Camping options near Delton, Michigan include several established public and private sites within a 30-minute drive radius. Many Delton area campgrounds feature direct access to lakes and rivers, with summer water temperatures reaching 75-80°F during peak season. The glacial terrain creates varied camping landscapes from wooded sites with mature tree cover to open field settings.
What to do
Water activities on multiple lakes: Fort Custer Recreation Area maintains three lakes for fishing and water recreation across its 3,000-acre property. "Endless hiking trails and two lakes where you can fish, swim, and boat," notes a camper at Fort Custer Recreation Area.
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: The area offers extensive trail systems for various skill levels. "We camped and rode (again) at Fort Custer. We've been here 2x before (once in a cabin and once in tents) and this has now officially become a favorite," shares one visitor who appreciates the direct trail access.
Fishing opportunities: Welcome Woods Family Campground provides lake fishing opportunities with convenient dock access. "Playgrounds, Lake, dump station, well stocked store, some shaded sites, clean bathrooms by the store, pit toilets throughout the campground," describes a camper at Welcome Woods Family Campground.
Hiking through woodland terrain: Explore miles of trails through mixed forest settings. "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," reports a regular visitor.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the area offer sites with good separation between neighbors. "We've stayed at both sites listed. 161 you do have neighbors pretty close, but we just stayed at 51 and it is extremely secluded! We had an amazing time tent camping it was so quiet!" mentions a camper at Fort Custer Recreation Area.
Lake recreation access: Direct water access ranks high among visitor preferences. "This was the first campground my husband and I went to after buying our camper and we continued to go back for a couple years before getting a seasonal spot. If you are looking for quiet and low key this is the place to go it is right on the lake so you can kayak, fish, swim, or even take the dog to play in the water," explains a visitor at Giles Swanlake Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: Kid-focused facilities score high in reviews. "We have been camping here for 13 years. We love how kid and adult friendly it is and it's super clean! The lots are well spaced and we have never had a bad time here! Even when it rains!" shares a regular at Hungry Horse Campground.
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates stargazing opportunities. "I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky," notes a visitor at Ionia State Recreation Area.
What you should know
Seasonal operation variations: Not all campgrounds operate year-round. Indian Valley Campground & Canoe Livery operates all year while others have limited seasons. "The indoor pool was great for the preseason camping! Being there in early May, when it was rainy we were happy to have that amenity," reports a camper at Indian Valley Campground & Canoe Livery.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Facility quality ranges considerably between campgrounds. According to one review at Tyler Creek, "This place has the potential to be a great campground if they would freshen up the paint and repair all the issues with the restrooms and showers."
Site leveling challenges: Some natural terrain campgrounds have uneven sites. "To say the sites are uneven is putting it mildly. For 15 sites, you seriously can't level them??" notes a frustrated camper at Ionia State Recreation Area.
Limited supplies nearby: Some campgrounds are distant from stores and services. "Not really any fast food restaurants either. Obviously not a deal breaker, but just something to be prepared for," mentions a visitor describing the area around Hidden Ridge RV Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Look for designated children's programming: Several Delton area campgrounds offer structured activities. "Cute little campground in a small town in Dorr, Michigan. Lots of activities, swimming, wagon rides, jump pad, and more. Facilities were fairly clean and easily accessible. My favorite was that they offered social activities on the weekends for people to meet one another," shares a visitor at Hungry Horse Campground.
Choose campgrounds with swimming options: Water features remain popular for families with children. "Ionia has so many great outdoor activities for almost anyone. 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," notes a camper.
Consider glamping options for first-timers: Luxury glamping in Delton, Michigan provides an entry point for families new to camping. "We spent 5 days here in June. The campground is clean, the wi-fi is great. The pool and playground area is nicely laid out. We ordered food from the store and they brought it right to our site," shares a visitor at Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday.
Tips from RVers
Check hookup specifications: Electric service varies between campgrounds. "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," notes a camper at Fort Custer Recreation Area, highlighting the lack of full hookups.
Plan for dump station timing: Popular times can create backups. "Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long. Sites are easy to get in and out of with RV/TT," advises a visitor at Fort Custer Recreation Area.
Consider site size and access: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. "We couldn't fit our trailer into the site we reserved. They were very understanding and found us a pull thru site to use," shares a camper at Hungry Horse Campground, noting the helpful staff response to sizing challenges.
