Cabin and glamping accommodations close to Belmont, Michigan offer access to both wooded river settings and nearby lake recreation. The region features a mix of private and state-owned campgrounds located within 30-45 minutes of Belmont, with most operating seasonally from April through October. Winter camping options are limited to select locations that maintain plowed sites and basic facilities during colder months.
What to do
Hiking trails and nature exploration: Ionia Recreation Area features multiple hiking paths around Sessions Lake. According to one visitor, "There are many things that my family enjoys doing at the Ionia State Rec Area. Some of our favorites are hiking, camping, fishing, and the beach. We try to get here a couple of times each year."
Water recreation options: Newaygo State Park Campground provides river access and water activities. A camper notes, "Very wooded and spread out among the campsites! Close to the water, and there's a trail along the perimeter of the campground with amazing views. Great stargazing as well."
Seasonal activities: Some campgrounds transform for winter recreation. One visitor to Lake Michigan Campground at Muskegon State Park explains, "Across the road is the Winter complex, sledding, skating, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and luge course. Our kids had a blast here, they have tons of bonfire pits as well."
What campers like
Private lake access: Campgrounds with lake frontage receive positive reviews for their peaceful settings. At Ionia Recreation Area, one camper shared, "This is great campground for family's it's peaceful and for the most part a quiet campground. A short walk or bike ride to the beach of Sessions Lake or even to the peninsula to fish from dock."
Spacious sites: Indian Valley Campground & Canoe Livery offers larger camping areas along the Thornapple River. A visitor mentions, "The river runs through the campground and is beautiful. The staff could be friendlier, but overall it's a nice campground."
Recreation amenities: On-site activities enhance the camping experience. At Tyler Creek, a camper notes: "Weekend golf cart rentals for 90 bucks which is a steal! Also the clubhouse for the golf course has a little common area with games and tv plus the bar makes great and cheap drinks which is a fun things for the adults to do!"
What you should know
Campground differences: Sites vary widely in privacy and amenities. One camper at Newaygo State Park notes, "We enjoy rustic camping and were a little let down with the lack of seclusion on each site. The sites are deep but many are close together."
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between locations. A visitor to Hungry Horse Campground reported, "Facilities were fairly clean and easily accessible. My favorite was that they offered social activities on the weekends for people to meet one another."
Seasonal operations: Most glamping sites near Belmont operate from spring through fall. Several campgrounds close completely during winter months, while others like Muskegon State Park offer winter camping with plowed sites and operational outhouses, though regular bathrooms remain closed.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Chinook Camping, "The playground area is so nice & everything is very well kept. They have an on-site restaurant that delivers food & wood to your site."
Swimming options: Some campgrounds feature dedicated swimming facilities. As one visitor to Hungry Horse Campground observed, "Multiple playgrounds, toddler pool and regular pool, jump pad, and lots of room to run around. They also typically offer planned activities throughout the week such as wagon rides, meet and greets, and ice cream socials."
Cabin alternatives: For families seeking glamping close to Belmont, Michigan without tent camping, cabins provide convenience. A visitor to Scalley Lake Park Campground and Cabins commented, "The cabins are clean and nice, the view of the lake is beautiful. My 6 children had a great time here."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites that make parking difficult. A Tyler Creek camper noted: "Lots of lot improvement so it's not so bumpy and off level. Neighbors had a problem with there electric box the owner was there in 5 minutes to fix it."
Road navigation: Interior roads at some campgrounds present challenges for larger vehicles. A Chinook Camping visitor reported, "They have very narrow roads that were very difficult to maneuver a large trailer. Lots were smaller and hard to back into."
Hookup availability: Hookup options vary across campgrounds. Many offer electric and water, while fewer have sewer connections. According to one visitor, "No full hook up sites. We also found the bathrooms to be very disgusting. Very dirty and not kept up."
