Firewood and amenities were thoughtfully provided. Outhouses were well-maintained and managed odor surprisingly well. The property itself is stunning: grass trails wind through meadows, forests, hills, and streams, with a pond perfect for paddling (canoes, kayaks, and a paddleboat are included). Wildlife is abundant- fish, frogs, and turtles in the pond; hawks, bats, and countless birds overhead; and even the distant calls of coyotes and foxes. The diversity of trees- walnut, oak, maple, and pines- made the terrain lush and vibrant. Nights brought a gorgeous starry sky and mornings offered beautiful sunrises. The host, Emily, was warm and welcoming while providing plenty of space. Chelsea, just ten minutes away, makes for an easy day trip or supply run, but you may never want to leave the property. Overall, Earthwell is a fantastic spot for several days of peaceful retreat and a place that captures the best of Pure Michigan.

L

Lauren

August 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to EarthWell Retreat Center

We had such a great visit to EarthWell retreat! We absolutely loved our little rustic cabin and all the details made it so inviting and cozy. No need for electricity when they provide wireless fans and lanterns. The grounds are very well taken care of, the trails easy to walk and explore. The pond wasn’t too swimmable as it was later in the summer and the vegetation was high but we never felt that distracted from our weekend. Chelsea is close and has lots of options for food and shopping. Having the main house for charging and showers was a really nice extra benefit. We also fell in love with a very friendly kitty that came to visit us a few times. Overall, this is a great place to come and take a break from it all. Highly recommend!

V

Veronica

July 2025

Weekend Trip to The waŋblí tipi

We had such a good weekend in the tipi! Kadyah is a fantastic host - very responsive and kind. Check in was simple and quick. The campsite is woody, toilet clean and convenient. There are many amenities in the tipi, we had everything we needed. Kadyah even made sure we had plenty of bug repellant options so we could enjoy the outdoor space. We used the SUP and kayak for a little paddle out on the water and that was very nice. This is a great camping option!