Best Campgrounds near Evart, MI

Camping options around Evart, Michigan range from full-service RV parks to rustic state forest campgrounds, with several facilities offering water activities and forested settings. River Country Campground and Livery in Evart provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations along the riverfront, while Mud Lake State Forest Campground offers a more primitive experience with pit toilets and no electrical connections. The area's campgrounds generally sit within the pine and hardwood forests characteristic of central Michigan, providing access to small lakes, river systems, and extensive trail networks.

Most campgrounds in the Evart region operate seasonally from April through October, with peak visitation occurring during summer months. Water and electric hookups are available at developed sites including River Country Campground, Crittenden Park, and Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground, while state forest campgrounds typically offer only basic amenities like vault toilets and hand pumps for drinking water. Winter camping is limited, with most facilities closing after the fall season due to harsh Michigan winters. Cell service varies across the region but tends to be stronger near town. One camper at Mud Lake State Forest Campground noted, "This is a rustic state forest campground with only 8 non-reservable sites. The sites have decent distance between them and vary from tucked into the trees or more open near the lake."

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for the area's campgrounds, with several sites offering views of or direct access to lakes and rivers. Mud Lake State Forest Campground provides lake views from several sites, and a boat ramp for launching kayaks and canoes. Sites along water features typically fill quickly during summer weekends. Most campgrounds maintain a family-friendly atmosphere with clean facilities. A visitor to Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground highlighted the "clean bathrooms, easy access to lake, nice beach," but recommended bringing "extra hose and extension cord as the water and electric can be a ways away from some sites." The region's camping areas balance accessibility with a sense of seclusion, making them popular for weekend getaways from nearby population centers.

Best Camping Sites Near Evart, Michigan (247)

    1. Mud Lake State Forest Campground

    8 Reviews
    Lake, MI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 775-9727

    $20 / night

    "The sites have decent distance between them and vary from tucked into the trees (away from the lake) or more open (near the lake)."

    "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. There are only 8 sites, but each site is spacious."

    2. River Country Campground and Livery

    5 Reviews
    Evart, MI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 679-8131

    $30 - $40 / night

    3. Crittenden Park

    2 Reviews
    Evart, MI
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 349-4654

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Oh and Big Lake is great for fishing, boating, and kayaking!"

    4. Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Lake, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 382-7158

    "Clean bathrooms, easy access to lake, nice beach Make sure to bring extra hose and extension cord as the water and electric can be a ways away from some sites."

    "Kids biked around all day and everyone drives slow! 🙌🏽 lots of shade, clean bathrooms, friendly staff! A great little campground"

    5. Old Log Resort and Campground

    2 Reviews
    Lake, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 743-2775

    "Site was tucked away in the back. Canoe/kayak/tubing access. Owners very personable, fantastic, super sweet and accommodating. Highly recommend. Would definitely visit again next time in the area!"

    "I give 5 stars because they cant do anything a bout the location, obviously, so I rated on our experience.  We had an excellent time, and will come back again."

    6. Haymarsh State Game Area

    2 Reviews
    Paris, MI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 832-3246

    "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!"

    7. Rambadt City Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Paris, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 832-2245

    "Dump station near the exit. Nice playground area and a nice trail with a bridge and water. There is also a trail to the old rugged cross museum."

    "But close to two-lane highway but not too loud at night. Park is clean. Nice playground and trail system."

    8. Paris Park

    3 Reviews
    Paris, MI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 796-3420

    "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."

    9. Rose Lake Park

    3 Reviews
    Cadillac, MI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 832-6130

    $20 - $30 / night

    10. Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground

    1 Review
    Evart, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 539-3021

    $20 / night

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Recent Reviews near Evart, MI

549 Reviews of 247 Evart Campgrounds


  • Kammy H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park

    Beautiful fall morning, site on the lake

    Large campground, with very clean restrooms and showers. Beach, boat launch, childrens playground, fish cleaning station, store, pizza place, and nice hiking trails. I feel very relaxed here.

  • thomas D.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Great Circle Campground

    Do Not Recommend Camping Here

    The new management and owners are rude, non-friendly and have not kept up the campground. Not kept up and locked bathrooms. We have been camping here for almost 20 years and it was a home away from home. This is not a place I would bring a family. Do not recommend.

  • John H.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Great Circle Campground

    Do not recommend

    Been camping here for years and new ownership has ruined the experience. Do not camp here.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Sawkaw Lake

    Doesn't exist and says "no camping"

    We went down the path and it says to make it right when there's no road that goes to the right. We drove three and a half hours to get here and now we've got to figure out where we're going to stay for the night. And the only spot that looked like a campable spot says no camping. There's a stake in the ground that says it.

  • Ken D.
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Great Circle Campground

    Best to look at other Higgins Lake camping options

    Not what your camping experience should be…the male owner is rude, disrespectful, and completely unbecoming of a campground host— showers…yep, but the he prefers to lock them, porta pots…yep, but locks them too…camp store…yep, good luck getting service, need ice? Ice machine never has bags of ice,  horrible customer service.   His wife openly condones his rude behavior and they both lack any skills required to serve the camping customers and their needs.  It is crystal clear this is how they choose to run the place.  Ya, look elsewhere.

    When you pull in, it looks like a junkyard…old construction equipment parked for years covered in blue shrink wrap is one of the first things you see upon arrival, overall its a dirty unkept park.  Why? They cant keep help because they are rude to staff as well.

    Your camping experience should be one of relaxation and having a pleasant, welcoming host.  Unfortunately, you will not find that at the great circle campground.

    Stay away and look elsewhere!

  • T
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Nichols Lake South Campground

    Needs to maintain standards of operation

    Facility at Office quite nice. Camp host was running his generator all night long. Women routinely take their dogs with them into the restroom. We’re not talking about outhouses but flush toilet bathroom with shower.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Government Landing Campground

    Nice offseason spot

    You have to reserve in the summer, but during offseason it is free/first come first serve. Scenic spot right on the pond/dam backwaters. Very spacious and spread out sites. Many sites were full when I came on a crappy weather Thursday night in early September. Is a bathroom within walking distance of a few sites. No water fountain/pump that I was able to located but there were easy walkways down to pond. Pond was warm/comfortable swimming temp even on a cold day but was full of seaweed which made swimming difficult/not enjoyable.

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Sawkaw Lake

    Small and quiet

    Not a lot of privacy between sites, but they are very large so you don’t feel on top of another and having the lake right there was nice


Guide to Evart

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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there camping options near Evart, MI for those traveling with RVs?

RV campers near Evart have several accommodating options. Cedar Springs Rv Resort is a family-friendly option with amenities including planned activities for kids, weekend barrel train rides, hayrides, a playground, and a sandy swimming area. The resort maintains immaculate restrooms and is conveniently located, though it is close to the highway. Crittenden Park near Sears is another RV-friendly option with water, toilets, and sites that can accommodate big rigs. For those willing to drive a bit further, Rose Lake Park offers big-rig-friendly sites with water and toilet facilities. Many campgrounds in the region provide electrical hookups, dump stations, and pull-through sites to accommodate various RV sizes.

What amenities are offered at River Country Campground in Evart, MI?

River Country Campground in Evart offers a comprehensive camping experience with amenities designed for comfortable stays. The campground provides potable water, clean restroom facilities, and sites that can accommodate larger RVs. A major highlight is their livery service for river recreation on the Muskegon River, offering equipment rentals for tubing, kayaking, and canoeing adventures. The campground features reservable sites, allowing guests to secure their spot in advance, particularly important during peak summer months. While River Country offers these basics, those seeking more extensive recreational amenities might consider Mitchell State Park Campground which, though further away in Cadillac, provides access to two lakes (Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell) connected by a canal and numerous water sport opportunities.

What campgrounds are available in Evart, Michigan?

Evart, Michigan offers several camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. River Country Campground and Livery is the primary campground in Evart, situated along the Muskegon River and offering both camping and river recreation. For those willing to travel a short distance, Mud Lake State Forest Campground provides a rustic experience with only 8 non-reservable sites, some offering lake views and direct lake access. The area around Evart also provides access to other campgrounds within a 30-minute drive, including Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground and Rambadt City Park Campground in nearby Reed City. These options range from fully-developed facilities to more rustic experiences, catering to different camping preferences.