Campgrounds near Jerome in south-central Michigan provide access to the lakes and forests of the Irish Hills region. Lake Hudson Recreation Area, Hayes State Park, and several private campgrounds accommodate tent camping, RVs, and cabins throughout the area. Mixed-use campgrounds like Gateway Park and Ted Ranch Campground offer a range of site types, from primitive tent spaces to full-hookup RV sites. Most developed campgrounds in the region maintain proximity to water features like Wamplers Lake, Round Lake, and the Kalamazoo River, making water recreation a central attraction.
Camping season in this region typically runs from April through October, with many campgrounds closing during winter months. Moscow Maples RV Park operates from May 1 to October 15, while Twin Pines Campground follows a similar seasonal schedule. The landscape features rolling hills and numerous lakes, with campsites often situated in partially wooded areas providing moderate shade. Most developed campgrounds offer electric hookups and basic amenities, though bathroom facilities vary significantly between locations. Hayes State Park provides modern facilities while some private campgrounds like Ted Ranch primarily offer portable toilets. A camper noted, "This is a smaller campground with some full timers or seasonal campers. The sites were grassy and mostly level. Trees added shade throughout."
The region's proximity to Michigan International Speedway creates notable variations in campground atmosphere during race weekends. Several visitors highlighted the family-friendly nature of most campgrounds, with amenities like swimming areas, playgrounds, and water access ranking highly in reviews. Twin Pines Campground & Canoe Livery receives positive feedback for its river access and kayak rentals. According to one visitor, "This was a beautiful, quiet campground with very friendly owners." Many campgrounds feature fishing opportunities, with Gateway Park and Hayes State Park offering lake access for boating and swimming. Camping near Jerome provides convenient access to outdoor recreation while remaining within driving distance of larger communities for supplies and services. Reservation recommendations vary by location, with state parks requiring advance booking while some private facilities accept walk-ins depending on availability.
$20 - $150 / night
"This small campground (about 40 sites) is well off the beaten path, but still easy to access by road. This is the perfect campground to get back to nature."
"My site has a path right out to the lake. My 2p tent could easily fit on this lakeside spot but it is sadly much too windy on the lake today."
$25 / night
"My husband and I visit Ted Ranch every year for the NASAR race at Michigan International Speedway. This year, my review is changing a little bit."
"This place is across the street from Michigan international speedway and sure beats fighting all the people/campers in the infield campgrounds!"
"It has access to Wamplers Lake and there are several other lakes near by. The area is quiet and clean."
"Very nice, lots to do in surrounding area. Lake is pretty. Nearby MIS. Hidden Lake Gardens are absolutely beautiful to wander around."
"We had lots of rain so we didn’t get outside as much as we wanted. The sites were grassy and mostly level. Trees added shade throughout."
$35 - $40 / night
"Lake across the road is clean and nicely kept (boats docked, etc) A ride up the road was beautiful.. saw an Emu, goats, llamas, cows.. just beautiful!"
"Has a boat access, with a beautiful lake. You can go through little canals to get to other parts of the lake. Sites have perfect amount of shade. Defiantly will be going back"
$16 - $480 / night
"There's 2 dump stations located in loops 3 & 4. IN THE CAMPGROUND! NEXT TO CAMPSITES!!!!"
"This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it."
$22 - $31 / night
"Tucked away in NW Ohio, close to the Michigan & Indiana border. We were in the north campground. Sites are all level, many very spacious which is unusual for Ohio SPs."
"The one thing that was bit unnerving was that throughout both campgrounds, there are sites on the outer edge that are next to a main road with nothing but a small, wooden split-rail fence dividing the"
ScoutBit pricey but is a nice park stayed most the winter they have a 9 full hook up sites open year round city water heated bath house site gets a little muddy when rains mostly quite to
Guide10-2-24 thru 10-7-24 Site 370 C
Cellular, TMOBILE 5G, 3 bars. 21’ Apex Nano w truck. Gravel pad, fire pit and grass is about 12” lower than pad. Keep in mind if expecting rain.
Showers are old, warm with 2 hooks, 2 toilets and 2 urnials.
Fire pit needs to be reset in the ground, it sit too high. Awesome trails to hike. Maintenance was awesome changing out a breaker on the box.
8-27-22, update on site 348 and 350. These are pull through sites on the edge of the road. 350 is longer and had a 5th Wheel on it. We put our 19’ Nano on 348. Full sun during the day, 348 is uneven once you walk off of the pad. This site could use some TLC and more gravel for parking.
10-1-16, nice state park with hiking trails. Lot 322 was partially sun and shade. Restroom and shower(open stall, no privacy) was outdated but functional. 2-5-22 hiked 4 miles on the snow packed trails. Cold and awesome powder conditions.
ScoutFrom check in to check out great experience plenty of fun activities and even a little library kids can check books out during our stay
TravelerThis was the first park we went to as new trailer owners. It did not disappoint. Staff are so friendly and helpful. It is right off I69 so easy access but you will have road noise. We did not find it intrusive but understand not everyone may think the same. Sites are gravel and where we were, pretty level. There are other sites you may need leveling pads on but nothing looked crazy. Our site had full hookups. Some had only water and electric. No issues with cell service or Starlink. We had a fire ring and picnic table. Not a lot of trees though. The seasonal parts of the park do. The bathrooms are modern and clean. Our site was a pull through, others are back in. It seemed to me that 3/4 of the sites are occupied by semi permanent seasonal tenants though. Almost looked like a mobile home park in a way with sheds and decks. They have the best sites along the water. The transient sites are separated from them. Because of the permanent residents there is golf cart traffic. It was not noisy or party atmosphere though. Angola is close for dining or shopping. All and all, enjoyed the visit and would not hesitate to stay there again.
ScoutWe stayed here last weekend. It was quiet and relaxing. Easy parking for the 33ft RV. Camp store is well stocked. Staff were fantastic. You need yo camp here!
GuideWe camped and rode (again) at Fort Custer. We've been here 2x before (once in a cabin and once in tents) and this has now officially become a favorite.
We loved our site (so don't book this one) as it's close to the trails for riding. The campground was almost to capacity, but still some open sites.
All in all this was a great trip, and we even visited Belle's brewery on our way home.
TravelerA nice, small, rustic campground with a lake access
TravelerI camped here countless times throughout my childhood. It was nice returning. I brought back great memories and it struck a balance of staying up with the times but still leaving most to nature.
Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long.
Sites are easy to get in and out of with RV/TT.
Don’t miss out on the great finishing and hiking. A great plus is still seeing kids rise actual bikes!
TravelerWe’ve stayed at both sites listed. 161 you do have neighbors pretty close, but we just stayed at 51 and it is extremely secluded! We had an amazing time tent camping it was so quiet! We love it here already with only being here twice!
Camping options near Jerome, Michigan include state parks and private campgrounds throughout the Irish Hills region. Many sites offer electric hookups, with most located within 30 minutes of Jerome. Water-based activities dominate the recreation scene, with fishing in Lake Hudson's no-wake waters and kayaking the Kalamazoo River being popular options. Camping is primarily seasonal, with most facilities operating from May through October.
Stargazing at a dark sky preserve: Lake Hudson Recreation Area is designated as a dark sky preserve where light pollution is minimized. "The best part of this campground is the stars at night! This is a dark sky preserve campground and the stars are the show. We stayed here at the end of the perseid meteor showers and saw several of falling meteors," reports Michelle M. from Lake Hudson.
Kayaking on quiet waters: Twin Pines Campground & Canoe Livery provides direct river access for paddlers. According to Helen C., "They rent out kayaks and canoos. I personally would recommend the kayaks. And then if you go in the Kalamazoo River Wich is a little chilli fyi no matter what time of year. Its your own fault."
Horseback riding: Pokagon State Park offers equestrian activities within driving distance of Jerome. As Becky N. notes, "There are trail, beaches, boats, horses... so many things to do." The park maintains maintained trail systems for riders of various experience levels.
Private, wooded sites: Lake Hudson Recreation Area offers secluded camping spots. Meghan R. explains, "This small campground (about 40 sites) is well off the beaten path, but still easy to access by road. Each site is separated from the next by young forest, so it lends to a very private and secluded atmosphere."
Lakefront fishing opportunities: The best places to camp near Jerome, Michigan often provide water access. At Lake Hudson Recreation Area, fishing is particularly popular. "I love campsites, especially the lakefront. But there are only a few waterfront sites and they are very hard to get. Great for fishing, wildlife viewing and swimming," says Bob J.
Clean facilities: Hayes State Park maintains well-kept amenities. According to Miranda J., "This was a very nice campground, peaceful, with trails and ample shade. Campsites were decently sized, fire pits were big, $5 per bundle of dry wood, showers were private with hot water, and there were activities and a beach/playground for kids."
Limited water and facilities: Lake Hudson Recreation Area has minimal amenities. Jennie S. notes, "There is a yellow service phone at the headquarters to check-in. I bought my wood in state on my way in. There is no place to purchase wood here." Another camper mentions, "You must bring your water unless you want to hand pump it from the only central pump."
Seasonal operation: Moscow Maples RV Park operates from May 1 to October 15, which is typical for the region. Private campgrounds like Ted Ranch have varying levels of amenities. CRC S. reports, "This campground is pretty rustic with water and electricity at some sites, no showers or restrooms, a dump station for one at a time, Porta potties scattered around, small beach, small boat launch."
Race weekend impacts: Camping near Michigan International Speedway affects the atmosphere at nearby campgrounds. Stephanie C. from Ted Ranch Campground explains, "This place is across the street from Michigan international speedway and sure beats fighting all the people/campers in the infield campgrounds! We attend the NASCAR race at least once per year and this is our absolute favorite place to camp."
Playgrounds and beaches: Gateway Park Campground offers multiple family amenities. Melissa M. describes, "They have a lot for the kids here: Pool 3ft-5ft, Air pillow, Large playground (very clean), Half basketball court, Sand Volleyball net, Rec room (small amount of games), Crafts on weekends, Corn hole boards -2 sets by pillow, Horse shoe pits - 2 sets by pillow."
Shade considerations: When camping with children in summer, shade becomes important. At Hayes State Park, Miranda J. recommends, "I suggest sites 93-96 for more private/shaded sites." Campers regularly note the importance of selecting shaded sites during summer months.
Noise levels: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. A reviewer at Harrison Lake State Park mentioned, "Some of the non-electric sites were used by RVs running generators all day and night, so that was a bummer for those of us hoping non-electric would mean more quiet."
Site leveling and hookups: Moscow Maples RV Park offers relatively level sites for RVs. Brenda L. explains, "This is a smaller campground with some full timers or seasonal campers. We stayed a week and enjoyed our time there. We had lots of rain so we didn't get outside as much as we wanted. The sites were grassy and mostly level."
Electrical connections: At Lake Hudson Recreation Area, electrical hookups require planning. One camper advises, "Extension or long electrical cords may be needed, as boxes are at back end and halfway to next site over." Another notes that the park offers 30-amp service but has site restrictions: "LONG RV's 31'+ would fit in a lot of the sites, but sites say up to 30'. We had approx 40-45' space from road to treeline."
Dump station access: Several campgrounds lack on-site dump stations. Steven S. from Lake Hudson shares, "The campground has no dump station so we had to drive to the next State campground, about a 30 minute drive, to dump the tanks."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best camping spots near Jerome, Michigan?
Jerome is well-positioned near several excellent camping options in southern Michigan. Lake Hudson Recreation Area offers a secluded experience with only about 40 sites separated by young forest, creating a private atmosphere. It's off the beaten path but still accessible by road. For those seeking water recreation, W. J. Hayes State Park Campground near Onsted provides excellent lake access with boat-in and drive-in options. Other notable spots include Brighton Recreation Area for varied terrain and Waterloo Recreation Area's multiple campgrounds. If you're just passing through, Cabela's in Dundee offers convenient overnight parking near the highway.
What camping is available near Jerome, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Jerome, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 134 campgrounds and RV parks near Jerome, MI and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Jerome, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Jerome, MI is Lake Hudson Recreation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 16 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Jerome, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Jerome, MI.
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