State Parks near Detroit, MI

Set on the banks of the St. Clair River, Algonac State Park combines a serene waterside setting with easy access to urban amenities. The park occupies 1,450 acres and is made up of lush lakeplain prairies and sun-dappled oak savannas. Two modern campgrounds offer a unique chance to sleep on the banks of the St. Clair River and stay a spell in this picturesque corner of the Great Lake State.Planning a getaway to the Midwest? RV rentals in St. Clair County make it easy to camp at Algonac State Park and explore the famous Blue Water Area of eastern Michigan. Gear up for characterful lakeside towns, historic lighthouses, bountiful farmers' markets, and emerald green golf courses. You're also an …

Around 15,000 years ago, the last Great Glacier scraped and gouged the soft Michigan soil, flattening the land in some areas while scooping out dirt or forming towering hills in others. Bald Mountain is one such formation. Huge boulders piled upon a large hill make up the mountain. Bald Mountain Recreation Area was officially established in the early 1930s, and the Civilian Conservation Corps, which operated under President Roosevelt’s New Deal program, blazed trails, created a beach, and laid down roads. The beach was voted the “Best of Detroit” in Detroit Monthly in 2017.The closest town with a variety of resources and amenities is Rochester. Rochester, in addition to delicious restaurants and a vibrant shopping scene, has a …

There are many wonderful state parks in Michigan, as the state is well known for its large expanses of forests, a multitude of lakes, and access to many of the Great Lakes. When you book an RV in Bay County, you’ll have easy access to Bay City State Park. If you imagine the shape of Michigan to be a hand or glove, as many Michigan residents do, then this state park is located between the thumb and pointer finger.Bay City State Park rests on Saginaw Bay, which eventually connects to Lake Huron. Near to the state park is Bay City, after which the state park is named. Also within easy driving distance are larger cities like Midland …

Nestled in the southeast part of Livingston County, MI, about eight miles from Howell and less than three miles from Brighton is where you will find Brighton State Recreational Area. Sitting 50 miles north of Detroit, search for an RV in Livingston County, and have the experience to remember in the 4947 acres of great outdoors between Pinckney Recreation Area and Island Lake Recreation Area.Located within proximity to one of Michigan’s larger cities, Brighton State Recreational Area is a great place where you can base your Livingston RV rental while exploring the Mount Brighton Ski Area and Whitmore Lake. Do not assume you will get bored in the vast park as it is laden with fun activities …

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which is Ohio's only national park, is 33,000 acres in size. Nestled in between the bustling cities of Akron and Cleveland, this is one of the smallest and newest national parks in the United States. Located in northeastern Ohio, this park was initially designated as a Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area in 1974, and later on as a national park in 2000.Cuyahoga Valley National Park's landscape is dotted with forests, rock formations, cliffs, and rolling hills. This national park gets its name from the 22-mile stretch of Cuyahoga River that weaves through the park. Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides varied outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, themed train rides, historical site visits, and wildlife …

East Harbor State Park is a 1,831-acre park located along the shore of Lake Erie. From its beautiful beaches, sand dunes, and wetlands, the park attracts visitors from all around the country. Here, you'll find well-equipped RV camping sites, incredible scenery, and fun activities for the whole family. The park has been one of northern Ohio's most popular attractions for several years and is worth a stay.The area that's now East Harbor State Park was once the home of Native American tribes, namely the Ottawa, until the War of 1812. Settlers who later occupied the area cultivated an abundance of grapes and peaches, thanks to the region's fertile soil and climate. The terrain is an effect of the glaciers …

Once upon a time, Findley State Park was a state forest. Today, however, this beautiful Ohio state park is a popular camping spot and outdoor recreational hub.Located in Wellington, less than an hour southwest of downtown Cleveland, this 838-acre park offers a little something for everyone. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, and swimming on a 93-acre lake, not to mention tackle more than 16 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.And with plenty of space for RVs in its large campground, Findley State Park is perfect for a family camping vacation.

Fort Custer Recreation Area is located in southern Detroit, directly between the towns and cities of Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Delton. Covering an area of over three-thousand acres, Fort Custer Recreation Area was once used by the US military as an induction training center. Now the park offers a varied and idyllic natural landscape of lakes, dry-mesic southern forests, and the majestic banks of the Kalamazoo River. Visitors to the Fort Custer Recreation Area can indulge in top-class river and lake fishing, hiking through miles of woodland trails, and nature watching of all kinds.This plethora of recreational activities makes Fort Custer Recreation Area the ideal place to take an RV rental in southern Michigan. Accessing the …

In northeastern Ohio, on the shores of Lake Erie, you’ll be near the heartland of the Ohioan wine country. Twenty minutes from Ashtabula, an hour from Cleveland, and an hour-twenty from Akron rests the lovely 698-acre Geneva State Park.The Erie tribes inhabited this area up until the 1650s when the French settlers came through and started taking over the area. Over the next 100 years, the settlers established a trade route and used Lake Erie for shipping goods across the country. Throughout the 1960s and ‘70s, the state started buying up the land and developing it into the state park we know today.At Geneva State Park, visitors can play basketball, hike, bike, swim, boat, fish, or …

Camping with an RV at Hampton Hills Metro Park is a great way to spend your summer. Located within the city of Akron and Cuyahoga Falls, OH, Hampton Hills Metro Park covers around 655 acres of land made up of oak, black walnut, sycamore, and elm trees. Not too far from the park is the city of Tallmadge. A motorhome camping trip in Hampton Hills Metro Park is ideal if you’re keen on spending time in the outdoors. With a history that dates back thousands of years, the park occupies land that was shaped during the last ice age and is home to the glacially formed Adam Run Valley. Today, the valley is made up of unique flora …

Harrison Lake State Park is a small park of around 140-acres near the town of Fayette, in Fulton County, Ohio. Just over 50 miles to the east is the metropolis of Toledo residing on the shores of Lake Erie, while around and hour and a half to the southwest is the larger city of Fort Wayne, IN.When you book an RV Fulton County, you will find that the southern end of the Great lakes area is easy to explore, including Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan. A little way north is the Lake Hudson Recreation Area and many more lakes, perfect if you enjoy fishing or boating.At Harrison Lake State Park, you can enjoy …

Highland Recreation Area is located in southeastern Michigan, close the towns and cities of Pontiac, Warren, and Brighton. Covering a vast area of nearly six-thousand acres, Highland Recreation Area encompasses everything likable about the great outdoors in Michigan. From its numerous lakes to fish and boat along to the endless woodlands and foothills to hike and spot nature, Highland Recreation Area has it all. The recreation area even boasts its very own National Natural Landmark in the form of Haven Hill. This area includes every one of southern Michigan's principal forest types within one small area.With its outstanding natural beauty and recreational opportunities, Highland Recreation Area is the ideal place to take an RV rental in …

Holly Recreation Area is located in Oakland County, Michigan close to the city of Flint and a little north of Pontiac and Detroit. When you book an RV in Oakland County, you have the perfect base to explore the rolling hills, woodlands, and lakes of central Michigan.This almost 8,000-acre area offers camping and various activities including hiking and water-based sports, while during the winter, snow-based activities are available. Within the recreation area, you’ll also find a number of lakes for boating, canoeing, and kayaking. It’s a great area for camping with an RV, and there is plenty to see and do for the whole family.Splitting the recreation area in half is I-75. To the west of …

Holly State Recreation Area lies in eastern Michigan, close to the towns and cities of Pontiac, Flint, and Fenton. The area covers a vast landscape of nearly 8,000 acres, encompassing swathes of picturesque rolling woodlands and open fields. Interspersed between these rolling landscapes are a handful of freshwater lakes, offering fantastic places for lakeside recreation such as fishing and boating. The larger Heron Lake and McGinnis Lake are particularly known for their abundance of game fish. Along with these natural features, Holly State Recreation Area includes an 18-hole disc golf course and a network of mountain bike trails.This long list of outdoor and lakeside recreation makes Holly State Recreation Area the ideal place to take an …

Independence Dam State Park runs along the banks of the Maumee River in Ohio and covers 592 beautiful acres. The Maumee River provides the opportunity for a number of recreational activities, which helps it to stand out from the other parks in the area. Boating, fishing, canoeing, and paddleboarding are all popular, as well as other land-based activities such as hiking and picnicking.Independence Dam State Park was first established in 1941 and was the main travel route for Native Americans who were traveling along the four-mile river. Today, many people make it part of their vacation and rent an RV in Defiance County. With nearby towns such as Toledo, Maumee, and Findlay to explore, it is a …

Ionia State Recreation Area lies in central Michigan, between the towns and cities of Ionia, Grand Rapids, and Lansing. As it is equidistant from all these main Michigan cities, Ionia State Recreation Area is frequented by campers from all over the area. This 4,500-acre recreation area hugs the shoreline of Sessions Lake, providing an array of angling and boating delights for visitors. The rest of the Ionia State Recreation Area is a pleasant mixture of rolling foothills, idyllic brooks, picturesque woodlands, and open green meadows.The variation in surrounding land provides endless outdoor recreation possibilities for campers, making the ideal place to take an RV rental. Navigating your way to Ionia State Recreation Area with a rental …

You don't need to venture too far from Detroit to find this recreational hotspot in Michigan. Island Lake Recreation Area sits along Interstate Route 96, not far from its intersection with Highway 23. The nearest town of Brighton provides an easy gateway to this idyllic, 4,000-acre park with its many miles of hiking trails, picturesque swimming beach, excellent fishing opportunities, and, during the winter, adventurous skiing trails.Besides its vast open meadows and patches of dense forest, Island Lake Recreation Area is surrounded by several smaller lakes. These lakes, along with the Huron River that meanders through the grounds, are the park's main features. So, when you rent a camper in Island Lake Recreation Area, there's no doubt that your …

The James A. Garfield National Historic Site is located in Mentor, Ohio and is the restored family home of the 20th president of the United States. It's located right off of Highway 20, just 30 minutes east of Cleveland, an hour and a half west of Erie, PA, and 40 minutes from Ashtabula.The James A. Garfield National Historic Site has been fully restored and is now a popular destination for American history buffs. Walk through the museum exhibits and learn all there is to know about the president’s life from his childhood to his assassination. You can explore the 160-acre farm on your own, with an audio tour, or alongside a ranger tour guide. See artifacts …

Sitting just north of Sandusky, OH, in the waters of Lake Erie, is a cluster of idyllic islands. One of the largest of this archipelago is Kelleys Island, which is home to Kelleys Island State Park. Although remote, the island is accessible via daily ferries that run from Lakeside Marblehead. The ferry point is located just off I-90, the interstate that connects Toledo and Cleveland.Kelleys Island is the only island in the United States to be recognized as a National Historic District. Originally inhabited by the Ottawa and Huron tribes, the park is littered with prehistoric mounds and petroglyphs carved into rocks. Additionally, the island is home to a number of unique geological formations. Molded by …