Paris, Michigan sits in Mecosta County with nearby Muskegon River providing prime fishing and water recreation. Located about 85 miles north of Grand Rapids, the area features a mix of woodlands and small lakes with seasonal temperatures ranging from 20°F in winter to 80°F in summer. The region's campgrounds tend to offer spacious, wooded sites rather than cramped quarters.
What to do
Fishing access: Paris Park backs up to the Muskegon River, offering excellent fishing opportunities with a dedicated fish cleaning station. "You do need a county park pass, $6/day until 10pm or $25/year," notes Amanda L. about Brower Park Campground.
Water recreation: Rent tubes, kayaks, or canoes at several campgrounds for trips down the Muskegon River. At River Country Campground, "You're able to rent a tube, kayak or canoe to cruise down the Muskegon River. They were kind enough to shuttle us to the drop off point a couple of miles away," reports Janessa L.
Trail exploration: The Paris area connects to extensive trail systems. Jamie D. describes Paris Park: "It sits on both the Muskegon River and a Rails to Trails system. The trail stretches from Grand Rapids to Reed City and continues beyond that unpaved. It also links to a long East to west trail in Reed City."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds near Paris feature well-spaced sites. At Newaygo State Park Campground, Joshua M. found "spacious plots with enough treeline between them to cover up even the loudest of snorers. We took the next few minutes mapping out our perfect hammock setup."
Family activities: Beyond typical camping, several parks offer unique features. Jamie D. reports that at Paris Park, "The park is connected to a fish hatchery where kids can feed fish, ducks and geese. It is full of history and boasts a minuture Eiffel tower."
Water features: Lakes and rivers provide cooling relief during summer camping trips. At Brower Park, Bethany S. highlights "a large swimming area, nice sandy beach along the swimming area, play grounds, everything is clean and well kept."
What you should know
Rustic options available: For those seeking fewer amenities and more solitude, rustic campgrounds provide alternatives to developed sites. At Haymarsh State Game Area, Danielle C. found it to be a "hidden gem in northern Michigan, our campsite was right on the lake where we were able to pull our boat right up to, plenty of private space, and so fun to fish."
Seasonal variations: Most campgrounds operate from April/May through September/October. School Section Lake Veteran's Park runs "May 1 to Oct 1" while Brower Park operates "April 15 to October 31."
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds require advance planning while others operate first-come, first-served. At Leverentz Lake State Forest Campground, Ari A. notes: "The campsites cost $15 per night; they are not reservable. Also, there is no DNR staff on site so bring cash or check to drop into the payment pipe."
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