The Fourth at The Oaks

4th of July Camping at The Oaks: Parades, Fishing and a DJ

The Fourth of July at The Oaks Campground, about 50 minutes west of Ann Arbor, is a full day of family events: crafts, tie-dye, a fishing contest, bingo, bike and golf cart parades and DJ Dave at the pavilion. This year’s schedule is on the Oaks events page.

Book your siteSee this season’s events
Food trucksbreakfast and lunch
Fishing contest1–2 PM
Golf cart parade6 PM, with prizes
No fireworksat camp

What a typical Fourth of July looks like

Last season’s schedule on the Fourth looked like this.

Food trucks

Last season, two trucks came for the holiday: Happy Camper Café for breakfast in the morning and The Filling Station from 11 AM to 6 PM, on both the 3rd and the 4th. That means one less meal to cook at the site. Check the events page for this year’s trucks.

Morning: crafts and tie-dye

At 11 AM, kids paint a mini clay pot at the pavilion. At noon, it’s family tie-dye, so plan on red, white and blue shirts for the rest of the day. Shirts are sold at the camp store.

Afternoon: corn hole, fishing and bingo

  • 1 PM adult corn hole tournament, $5 per person
  • 1 to 2 PM fishing contest, with prizes for the most fish, the biggest and the smallest
  • 3 PM adult bingo (six games)

Register about 10 minutes early. Worms and tackle are sold at the store; there are no loaner rods, so bring your own. Kids do best fishing off the dock.

Late afternoon: parades

At 4 PM, the best-decorated bike contest leads into the kids’ bike parade. At 6 PM, the golf cart welcome parade rolls through the campground, with prizes for the best-decorated carts. Golf cart rentals are available at the store.

Evening: DJ Dave

DJ Dave plays at the pavilion from 7 to 10 PM. It’s the biggest crowd of the summer, with families dancing and kids running between the pavilion and the play areas. Things wrap up before quiet hours at 11.

On the water

The Aquaglide floating water park on our sand beach is open Thursday through Sunday and on holiday-weekend Mondays, and it’s free for campers on Thursdays. Other days need a wristband; see the rates page. The new Kangaroo Jumper is free for campers.

Are there fireworks at The Oaks?

No. There are no fireworks at camp, and guests can’t bring their own. In a wooded campground full of kids, pets and RVs, the fire and safety risk is too high, so we celebrate with parades, games and music instead. Some families drive to a nearby town’s public fireworks show in the evening; check local listings for times. Golf carts park at dark, so take your car, and kids and bikes need to be back at the site by dusk.

Book early for the Fourth

The Fourth of July fills early every year, so reserve as soon as you know your plans. Holiday dates are priced higher than ordinary weekends, and waterfront sites cost more than standard ones. Choose your dates on the Oaks rates page to see your price. Arriving a day early gets you the free camper Thursday on the Aquaglide.

Planning around the water and a first fishing trip? See the Aquaglide and sand beach guide and a kid’s first fishing trip.

Getting to The Oaks

The Oaks is in Munith, next to the Waterloo Recreation Area. From Ann Arbor it’s about 50 minutes west on I-94, and from Jackson it’s about 30 minutes. Detroit-area families are usually here in about an hour and a half, so a Friday-evening arrival is easy.

Questions

Does The Oaks have fireworks on the Fourth of July?

No. There are no fireworks at camp, and guests can’t set off their own. Some families drive to a nearby town’s public show; check local listings.

Are there food trucks on the Fourth?

Yes. Last season a breakfast truck and a lunch-and-dinner truck came on both the 3rd and the 4th. Check the events page for this year’s lineup.

Is the Aquaglide open over the Fourth?

It’s open Thursday through Sunday and on holiday-weekend Mondays, free for campers on Thursdays. Other days need a wristband.

Can kids enter the fishing contest?

Yes. It’s a family contest with prizes for the most fish, the biggest and the smallest. Register about 10 minutes before it starts.

How far is The Oaks from Ann Arbor?

About 32 miles, or roughly 50 minutes west on I-94.

Ready to book?

Rates vary by date and site; see our rates page.

Book your site

The Oaks Campground · 7800 Cutler Road, Munith, MI 49259 · (517) 596-2747