Area Metroparks Offer Families Local Option for Summer Camping

With its scenic lakes, forests and dunes, Michigan is a camper's paradise, but high gas prices may limit the number of trips local residents take "Up North" this summer.

Metroparks to the rescue.

Both Stony Creek and Lower Huron Metroparks will offer "rustic camping weekends" this summer to provide a local, lower-price alternative for residents seeking a quick getaway into the great outdoors.

Stony Creek Metropark

Moving its campground to the Ridgewood picnic area, Stony Creek will offer five rustic camping weekends through October.

• June 22-24
• July 20-22
• Aug. 10-12
• Aug. 31-Sept. 3
• Oct, 12-14

The campground contains 43 standard campsites, of which two are handicap-accessible and four are primitive walk-in only. The standard campsites can accommodate up to one camper and two tents, while the premium sites, of which there are two, allow up to two campers and three tents, or five tents and no campers.

The standard campsite fee is $40 per weekend; the premium campsite fee is $80 per weekend. For the three-day Labor Day Weekend, campsites will be rented for $20 per night/standard site, and $40/night premium site. Park entry is charged separately.

There are no water or electricity hookups available at the campsites, but campers will have 24-hour access to restrooms, with showers available at the Eastwood Beach bathhouse. Check-in time starts at noon on Friday and checkout is by 6 pm Sunday.

Pre-registration with a full non-refundable payment is recommended. Call 586-781-4242 for reservations.

Lower Huron Metropark

Located near Belleville in Wayne County, Walnut Grove Campground opened May 4 and will remain open through mid-October.

The campground contains 27 rustic campsites at which tents, campers and motorhomes are allowed, with two tents or one RV per site. There are no hookups for water or electricity, but modern restrooms are available within the campground and showers are available mornings at Turtle Cove Aquatic Center May 26 through Labor Day.

Campsites can be reserved for a $20/day fee, which does not include park entry–$5 daily or $25 annual.

A paved hike-bike trail near the grounds connects to Willow and Oakwoods Metroparks, and fishing along the Huron River is easy to access at three fishing decks located within the park, as well as at the camp’s river shoreline. Basketball courts, a baseball diamond and tennis courts are also in the park, as well as a Par-3 golf course, which can be played for $6 per person on the weekends, or $5 per person weekdays.

Preregistration with a full non-refundable payment is recommended. For more information or for reservations contact the Lower Huron Park office at 734-697-9181 or 1-800-477-3182.