The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail system shapes camping opportunities near Holt, Michigan, with over 40,000 acres of protected land spanning multiple recreation areas. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, while summer brings humidity and temperatures in the 80s. Camping options range from primitive sites to full-service yurt accommodations within a 45-minute drive of Holt.
What to do
Hiking multi-day trails: The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail offers backpacking adventures with camping along the way. At Blind Lake Rustic Campground, "the campground is accessible only by hiking or biking in... Most hikers and bikers start their trek at the Silver Lake day use area where the main hiking and biking trailhead is located. From this trailhead the Blind Lake campground is about 7 miles in on the 17.5 mile Potawatomi Trail." Serious hikers can connect to longer routes as "the Potawatomi Trail to the Waterloo-Pinckney Hiking trail to bring their total trip to over 35 miles of back country hiking."
Mountain biking: The region offers trails for all skill levels. At Pinckney Recreation Area, riders find "trails for Mountain Bikes that are close to the Campsite! They are super fun!!" The trails accommodate various skill levels with "multiple camping styles" available afterward, including "Yurt rental, to hike-in rustic sites."
Fishing for specific species: Several lakes offer different fishing experiences. Sleepy Hollow State Park provides "fishing opportunities for some largemouth bass, and huge blueguils." The accessible fishing areas include docks and shoreline spots where "lots of traffic being so close to City, but good day excursion."
What campers like
Private sites with shade: Many campers appreciate the wooded sites at Bishop Lake Campground where "some good spots have some shade to stay out of the sun." This modern campground features "full size sites for RVs" with "electric on each site along with fire rings and picnic tables." The balance of amenities and natural setting attracts repeat visitors.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness stands out in reviews. At Hell Creek Ranch & Campground, guests note that "the big pool and bathrooms were immaculate, with surrounding patio furniture sanitized nightly" and appreciate staff who are "friendly and helpful guys who NEVER stopped working (except to chat with campers here and there)." The site features "rustic, elec, water/elec (30 amp), and concrete pad sites."
Water activities: Lakes throughout the area provide swimming, kayaking, and boating opportunities. Green Lake Rustic Campground offers "muddy lake access" where paddlers can launch directly from certain sites. One camper reported: "I stayed at #6 and had a beautiful view of the lake. There is muddy lake access on that site and I paddled from there in my kayak."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. At Green Lake Rustic Campground, "when I showed up I found site 13 open for only one night. In the morning I was told by the DNR that most weekends are booked solid, but half the sites are empty and people don't cancel the reservation; so they can't legally rent them out." Making reservations 6 months in advance is recommended for popular times.
Site privacy varies: Campground layouts differ significantly. At Waterloo Sugarloaf, "there are a few sites with more shade and tree cover" but "most of the sites are in the sun." Meanwhile, Bishop Lake Campground has been described as "very open with no shade," making it less ideal during hot summer days.
Accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds require significant walking. At Sleepy Hollow State Park, "the park is very large, so it is always good to have a vehicle able to drive to the trails and beach." Another camper noted: "The path led to another path that led to a parking lot for the beach. After crossing the parking lot we still had to cross a large yard/park that finally opened onto the beach on this small lake."
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Fort Custer Recreation Area offers "a swimming beach" and multiple lakes for recreation. Families appreciate that there are "several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing" and "lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes." One family reports: "Spent 4 nights and 5 days camping with my husband and 2 kids. We had fun and the kids had a blast. They rode bikes around the loop and loved swimming and the the playground."
Yurt options for beginners: Several campgrounds offer yurt camping near Holt, Michigan as an alternative to tent camping. At Pinckney Recreation Area, "there are multiple camping opportunities with a variety of camping styles. Yurt rental, to hike-in rustic sites, there's good camping for anyone." These structures provide shelter from elements while maintaining a camping experience.
Playgrounds and programs: Many campgrounds feature recreation areas designed for children. Ionia State Recreation Area hosts "ranger-led activities" where "our kids enjoyed this park every year while growing up. Hunting for mushrooms, fishing, swimming in the lake, building forts, riding bikes. Big sites! This place was the perfect get away."
Tips from RVers
Extension cord needs: At Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground, the electrical hookups placement requires planning. "Most electrical posts are designed to accommodate at least 2 adjoining lots, and as many as 4. This in itself is not a concern until you realize the posts are way too far away to reach without an extension." Campers should "bring at least 100 feet of extension chord if you want electricity, because the power ports are not as accessible from some areas."
Site leveling: Many campgrounds have uneven sites. Fort Custer Recreation Area features varied terrain where sites "need mowing so lots of bugs, bring insect repellent." Green Lake Rustic reports having "not always 100% level ground but nothing un-tentable. 2 sites probably won't take a trailer but most are fine for small rigs."
Dump station timing: During peak season, plan for delays when using facilities. At Waterloo Sugarloaf, "since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long" particularly during weekend checkout times. Arriving early or planning for this delay can prevent frustration.
