Incorporated in 1855, Flint, Michigan was once an automotive powerhouse. General Motors was founded in the city in 1908 and manufactured several of its famous automobile lines in Flint until a recession in the 1980s gutted the town. Flint currently is a monument to power and steel and is a great place for car lovers to view the history of one of the most important inventions of the last century.
Today, Flint's population has shrunk to just 81,252, but there is still a variety of things to see in the city. The Sloan Museum of Discovery is located in the Flint Cultural Center and is a great place to experience the history of the rise and fall of the automotive industry in the area. For families, the Flint Children's Museum is a great stop and features many activities and events targeted toward younger patrons. Car buffs will also enjoy the Buick Automotive Gallery, where they can view 20 classic and concept Buicks.
Flint isn't just for car lovers. People who want to experience the complete history of the region will enjoy the Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad, where they can explore the historical village and its 34 buildings. Lovers of architecture can visit the Applewood Estate and tour the sprawling grounds of Flint's most impressive and historic house. Astronomy enthusiasts will find a lot to love at the Longway Planetarium, where they can take part in astronomy demonstrations and view an incredible laser rock show under the planetarium's 60-foot dome.
Campgrounds Near Flint, Michigan
Located in Davison, Michigan, Outdoor Adventures Lake Shore Resort is just 15 minutes northeast of Flint. Nestled next to Lake Linda, this RV resort provides many activities all year long. It has many sites for RV camping that feature 50-amp electric hookups as well as showers and Wi-Fi.
Hilltop Campground is a family-owned resort in Lapeer, 20 minutes east of Flint, that has been operating since 1880. It features large sites along the shoreline of Lake Nepessing, allowing campers to utilize the lake for fishing and swimming. Every site in the campground provides 50-amp electric, sewer, and water hookups. Hilltop Campground has a beautiful pavilion that can be rented by campers for a daily fee.
Pine Ridge RV Campground is located in Birch Run, 25 minutes north of Flint. Its location is a close place to camp if you want to be near Flint or take advantage of other attractions in the area, such as Frankenmuth. All RV sites at Pine Ridge feature full hookups, and campers can also enjoy the playground, clubhouse, and handicap-accessible laundry room.
State Parks Near Flint, Michigan
Located 45 minutes south of Flint, Proud Lake Recreation Area is a 3,000-acre park located along the scenic Huron River. There are many different activities to take part in during all seasons, including horseback riding in the warmer months and skiing during the snowy months. The park features 130 campsites that can be used for RV camping. Several of the campsites feature 50-amp electricity.
Holly Recreation Area is just 20 minutes southeast of Flint and features a wide variety of activities for campers and nature lovers. The park consists of 8,000 acres of rolling woodlands and open fields, making it a great place to hike or mountain bike. During the winter months, snowmobiling is a popular activity. Holly Recreation Area is renowned for the Holly Woods Disc Golf Course, making it a prime destination for those who love the sport. Campers will find two campgrounds with many sites featuring 50-amp service, making the park an excellent choice for RV campers.
Located in White Lake, Highland Recreation Area is just 35 minutes south of Flint. The park consists of 5,900 acres of lakes, marshes, rolling hills, and forests, making it a wonderful place to camp and experience many different ecosystems. Campers can engage in many activities, such as skiing, hiking, and horseback riding while staying at the park. Campers who wish to stay at Highland Recreation Area will find a campground made up of 30 rustic campsites. While RVs are allowed to camp, there are no hookups or other accommodations offered.
National Sites Near Flint, Michigan
Jacques Marquette was a French priest, explorer, and an important forefather of the Northern Michigan area. In 1671, he founded a Jesuit mission near St. Ignace. The Father Marquette National Memorial is located in the exact spot Marquette's Jesuit mission was built, and it celebrates his life and the importance he had to the surrounding area. The memorial, which is three hours and 10 minutes north of Flint where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan converge, contains exhibits and a 15-station interpretive trail. Campers who wish to visit this national site can find several RV campgrounds nearby, including the Lakeshore RV Campground.
Located in Mentor, Ohio, three hours and 45 minutes southeast of Flint, the James A. Garfield National Historic Site is a museum that preserves the Lawnfield estate of James Abram Garfield. Garfield was the 20th president of the United States, and this national site contains his presidential library. The James A. Garfield National Historic Site is a perfect location for people who want to feel the aesthetic of the 1800s. It features hundreds of antique Victorian furniture pieces, 80% of which were owned by the Garfield family during the 1880s. There are multiple campgrounds near this historic site, such as Highland Acres RV Resort.
The Battle of Lake Erie took place during the War of 1812, and Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial honors those who fought during the battle. The memorial is located in Put-in-Bay, Ohio, three hours and 15 minutes southeast of Flint, and stands an impressive 352 feet tall. Put-in-Bay is located on Ohio's South Bass Island and can only be reached by boat or plane. Campers looking to stay in their RVs will have to bring them over by ferry. Once on the island, there are several campgrounds, such as South Bass Island State Park.
National Forests Near Flint, Michigan
The Huron and Manistee National Forests are two separate forests combined in 1945 for administration purposes. Together, they cover 978,906 acres of public lands stretching across the northern portion of Michigan's lower peninsula, approximately two hours and 10 minutes northwest of Flint. There are thousands of lakes within this national forest and many notable rivers. The Pere Marquette River and the Au Sable River are both popular rivers for fishing and canoeing. Located in the Manistee National Forest, the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area is a unique feature along the Lake Michigan shoreline and one of the few places in the United States with an extensive lakeshore dune ecosystem. Dispersed camping is allowed for RVs almost anywhere in the national forest, but there are no hookups available.
The Hiawatha National Forest covers 894,836 acres of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, five hours and 20 minutes northwest of Flint. The national forest contains a total of five National Wild and Scenic Rivers. These rivers are the Carp, Indian, Whitefish, Sturgeon, and Tahquamenon Rivers. Camping is one of Hiawatha National Forest's main draws, and there are over 20 different campgrounds within the forest, each providing campers with a unique experience and ecosystem to explore.
Covering 993,010 acres of the western side of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, around eight hours northwest of Flint, the Ottawa National Forest is known for its hiking and cross-country skiing. The O Kun de Kun Falls are a popular attraction within the forest. There are 22 campgrounds for campers to enjoy inside the Ottawa National Forest, and there are many campsites that can accommodate RVs up to 60 feet in length.
