The best camping near Sterling State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Sterling State Park adventure.

33% (3 reviews)

The only state park on the shores of Lake Erie.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Sterling State Park

Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Sterling State Park

33%

(3)

Sterling Campground

256 sites · RVs, Tents In Sterling State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Sterling State Park

96%

(401)

Riverside Camping

5 sites · RVs, Tents94 acres · Port Clinton, OH

We have a kayak and canoe livery called Portage River Paddling Company. We are nestled on 94 acres on the Portage River. You will be camping in the back of our property along the Portage River. You will be just a 5 minute walk from renting kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, gem mining, axe throwing, cornhole, giant Jenga, goats, Gizmo the 160 pound Sulcata Tortoise, Jasper the iguana and more!

100%

(72)

Uncle Chuck's Cabin

1 site · Lodging6 acres · Grand Rapids, OH

This property is a great place to enjoy nature. The Metropark has an easement through the canal. Bendview park is nearby. Undeveloped park acreage is near the access road to the east. Fly kites or drones in the grassy field. Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are fun winter sports to indulge in. Birds find sanctuary here. Baltimore orioles, Cedar Waxwings,eagles, bluebirds and pileated woodpeckers pass through. Arrowheads have been found everywhere. There's peace and quiet in the surrounding area. Learn more about this land: See nature up close at this secluded getaway a 10 minute walk from South River Road. Enjoy fishing, bird watching, water sports, hiking, campfires and star gazing. Situated on the grassy bank of the Maumee with a natural boat launch. Adjacent to Metropark towpath between Waterville and Grand Rapids. Your fee includes propane and propane lantern, firewood and gas for the generator, plus use of boat, life vests and oars. Property has a fire ring, picnic table, grill and charcoal, sanitary outhouse and ample parking. Cabin has a microwave, Keurig, wood stove, futon, loft with full size bed, 5-gallon thermos of water, and electricity from a generator. No running water or kitchen. We provide twin sheets and pillow for the futon. We also make the full size bed in the loft.

98%

(27)

Boone Farm & Forest

2 sites · Tents600 acres · Dexter, MI

Come set up camp at this beautiful wooded site in the middle of our 600+ acre farm. Your site rests along a secluded stream surrounded by woods away from any noise of the city or road. It's back to the basics camping at Boone farm, no bathroom or water is available. However, we have firewood for purchase. **If you bring your own wood please take any unburned logs with you when you leave** While the farm is sprawling, there are multiple houses across the property so stay on established trails only and keep your noise levels down. This is a working farm, so you may occasionally see trucks or tractors. Please be respectful of nature and our home by following the Pack It In Pack It Out protocol - what ever you bring to the site, please take it with you when you leave.

99%

(68)

Tails and Trails Horse Farm

3 sites · Tents80 acres · Adrian, MI

Tails and Trails Farm is a gorgeous property that sits on 80 acres at the edge of the Irish Hills. We offer a place of healing and support for humans and animals through nature, music, and interaction. Many of our animals are rescues and we use them in a variety of therapies in an effort of healing for human an animal alike. We offer guided trail rides, horseback riding lessons, and pony rides. You can also tour the farm, meet the animals, and hear their stories. We look forward to meeting you!Learn more about this land:Come and enjoy our farm! Tails and Trails is a small family-owned horse farm in the Irish Hills of southeastern Michigan.Our campsite sits in the middle of 30 acres of private woods. There is a fire ring with room for seating and a separate area to place your tent directly adjacent. There is also another sitting area and plenty of options to hang hammocks. The site is about a 10 minute or .5 mile walk through a beautiful wooded trail from the parking area. We do offer our services to bring larger items to the site by utility vehicle upon request. We also offer scheduled horseback trail rides across our 82 acres, for people of all ages. (If you have small children please specify so we can discuss options.) Please send us a message if you are interested to inquire about availability or if there are any questions we can answer. In addition to the many full-size horses, we also have several miniature horses, miniature donkeys, chickens, 5 dogs, barn cats, and a pot-belly pig. All of which love attention from humans of all ages. We are a 420 friendly property as cannabis is legal in Michigan. There are 5 dispensaries in Adrian offering both Recreational and Medical cannabis products for sale. If you would like help or advice about the local market please just ask. This is a pack it in, pack it out campsite. The closest source of potable water is in the barn or about a ten-minute walk from the site. This is a perfect social distancing campsite however you are still only a 10-minute drive to the nearest grocery store and 20 minutes from some great swimming lakes, kayaking, and small-town allure in the Irish Hills area. Ann Arbor is also only a 45-minute drive and has a bounty to offer anyone. We are very familiar with the city and can offer advice or suggestions if you'd like. There is a kayak rental in Tecumseh which is about 15 minutes away where you can do an entire river loop and return to the same place thus requiring only one vehicle. There are also several close lakes where you can drop your own kayak in and explore. If you’d like some more amenities then Walter Hayes State Park or Lake Hudson State Park are both about a 20-minute drive. We have trails throughout the woods and along with our fields for exploring. We welcome guests to wander and enjoy the property while respecting nature and all the things that live here. The area is alive with animals and creatures of all types. Families of deer and turkey call the farm home and don’t be surprised to hear a coyote howl at night. With natural water sources and different types of topography, we are blessed to have a variety of wildlife at our farm.We keep to ourselves however are more than happy to accommodate reasonable requests and appreciate others getting to enjoy the beauty and serenity the country can offer.We welcome all humans of good character that show love to each other and the Earth.

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(295)

Rusty's Retreat with pond and river

13 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · West Millgrove, OH

We bought this 125+ year old farm in 2010 with the hope of bringing it back to life. Overgrown and neglected, we have worked hard to make it a nice place for hiking, kayaking, fishing or any number of other activities. Peaceful and remote, the property has a beautiful brook that leads you to the South branch of the Portage river. Deer, turkey, geese, herons, mink and fox are just a few of our natural animal friends. Rusty the steer and his pony friends Buckeye and Lexi can be visited while they graze in the pasture. There's also Turk the turkey and his flock of chickens. We have the perfect place for dogs as well. We have four dogs that get along great with others and our fenced pond keeps them safe.

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(203)

34Long Haul Flower Farm

3 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Chelsea, MI

Long Haul Farm is an organic flower farm in Chelsea, MI dedicated to sustainably growing plants, family, community, and soil biology for generations, the long haul! --- 2024 update ---- R We are doing less flower growing that we did before, as life has taken us to work outside of our own space. However, we've shifted to more stewardship on our property and the adjacent preserve. We'd love to guide you on a hike and teach about the local ecology, flora, and fauna too! The goats and chickens continue to provide joyful entertainment as well. --- AN OFFERING --- Acknowledging that this land was unceded by the people who previously occupied it, we're offering that anyone with indigenous ancestry can stay for reduced rates, just message us and ask! -------- History -------- Growing up, I used to come here to visit my great-aunt & uncle's horse ranch. My great uncle grew up visiting his great uncle who was one of the first in our family on this land. They were animal and nature lovers, and in their retirement, sold 130 acres to The Nature Conservancy, all of which is now protected as a county nature preserve. Unfortunately, 11 years ago, my great-uncle and aunt had passed, and we had to sell the family land. Serendipitously, as we were looking for a farm homestead to move to, we reconnected with the owners of the land, and they were just deciding to sell it. My family was able to buy back the family land and continue the legacy. -------- Onwards ---- Kathryn and I are restarted our cut-flower farm and hoping to develop a permaculture inspired orchard and keep chickens and pigs. We love living here surrounded by extensive state and county parks and recreation land, while still being close enough to Chelsea and Ann Arbor for all that they provide. Our aim is to create a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable atmosphere for our visitors. We hope to provide a refuge in nature and perhaps even some education of flowers or wildlife. Join us in carrying on the legacy of family land stewardship and love for natural spaces! - Doug (he/him/his) & Kat (she/her/hers) & Phoebe (3yr old - She/they TBD)

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(259)

Carlandia CannaCamp

5 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Manchester, MI

We believe in promoting natural areas and encouraging formation of habitat and ask visitors to please leave the space as good or better than you found it. We love this beautiful planet and are happy to share this beautiful place with you! ✌🏾💙🌎 Nearly 42 acres of rolling hills, alfalfa fields, organic herb garden, and trails! See hawks, sandhill cranes, 20+ songbirds, deer and maybe fox, bald eagle, osprey, or coyote! Minutes to waterfowl preserve, lake life, antiquing, mountain/road bicycling, kayak lakes and streams, disc golf onsite... Lots to do!

100%

(14)

Waymeet Homestead

2 sites · Tents10 acres · Ann Arbor, MI

A gorgeous shared homestead with native Michigan woods, pastures grazed by North American Heritage Yak, an ancient orchard, a natural swimming pond, and free ranging chickens. Lounge by the pond, wander the woods, and relax, or meet a chicken, pet a yak, and get the small farm experience by following us through morning chores.

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(81)

White Pine Farm HipCamping

6 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Ann Arbor, MI

EVENTS; LARGE GROUPS - We are hosting events! Graduation parties, small weddings, family reunions, you name it. You can rent the whole campground for a day a night, a weekend, or a whole week if that suits your need. Just send us a message and we can talk about it. We can also accommodate large groups at a single campsite or you can rent several of them. Our primary guideline is that if your event will be held while other campers are here, it cannot disturb them. So, consider renting the whole campground: we can work with you on a reasonable price. IMPORTANT NOTICE 1 - If you book a site for the Labor Day Weekend, please be advised that a neighbor holds a camping event at the same time and there will be some noise from 4 wheelers on their property. If this kind of activity wouldn't bother you then feel free to come stay with us! We'd love to have you. IMPORTANT NOTICE 2: Please plan to arrive and set up camp between 3 and 9 PM. If you are planning to arrive after 9 PM, please send us a message letting us know. We decide on a case by case basis since we prefer not to have late arrivals. In any event we do not accept arrivals after 11 PM except in an emergency since many campers and your host may have already gone to bed. Overview: Our beautiful 10 acre farm and homestead is situated between Ann Arbor and Dexter not far from the Huron River. The 5 acre area where our campsites are located is wooded with mature oak, maple, walnut, elm, and white pine trees. We're isolated and surrounded by wild areas and natural farm land but just a 10 minute drive to restaurants, groceries, fuel, and other amenities. The Ann Arbor area is home to a huge array of world class events from the Ark music venue to National Champions Michigan home football games and a whole lot more. Downtown Ann Arbor or Dexter or Chelsea is only a 15 minute car drive. White Lotus Farms, which has a wonderful farm market on Saturdays from 9 - 2 and Wednesdays from 9 - 1, is a 10 minute walk down our dirt road. If you forget to bring something that you need, don't hesitate to ask! We've got a growing number of camping essentials for rent or sale for very reasonable prices that can make your stay even more enjoyable: from bug repellants to camp chairs, potable water in 2.5 - 5 gallon containers, and more.

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Treasure Hunt Treehouse

1 site · Lodging3 acres · Brooklyn, MI

On the bank of the Raisin River, 3 acres on a dirt road in the country. Amenties: Starlink WiFi Smart TV with Netflix, Disney+, Prime, and Atari. Minifridge, coffee maker, toaster Propane heaters only and we supply the propane. Heated mattress pads on all the beds. Potable water available via hose right from our home Outdoor Activities: Stargazing Ice Fishing Miles of Hiking Trails on State Land within a 5-min walk Outdoor Shooting Range open all year long less than 5 min away! 7 min drive from public boat launch (No Boat Parking) Swimming with Private Access to All Sport Lake Fire Pit with Seating: Wood & Cash Jar by the Fence Kayaks: Available to rent (Weather Permitting) NOTE: For Winter, we highly recommend 4 wheel drive vehicles. We have a steep driveway on a dirt road!.

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(42)

Beautiful Lake Shawood Sanctuary

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Novi, MI

We are closed for the season. Have a wonderful fall and winter season. Beautiful camping experience on our little slice of heaven. Lake Shawood is a beautiful, natural spring-fed, non-motorized lake that primarily borders the City of Novi's exquisite Lakeshore Park. Lakeshore Park has everything from playgrounds for very young children and older children, to picnic pavillions and a sandy beach, and miles of hiking, running, and biking trails. We fell in love with this property the second we walked behind the old cottage. I love nature and being outdoors, especially hiking and biking. We are still making improvements on the land with a small garden, which you are welcome to enjoy during your stay. Our big-picture vision is to renovate the old cottage and live in it. This property is about 1/3 of an acre and has 1 large old oak tree and garden beds with flowers, herbs, and vegetables. (You can help yourself to any of the fruits or vegetables that are ripe) We are on an old smaller home/cottage-style small residential street. Please keep in mind, that this is a spot for family and friend fun with the awareness of keeping it a sanctuary space for the neighbors as well. Enchanting Lakefront Camping Site Pitch your tent and bring your family and children to our exquisitely beautiful site. The property sits on Shawood Lake, a non-motorized private waterfront site. There’s plenty of room to park your car, pitch a tent, enjoy a campfire, and the beauty of all types of birds (swans, geese, ospreys, and the occasional bald eagle), and animal life. The sunsets in this area are breathtaking. Take a short 30-second walk and enjoy Pavilion Shore Park, a family-oriented park with a playground, swimming, fishing pier, and waterfront seating of Walled Lake. You’ll also find public restrooms which are open until 10 pm through the summer and a restaurant across the street. We also have a portable camping toilet with a nice pop-up tent for privacy. Lakeshore Park is a 5-minute walk, an 11-acre park with volleyball, swimming, bike, and hiking trails (more than 10 miles of mountain biking and multi-purpose trails), horseshoe pits, BBQs, picnic shelters, and play structures.

96%

(28)

Bracy Gold Bison Ranch

11 sites · RVs, Tents85 acres · Swanton, OH

Welcome to our working bison ranch, where a unique experience awaits you. Explore our ranch through walking the paths that meander along the creek and around each bison pasture. As you stroll, discover the serenity of a large pond teeming with fish, dragonflies, butterflies, and amphibians. Visit our onsite store, where you can purchase our high-quality bison meat and unique bison artifacts. Additionally, from May to October, we offer tractor-drawn wagon tours into the pastures, providing an up-close encounter with these majestic animals. Nestled within a few miles of charming small towns boasting independent restaurants and stores, our location offers a perfect blend of rural tranquility and local amenities. For those seeking more extensive shopping options, we are conveniently situated within 15 miles of larger Toledo suburbs, featuring a variety of big-box stores. Our bison enjoy over 55 acres of pasture, benefitting from our commitment to rotational grazing for both pasture and bison health. At our ranch, we prioritize working harmoniously with the land, fostering the return of native flora and fauna to our property. Situated a few miles north of Swanton, our land, once used for standard crops, has undergone a transformation. After five years, we proudly boast an array of accomplishments, including the identification of over 25 different bird species in a single morning, an increase in local native pollinator populations (including the monarch butterfly), and a reduction in soil erosion. Join us on this journey as we invite you to experience the beauty of nature, the magnificence of bison, and the positive impact of sustainable practices on our land.

The best camping near Sterling State Park guide

Overview

About

Less than an hour from Detroit, Lake Erie’s only state park packs a lot into a small space. The mile-long sandy beach fronts the lake, while three lagoons lie at the mouth of Sandy Creek, providing plenty of options for boating, walleye fishing, and swimming. If you can tear yourself away from the water, seven miles of trails lead the way around the lagoons and marshes. Campers can head to the modern campground, where 244 tent/RV sites all have electric hookups (some have full hookups), and six camper cottages are available.

Tips for snagging a campsite

You can reserve sites at Sterling State Park via the Michigan State Park & Harbor Reservations website.
Campsite reservations open six months in advance.
Campsites and cabins can fill up quickly for summer and holiday weekends, so book at least three months in advance.

When to go

Sterling State Park draws the crowds in the summer months, when the lakeshore and lagoons provide welcome relief from the urban heat. Bring bug spray if visiting at this time, though—the lakeside is notorious for its mozzies. Spring through fall is ideal for hiking and outdoor activities, while winter visitors will find some trails closed off. Sterling State Park Campground is open from April through the first weekend of November.

Know before you go

Sterling State Park is set on the far eastern shore of Lake Erie, 40 miles southwest of Detroit or about a 40-minute drive away.
A Recreation Passport is required to visit all Michigan state parks. Camping reservation fees also apply.
Facilities include a picnic area, restrooms, a boat launch, fishing piers, and vending machines.
There are accessible campsites, restrooms, fishing piers, and trails at Sterling State Park.

33%

3 ratings · 1 review

Not recommend

· July 2017

Water is rarely swimmable due to ecoli or other dangerous issues, zero shade to escape the heat, but you get 2 giant smoke stacks to enjoy in your view. Definitely aimed at RV camping. By far the worst campsite I've ever been to.

Sarah L.

7 years on Hipcamp