Several tent and RV campgrounds operate within 25 miles of Farwell, Michigan, offering alternatives to luxury glamping. Located in the central Lower Peninsula at approximately 1,000 feet elevation, this region features numerous lakes and forests with typically mild summers and snowy winters. Many campgrounds in this area operate on a seasonal basis, generally closing from November through April due to Michigan's harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Disc golf at Newaygo State Park: Located 65 miles southwest of Farwell, the park features a challenging course through wooded terrain. "There's good hiking, an awesome disc golf course, and the lake right there with boat launches for fishing. If you're not into fishing or disc golf, you might be happier elsewhere," notes Ryan L T. from Newaygo State Park Campground.
Kayaking and fishing: Hardy Pond near Brower Park offers calm waters ideal for beginners. "With a beautiful beach that we saw park staff racking every day to make sure it was clean of seaweed or trash and two boat ramps as well as many places to moor your boat for your stay," explains Joshua E. who visited Brower Park.
Beach activities: School Section Lake Veteran's Park offers a dedicated swimming area with amenities. "Very nice camp with an awesome lake and great swimming area! Kids love this park! Sometimes it gets busy. The shop has snacks and ice cream," writes Arron P. who camped at School Section Lake.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds in the region have upgraded their amenities recently. "Showers and Rest Rooms have been updated and were well taken care of. The park rangers were extremely friendly and helpful. We are newbies, but if this is what rving is like, we will definitely be enjoying it," reports Scott P. about his stay at Wilson State Park Campground.
Spacious campsites: Newaygo State Park offers larger sites than many other campgrounds. "Spacious, friendly staff," notes Sara G. Another camper, Sarah K., elaborates: "The thing we love most about this campground is the spacious site and that it is truly rustic with vault toilets and hand pumped water."
Family-friendly activities: Organized events keep younger campers entertained. Joshua E. describes Brower Park Campground: "Great campground with amazing views and tons of activities to do. We camped during the week so many of the campground provided activities where not happening but many other outdoor activities to do."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds in this region operate from spring through fall. "We stayed here for a day and there was plenty to do. From the beach, to the splash pad, the huge playground, the hiking trails, fishing in the lagoon," reports Matt S. about Bay City State Park Campground.
Site variations: Campsite quality and size can differ significantly within the same park. "There are a few sites with full hook-ups. Some of the sites are difficult to get into once you get up into the trees away from the water front. Getting a site here during the summer can be very difficult," explains Stu E. about South Higgins Lake State Park.
Varying terrain: Expect different ground conditions depending on location. "Sites are mostly dirt with pine needles but some are grassy," notes Cassondra P. about her camping experience at CranHill. Some campgrounds have paved pads while others are natural surfaces.
Tips for camping with families
Look for supervised activities: Several campgrounds offer structured programs for children. At School Section Lake Veteran's Park Campground, Russell S. found: "Very friendly staff and they had some weekend activities for the kids. Make sure you bring insect repellent!"
Consider beach accessibility: Beaches with gradual entry are safest for young children. Christina M. explains about South Higgins Lake State Park: "The beach is great for kids to play in safely while the parents chill at the shore. Fellow campers have super helpful both times we've been there."
Check playground availability: Several parks have updated play equipment. "The campground is beautiful and very clean with a great swim area, cute playground, and newer shower houses," says Lydia T. about Wilson State Park, making it an excellent option for glamping close to Farwell, Michigan.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have challenging sites for larger rigs. At Cadillac Woods Campground, Curtis S. advises: "While you can book online, I would call the office and talk to the owners because not all sites are easy to maneuver a camper into and may not be a good choice for your size camper."
Extension cord needs: Power pedestals aren't always conveniently located. "Make sure to come with an extension cord - one member of our party had their power halfway into their neighbor's site through a bunch of bushes," warns Deb M. at Bay City State Park.
Check leveling requirements: Some sites require significant adjustment. DJ W. notes about Wilson State Park: "Many sites are rather large, like 97, but severely sloped, also like 97... Others are flat, small, and your camper is right near the road."
