Brighton Appleton Campground

Open — Open year-round for camping. Reservations available through the Michigan DNR reservation system.

About

Located within Brighton State Recreation Area in southeast Michigan, the Appleton Lake Rustic Campground provides a peaceful retreat with 25 campsites nestled among oak trees. The campground is situated near Appleton Lake and offers direct access to the park's extensive trail system, which is popular with mountain bikers year-round. Brighton Recreation Area encompasses 4,947 acres and features nine lakes, 35 miles of trails, and diverse natural communities including oak forests, grassy fens, and shrub marshes. The rustic campground provides basic amenities with vault toilets and a hand pump for potable water. Sites are equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. The campground is within walking distance to the Appleton Lake Boating Access Site, which features a dirt launch with concrete ramp. The park's trail system connects to multiple trailheads and is used year-round for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing in winter.

Directions

Located at Brighton State Recreation Area, 6360 Chilson Road, Howell, Michigan 48843. The park is in southeast Michigan, west of U.S. 23 and south of I-96. The Appleton Lake Rustic Campground is within the recreation area along Appleton Lake.

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