Ely Lake Campground provides primitive camping in Allegan County, Michigan. Located on approximately 116 acres, the campground maintains a rustic atmosphere with vault toilets, hand pump water, and no electricity. The surrounding Allegan Forest offers diverse terrain from sandy soils to wetlands with elevations ranging from 700-800 feet above sea level. Typical summer temperatures reach 75-85°F while maintaining cool evenings for comfortable horseback riding conditions.
What to do
Beach swimming and paddling: Ely Lake features a designated swimming beach for cooling off during summer months. The lake doesn't allow motorized boats, creating ideal conditions for paddling. "The Lake is for non-motorized recreational use so it is mostly used for kayaking and canoeing and fishing," explains James K. from Ely Lake Campground.
Trail exploration: Walk the 1-mile trail around Ely Lake, though be alert for trail markers. "There is about a 1 mile trail that you can walk around the exterior of the Lake, however it is ill defined in some places so just keep your eyes peeled for yellow markers on the trees," notes a camper from Ely Lake Campground.
Mountain biking: Fort Custer Recreation Area offers extensive mountain biking trails for all skill levels. A visitor shares, "We camped and rode at Fort Custer. We've been here 2x before and this has now officially become a favorite. We loved our site as it's close to the trails for riding."
What campers like
Rustic seclusion: Many visitors appreciate the true wilderness experience at Ely Lake. According to Becky J., "This is primarily a primitive campground with porto-pottys. Usually pretty clean. Located in the Allegan forest. Very quiet and nice that it has a lake for swimming in the summer."
Horse-friendly facilities: Equestrian camping near Fennville, Michigan attracts riders with dedicated trails and facilities. "This place also attracts a lot of equestrian campers and they have trails specifically for horseback riding. So if you have kids that love horses, you may see some on the weekends," notes a reviewer from Ely Lake.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes in the region provide fishing access. At Scalley Lake Park Campground and Cabins, one visitor notes, "Private lake with no motors so it is very quiet and peaceful!!!" This creates ideal conditions for anglers seeking undisturbed fishing.
What you should know
Limited amenities: Prepare for truly primitive conditions at Ely Lake. "There are no bathrooms, just pit toilets. There is no electricity. There is a hand pump for water, although I would recommend bringing your own drinking water because the water from the hand pump is very discolored," advises James K.
Seasonal considerations: While Ely Lake remains open year-round, usage varies by season. A frequent camper at Fort Custer Recreation Area shares, "I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky," highlighting the undeveloped nature of area campgrounds.
Weekend noise potential: Some campgrounds experience increased activity during weekends. One Ely Lake camper reports, "It is a wonderful experience until about 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday night. This place attracts a rowdy crowd and in the evenings (apparently there is no where else for the locals to have a rager)."
Tips for camping with families
Horse sighting opportunities: For families with children interested in horses, Fennville equestrian camping provides viewing opportunities. "If you have kids that love horses, you may see some on the weekends," mentions a reviewer about Ely Lake's equestrian campers.
Lake swimming options: Multiple campgrounds offer lake swimming for children. At Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday, visitors note, "Heated pool and lots of activities for kids," providing alternatives to primitive swimming areas.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites carefully for family camping. At Fort Custer, one camper notes, "We just stayed at 51 and it is extremely secluded! We had an amazing time tent camping it was so quiet!" This demonstrates the importance of site research for families seeking privacy.
Tips from RVers
Primitive RV considerations: RVers at Ely Lake should prepare for no hookups. "Caveat: no electric, no running water, no sewer/septic, no dump, no fill... Can run your generator (inverter type is best). Solar is a negative due to tree cover," advises TheSydliks from Ely Lake Campground.
Site size limitations: Large RVs may struggle at certain campgrounds. "Sites range from small tent sites to fairly large, but the 'roads' inside the campground are tight so think twice before bringing the longer 5th wheels," warns an Ely Lake reviewer.
Water management: Plan for water limitations at primitive sites. At Fort Custer Recreation Area, a visitor notes, "Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long," highlighting the need to time water fill-ups strategically.
