Campgrounds near Greenville, Michigan feature a mix of rustic and modern camping options along rivers and inland lakes. The area sits at an elevation ranging from 800-900 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate that brings warm summers and cold winters. Local camping areas remain predominantly open from May through October, with a few offering limited winter availability.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Ionia State Recreation Area offers an 18-hole course popular with campers. One visitor noted, "There is a disc golf course, mountain bike trail, equestrian trails, hiking trails, a beautiful no-wake lake perfect for swimming, kayaking, or fishing."
Horseback riding: Double RR Ranch RV Resort provides trail rides suitable for beginners. A camper shared, "We enjoyed a reasonable trailride on horses thru a shallow part of the river. Very easy for inexperienced riders and kids."
Paddling opportunities: Many Greenville area lakes have rentals available seasonally. At Wabasis Lake County Park, visitors can "rent a tube and boat" during summer months.
Hiking trails: Multiple campgrounds connect to trail systems ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. One camper at Bertha Brock County Park reported, "There was three hiking trails to choose from, we choose the 'turkey trail'. The trail was well marked but got quite confusing about 3/4 in. Tons of fun things to see here, beautiful stone bridges."
What campers like
Private lakefront access: Three Seasons Campground offers multiple water recreation options. A visitor explained, "Typical RV park for size of lots but thankfully it was not packed when we were there, so we weren't on top of each other. The campground offers an in ground swimming pool (non-heated), small store, a basic mini-golf course, horseshoe pits, docks, kayak rental, a pavilion, and a small arcade room."
Family programming: Most Greenville area campgrounds schedule weekend activities. At Duke Creek Campground, campers appreciate that "The campground was great, and clean. The park was nice and so we're all the kid activities! The pool is very nice and the store is stocked nicely."
Spacious rustic sites: Campers seeking more natural settings have options within 30 minutes of Greenville. A regular visitor to Newaygo State Park stated, "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."
Cabin accommodations: Several campgrounds greenville mi area offer cabin rentals for those without camping equipment. At Scalley Lake Park Campground and Cabins, a visitor reported, "The cabins are clean and nice, the view of the lake is beautiful. My 6 children had a great time here."
What you should know
Campsite spacing varies: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others. A visitor to Ionia State Recreation Area mentioned, "After looking around the campground, there were numerous spots that were very secluded and private."
Lake conditions: Many lakes in the area have shallow shorelines. One camper noted about Wabasis Lake, "The lake is effectively a plate, so don't expect to do much fishing from shore. The water is incredibly shallow. (But that makes for a very nice beach!)"
Seasonal crowds: Weekends tend to fill quickly at popular campgrounds. A visitor observed, "Because it's so close to Grand Rapids and some other cities, it typically is full on the weekends. Booking a site can be troublesome."
Wildlife encounters: Expect to see local wildlife during your stay. One camper reported, "Lots and lots of raccoons, that aren't shy at all!"
Tips for camping with families
Look for themed weekends: Some campgrounds host special event weekends. A visitor to Snow Lake Kampground shared, "Every weekend they have a theme. We stayed when they had the country western weekend. They had all kinds of stuff going on for kids. Pony rides, wagon rides, petting zoo, games and activities."
Choose campgrounds with play areas: Many sites have dedicated children's facilities. One visitor to Bertha Brock County Park reported it's "a great place for families. Brining our kids here from Grand Rapids is quick and easy. It is generally quiet, especially on non holiday weekends."
Consider river access: Several campgrounds offer safe water play areas. A camper at Double RR Ranch noted, "Rivers are just fun for fishing, throwing stones, canoeing. There is a campstore, Firepits, large trees, they do hayrides for kids, too."
Pack bug protection: Insect populations can be significant near water. A Bertha Brock visitor warned, "Bugs (mosquitoes) can get pretty bad, bring lots of bug spray!"
Tips from RVers
Check campground rules: Some locations have specific policies regarding RVs. At Snow Lake Kampground, "There are to many rules to keep up with...don't seem to care bout weekender. Every time you turn around there's another rule and/or fee."
Verify site dimensions: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger units. A camper at Bertha Brock County Park noted, "They say the can only fit 30 foot rvs but I was able to get my 33 foot in 2 sites. about 5 sites I seen can accommodate larger rvs."
Consider seasonal options: Many campgrounds greenville michigan offer long-term stays. At Three Seasons Campground, "There is a lot of seasonal people that have trailers there all the time. Everyone was nice including the owners."
