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W. J. Hayes State Park Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

W. J. Hayes State Park Campground, near Onsted, Michigan, is a fantastic spot for families and outdoor lovers alike. With a mix of tent sites, RV accommodations, and cozy cabins, it caters to all types of campers looking to enjoy the great outdoors.

The campground boasts well-maintained facilities, including private showers and clean restrooms, which visitors appreciate after a day of activities. Many campers have highlighted the ample shade and spacious sites, making it a comfortable place to set up camp. As one visitor noted, “Campsites were decently sized, fire pits were big,” perfect for evening gatherings around the fire.

For those who enjoy water activities, the nearby lakes offer fishing and kayaking opportunities, while the small beach area provides a nice spot to relax. There’s also a nature trail winding through the campground, ideal for a leisurely stroll. Plus, if you’re visiting during race season, it’s just a short drive to the Michigan International Speedway, making it a convenient choice for race fans.

With a friendly atmosphere and plenty of activities for kids, W. J. Hayes State Park Campground is a solid pick for your next camping adventure. Whether you're looking to unwind or get active, this campground has you covered.

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Location

W. J. Hayes State Park Campground is located in Michigan

Detail location of campground

Directions

Park entrance is located on US-12; 7 miles west of M-52 or 5 miles east of M-50; 25 miles east of Jackson; 70 miles southwest of Detroit.

Address

1220 Wamplers Lake Rd
Onsted, MI 49265

Coordinates

42.06795661 N
84.1363154 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Drive Time

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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10 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 28, 2024

Travel Trailers

If your longer than 40ft be aware most sites will not work for you here, they do have some but the wood line, privacy and nature is great. Lots of activities for the family by camp staff. Water sports and lots of trails

Site84
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jul. 15, 2024

Hayes State Park

We stayed in a tent on site 32, this was a very nice campground, peaceful, with trails and ample shade. Campsites were decently sized, fire pits were big, $5 per bundle of dry wood, showers were private with hot water, and there were activities and a beach/playground for kids. Checkin/out was simple, and coffee/hot coco was provided by the campsite each morning. Will be returning to this campsite again. I suggest sites 93-96 for more private/shaded sites.

Site32
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Sep. 22, 2021

Nice area

Nice area in the Irish Hills. The campground has a couple of loops. Most sites around the outside are decently wooded. There’s a nice little mile nature trail through one of those loops.

There’s a nice dog run that we took advantage of.

There’s a couple of lakes where you can fish and kayak.

The day use area has a nice big grass picnic area. The beach is pretty small but it’s still a beach. Dogs are allowed at the day use area.

Update: we went camping at MIS for NASCAR and this state park is about a 10 minute drive from the track and the campgrounds at the track. We camped at the track but used the Lake here. I also noticed campers from the race using the dump station here at this park!

Site83
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of W. J. Hayes State Park Campground by Alex H., September 22, 2021
  • Review photo of W. J. Hayes State Park Campground by Alex H., September 22, 2021
  • Review photo of W. J. Hayes State Park Campground by Alex H., September 22, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 21, 2021

Nice place to camp

2 lakes with good fishing, some sites are full sun. Many have great shade. Close to MIS racetrack

Site76
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Sep. 3, 2019

Nice place

Take the kids there and they love it. Nice little fishing pier and access to Round lake and Wamplers lake. Decent beach and park.

  • Review photo of W. J. Hayes State Park Campground by Gary R., September 3, 2019
  • Review photo of W. J. Hayes State Park Campground by Gary R., September 3, 2019
Reviewed Jun. 16, 2019

Great state park in the Irish Hills

Hayes State Park is a great little spot in the Irish Hills. It rained the whole time we were there (boo!) but we tried to make the best of it. Our site was the perfect spot for two tents and a hammock, and I loved the fire pit and table being next to the driveway. There’s electric at every site, and a paved driveway for RVs. One thing is that the sites in the east loop, while a little more spaced out than the west loop, are still real close together. If there had been someone in the spot to our left, it would’ve felt really cramped. The ranger office was nice, clean, and had lots of information ready! Firewood and ice are available there as well for reasonable prices. The bathroom building was right in the center of our loop, and had warm showers that were great after a day of cold mist. They aren’t the cleanest, but with how many people were there it was well kept and stocked. This is obviously a campground geared towards families, with tons to do from the beach, to volleyball courts and horseshoes. The main attraction is of course Wamplers Lake, and you can rent kayaks, pedal boats and canoes to go explore around the lake. Overall, this is a great campsite if you are a family, or attending an event at MIS right down the road. If you enjoy more secluded campsites, this isn’t the spot for you.

  • Review photo of W. J. Hayes State Park Campground by Emma W., June 16, 2019
  • Review photo of W. J. Hayes State Park Campground by Emma W., June 16, 2019
  • Review photo of W. J. Hayes State Park Campground by Emma W., June 16, 2019
  • (13) View All
Reviewed Aug. 5, 2018

overcrowded

Huge beach, large boat dock and lots of campsite spaces w power. The beach and water is full of litter. Boat launch was big with plenty of parking. We launched kayaks and paddled over to the swim area. Dogs and cigarette butts all over the beach. Walking to the restroom, it was a long walk and I could not locate any trash cans. Family friendly picnic areas with tables are spaced along the beach. Campsites are small and mostly dirt. Saturday night was packed with partying campers. Lots of dogs of all varieties, and temperaments. Unless you had a camper with a fan to drown out noise, then getting our kids to sleep would have been very difficult. Barking dogs, teenagers running through and past campsites until around 11pm. All fell pretty quiet by midnight, after rangers walked through. Dirt lots but paved camper pads.

  • Review photo of W. J. Hayes State Park Campground by Beth H., August 5, 2018
  • Review photo of W. J. Hayes State Park Campground by Beth H., August 5, 2018
  • Review photo of W. J. Hayes State Park Campground by Beth H., August 5, 2018
Reviewed Jun. 13, 2018

Quiet and relaxing

I’ve always loved going to this campground growing up. It has access to Wamplers Lake and there are several other lakes near by. The area is quiet and clean.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Apr. 17, 2018

Nice spot in Irish Hills

Needed a quick weekend getaway, and found this place. Very nice, lots to do in surrounding area. Lake is pretty. Nearby MIS. Hidden Lake Gardens are absolutely beautiful to wander around.

Month of VisitSeptember

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities and facilities are available at Hayes State Park Campground?

W.J. Hayes State Park Campground offers electric hookups at every site, spacious campsites with fire pits and tables positioned conveniently next to the driveways. The campground features clean shower facilities with hot water and private shower stalls. Additional amenities include a fishing pier, a dog run for pets, a playground for children, and organized activities run by camp staff. Firewood is available for purchase at $5 per bundle. The campground also has restrooms, though some campers note they can be a bit of a walk from certain sites.

What activities can I enjoy at Wamplers Lake in Hayes State Park?

Wamplers Lake offers numerous recreational opportunities including swimming at the large beach area, boating with access via a spacious boat dock and launch area with ample parking, fishing from the pier or shoreline, and paddling activities like kayaking. The lake provides a scenic setting for water sports and relaxation. Additionally, there's a playground near the beach for children. The park connects to Round Lake as well, providing even more fishing and water recreation options.

How do I make reservations at Hayes State Park Campground?

Reservations for W.J. Hayes State Park Campground can be made through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources reservation system. The check-in and check-out process is straightforward and efficient. For the most current availability and to secure your spot, visit the Michigan DNR website or call their reservation line. It's advisable to book well in advance, especially for summer weekends and holidays when the campground fills quickly.

What's the difference between the East and West loops at Hayes State Park Campground?

The campground features multiple loops with distinct characteristics. The outer sites in the loops tend to be more wooded with good shade coverage, while some inner sites are in full sun. One loop contains a nice mile-long nature trail, perfect for short hikes. Site sizes and privacy levels vary between loops, with the outer perimeter generally offering more seclusion and tree coverage. Larger RVs (over 40 feet) may find limited suitable sites, so it's important to check site specifications when booking if you have a larger rig.

Are there cabins available at Hayes State Park?

Hayes State Park primarily offers traditional camping sites rather than cabins. The park focuses on tent and RV camping with electric hookups available at sites. For those seeking indoor accommodations, you might need to look at nearby private campgrounds in the Irish Hills area that offer cabin rentals. If cabin camping is your preference, contact the Michigan DNR to inquire about other state parks in the region that do provide cabin options.