Best Campgrounds near Big Rapids, MI

This place looks impressive at first as you drive in through closely packed seasonal campers.... But it improves dramatically as you drive over the hill and into the hollow where there are nicely spaced sites scattered across a field with a great playground and a path to Bass Lake. The best thing by far is the dual access to the STUNNING beach on Lake Michigan. You can paddle through Bass Lake and into the river straight down to the dam at the big lake, where you are met with beautiful dunes and a little swimming hole. The rivers confluence with Lake Michigan makes the water warmer there, and the lake water is so clear. The sand is a beautiful fine white. Amazing. You can also walk there down a quiet street, about 3/4 mile. Take a right out of the campground and the your first left. The other beach isn't as scenic. Loved this place and the quaint surrounding area

We stayed 3 nights in April on our way to Mackinaw. Our site was #21. Site backed up to the woods but was open on front and sides. This is a large campground with daily, seasonal, primitive, newer sites. Our site needed leveling but was not bad. It was before season started so amenities were not available yet. The resort has 3 pools, hot tub, nice store with pizza & ice cream. It was quiet in April but I'm sure summer is busy. We had a great pizza & ice cream at the store. Locally there is a few lighthouses, parks, views of Lake Michigan. Ludington Bay Brewing was an excellent place for dinner and a drink.

Arrived to the campsite around 5pm, everything was fantastic. Fire pit, and large open, wooded area all to ourselves. We loved it. However, once we got a fire lit, and the sunlight started to leave for the night we heard a pack of coyotes nearby. Deciding to press on, we shrugged it off hoping this was just a one off. 3 hours later, we hear them again. Only, this time we could tell they were even closer. We decided to head to the car and reevaluate our plan, but decided to stay a little longer before calling it quits. Not 30 mins later, the coyotes were back again, but even closer. They were less than 100 yards away from us, and we had no choice but to stay in our tent, and wait for them to pass while holding our protection in hand. We decided it was time to pack up and leave this time.

Please be aware, when camping here you may be in coyote territory, and they don’t seem to like it. So, maybe not a great spot for kids, or smaller pets.

Sadly, we just left the KOA Muskegon campground this morning after a relaxing and peaceful three-day stay. While travelling home, plans are already being made for another camping vacay at this KOA. The staff were all friendly and helpful, creating a family-like atmosphere. The cabins were clean, updated, and the beds were quite comfortable. Our deluxe cabin bathroom and kitchenette were also stocked with amenities, making the stay comfortable and effortless. Outside our temporary home was our own gas grill, patio table with seating, fire ring, and Adirondack chairs. How nice it was for meals on the deck and campfires in the evenings! Every morning we looked forward to the 3/4 mile hiking trail around the lake... which was gorgeous. Although, we personally don't fish, we enjoyed watching other guests fishing from the shore and various docks regularly. There is also a fun area of the campground that includes playground equipment, basketball, volleyball, a jumping pad that looks like a blast, and they were setting up some interesting looking mining activity. We did spend time on their community patio overlooking a fabulous greenspace, fire pit, swim beach, and the lake. I could've spent all day on the patio with the relaxing patio lights, flowering planters, and comfortable Adirondack chairs. The camp store is again clean, updated, and well-stocked, but I was also impressed that the prices were reasonable, which is not always the case in these type of"convenience" situations. Overall, cherished camping memories were made this past weekend, and we are anxious to return in the near future for more! Thank you KOA Muskegon staff!