Waterloo Recreation Area encompasses over 20,000 acres of natural landscape near Jackson, Michigan with diverse camping options spanning both modern and rustic sites. The terrain features rolling hills, dense woodland, and numerous lakes connected by hiking trails. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing with summer highs averaging in the mid-80s, making seasonal planning important for campers seeking pet-friendly accommodations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Access well-stocked lakes at various campgrounds for different fishing experiences. At Portage Lake Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area, visitors can fish from a newly constructed pier. "The fishing pier is new, has two benches and tables for your stuff. It is a bit of a walk to get to but is handicap accessible," notes reviewer Shelly.
Mountain biking trails: Explore designated cycling paths connecting to campgrounds. The trail system at Pinckney Recreation Area draws mountain biking enthusiasts. One camper, Maria G., shared her experience: "We loved the trails for Mountain Bikes that are close to the Campsite! They are super fun!!"
Disc golf course: Play through the course established at Portage Lake. Valerie D. describes it as a "Nice mix of camping & Disc golf. The course is mowed down and easy to navigate. Picnic tables, fire ring, primitive tent sites available!"
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous site dimensions at Green Lake Rustic Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area. According to Rebekah J., "We stayed the weekend at greenlake rustic... Both sites seemed larger then most suburban house lots. Site 5 had a decent view of the lake, Site 3 had odd fire pit placement under 2 trees."
Clean swimming areas: Several campgrounds maintain beach access for summer visitors. At Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern — Waterloo Recreation Area, Jonah H. reports: "The property is very well maintained with a nice park and clean bathrooms. The campground has some nice full-grown trees, but isn't extremely wooded."
Winter camping options: Year-round facilities remain accessible at select locations. Rodger M. described winter camping at Portage Lake: "We purchased our new rPod 193 late in the fall and have been dying to give it a test camp and Michigan Winter Weather gave us a great opportunity the week after Christmas. The best part of this campsite was the fact that it was paved! It was so easy setting up and tearing down. No mud, muck, or dirt."
What you should know
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic sound due to nearby highways. At Green Lake, Rebekah J. mentioned, "the freeway is on the other side of the lake, but it didn't bother us. At night it was like white noise."
Reservation requirements: Many sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. According to John P. at Green Lake, "This is a wonderful campsite to check out in the off season, it does fill up quickly when camping season kicks off and spots are very close together."
Beach conditions: Water quality varies between lakes. Martin W. noted about Waterloo Portage Lake Modern — Waterloo Recreation Area: "The campground is great, but the beach area is very mucky and dirty. Seaweed just flats around and gets tangled around your legs and arms all the time."
Wildlife sightings: Natural surroundings bring frequent wildlife encounters. Winter campers at Portage Lake reported: "There was some wildlife - we were greeted by a deer crossing our path. Cranes, Swans, Geese, and even a Bald Eagle soared by. I also noticed some coyote tracks in the snow as well."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer child-friendly play areas. At Apple Creek Campground & RV Park, Robyn H. shares: "This is a well kept campground that has lots of trees (shady sites) and some nice amenities for kids. There is a pool and a volleyball area as well as a playground."
Weekend activities: Some campgrounds schedule organized events. William D. notes that Apple Creek has "Great owners that care about the camping experience and provide activities on the weekend for the kids."
Site selection for shade: Consider sun exposure when camping with children. At Waterloo Sugarloaf, Mike B. advises: "Most of the sites are in the sun, but there are a few sites with more shade and tree cover."
Swimming options: Multiple lakes provide swimming areas of varying quality. Debra B. reports about Portage Lake: "We have been coming here for years. We like to stay in the north campground because most of the sites are black topped. Lake is down the hill from the campground. It has a nice beach! Our grandkids love the play area!"
Tips from RVers
Pull-through options: Several campgrounds offer easy access sites for larger vehicles. At Holiday RV Campground, Sean N. reported: "Nice Park for full timers. Large spots to accommodate big rigs and kids. Full hook ups."
Site surfaces: Paved sites make for easier RV setup in all weather. At Portage Lake, "most of the sites are black topped" according to Debra B., while Raul O. adds: "The spaces are generous and the majority have electricity only."
Connectivity considerations: Internet access varies across campgrounds. At Apple Creek, Robyn H. notes: "We paid extra for internet which was decent."
Electrical service: Check ahead for hookup types and maintenance schedules. At Ted Ranch, one reviewer details: "They just put electric on some sites, but not all. They are thinking about putting in bath houses, which would be wonderful."
