Brighton Murray Lake Campground

4.62

26 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

$17/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Open weekends only, ...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan Department of Natural Resources site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

$17/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Open weekends only, ...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan Department of Natural Resources site

Get Directions

Brighton Murray Lake Campground

$17.00 - $17.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Nightly fee $17 per site.

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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Michigan

Provider

(800) 447-2757

What Campers Say

4.62

Top-Rated

Based on 26 reviews

26 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quiethikinglakebeach

Some mention

mosquitoes

"Reviewers rate Murray Lake highly (mostly 4–5 stars) for its rustic, wooded character, large private sites, and proximity to trails and small-lake paddling. Many repeat visitors call it a favorite rustic campground in southern Michigan."

Read all reviews

Fees & Passes at Brighton Murray Lake 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 Department of Natural Resources website.

Best Time to Camp at Brighton Murray Lake Campground

Plan your visit for summer weekends when this seasonal loop opens its gates from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Pack your bug spray—the lush lakeside and wetland setting means mosquitoes can be active companions, especially during dawn and dusk. This is true rustic camping, so come prepared without expectations of electrical hookups or modern conveniences. The trade-off? Authentic outdoor experience and the sounds of the forest as your soundtrack.

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

Operating Season: Open weekends only, Memorial Day through Labor Day (Friday through Sunday).

About Brighton Murray Lake Campground

Escape to Murray Lake, a hidden gem tucked into Brighton Recreation Area's oak and hardwood forest. This intimate 25-site campground offers weekend-only camping from Memorial Day through Labor Day, where you'll find just the essentials—vault toilets, hand-pumped water, and direct trailhead access to some of the area's best hiking and mountain biking.

Murray Lake is a rustic, weekends-only campground (Memorial Day through Labor Day) with 25 wooded, private sites and basic facilities (vault toilets and hand pump).

Weather and SeasonsPlan your visit for summer weekends when this seasonal loop opens its gates from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Pack your bug spray—the lush lakeside and wetland setting means mosquitoes can be active companions, especially during dawn and dusk. This is true rustic camping, so come prepared without expectations of electrical hookups or modern conveniences. The trade-off? Authentic outdoor experience and the sounds of the forest as your soundtrack.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine your tent nestled among towering oaks on rolling, wooded terrain where thick understory vegetation creates natural privacy screens between sites. The campground hugs the shores of its namesake Murray Lake—perfect for launching your canoe or kayak on a misty morning. Beyond your campsite, the greater Brighton Recreation Area unfolds into a mosaic of shimmering lakes, quiet wetlands, and miles of trails waiting to be explored. The dense canopy overhead and hilly topography give this spot a secluded, away-from-it-all atmosphere that's hard to find so close to civilization.

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 allowed

Primitive

Primitive are allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Open and Closed SeasonOpen weekends only, Memorial Day through Labor Day (Friday through Sunday).

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

Amenities available

Potable water

Cell phone service

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Outdoor recreation focused on trails, quiet lake paddling/fishing, and wildlife viewing. The campground offers direct access to a multi-use trail network including mountain-bike-specific features nearby.

Hiking

Direct access to an extensive trail network for hiking and trail running through mixed hardwood woods and hills.

Fishing

Murray Lake is a small inland lake used for fishing and quiet paddling (canoe/kayak/small boats).

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Campground rules

Pets are allowed

Hazards

General hazardsMosquitoes in summer and generally wooded/insect hazards; reports of rough park roads and potholes leading into the recreation area; limited services in the rustic loop.

Weather at Brighton Murray Lake Campground

°F

Dec 26

Friday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 82%

Wind: 10.5 mph

Overcast

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Common complaintsCampground is weekends-only (Memorial Day–Labor Day) so sites book quickly; occasional mosquitoes (especially near marsh/lake areas); some reviewers note rough, sandy or steep campground roads and occasional need for better out-house cleaning.

Campground Map

Brighton Murray Lake Campground

Nearby supplies

Brighton/Howell area (stores and services available

distances not specified)

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.6

26 reviews

Top-Rated

Brighton Murray Lake Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers rate Murray Lake highly (mostly 4–5 stars) for its rustic, wooded character, large private sites, and proximity to trails and small-lake paddling. Many repeat visitors call it a favorite rustic campground in southern Michigan.

Review Summaries

Based on 26 reviews

What Campers Love

Large, well-spaced, highly private sites surrounded by trees; quiet and scenic; excellent access to hiking and mountain-biking trails; close enough to Bishop Lake for beach and campground office...

Based on 26 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reserve early for weekend dates; bring bug spray and headlamps/flashlights; expect rustic conditions (no hookups or showers) and use the hand pump for water; firewood and ice can be purchased at...

Based on 26 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Large private spots. Beautiful and quiet!"; "One of my favorite places! Super rustic"; "We stay at Murray Lake Campground every summer... Our favorite campsite to date is #2."

Based on 26 reviews