Camping options around Evart, Michigan include several family-friendly campgrounds within 40 miles of town. The region features a mix of wooded terrain and waterfront access, with most campgrounds located near lakes and rivers like the Muskegon and Manistee. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during peak camping season, with overnight lows in the 50s creating comfortable sleeping conditions even in basic accommodations.
What to do
ORV trail access: Several campgrounds near Evart connect directly to Michigan's extensive trail system. Manton Trails RV Park features "orv access right from campsite. It's really handy to not have to trailer over to the trailheads," according to Jen L., who stayed at Manton Trails RV Park.
Fishing opportunities: Most lakes in the region support bass, pike and panfish. Pat's RV Park offers direct access to Hodenpyle Dam lake where campers report good catches. "Hodenpyle Dam lake is a great, quiet area. It's close enough to several places which makes it convenient to get in some sight seeing in Traverse City, Frankfort and Manistee," notes Steve F.
Water recreation: Swimming areas are available at multiple campgrounds, with Lake Billings offering a designated swimming area. According to Dezi T., "They have a really nice area whether it's fishing or swimming, playground or just plain camping, etc." The campground has "a very nice swimming/play area for small children" as noted by Dakota R.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness ranks high in camper reviews. Richard at Manton Trails RV Park reports the campground is "clean and well maintained. We used it as a base camp for canoeing on the Manistee River and it served us well. Plenty of pull-through sites and lots of grass."
Helpful staff: Many campgrounds receive praise for responsive management. At Lake Billings RV Park, one camper mentioned, "Very kind operators when we were in a pickle with an RV we rented and was very flexible with our situation. Clean areas and convenient to Manton area."
Evening entertainment: Weekend activities are available at several campgrounds. Sarah S. noted that at Manton Trails, "They have a large building for events... over the weekend they had a concert! Live band and food truck... free to all campers and their friends!" Aakifah A. confirms, "The campground has a lot of activities to offer too as well as live bands."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the region operate from mid-April through mid-October. Soaring Eagle Hideaway RV Park is open "April 1 to October 31" while River Ridge RV Resort runs "April 15 to October 31." Weather conditions can make spring and fall camping unpredictable.
Amenity variations: Electric hookups vary between campgrounds. Lake Billings offers 30-amp service while others provide 50-amp connections. One camper noted about Lake Billings: "The tent camping spots DO NOT have PLUGS which was really irritating because tent camping you're definitely gonna need an outlet."
Terrain considerations: Tree roots and site surfaces can impact setup. At Lake Billings, Amie R. reported, "The sites themselves are small, ours had massive roots that made walking and setting up outside a challenge. We saw a couple of people actually moving their campers to different sites."
Tips for camping with families
Waterfront options: Lakes provide family entertainment at minimal cost. At Lake Billings RV Park & Campground, Dakota R. found "a very nice swimming/play area for small children" making it ideal for families with younger kids.
Multi-generational accommodations: Some campgrounds offer additional amenities for visitors. Soaring Eagle provides casino access with transportation included. One camper noted, "This campground is a few miles from the casino, but offer free shuttles to the soaring eagle properties (including the water park)."
Spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with room for outdoor activities. At Manton Trails, valerie C. found their 28.6ft 5th wheel fit easily: "Management did an awesome job of spreading out guests until they were full! Lots of things for the kids, basketball, volly ball, a beach area, pond with fishing."
Tips from RVers
Internet connectivity: Cell coverage varies by carrier and location. According to campers at Manton Trails, "Internet worked well using our hotspots, but, like all campgrounds, if you like being 'in the woods,' internet is always a challenge. Most of our group had AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, the best service seemed to be Verizon in the morning and Sprint at night."
Laundry facilities: Some campgrounds offer on-site laundry services. Irons RV Park & Campground maintains "spotless" facilities according to Dee R., who stated: "Office, pool, bathroom, showers and laundry facilities are spotless. Grounds are maintained. Family and dog friendly."
Site selection: Check campground maps before booking to avoid awkward setups. Michael G. notes about River Ridge RV Resort: "Pretty basic campground with paved sites and a nice lake. Not much space, trees or privacy. Looked like most of the sites were longer term/workers. Clean restrooms, showers and laundry."
