Dispersed camping opportunities near Evart, Michigan extend beyond developed facilities into the surrounding state forests and public lands. The area sits within the Manistee National Forest region at elevations around 1,000 feet, where sandy soils support mixed pine and hardwood forests. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F with higher humidity levels, while spring and fall bring cooler conditions with nighttime temperatures that can drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing access points: Haymarsh State Game Area offers waterfront sites where you can fish directly from your campsite. One camper noted, "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."
Trail exploration: Paris Park connects to an extensive Rails to Trails system that stretches from Grand Rapids to Reed City. A reviewer explained, "The trail stretches from Grand Rapids to Reed City and continues beyond that unpaved. It also links to a long East to west trail in Reed City. It is great for bike riding."
Kayaking and canoeing: The Muskegon River provides excellent paddling opportunities. A visitor to Old Log Resort and Campground shared, "They also do kyak rentals, with drop off and you boat back to their own landing. Super convenient."
What campers like
Secluded lake sites: At Mud Lake State Forest Campground, visitors appreciate the balance of accessibility and privacy. One camper described it as having "the feel of a hike-in campground while being accessible by vehicle. It is located off the beaten path in the middle of nowhere, down a couple of well-marked dirt roads about 20 miles from the highway."
Waterfront camping: Campgrounds with river or lake frontage are highly rated. A visitor to Old Log Resort noted, "We stayed in site 5 and had the river as our front yard. Electric is provided at each site, and they do have a dump station."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Rambadt City Park Campground offers amenities for families. A camper commented, "Nice campground park. Park is clean. Nice playground and trail system."
What you should know
Cell service variations: Connectivity differs dramatically between campgrounds. At Mud Lake State Forest Campground, a camper reported, "Cellular service for Verizon is awesome, service for Google Fi was decent."
Site selection timing: The most desirable waterfront sites fill quickly. At Mud Lake State Forest Campground, a camper advised, "We got there on a Thursday afternoon and the best site #6 was taken but we were able to find 3 private sites that were unoccupied."
Highway noise: Some campgrounds near roads experience traffic noise. A visitor to Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground warned, "The campground and half the sites back up against a road. You will hear every car or truck that drives by at night. We went in the summer with full foliage. The leaves and trees did nothing to absorb the sound."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access options: Crittenden Park provides swimming areas appropriate for children. A visitor mentioned, "Decent swimming access, bathrooms, playground. Dog friendly. Super pleasant staff. Oh and Big Lake is great for fishing, boating, and kayaking!"
Kid-friendly attractions: At Paris Park, families can visit the connected fish hatchery. A camper explained, "The park is connected to a fish hatchery where kid can feed fish, ducks and geese. It is full of history and boasts a minuture Eiffel tower."
Playground facilities: Several campsites near Evart, Michigan feature dedicated play areas. A visitor to Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground shared, "Great spot for the family, 2 beaches. Quiet at night. Kids biked around all day and everyone drives slow! 🙌🏽 lots of shade, clean bathrooms, friendly staff!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: At Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground, RVers should plan for potential utility connection challenges. One camper advised, "Make sure to bring extra hose and extension cord as the water and electric can be a ways away from some sites."
Tree debris concerns: Pine trees at some campgrounds can create cleanliness issues for RVs. At Rose Lake Park, a visitor observed, "There are also a lot of old pines in the campground that were constantly dropping crude all over our trailer. You can tell the trailers that are seasonal here because the entire roof is cover in black debris that falls from the trees."
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. At Mud Lake State Forest Campground, a camper noted, "The sites are large enough for most rigs, even though the DNR recommends smaller trailers."
