Campsites near Ada, Michigan provide diverse camping experiences on a terrain marked by glacial features, small lakes, and mixed hardwood forests at elevations between 700-900 feet. Seasonal changes affect site availability with most campgrounds operating April through October, though Steamboat Park Campground remains open year-round. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing while summer highs typically reach 80-85°F with moderate humidity.
What to do
River activities: Thornapple River access is available at Indian Valley Campground & Canoe Livery where "It is along the Thornapple River where it is very popular to canoe, kayak, and tube. It's close enough to a city but not too close," according to reviewer Jessica R.
Disc golf and trails: The recreation areas surrounding Ada feature multiple outdoor activity options. At Ionia State Recreation Area, "There is a disc golf course, mountain bike trail, equestrian trails, hiking trails, a beautiful no wake lake perfect for swimming, kayaking, or fishing," explains Joshua E.
Sunrise views: For early risers, Wabasis Lake County Park offers excellent morning views. As one camper notes, the cabins are "located just across the road and slightly up the hill from Lake Wabasis, and facing almost due east, which leads to wonderful early morning sunrises over the lake from the front porch of the cabins."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Steamboat Park Campground consistently receives high marks for cleanliness. Kara W. describes "Rigorously cleaned restrooms and showers - the best I've seen. Card operated laundry. A salt water pool overlooking the river. Lots of greenery to walk my dog."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the area offer adequate room for setup. At Woodchip Campground, "There are campsites in a circle around the playground, so you can sit at your site and watch the kids play," says Andrea B., making it convenient for families.
Lake access: Several campgrounds provide direct water access. At Crooked Lake Campground and RV Park, one camper had "a great spot overlooking the lake and next to the boat launch. Campsites are spacious, there are two vault toilets and a water pump."
What you should know
Variable site conditions: Sites at some campgrounds may require leveling. Bill R. notes at Wabasis Lake: "The sites were large enough that it could hold a large camper and two vehicles easily. Some of the sites are a little uneven (the camper needed wood blocks underneath it so that the wheels weren't off the ground after leveling."
Weekend popularity: Due to proximity to Grand Rapids, weekend availability can be limited. As Bill R. explains about Wabasis Lake: "Because it's so close to Grand Rapids and some other cities, it typically is full on the weekends. Booking a site can be troublesome."
Firewood considerations: When purchasing firewood at campgrounds, size may vary. At Wabasis Lake, "The pieces of wood that can be bought were huge! They had to be cut smaller to use well," according to Megan T.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Woodchip Campground offers numerous activities for children. According to Cassondra P., "Kids loved going on wagon ride to find the pumpkins and then decorating them. They really enjoyed the glow wagon ride. Root beer floats Saturday night were great! Loved that they had big blow up activities for kids to do."
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature central play areas. Megan T. describes Wabasis Lake: "There is a playground in the center which was very handy for our little ones. They could play and we could watch from our site."
Swimming options: Beach facilities vary between locations. At Ionia State Recreation Area, "The beach is fantastic especially for little kids who might not be the best swimmers ready for Lake Michigan or lakes with lots of boats and waves to deal with. Nice and sandy and a nice store and ice cream shop at the beach," says Joshua E.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: For RVers, site size and privacy vary across campgrounds. At Tyler Creek, one camper noted, "Lots of lot improvement so it's not so bumpy and off level. Neighbors had a problem with their electric box the owner was there in 5 minutes to fix it."
Year-round options: Limited winter camping exists in the Ada area. Courtney A. explains that Steamboat Park Campground is "year round. Year round parks are so hard to find in Michigan. This one is awesome. Great spots in the trees and also back in spots right on the river."
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites are available at select locations. Kara W. describes Steamboat Park Campground as having "Full hook up sites that are quite spacious and level," making it suitable for larger rigs requiring multiple connections.
