Camping options near Lake, Michigan provide access to Hardy Pond, the Muskegon River and surrounding waterways. The area features sandy beaches with gradual entry points ideal for family swimming. Inland lake temperatures typically reach 72-78°F during summer months while dropping below 60°F after mid-September.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Newaygo State Park Campground offers access to several hiking paths with lake views. "There are a few trails in the park that are pleasant and the views of the lake are nice," notes a visitor. Another camper adds, "I did manage to get an enjoyable little hike the morning I packed to leave before work."
Disc golf courses: The 18-hole course at Newaygo State Park draws enthusiasts from around the region. "There's good hiking, an awesome disc golf course, and the lake right there with boat launches for fishing. If you're not into fishing or disc golf, you might be happier elsewhere," shares a frequent visitor.
Geocaching opportunities: Brower Park Campground connects directly to the Dragon Trail system with multiple geocaching points. "The Dragon Trail, a hiking and mountain biking trail runs 47 miles round Hardy Pond. There is a short loop called the Brower Park Loop that has some amazing views," reports a recent visitor.
What campers like
Swimming in clear water: Wilson State Park Campground features a beach area with gradually sloping entry. "The campground is beautiful and very clean with a great swim area, cute playground, and newer shower houses," notes a camper who visited in June 2024.
Boating access: Multiple boat ramps at Brower Park accommodate various watercraft sizes with minimal wait times even during peak periods. "It is very busy but if you decide to bring kids, there are playgrounds and a craft barn. A lot of seasonal campers but a lot of slips for visitor boats," reports one reviewer.
Fishing opportunities: The fish cleaning stations and shoreline access make this a practical choice for anglers. "Perfect place to do some fishing since they have a fish cleaning station and lots of access to lots of water! Also a nice place for kayaking. Water was calm, beaches were sandy, and firewood was plentiful," shares a repeat visitor.
What you should know
Site size variations: Many campgrounds feature significantly different site dimensions, requiring careful selection based on your equipment. At Cadillac Woods Campground, "While you can book online, I would call the office and talk to the owners because not all sites are easy to maneuver a camper into and may not be a good choice for your size camper."
Seasonal changes: The region experiences significant traffic increases during summer weekends and fair events. "Fair week will suck. Loud, crowded, just not fun in my mind. I avoid town on holidays and fair week, you should too," cautions a Wilson State Park visitor.
Park pass requirements: County parks typically require daily or annual passes beyond camping fees. For Brower Park, "You do need a county park pass, $6/day until 10pm or $25/year. You will need to pay either a $7 daily or $30 annual fee for your boat but kayaks and canoes are free."
Tips for camping with families
Shallow swimming beaches: School Section Lake Veteran's Park Campground features a shallow swimming area perfect for younger children. "Small lake with clean shallow beach, wooded sites, clean (but slightly dated) facilities led to fun times with grandkids," explains one visitor.
Weekend children's activities: Many parks offer scheduled programming during summer weekends. "Very friendly staff and they had some weekend activities for the kids. Make sure you bring insect repellent!" advises a camper.
No-pet glamping options: For families with allergies, School Section Lake provides glamping accommodations where pets are not allowed. "No pets allowed-not even a cat that stays inside in your camper! Also, there is a $7 a day fee for out of the county," notes a visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Many glamping sites near Lake, Michigan require additional equipment for leveling. At North Higgins Lake State Park Campground, "If we stayed again - we'd pick site 101. Little more privacy than the rest. We stayed at 137 which backed up to the woods which was lovely."
Full hookup limitations: Limited full-service sites require early booking. "The campground has about 400 sites. There are a few sites with full hook-ups. Some of the sites are difficult to get into once you get up into the trees away from the water front."
Road noise awareness: When selecting glamping sites, consider proximity to main roads. "We were on sight 169 this whole side is next to a busy road cars and logging trucks all day and night way noisy," warns one North Higgins Lake visitor.
