How much does camping cost at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp?

Camping fees at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp range from $17/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp first-come first-served or reservation?

Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Are there showers at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp?

Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp?

Fire policies at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp: Only dead and downed timber may be used for firewood.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Is there cell service at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp?

Cell phone service at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp have?

Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp has 10 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp?

Pets are not allowed at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp?

Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp?

Popular activities at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp include Hiking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

4.44

59 reviews

Summer Destination

Featured in:Family-Friendly Campgrounds Michigan

Real-Time Availability

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Quick Facts

906 ft

Price

$17/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Michigan Department of Natural Resources Set up a cancellation alert

Get Directions

Only 10 sites — this campground fills fast. Set up a free alert.

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

906 ft

Price

$17/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Michigan Department of Natural Resources Set up a cancellation alert

Get Directions

Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

$17.00 - $17.00 / night

Campsite Fees

$17 per night for 1-6 people.

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

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Michigan

Provider

(734) 426-4913

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What Campers Say

4.44

Recommended

Based on 59 reviews

55 Google reviews

Most mentioned

scenerylakewell-maintainedsites

Some mention

noisemosquitoesreservation

"Reviews are overwhelmingly positive (mostly 4–5 stars). Visitors praise the secluded, lakeside setting, well-maintained rustic sites, and suitability as a Potawatomi Trail overnight stop. Common negatives are seasonal insects, occasional noisy neighbors, and spotty cell service."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

42.4123, -84.0203

Nearby places

Approximately 24 minutes from Ann Arbor, 37 minutes from Jackson, 45 minutes from Lansing (as reported in trip summaries).

Best Time to Camp at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

Fall delivers the best conditions: daytime highs between 40 and 60°F, crisp evenings, hardwood color peaking along the trail and shoreline, and insects mostly gone. Paddling and hiking the Potawatomi are at their most scenic as leaves change and crowds thin. Summer works if you bring serious insect repellent. Mosquitoes and biting flies are relentless in warm months. Winter is possible for experienced cold-weather campers but adds time and difficulty to the hike in.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 25% in MI

Fall called the best season: crisp temps, peak hardwood color, and fewer insects.

Planning Tips

About Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

Blind Lake Hike-in Camp sits on the shore of Blind Lake along the Potawatomi Trail, a 10-site primitive campground accessible only on foot or by paddle. Expect hand-pumped water, vault toilets, fire rings, and one-night-maximum stays. Reservations require same-day check-in at the Pinckney Recreation Area office.

Rustic, primitive hike-in campground with 10 sites on Blind Lake; basic/backcountry facilities.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best conditions: daytime highs between 40 and 60°F, crisp evenings, hardwood color peaking along the trail and shoreline, and insects mostly gone. Paddling and hiking the Potawatomi are at their most scenic as leaves change and crowds thin. Summer works if you bring serious insect repellent. Mosquitoes and biting flies are relentless in warm months. Winter is possible for experienced cold-weather campers but adds time and difficulty to the hike in.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies glacially formed terrain at 906 feet, where mixed hardwood forest meets the lake. Sites face the water through a canopy of oak, maple, and beech. The shoreline is quiet. Lapping water, wind in the leaves, occasional wildlife calls. It feels remote despite sitting within an hour of Ann Arbor. Rolling hills behind the camp fade into deeper forest, and the sky opens wide over the lake at dusk.

Geological RegionMixed hardwood forest on rolling glacial terrain (glacially formed hills and lake shoreline).

Scenic ViewsLakeside sites provide direct water views; reviewers consistently favor lakeside campsites (site B3 is commonly recommended for unobstructed lake views).

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

You must check in at the park office on the day of your reservation.

Stay Limit

One-night stays only

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsMiDNRReservations.com (also by phone at 734-426-4913)

Total Campsites10 campsites

Best CampsitesSite 3 (also listed as B3) gets mentioned most often for lake access and views. Sites 1, 2, 5, and 6 have hammock posts. Lakeside sites catch more breeze, which helps with bugs and offers better sunset views. A few sites sit close enough that noise carries between them.

Need help booking Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Rustic hike-in campground with vault toilet, hand-pump potable water, fire rings and picnic tables. No electricity, showers, or RV hookups; no camp store or laundry.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Backpack- and paddle-friendly rustic campground located about halfway along the 17-mile Potawatomi Trail on Blind Lake. Good for short overnight backpacking stops, shoreline access, and wildlife viewing.

Hiking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitoes and other biting insects can be severe in warm months; trails include roots, rocks and rolling terrain which can be muddy or slippery. Expect limited or spotty cell coverage. Hike-in/paddle-in access requires planning for distance and pack weight.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Weather at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.4

59 reviews

Recommended

Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive (mostly 4–5 stars). Visitors praise the secluded, lakeside setting, well-maintained rustic sites, and suitability as a Potawatomi Trail overnight stop. Common negatives are seasonal insects, occasional noisy neighbors, and spotty cell service.

Review Summaries

Based on 59 reviews

What Campers Love

Seclusion and lakeside scenery; well-maintained rustic sites with picnic tables, fire rings and a potable hand-pump; hammock posts at several sites; convenient as a mid-point on the Potawatomi Trail...

Based on 59 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reserve in advance and check in at the Pinckney Recreation Area office on the day of your reservation. Bring strong insect repellent and appropriate water treatment/extra water (there is a hand-pump...

Based on 59 reviews

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Campgrounds

Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

From Michigan DNR

Official information for Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

The Blind Lake Rustic Campground is located about halfway along the 17-mile Potawatomi Trail in Pinckney Recreation Area. It's a looped trail so hikers can enjoy miles and miles of scenery (without an out-and-back). There are 10 campsites outfitted with a vault toilet, hand-pump water access and fire rings. Only dead and downed timber are to be used for firewood.

You must check in at the park office on the day of your reservation. Camping is only allowed for one-night stays.

Reservations
Reservations are encouraged and are taken by phone (734-426-4913) or online at MiDNRReservations.com. Day-of arrivals are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

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Real-Time Availability

Quick Facts

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Plan a trip to Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

What Campers Say

Campground Map

Best Time to Camp at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

Planning Tips

About Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp?

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Weather at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Pro Tips & Recommendations

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From Michigan DNR

Plan a trip to Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

What Campers Say

Best Time to Camp at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp?

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Camper Quotes