Camping options near Belmont, Michigan center around large inland lakes and wooded areas within 25 miles of Grand Rapids. The region sits at approximately 760 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds in this area remain open from April through October, with limited winter camping available at select locations.
What to do
Disc golf at Newaygo State Park: The park offers an exceptional disc golf course along with hiking trails that provide river views. "There's good hiking, an awesome disc golf course, and the lake right there with boat launches for fishing. If you're not into fishing or disc golf, you might be happier elsewhere," notes Ryan L.T. about Newaygo State Park Campground.
Swimming at Sessions Lake: The lake at Ionia Recreation Area has a gentle shoreline perfect for families with small children. "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," explains Joshua E. about Ionia State Recreation Area.
Climb the dunes: For a more challenging activity, climb the massive sand dunes at Hoffmaster State Park. "One of our walks was up a 5-story staircase near the nature center, leading to an observation platform with expansive views of majestic dunes and Lake Michigan," describes Shelly B., adding that "a portion was barrier-free."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campgrounds offer secluded sites among pine and hardwood forests. "The campground is spacious, with large sites that provided plenty of room for our setup," writes Royce C. about Allendale-West Grand Rapids KOA, adding "sites are fairly wooded (lots of pine trees) and not too crowded."
River views: Several campgrounds sit on rivers that provide scenic backdrops and fishing opportunities. "This is a quirky little campground tucked away along a large river. It's not large, but half of the sites are directly on a wide fast moving river. Beautiful to drink your morning coffee by the water!" explains Allison H. about Steamboat Park Campground.
Modern facilities: Campgrounds maintain clean bathroom facilities, often with individual shower rooms. "The bathrooms are not just clean and well maintained, but the shower rooms also have a dedicated sink and toilet, which I much appreciate," notes James V. about Steamboat Park Campground, calling it "probably one of the top 5 campgrounds I have encountered."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on summer weekends. "If you are planning a trip to Grand Haven State Park, be sure to log onto the State Reservation site six months to the date that you want to camp," advises Stephanie C. about Grand Haven State Park Campground.
Site privacy varies: Some campgrounds offer more space between sites than others. At Duke Creek Campground, Clint notes "The sites were very small at this campground. Our fire pit was so close to our trailer we didn't dare use it." In contrast, at Wabasis Lake County Park, Bill R. observed "The sites were large enough that it could hold a large camper and two vehicles easily."
Wildlife concerns: Be aware of local wildlife that may visit campsites. "Lots and lots of raccoons, that aren't shy at all!" warns Nicole C. about Wabasis Lake County Park, while swimmers may encounter natural hazards as "unfortunately this summer swimmers itch got us!"
Tips for camping with families
Choose activity-rich campgrounds: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Belmont offer programmed activities for children. "We love this as an easy getaway close to home. I wouldn't call it a beautiful campground... but it is clean, and has a ton to do for kids!" shares Andrea B. about Woodchip Campground, adding "There are campsites in a circle around the playground, so you can sit at your site and watch the kids play."
Look for water features: Lakes and pools provide entertainment for children. "Kids have activities hay rack rides and train rides heated pool tent and travel trailer some pull thrus all in all nice place," notes Diane O. about Duke Creek Campground, while Megan S. mentions Cedar Springs RV Resort has a "nice sandy swimming area."
Consider playground accessibility: Not all playgrounds work well for younger children. Megan V. cautions that at Steamboat Park, "The playground structure is not very friendly for kids with special needs or very young children. It's wooden with a ladder to access the upper levels, it was hard for our 2 and 4 year old to use it easily."
Tips from RVers
Check site level: RV sites may require leveling at some campgrounds. At Wabasis Lake County Park, Bill R. found "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."
Consider full hookup options: Several pet friendly campgrounds near Belmont offer complete RV services. "They have full hookup and WiFi. The pool sits looking right over the river. The also really awesome thing about this park is that it is year round," notes Courtney A. about Steamboat Park Campground.
Reserve early for premium sites: Specific site locations can significantly improve your camping experience. At Grand Haven State Park, Kristen B. advises "If you can get site 127, it will be worth it, corner and facing the pier and the lighthouse," though warns "If you are in a tent, just know that you aren't going to have any privacy."
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