251 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Big Rapids area in central Michigan features a mix of established campgrounds and rustic camping options within a 30-mile radius. Haymarsh State Game Area offers tent camping with basic amenities including picnic tables, toilets, and trash disposal, while Paris Park provides more developed sites with electric hookups, showers, and sewer connections for RVs and cabin campers. Brower Park Campground in nearby Stanwood accommodates tents, RVs, cabins, and even yurts with amenities like electric hookups, showers, and a market, operating seasonally from April to October. Several campgrounds in the region support mixed-use camping with varying levels of development and proximity to water features.
Camping seasons vary significantly across the Big Rapids region, with some facilities like Newaygo State Park operating year-round while others such as School Section Lake Veteran's Park Campground maintain a May to October season. Most campgrounds in the area offer drinking water and toilet facilities, though shower availability is limited to the more developed sites. Cell service can be inconsistent throughout the region, particularly in more remote areas. Reservations are recommended for developed campgrounds, especially during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. One camper noted that Haymarsh State Game Area provides "walking access to the river with easy access for kayaks, absolutely quiet with no animal issues."
Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the Big Rapids area, with several campgrounds situated near lakes and rivers. Mecosta Pines Campground receives particularly high ratings (4.8/5) from visitors who appreciate its lakeside setting and cabin options. Hungerford Lake Campground offers more rustic experiences with tent and RV sites near water but minimal amenities. Campers seeking more developed facilities often choose River Ridge RV Resort or Brower Park Campground, both offering full hookups and organized activities. According to visitor feedback, the region's campgrounds generally maintain clean facilities and friendly staff, though site spacing varies considerably between locations. Several campers mentioned appreciating the balance between natural settings and proximity to local attractions and services in the Big Rapids area.
"This was such a beautiful location!! And definitely a nice find!"
"I love the campsites at this state park, they're decently big and each site is surrounded by trees. The sites are a little close together but all in all we really enjoyed our stay."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"This campground is a home away from home. It’s beautifully situated in the middle of the state. Ample boating, fishing swimming. The facilities are great and they have a good truck on site. "
"The park is right next to the Dragon Trail, a hiking and mountain biking trail that runs 47 miles round Hardy Pond. "
from $125 - $180 / night
Check Availability"Wish more of the sites were full hookups, but I am guessing it's because of distance to river. Also, it has a nice location to walk into the river and fish."
"This small campground is located in Paris Park in Paris, MI. Paris Park features a mini Eiffel Tower! You can tube or kayak down the Muskegon river that the park backs up to as well."
from $60 - $795 / night
Check Availability"We initially booked a site by the river, but once we saw the sites next to the playground, we knew we had to switch for our sanity and so our toddler could play."
"There are trails that lead to the river and also to an area where bald eagles have a nest. Pets are allowed . Nice little playground for the kiddos."
"This is a hidden gem in northern Michigan, our campsite was right on the lake where we were able to pull our boat right up to, plenty of private space, and so fun to fish. I will definitely be back!"
"Kids loved the pony rides and we enjoyed trail rides. Boat rentals are available
Sites are mostly dirt with pine needles but some are grassy."
from $22 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Very nice camp with an awesome lake and great swimming area! Kids love this park! Sometimes it gets busy. The shop has snacks and ice cream."
"Small lake with clean shallow beach, wooded sites, clean (but slightly dated) facilities led to fun times with grandkids."
from $165 - $1500 / night
Check Availability"It was clearly a popular place for families who liked to play on and near the water."
LegendWe love Hill and Hollow!
It’s a great campground for our group of friends who have kids in a wide variety of ages
We have kids from 5 to 16 and this allows them to do what they love - some like the go carts area, the pool, the playground or just hanging out
It’s close to pentwater and not far from ludington
The campground staff are super friendly and we have had a great experience here
TravelerThe campground is really nice and in the woods. Pool table in the office, swimming pool seems nice and restrooms/showers are clean. Only down side I can say is my campsite is really narrow. Other than that I love it and the kids really like it.
ScoutQuiet camping is available AFTER the Electric Festival is over earlier in the season. Just drive in and find a site anywhere next to the water under some trees for shade. Great for tieing a dog up in the shade where they can reach the shoreline to wade (If you pick the right site). Mostly rustic but having practically the whole campground to yourselves is priceless. The lake
has sandbars and floatation platforms but also drop offs close to the shore so not recommended for small kids and novice swimmers.
Great place to go impromptu when everyplace is full.
GuideThe day we pulled in it had been raining. The views were gorgeous! Our campsite sat on the water. I just overlooked that there wasn’t any sewage hook ups. But that’s fine. A few hours later when the sun came out so did all of the kids! The campsite next to us was empty except for a pontoon boat and a float that were parked there. Apparently some other families that were Camping rented the space next to us and we’re using that as their private beach area. As a couple with grown children and no little ones, you always have to remind yourself that we encountered those days as well! Crying, screaming, laughing, more crying. But also as parents, we were aware of our surroundings and tried to keep our kids contained. Most of the people camping here are locals, and it seemed that this was the case as well. The majority of the time the kids were down here with no parental supervision or the supervision of a 13-year-old babysitter. This park has great amenities. Bathrooms are clean and nice and well kept. Lots of trails. And lots and lots of dogs. That was another strike. We have a dog as well. I don’t mind dogs. But the rules explain dogs must be on a leash. Our first day a woman brought her black lab in front of her sight and proceeded to throw the frisbee into the water for her dog with no leash. Our dog is still quite a puppy and a lot of energy and we’re still working on some training. But there is a beach area but it also says no pets allowed. I think she was just looking for a place to let her dog run and play in the water, but in front of ours was not the place to do it! The spaces are very close together and not much room for privacy. Lots are pretty sandy where we were(48) and appeared so starting from lot 47 - 56 or so. I would avoid these unless you prefer sand in everything! All in all, it was a good trip like I said the views are beautiful the trails were very well maintained as well as the restrooms and the store. But if you’re looking for some peace and quiet, maybe come when kids are back in school?
ScoutWe have camped here many times over the years and have always enjoyed our visits. The campground has made some great investments and improvements, which are appreciated. However, the overall maintenance has unfortunately declined. It is noticeable in the condition of the shower houses, tree trimming, staining, painting, and other general upkeep. A little more attention to these details would make a big difference, especially in the restroom facilities. This is a great campground for children and families, with plenty to enjoy. One area that could use improvement is consistency in how campground rules are enforced. During our stay, we observed several occasions where some seasonal campers—and even some weekend campers—were allowed to get away with things that others were not. We personally did not have any issues, but it did seem as though certain campers were singled out while others were overlooked, even when there was no obvious reason. Overall, this is still a good place to camp, and we will likely return. With a stronger focus on maintenance and more consistent rule enforcement, it could easily become an excellent campground.
ScoutIf you're looking for a family oriented campground, look no further. From the park to play in for the kids and the heated pool, to the large fields and trails, you'll find entertainment to fill your days. Visit the wishing tree or porcupine tree. Swing on your trail adventure. The owners are delightful.
ScoutGreat family campground! Lots of activities: sport courts, foam parties, train rides and a heated pool. Nice Playgrounds and the River trip services were a huge highlight of our trip. We had so much fun and the river was beautiful! Our site was spacious and located right across from the arcade. We found the bathrooms to be outdated but they were overall clean. The park itself is very well maintained with freindly staff. Will definitely recommend and return.
GuideI camped here on my motorcycle in a tent. NO CELL PHONE SERVICE!!!It is quiet after dark, river sites all over, walkin sites at the entrance. Its $20 a night. Its a nice scenery the bugs are a little rough but there is fire wood close by for $5 a bundle. All in all a good experience except... The damn racoons!! It was like the movie the great outdoors and they come in packs!!! I had to hide everything and they stole my ketchup 😂
TravelerWe dropped in on a friend who was camping here and stayed just one night at the start of a long trip, but we'll definitely be back. Site 19 has its own little path to the beach. So do several others on that side of the campground. Nice little lake and beach. Loons in the evening.
The Big Rapids area of central Michigan offers rustic and developed campsites within the Manistee National Forest region. Located at approximately 900 feet above sea level, this area experiences warm summers with highs in the 80s and cold winters with frequent snow. Seasonal accessibility varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering year-round camping while others close from late fall through early spring.
Disc golf adventures: Newaygo State Park offers an exceptional disc golf course that draws enthusiasts. One camper notes, "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."
Kayaking and tubing: Paris Park provides river recreation with equipment rentals. A visitor explains, "The park offers tubes and transportation as well. The river is great for kayaking, canoeing and tubing."
Fishing opportunities: Newaygo State Park Campground offers excellent fishing access. One visitor reports, "There's a trail along the perimeter of the campground with amazing views. Great stargazing as well."
Hiking trails: Multiple trail systems connect around the area, with the Dragon Trail being particularly notable. A camper at Brower Park Campground shares, "The park is right next to the Dragon Trail, a hiking and mountain biking trail that runs 47 miles round Hardy Pond. There is a short loop called the Brower Park Loop that has some amazing views."
Spacious rustic sites: Campers appreciate the larger sites at Newaygo State Park. One reviewer states, "The thing we love most about this campground is the spacious site and that it is truly rustic with vault toilets and hand pumped water."
Clean facilities: School Section Lake Veteran's Park Campground maintains good standards according to visitors. A camper mentions, "Small lake with clean shallow beach, wooded sites, clean (but slightly dated) facilities led to fun times with grandkids."
Family-friendly environments: Many campgrounds offer structured activities for children. A visitor to Mecosta Pines Campground notes, "The campground is overall really quiet during the week. Quite busy on the weekends but they are good about keeping quiet times."
Water access: Most popular campsites offer direct water access. One camper at Brower Park explained, "Brower Park is a quiet campground with three separate areas with sites... Our site was near the Muskegon River and was very peaceful."
Site spacing varies: Some campgrounds have tighter quarters than others. A visitor to School Section Lake noted, "You almost need 2 lots if you have a trailer that's larger than 25 ft. Especially if you have slide outs."
Extra fees: Be prepared for additional costs beyond site rental. A camper at Brower Park warns, "Be prepared for extra fees for your cars and boats, the sites are still so fairly priced its really not that bad."
No pets policies: Some campgrounds restrict pets entirely. A reviewer noted about School Section Lake, "No dogs allowed so make sure you plan accordingly."
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty connectivity, especially in more wooded areas and at rustic sites.
Seasonal closures: Operating seasons vary widely, with most rustic sites closing by late October and reopening in April or May.
Look for playground-adjacent sites: Mecosta Pines Campground offers strategic camping spots for parents. One visitor advises, "We initially booked a site by the river, but once we saw the sites next to the playground, we knew we had to switch for our sanity and so our toddler could play."
Consider organized activities: Some campgrounds offer structured programs. A camper at CranHill reports, "Kids loved the pony rides and we enjoyed trail rides... Kids loved crafts they had available."
Choose shallow swimming areas: Several campgrounds feature kid-friendly water access. A visitor to School Section Lake mentions, "Small lake with clean shallow beach, wooded sites, clean facilities led to fun times with grandkids."
Plan for weather variability: Spring and fall camping can experience significant temperature swings. Pack layers and rain gear, even in summer.
Site selection matters: Look for level sites with adequate space. A camper at Brower Park shares, "Most of the sites are pretty large and all 3 areas of the campground are nice and a little different in their own way."
Water and electric availability: Many campgrounds offer partial hookups. A visitor to School Section Lake noted, "Very good water, and full hook up. I wish we had gravel verses dirt though, during the rain it gets a bit muddy."
Weekend crowds: Weekdays offer more tranquility at popular campgrounds. As one camper at Mecosta Pines observed, "The campground is overall really quiet during the week. Quite busy on the weekends but they are good about keeping quiet times."
Seasonal considerations: Most RV-friendly campgrounds near Big Rapids operate from April through October, with limited options during winter months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in Big Rapids, Michigan?
Big Rapids offers several camping options in the surrounding area. School Section Lake Veteran's Park Campground near Mecosta provides reservable sites with water and toilet facilities. For a more rustic experience, Hungerford Lake Campground offers primitive camping with beautiful lake access. Other nearby options include Paris Park, Haymarsh State Game Area, and CranHill in Rodney. The region's campgrounds typically provide access to the area's abundant lakes and rivers, making them popular for fishing and water recreation enthusiasts.
What amenities do Big Rapids campgrounds typically offer?
Campgrounds around Big Rapids typically offer a range of amenities based on their type. River Ridge RV Resort provides full hookups, water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly with well-maintained facilities. CranHill offers water, toilets, and family-oriented activities. Most public campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities like vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Private RV parks generally feature more extensive facilities including electrical hookups, shower houses, and sometimes swimming pools or recreation areas. Many campgrounds in the region also offer lake or river access, making them popular for fishing and water activities.
How far are the nearest campgrounds from downtown Big Rapids?
Brower Park Campground is approximately 15 minutes from downtown Big Rapids, located near Stanwood with boat and drive-in access. Mecosta Pines Campground is about 20 minutes away near Morley, offering water access and facilities for RVs. Other nearby options include Paris Park (about 10 minutes south), Haymarsh State Game Area (roughly 15 minutes northwest), and School Section Lake Veterans Park (approximately 20 minutes southwest). Most campgrounds within a 30-minute drive provide good access to Big Rapids amenities while still offering natural surroundings.
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