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

Top 25% in MIFall

Summer Destination

Featured in:Family-Friendly Campgrounds Michigan

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 Official Website

Get Directions

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 Official Website

Get Directions

Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

$17.00 - $17.00 / night

Campsite Fees

$17 per night for 1-6 people.

No paid fee categories listed.

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Michigan

Provider

(734) 426-4913

I manage this campground

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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).

Weather at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

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?

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When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Rustic hike-in camping options are located in designated campsites and have limited camping amenities. Campsites are typically located near drinking water and primitive toilet facilities (unlike backcountry options listed below).

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

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.

Trip Planning Tools

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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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

Camper Quotes

“My favorite place to backpack in southern Michigan. The trails are fantastic here and Blind Lake makes for a lovely little campground.”; “Campsite 3 is the best! Remember to take bug spray for the...

Based on 59 reviews

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Go if

Backpackers doing the 17-mile Potawatomi Trail who want a midpoint camp with actual water views. Site B3 has the most unobstructed lake views; sites 1, 2, 5, and 6 have hammock posts. Fall weekends at $17 a night, 24 minutes from Ann Arbor.

Skip if

Summer visits without heavy-duty bug spray will be miserable. There's also a same-day check-in requirement at the Pinckney Recreation Area office, the one-night stay limit is firm, and the hike-in access makes this a hard no for anyone expecting vehicle access or a shower.

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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.