Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

4.58

55 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

$17/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Michigan Department of Natural Resources site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

$17/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Michigan Department of Natural Resources site

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

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Michigan

Provider

(734) 426-4913

What Campers Say

4.58

Top-Rated

Based on 55 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

Fees & Passes at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

$17/night

Campsite fees

Stay Limit: One-night stays only

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 Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

Summer brings lush greenery and long daylight hours for exploration, though smart campers come prepared with insect repellent to fend off the enthusiastic mosquito population. Winter transforms Blind Lake into a serene snow-globe wonderland—peaceful, pristine, and perfect for experienced cold-weather campers who crave the magic of frost-covered woods and crystalline silence. Whatever season you choose, remember that trail conditions can vary significantly and may add time to your hike in, so plan accordingly and check current conditions before you set out.

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 Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

Escape into true backcountry solitude at Blind Lake Rustic Campground, a hike-in or paddle-in destination nestled along the scenic Potawatomi Trail. This remote lakeside retreat features 10 primitive campsites with vault toilets, hand-pumped water, and fire rings—perfect for adventurers seeking an authentic wilderness experience just a day's journey from civilization.

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

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings lush greenery and long daylight hours for exploration, though smart campers come prepared with insect repellent to fend off the enthusiastic mosquito population. Winter transforms Blind Lake into a serene snow-globe wonderland—peaceful, pristine, and perfect for experienced cold-weather campers who crave the magic of frost-covered woods and crystalline silence. Whatever season you choose, remember that trail conditions can vary significantly and may add time to your hike in, so plan accordingly and check current conditions before you set out.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine pitching your tent on the shores of Blind Lake, surrounded by towering hardwoods and the gentle contours of ancient glacial hills. Your campsite becomes a front-row seat to breathtaking sunsets melting into the water, while the dense canopy overhead transforms into a spectacular canvas of stars after dark. Visitors consistently rave about the genuine 'up north' feeling here—that rare sense of seclusion where the only sounds are rustling leaves, lapping water, and the occasional call of wildlife echoing through the forest.

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

Campsite details

Total Campsites10 campsites

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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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 are allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

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

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Cell phone service

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

Located roughly midway on the 17-mile Potawatomi Trail; campground is accessible only by trail (hike-in) with looped routing available so hikers need not return on the same route.

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed
Only dead and downed timber may be used for firewood.

Hazards

General hazardsMosquitoes 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.

Weather at Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

°F

Dec 26

Friday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 84%

Wind: 10.6 mph

Overcast

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Common complaintsMosquitoes and other biting insects in warm months; a few sites sit relatively close together so noise can carry; limited amenities (no showers, no electricity, no vehicle access); campground limits stays to one night and requires check-in at the park office on day of reservation.

Campground Map

Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp

Driving directionsHike-in or paddle-in only via the Potawatomi Trail; campground is located roughly halfway along the 17-mile Potawatomi Trail (approach distance depends on chosen trailhead, commonly reported as about a 7-mile hike in from some trailheads).

Nearby places

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

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.6

55 reviews

Top-Rated

Pinckney Blind Lake Hike-In Camp is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% 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 55 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 55 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 55 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 55 reviews