Camping sites near Cloverdale, Michigan occupy the rolling hills of Barry County, where the average elevation ranges from 800-1000 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically reaching highs in the 80s and winter lows in the teens. Many campgrounds in the area are positioned near small inland lakes with sandy bottoms, providing opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and swimming without the crowded conditions of larger Michigan tourist destinations.
What to do
Hiking trails: The North Country Trail runs through the Deep Lake Rustic Campground area, offering miles of scenic hiking. "You are just a short drive away from Yankee Springs and Gun Lake with the huge beach, plus you are basically right on the NCT and have access to miles of hiking and biking trails," notes one visitor about Deep Lake.
Mountain biking: The trail system in the Fort Custer Recreation Area offers varied terrain for mountain biking enthusiasts. "Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes. Roads quiet and could easily ride your road bike to nearby bike paths," shares one camper. Another mentions, "We camped and rode at Fort Custer. We've been here 2x before and this has now officially become a favorite."
Fishing: Many lakes in the area provide good fishing opportunities. At Sharp Park Campground, anglers can rent equipment if they didn't bring their own. "Sharp Park offers canoe, kayak, fishing boat, and paddleboat rentals as well as fishing pole rentals with night crawlers available for purchase in the store," according to one review.
What campers like
Lake access: Michawana Campground receives high marks for its lake amenities. "The lake nearby is clean and they have a swimming spot for kids and adults. Boats and kayaks are free to use if the lifeguard is on duty. There is also fishing rods to use for free," explains one visitor.
Privacy levels: Site privacy varies significantly between campgrounds. At Deep Lake, one camper noted, "If you want seclusion away from the parking lot atmosphere down the road at Yankee Springs this is your place. There is much more space at each campsite and lots of old growth trees."
Clean facilities: Sharp Park Campground stands out for its well-maintained amenities. "Clean, updated bathrooms with hot showers. The campground is right on the lake with a sandy beach area for swimming and also has canoe/kayaks/paddleboat to rent," reports one camper, while another notes, "Showers are hot, bathrooms immaculate, grounds clean and taken care of."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance booking, particularly during summer months. At Hidden Ridge RV Resort, a popular destination, availability can be limited. "We camped at Hidden Ridge RV Resort in a Motorhome," said one visitor, who advised, "This is a very large RV park and spread out in different areas."
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Welcome Woods Family Campground runs from May 1 to October 15, while Hidden Ridge RV Resort operates from April 1 to October 30, making advance planning essential during shoulder seasons.
Bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds. Fort Custer Recreation Area campers report "a longer walk to the restrooms and showers" from certain sites. At other campgrounds like Welcome Woods, visitors note "the bathroom and showers are a pretty far walk so plan on driving or riding bikes. They do have outhouses closer to the sites, which were clean and did not smell."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Welcome Woods Family Campground provides multiple water recreation options. "They offer both rustic and water and electric sites. This is a family campground and my kids loved the playground! They also have a dock you can rent space and keep your boat in the lake," says one visitor.
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Sharp Park Campground, one camper highlighted "two playgrounds, a basketball hoop and gaga pit which our kids thoroughly enjoyed."
Special amenities: Michawana Campground offers unique activities beyond standard camping. "They have a massive slip 'n slide, zip lining, and a rock climbing wall. The bath houses are huge and well taken care of," explains one family who visited with children.
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: At Gun Lake Campground, RV campers should be prepared for varied terrain. "Sites are setup somewhat close to each other but its not too terrible," notes one RVer, while another warns, "be careful what campsite you get though because flooding was a problem last time I was there. We got 2-4" of rain overnight."
Hookup availability: Electric-only hookups are common at many campgrounds in the area. Fort Custer State Park offers "sites with electrical service only. Must use the dump station," advises one RVer.
Road conditions: When navigating to some campgrounds, RVers report challenges with directions. At Deep Lake, one visitor shared, "Drove through this place and ended up not booking. Sites seem very small. Place seems run down- it really looks like a place for seasonal campers."
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