Standish, Michigan, is located in Arenac County, which is on the Saginaw Bay portion of Lake Huron. Most of the campgrounds in the Standish area are privately owned, except for Pinconning Park, a county park on the shore of Lake Huron about nine miles from Standish in Pinconning, in Bay County. Arenac County is comprised of land formerly belonging to Bay and Saginaw counties. Nearly all of the campgrounds in the area are on or near the Rifle River, a designated scenic/wild/natural river that has become a favorite of paddlers. These campgrounds all have services catering to paddlers, including canoe and kayak rental and transportation services.
Location
Only one campground in the area has a Standish address; Big Bend Family Campground. Six more are in the immediate area, near the towns of Sterling just to the northwest and Omer to the northeast. Pinconning Park is about 10 miles south in Pinconning. Another camp is located in Twining, about 14 miles northeast of Standish.
Amenities
All of the camps in the area offer at least a basic level of amenities: water, electricity, fire pits and picnic tables. Most have fully improved sites for RV camping; some have modern amenities like cable, sewer, Wi-Fi, camp stores, showers, laundry service and recreation centers. Some, like River View, Whites Canoe Livery and Campgrounds, and Whispering Pines, also have rustic cabins. Some of the larger camps, like River View, have their own hiking trails. Pinconning Park has a boat launch giving access to the excellent fishing on Saginaw Bay.
Activities
Most of the activities at the campgrounds in the Standish area revolve around paddling; canoeing and kayaking are very popular. However, many more outdoor activities are available for those wishing to raise their heart rate a little. Hiking, swimming, volleyball, badminton, basketball, biking, jogging on the beach and fishing (nothing makes your heart pound like hooking a big one) are just a few. Many of the campgrounds have playgrounds for the kids and indoor recreation rooms for rainy days.
Fees and Reservations
Fees vary widely depending on the camp and improvement level of the campsite. Single-night rates can be as low as $12 for a rustic site at Pinconning Park, for example, and can go as high as $100 per night for a cabin. Reservations are recommended at most camps, and some require them, especially for cabins. Fees for canoe and kayak rentals can also vary significantly from place to place depending on length of rental, number of boats rented and transportation service. On the average, canoe and kayak rental fees average about $30 for canoes and $25 for kayaks per day. Check the Resource section for a link listing all the camps in the area and links to each for more information.
When to Visit
Of course, these camps are extremely busy during the peak season between Memorial Day and Labor Day. They will be more crowded, and most camps have different rates for this peak time of year. The weather at this time of year is the most favorable and the water the warmest, both in the rivers and in Lake Huron. During the months of May and September, just before and after these holidays, is a good time to visit as the camps are much less busy, rates may be lower and the weather should still be fairly mild.
Member Comments