Camping in Sterling State Park

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Top-rated campgrounds near Sterling State Park

98%
(25)

Breathe in Silence & Serenity

10 sites · RVs, Tents23 acres · Ann Arbor, MI
Experience the tranquility of nature just minutes from downtown Ann Arbor. This prime location offers easy access to hiking trails and the Huron River, making it a perfect retreat for outdoor enthusiasts. The campsite is both herb and pet friendly, providing essential amenities like potable water and toilets. Enjoy year-round campfires in the provided pit or create your own, with cut wood available from the neighbor next door or forage your own from the woods on property. Relax and unwind as you watch breathtaking sunsets or feel the gentle breeze while taking in the expansive natural views. The property features a walking trail that circles the entire area, ideal for walking meditations. At night, be serenaded by the sounds of wood owls, foxes, coyotes, and pond frogs. During the day, spot hawks, eagles, sandhill cranes, blue herons, wild turkeys, ravens, pheasants, deer, and salamanders. You might also hear the soothing sounds of neighboring cattle farms. Additionally, you’re just minutes away from Raspberry U-Pick and other local organic farms, offering fresh, local produce to enhance your camping experience. Our property houses 3 Nigerian Dwarf goats in a pasture. They are very friendly and love hanging out and being pet. We also have 2 free range dogs on the property, Zeus and Rosie, both very friendly. We have a wood fired sauna that can be rented for an addiitonal fee of $50. Amananda Retreat Center also features a large community space for gathering,, breathwork, yoga, dance, meditation, sound healing, ceremony, etc. that can be rented upon request for additional fees. No same day bookings booked after 5pm. And please no late entry past 8pm in summer and 5pm in winter unless you've already checked in.
Pets
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from 
$33
 / night
98%
(94)

White Pine Farm HipCamping

6 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Ann Arbor, MI
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. IMPORTANT NOTICE: 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. NEW IN 2025 we have installed a hose with potable water near the entrance to the campground for your convenience.
Pets
Potable water
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$45
 / night
98%
(40)

Bracy Gold Bison Ranch

11 sites · RVs, Tents85 acres · Swanton, OH
Welcome to our working bison ranch, where a unique experience awaits you. We are 10 minutes from Interstate 80/90. 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. Please call Carmen at +14193201283 to schedule your tour. 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.
Pets
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from 
$30
 / night

Other options near Sterling State Park

Camping in 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

  1. You can reserve sites at Sterling State Park via the Michigan State Park & Harbor Reservations website. 
  2. Campsite reservations open six months in advance.
  3. 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.
50%
4 ratings · 1 review
  1. Sterling State Park