A half-mile access road leads into Green Lake Rustic Campground, part of the 20,000-acre Waterloo Recreation Area in Chelsea, Michigan. Sites here run large, often bigger than a suburban house lot, though the open spacing between them means little privacy from neighbors. Site 6 provides muddy but workable lake access for kayaks, while site 5 carries a decent view of the water. Highway noise from across the lake is audible, particularly during the day, though multiple reviewers note it fades to background white noise by evening.
Vault toilets serve the campground in three locations, and reviewers consistently describe them as clean and well-stocked. Melissa B. notes the "water pump takes a while, but it works," which is worth keeping in mind if you arrive with empty containers. Ground bees have been spotted near the toilet paths and pump area, concentrated around burrow entrances dug into the walking and driving surfaces. They tend to stay close to their nests, but campers with allergies should take note.
Green Lake itself is mucky and lily-pad-covered, with no designated swimming area. A small boat dock and launch provide water access for fishing and paddling. The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail runs off the campground access road, with both east and west segments available; the west side past Cassidy Road involves some steep inclines. The Border to Border trail and the DTE mountain bike trail are also nearby, with the latter connecting by bike into Chelsea, where shops, restaurants, and a brewery are within reach.
Reservations are strongly recommended. DNR staff have noted that most weekends book out, but reserved sites sometimes go uncanceled and sit empty, which can make the campground appear full even when sites are technically available. The campground also includes a rentable yurt on the water. Other options within the recreation area include Sugarloaf Campground, which has modern amenities and its own beach, and the Rustic Equestrian Campground for those traveling with horses. Book well ahead for summer weekends, and consider arriving on a Thursday if flexibility allows.
Description
The park has 4 campgrounds, beaches, picnic areas, 11 fishing lakes, nature trails, 47 miles of hiking trails, cabins, equestrian trails and the Gerald Eddy Discovery Center.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Check in your campsite reservation and occupy your campsite no later than 3 p.m. one day after your scheduled arrival date to avoid being automatically cancelled. If you need to arrive later, you must adjust your arrival date by calling 1-800-44(PARKS) or by going on-line to www.midnrreservations.com . If you don't check in or update your arrival date, our system will automatically cancel your reservation and youll incur the loss of two nights' fees, the non-refundable reservation fee, $10 cancellation fee and the reduced-stay fee. Staff are unable to override this process.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsGreen Lake Rustic Campground is located in Michigan near Chelsea
Directions
Take I-94 to exit 159, M-52 Chelsea. Go north on M-52 for 5 miles. Entrance will be on the left.
Address
16345 Mcclure Rd
Chelsea, MI 48118
Coordinates
42.36420484 N
84.07028336 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 3/2/26
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 3/2/26
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
- Yurts
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 20 min from Ann Arbor, MI
- 30 min from Jackson, MI
- 44 min from Lansing, MI
- 57 min from Monroe, MI































