Pinckney Recreation Area, MI RV Rentals and Motorhome Rentals

Shaped by glaciers and studded with shimmering lakes, Pinckney Recreation Area is a utopia for campers, hikers, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts. An extensive trail system winds through the 11,000-acre park and takes you through the rolling hills and lush oak forests of Southeast Michigan. Things don't slow down in the winter, when Pinckney Recreation Area transforms into a snow-dusted wonderland. Hit the snowmobiling trails, enjoy a scenic snowshoe, or try your luck at ice fishing. Venture further afield and you can discover nearby gems like the Unadilla State Wildlife Area, Southern Michigan State Forest Nursery, and Waterloo Recreation Area.

Planning a getaway to the Great Lake State? Book an RV in Livingston County and you're perfectly placed to camp at the Pinckney Recreation Area. A 30-minute drive southeast, Ann Arbor is another great place to pick up your RV rental. You're also a one-hour drive from Motor City, which makes Pinckney Recreation Area popular with urbanites looking to camp in an RV near Detroit.

Getting Outdoors

Pinckney Recreation Area is dotted with seven pristine lakes connected by streams, brooks, and canals. Silver Lake is home to the most popular day-use area, fringed by a sandy beach and grassy foreshore. It's a great place to soak up the sunshine, enjoy a picnic, or challenge your crew to a game of beach volleyball. Boat rentals are available, which makes it easy to launch a canoe or kayak. For a quieter scene, head to Halfmoon Lake in the center of the park, where you'll find golden sand, grassy picnic spots, and a kids' playground.

Twenty-six miles of well-marked trails crisscross through Pinckney Recreation Area and offer some of the best hiking and mountain biking opportunities in Southeast Michigan. Reserved for foot traffic only, the Losee Lake Trail meanders for just over three miles and showcases lush marshlands and sun-dappled oak forests. The fast-paced Crooked Lake and Potawatomi trails are popular with mountain bikers.

In winter, Pinckney Recreation Area lakes boast some of the best ice fishing in Michigan. Cast a line and you could reel in bluegill, perch, walleye, northern pike, and crappie – perfect for a fish fry back at your RV rental. Silver, North, and South Lakes offer the best opportunities.

Camping at Pinckney State Recreation Area

RV camping at Pinckney State Recreation Area immerses you in the natural beauty of Southeast Michigan. The modern Bruin Lake Campground offers 186 campsites, some set near the shoreline and others nestled between oak trees. It's perched on the northwest corner of Bruin Lake and is a short walk from the sandy beach and swimming area. You're also a five-minute drive or 20-minute walk from the small village of Unadilla, a great place to stock up on milk, bread, and s'mores ingredients.

Like most serviced state park RV campgrounds, Bruin Lake offers modern bathroom blocks with flush toilets and hot showers, perfect for freshening up after a long day at the beach. As well as RV rental sites, there's also a camper cabin that sleeps six people. The Crooked Lake Campground offers a rustic experience with 25 basic sites. The campground is set on a hillside and commands beautiful views over Crooked Lake. If you're craving a backcountry experience, why not gear up and spend the night at one of the remote campsites?

Exploring the Area

A motorhome camping getaway to Pinckney State Recreation Area is the perfect excuse to explore Southeast Michigan. At the Waterloo State Recreation Area, you can discover a patchwork of forest, lakes, and wetlands. It occupies more than 21,000 acres, making it one of the biggest parks in Michigan. Made up of mature hardwood forest and wildflower-filled meadows, Island Lake Recreation Area is another local gem. Rent a canoe and explore the paddling routes or take to the skies on a scenic hot air balloon ride. Rolling hills and shimmering lakes make Southeast Michigan a perfect stage for your next golfing getaway. Take your pick of dozens of courses, including the high elevation Golf Club at Mt. Brighton.

The state capital of Lansing, a one-hour drive from Pinckney State Recreation Area, is a great place to pick up your RV rental. Dine out at farm-to-table restaurants, browse independent boutiques, and enjoy the Midwest hospitality. History buffs will love Howell, a character-soaked small town that traces its history to the 1800s. The downtown core has been crowned a National Historic District, with cafes, craft breweries, and specialty stores strung along Main Street.

For gourmet motorhome camping supplies, head to Ann Arbor, a lively university city making waves on the Michigan foodie scene. Strolling around the downtown core, you'll be tempted by organic produce shops, artisan delicatessens, and specialty butchers on every corner. There's also the famous Ann Arbor Farmers Market.