Are you eager for your family to enjoy the great outdoors on a whole new level and want to give camping a try? Are you scared to make that jump before knowing the basics?
If you’re looking for an easy entry point for family camping close to home, you don’t have to go far. Try camping in Macomb County at Lake St. Clair Metropark, Stony Creek Metropark and Wolcott Mill Metropark. We spoke with Danielle Mauter, Chief of Marketing and Communications for Huron-Clinton Metroparks and she gave us some great information for families considering this decision.
Family Camping in Macomb County
Lake St. Clair Metropark will be offering tent camping Aug. 7-20, 2025. Here, families can enjoy a rustic style of camping using tents for one night or for multiple nights.
“Lake St. Clair is a temporary campground where you and your family can make a reservation for one night or more,” says Mauter. She explains that families can also enjoy what the park has to offer — like the beach, pool, splash pad, nature center, kayaking, hiking, biking and more at the park.
The cost to camp at Lake St. Clair Metropark is $30 per site per day on Fridays and Saturdays, and $20 per site per day on Sundays through Thursdays. There is even a higher priced option if you want a campsite with your tent and cots already provided and set up! Every person at the campsite will receive a free voucher for the pool, adventure golf or par 3 golf course.
Wolcott Mill Metropark will offer family camping on Sept. 24-25, 2025 for two nights of rustic camping. Enjoy family-friendly activities planned at Wolcott Mill Metropark Camp Rotary Campground.
“This is an opportunity for families to add farm activities and animal encounters to their list of camping activities,” says Mauter. “It would be great for families looking for an easy getaway and a chance to enjoy an area of the park they may be less familiar with, Camp Rotary.”
This location is $50 per site (not including the Metroparks daily or annual pass). The rustic campsites are for tents-only. Families can enjoy all of the amenities at Wolcott Mill Metropark, such as the wagon rides, animal encounters, fishing and hiking, to name a few.
Public Campgrounds in Macomb County
Stony Creek Metroparks’ Ridgewood Campground will be taking reservations every weekend from Memorial Weekend through mid-September.
The cost of camping here is $25/night for a regular site and $50/night for a large site. Pre-registration is required along with a full non-refundable payment and standard daily or annual vehicle pass.
“Ridgewood Campground offers a secluded up-north experience right here locally,” says Mauter. “Our large rustic sites feature fire rings, restrooms on site, beautifully scenery and access to everything you love about Stony Creek Metropark – beaches, golf course, boat rentals, inflatable slide, playgrounds, nature trails, nature center and so much more. New this year are also a few walk-in rustic sites that offer great river views and a more secluded experience.”
Why camping is great
“Camping at the Metroparks as a whole gives families an opportunity to camp near home,” says Mauter. “You can avoid driving multiple hours in the car which is great, especially if you have little kids.”
It’s also nice to camp somewhere that has a lot of family activities. The Metroparks offer so many amenities to keep everyone occupied. You can enjoy everything the parks have to offer until the park closes, and then you can enjoy the camping experience.
“When the park is closed to the public, the areas in the park other than the campgrounds are closed,” she says. “So, people can be on trails and in facilities during normal operating hours and then after that need to be in the campground.”
Try to be open-minded when it comes to camping to enjoy the full experience. If you’re enjoying yourself, your kids are most likely to enjoy themselves, as well.
Things you should know
“You also need a Metroparks daily or annual vehicle pass as well as the camping registration fee,” says Mauter. “Daily passes and annual passes are available at the park or you can purchase an annual pass online.”
First-time campers (and even novice campers) may forget some crucial items when packing.
“Some of the things campers have tended to forget are things like marshmallows, bug spray and remembering to pack multiple outfits,” she says. “Temperature changes throughout the day — cooler at night may be hotter in a tent, so wear layers.”
Get your kids involved in the experience by asking them to help plan. Ask them what they think you should pack and find out what they want to bring, too.
“Allow young kids to pack their own bag of toys that they can use at a picnic table (and beyond!) — coloring books, little games, yard games, balls and bicycles,” says Mauter. They will be more likely to enjoy the items if they choose them by themselves.
She explains that families should also make sure to practice park etiquette. “Do not litter or feed animals and to be respectful of other visitors there,” she says.
For more information on living and learning in Macomb County, visit Make Macomb Your Home. Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s A Family Guide to Macomb County.
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