Located about 85 miles north of Grand Rapids, Evart, Michigan sits near the Muskegon River at an elevation of 1,020 feet. The area experiences humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, with camping season typically running from April through October. Summer temperatures average 70-80°F during peak camping months, making it popular for water recreation.
What to do
Kayaking on Muskegon River: River Country Campground and Livery offers convenient river access with equipment rentals. "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," notes a camper at Old Log Resort and Campground.
Hiking Green Pine Lake Pathway: The trail system connects multiple lakes and offers scenic routes. "There is a 2.5-mile-long connector from this campground to the Green Pine Lake Pathway -- it's a total of about 9 miles of trails that connects you to three different lakes," mentions a visitor at Mud Lake State Forest Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes provide good fishing spots throughout the area. "Also, it has a nice location to walk into the river and fish," shares a camper at Paris Park.
What campers like
Riverfront camping: Sites along the Muskegon River are particularly valued. "The riverfront sites are great. Ice cream at the store is a bonus. The tube trip down the river is fun! It's a great option for tubing and camping without the wild party crowds of other river campgrounds," according to a camper at River Country Campground and Livery.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms rank high on campers' priorities. "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," notes a visitor to Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground.
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds feature larger sites with good separation. "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 (away from the lake) or more open (near the lake)," shares a camper about Mud Lake State Forest.
What you should know
Insect considerations: Beyond mosquitoes, ticks are a significant concern in wooded areas. "The place was beautiful for Memorial Day weekend. I did notice lots of ticks. Our dogs all had at least one on them and all of us campers had a few," warns a visitor at Mud Lake State Forest Campground.
Management quality varies: Some campgrounds receive mixed reviews about staff and maintenance. "If you're looking for a place to relax and enjoy a nice atmosphere, and have friendly people that run the campground, don't camp here!! The owners are RUDE. They don't care how the campground is maintained," cautions one camper about River Country.
Road noise concerns: Some campgrounds experience traffic disruption. "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," reports a visitor at Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Evart feature recreational facilities for children. "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! A great little campground," shares a visitor at Merrill-Gorrel Park Campground.
Educational opportunities: The region offers learning experiences alongside camping. "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," mentions a camper at Paris Park.
Swimming options: Lakes provide family-friendly swimming areas. "It's on Rose Lake and has a decent swimming beach. They also have a worm infestation. There were worms all over the place and constantly dropping on you when you sat outside," cautions a camper about Rose Lake Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Not all pet-friendly campgrounds accommodate big rigs. "The sites are large enough for most rigs, even though the DNR recommends smaller trailers," notes a camper at Mud Lake State Forest.
Electrical considerations: Plan for power needs when selecting sites. "Sites have electric and water. Dump station near the exit," explains a visitor at Rambadt City Park Campground.
Tree debris issues: Pine trees can create maintenance challenges for RVs. "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," warns a Rose Lake Park visitor.
