Brighton Appleton Lake Rustic Campground

4.47

93 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

$17/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Allowed

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

$17/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Allowed

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions

Brighton Appleton Lake Rustic Campground

$17.00 - $17.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Nightly fee: $17

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Share this campground

Michigan

Provider

(800) 447-2757

What Campers Say

4.47

Recommended

Based on 93 reviews

93 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietpeacefulspacioushiking

Some mention

mosquitoes

"Visitors consistently describe Appleton Lake Rustic Campground as quiet, secluded, and wooded with large, private sites and good trail access. Reviewers praise the peaceful, back-to‑nature experience but note the campground is low‑amenity."

Read all reviews

Fees & Passes at Brighton Appleton Lake Rustic Campground

$17/night

Campsite fees

Prices verified December 13, 2025

Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Michigan DNR website.

Best Time to Camp at Brighton Appleton Lake Rustic Campground

Sources note insect issues (mosquitoes) in warm, wet periods and that trails can be muddy in wet weather; seasonal specifics are not provided in sources.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

About Brighton Appleton Lake Rustic Campground

Appleton Lake Rustic Campground is a small, wooded campground within Brighton Recreation Area offering a quiet, secluded camping experience among mature oaks with direct access to Appleton Lake and nearby multi-use trails. The site is low‑amenity and focused on tent/backcountry style camping, with vault toilets and a hand pump for potable water rather than showers or electric hookups.

Designated as a rustic campground with basic, low‑amenity sites in a wooded setting (vault toilets, hand pump for water, no electric hookups or showers).

Weather and SeasonsSources note insect issues (mosquitoes) in warm, wet periods and that trails can be muddy in wet weather; seasonal specifics are not provided in sources.

Natural Features and SceneryHeavily wooded, oak‑dominated campground set in the rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests of Brighton Recreation Area. Sites are surrounded by mature trees and vegetation, offering a secluded, in‑the‑woods feel; Appleton Lake is a small, quiet inland lake with limited shoreline development.

Geological RegionSoutheast Michigan oak-hickory forest; rolling wooded hills and small inland lakes

Campsite details

Total Campsites25 campsites

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Cell phone service

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Quiet, wooded campground with direct access to multiuse trails and a small inland lake suited to paddling and fishing. Nearby park areas (Bishop Lake) provide additional recreation options and developed facilities.

Hiking

Trails in Brighton Recreation Area pass through wooded hills and along lakes; campground provides walking access to multiuse trails.

Fishing

Appleton Lake is used for warm‑water fishing from shore or small boats; shoreline access is limited and motorized use is low.

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Campground rules

Pets are allowed

Hazards

General hazardsRaccoons and other small wildlife that may raid food; mosquitoes and biting insects in warm months; horse traffic and muddy conditions on some trails.

Weather at Brighton Appleton Lake Rustic Campground

°F

Dec 26

Friday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 81%

Wind: 10.5 mph

Overcast

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Common complaintsLack of modern facilities—no showers and basic vault toilets that some users find unclean; mosquitoes/insects in warm months; limited or no on‑site services (no electric hookups, no camp store at this rustic loop).

Campground Map

Brighton Appleton Lake Rustic Campground

Nearby places

Howell and Brighton are nearby (distances not specified in sources)

Nearby supplies

Howell and Brighton for restaurants, groceries, and supplies (short drive)

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.5

93 reviews

Recommended

Brighton Appleton Lake Rustic Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors consistently describe Appleton Lake Rustic Campground as quiet, secluded, and wooded with large, private sites and good trail access. Reviewers praise the peaceful, back-to‑nature experience but note the campground is low‑amenity.

Review Summaries

Based on 93 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet and peaceful setting; spacious, private sites surrounded by mature trees; good access to hiking and mountain‑bike trails; easy access to paddling/fishing on Appleton Lake; well‑maintained...

Based on 93 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring your own drinking water or fill at the hand pump, pack bug repellent, secure food at night to deter raccoons, and use Bishop Lake facilities (showers, sanitation station, firewood sales) if you...

Based on 93 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Super clean campground and has nice trails to walk on!"; "Very quiet and clean. Spacious sites."; "The outhouse ... so nasty" (reflecting complaints about vault toilet condition).

Based on 93 reviews