Top-rated campgrounds
Top-rated campgrounds
Stories from the community
Other options near Saginaw
Cabins near Saginaw guide
Where to go
Saginaw Surrounds
The Saginaw River runs right through downtown Saginaw, providing urban boating and fishing access. Hikers and bikers can take the nearby Saginaw Valley Rail Trail 11 miles to St. Charles in summer (the multi-use trail is utilized by skiers in winter).
Bay City State Park
Just 25 minutes from Saginaw, Bay City State Park sits on a sandy beach of Saginaw Bay that’s perfect for swimming, boating, and fishing. Tent and RV camping sites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms, while observation towers let campers study the wildlife in the park’s Topico Marsh.
Lake Camping on the “Thumb”
About 80 minutes northeast from Saginaw are two state parks on Lake Huron at the tip of Michigan’s thumb. Sleeper State Park has lakeside camping with sunrise and sunset views, plus a dune forest you can explore. Port Crescent State Park, meanwhile, is a designated Dark Sky Preserve with excellent stargazing and a campground offering both cabins and geodesic domes.
Tawas Point State Park
An hour and a half north of Saginaw is Tawas Point State Park, a 183-acre lakeside getaway set on the sand spit that separates Tawas Bay from Lake Huron. The park links up to the Tawas Bay Multi-Use Trail for biking or hiking on the lakeshore, and campers have plenty of options—choose from tent sites, RV sites, and cabins.
When to go
With late sunsets and warm days, summer is the best time to visit Saginaw for a camping trip. The autumn fall foliage transformation is also a beautiful time to camp, while spring and fall are prime for spotting migrating birds. Winters are dark, cold, and snowy—most campers steer clear unless opting for a cozy cabin rental.