Cabin camping near Kentwood, Michigan offers diverse accommodations within the Lower Peninsula's gently rolling terrain and mixed hardwood forests. Most cabins are situated between 700-900 feet above sea level on glacial terrain with small lakes and ponds scattered throughout the region. Winter cabin options require advance planning as many locations close seasonally, though some parks maintain heated units during colder months.
What to do
Fishing access: TriPonds Family Camp Resort maintains two stocked ponds with catch-and-release fishing. According to a visitor, "They had a bass fishing tournament Saturday and the winner won a free ice cream, which my son loved. My son has caught [bass] every time we've been here."
Canoe and kayak rentals: Indian Valley Campground provides affordable boat rentals along the Thornapple River. One camper noted, "They are also very affordable for canoe and kayak rental. Great place to go!"
Indoor swimming: During cooler weather, Indian Valley offers an indoor pool that extends the swimming season. A visitor shared, "The indoor pool was great for the preseason camping! Being there in early May, when it was rainy we were happy to have that amenity."
Hiking trails: Hoffmaster State Park Campground features extensive trail networks through diverse ecosystems. A reviewer explained, "Many more can be accessed in the state park, which contains over ten miles of trails in its 1,200 acres. Trails to dunes, beach, and other parks as well as dune preserve: all well-marked and vary in difficulty."
What campers like
Spacious cabin layouts: Wabasis Lake County Park offers multi-room cabins with separate sleeping and living areas. A camper described, "Each cabin had a living room, two bedrooms, kitchen work counter, dining table, microwave, and a small fridge."
Private lake access: Scalley Lake Park Campground provides quiet water recreation without motorboats. A visitor reported, "Private lake with no motors so it is very quiet and peaceful!!!"
Sunday morning treats: Hidden Ridge RV Resort delivers fresh breakfast pastries directly to campsites. According to one reviewer, "Sunday morning they have Cinnamon Roll delivery to your campsite!"
Fall and holiday camping: Hoffmaster State Park offers seasonal programming including Halloween celebrations. A camper recommended, "A great time to visit would be the weekend before Halloween as they encourage people to decorate their sites, wear costumes, and participate in trick or treating on Saturday night."
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary: Tyler Creek campground has been renovating their facilities with mixed results. One visitor noted, "Bathrooms were newly redone. Looking allot better then previous years," while another found "The bathrooms are in terrible shape. They need major repairs."
Hidden costs: Some campgrounds charge additional fees beyond the site rental. A camper at Indian Valley warned, "They do have lots of weird & small fees... so keep that in mind also."
Availability challenges: Hoffmaster State Park fills quickly during peak season. A ranger advised a visitor, "It is best to book months ahead for weekends because they fill up at the beginning of summer; however, cancellations are not uncommon, so watch the DNR site for openings."
Firewood considerations: Many parks sell firewood, but sizes vary significantly. A camper at Wabasis Lake observed, "The pieces of wood hat can be bought were huge! They had to be cut smaller to use well."
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused campgrounds: Hungry Horse Campground offers extensive children's amenities. As one parent shared, "We have two young girls and they had plenty to do all week during our stay. Multiple playgrounds, toddler pool and regular pool, jump pad, and lots of room to run around."
Weekday camping advantages: Hoffmaster State Park is easier to book Sunday through Thursday. A ranger told a visitor, "Weekdays usually have availability, especially the first half of the summer."
Golf cart rentals: Many family-oriented parks like TriPonds Family Camp Resort offer golf cart rentals to help navigate larger properties. A camper noted, "Weekend golf cart rentals for 90 bucks which is a steal!"
Campground entertainment: Several parks schedule regular activities for children. At Hungry Horse Campground, a visitor mentioned, "They also typically offer planned activities throughout the week such as wagon rides, meet and greets, and ice cream socials."
Tips from RVers
Site conditions: Welcome Woods Family Campground has been updating their camping areas. A visitor noted, "Lots of lot improvement so it's not so bumpy and off level. Neighbors had a problem with there electric box the owner was there in 5 minutes to fix it."
Concrete pad sites: Hidden Ridge RV Resort provides well-maintained site surfaces. According to a camper, "All sites are good size sites with a cement pad and very green grass."
Seasonal site options: Many campgrounds offer seasonal lot rentals for those who camp frequently. A visitor to TriPonds observed, "One of the best family camp grounds we've stayed at. Cabins and cottages are great (book early) nice RV sites."
Distance to amenities: Before booking, check proximity to campground features. At Hidden Ridge, a visitor cautioned, "Second, I found it odd the there isn't trash pickup at the site. And the only trash bin we could find was at the entrance of the grounds (which was quite a distance from 241 our site)."
