Medium Demand — Canoeing the Huron River in Oakland County

Proud Lake State Recreation Area

Oakland County · Lower Peninsula · Commerce Township, MI 48382
130
Campsites
4,700
Acres
From $22
Per Night
10+
Miles of Trail
Season: April – November
Hookups: Electric
Pets: Allowed on leash
Reservation: MiDNRReservations.com
Phone: (248) 685-2433
Book on MiDNRReservations.com →

About Proud Lake State Recreation Area

Proud Lake State Recreation Area sits along a scenic stretch of the Huron River in Oakland County, and the river is the park's main draw — a park-run canoe livery rents canoes and kayaks for float trips downstream, making this one of the more paddling-focused state recreation areas in southeast Michigan. The park also includes Proud Lake itself, along with hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails through roughly 4,700 acres of woods and wetlands.

The modern campground offers 130 electric sites in a wooded setting near the river and lake. It's a popular weekend basecamp for canoeists and anglers, and its position close to the Highland and Pontiac Lake recreation areas makes it easy to combine with other nearby trail systems.

CampgroundSitesHookupsBest For
Proud Lake Campground130 sitesElectricCanoeing, fishing, families
Heads up: The canoe livery operates seasonally and can be busy on summer weekends — reserve rentals ahead if a float trip is the centerpiece of your visit.
Local tip: A float down the Huron River from the livery is a relatively easy, scenic paddle suitable for beginners — a good option if you want a canoe outing without technical whitewater.

Huron River Canoeing

PHOTO PLACEHOLDER

The park's signature feature is the Huron River corridor running through it, with a canoe livery offering rentals for downstream float trips. Combined with Proud Lake and a network of hiking and equestrian trails, the park offers a genuine mix of water-based and land-based recreation.

How to Get a Reservation

The 6-Month Booking Window

Like all Michigan DNR campgrounds, Proud Lake State Recreation Area opens reservations exactly 6 months in advance through MiDNRReservations.com.

Set a CampDrop Alert

If your dates are sold out, CampDrop monitors MiDNRReservations.com around the clock and texts you the moment a site opens up at Proud Lake.

Reserve directly: MiDNRReservations.com · Park phone: (248) 685-2433

What to Know Before You Go

Hookups & Site Types

All 130 sites offer electric service in a wooded campground near the river and lake.

Season

The park typically operates April through November; confirm exact dates on MiDNRReservations.com.

Pets

Pets are welcome throughout the park on a 6-foot leash.

Canoe & Kayak Rentals

The park-run livery rents canoes and kayaks seasonally for Huron River float trips — check current hours and rates before planning around it.

Directions

Proud Lake State Recreation Area is located at 3500 Wixom Rd, Commerce Township, MI 48382, in Oakland County, a short drive from Milford.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — a park-run livery rents canoes and kayaks seasonally for float trips down the Huron River, which runs through the park.

The campground has 130 modern electric campsites near the river and lake.

Yes, it's a relatively easy, scenic paddle suitable for beginners, without technical whitewater.

Reservations open exactly 6 months in advance through MiDNRReservations.com. For sold-out dates, a CampDrop alert will text you the moment a cancellation opens up a site.

The park typically operates April through November. Confirm exact dates on MiDNRReservations.com.

Yes, they're about 8 miles apart, making it easy to combine both parks' trail networks into one Oakland County trip.