Mattawan camping areas sit within Michigan's Great Lakes region, typically experiencing warm summers with average highs of 80-85°F and cold winters dropping below freezing. The surrounding terrain features a mix of hardwood forests, dunes near Lake Michigan, and inland lakes across Kalamazoo County. Campgrounds in this region often have sites situated among oak and maple trees that provide natural shade during summer months.
What to do
Hiking trails: Fort Custer Recreation Area offers extensive hiking opportunities through diverse terrain. "We hiked on a multi-use trail that the ranger suggested. The blue trail goes around a couple lakes and was wonderful. We did miss a sign or two and ended up turning our 4 mile trip into a 6.5 mile one but there are plenty of spots to rest and enjoy the time," notes Art S. The park includes separate trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.
Lake activities: Melville 7 Lakes provides water recreation options close to Mattawan. One camper mentions, "Lake for boating and fishing. Has a small swimming area, playground." The multi-lake setting creates various environments for water activities within a single camping area.
Mountain biking: Fort Custer Recreation Area maintains dedicated mountain bike trails separate from hiking areas. "We 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," shares Joel K. The trail system features routes for different skill levels across wooded terrain.
Beach access: Covert Park Beach offers direct Lake Michigan access within walking distance of campsites. A camper describes, "Lake Michigan is right there! We walked down to sunset and it was a 5 min walk max. They do have two separate paths to the lake, one stair case (several steps) and other was a flat path 100 yards or so then maybe 10 steps down to beach."
What campers like
Secluded sites: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Mattawan offer private camping spots. "We found a campsite that was large with vegetation separating us from neighbors. I didn't expect to find something this interesting as an alternate to original plans but it worked out nicely," writes Art S. about Fort Custer Recreation Area.
Well-maintained facilities: Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday receives praise for its upkeep. Rodney D. notes, "The campground is clean, the wi-fi is great. The pool and playground area is nicely laid out. We ordered food from the store and they brought it right to our site." The campground maintains 166 sites operating from April through mid-October.
Lake Michigan sunsets: Covert Park Beach provides memorable sunset views. According to Jessica D., "Sunset views were beautiful. Bathrooms were very clean and showers nice and hot." Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Mattawan offer access to Lake Michigan beaches where these sunset views are available.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds feature fishing access. William E. shares about Cranberry Lake Campground: "Great fishing, amenities available. This is one of the first places I felt gave me a bang for my buck." The lake supports various fish species for anglers to target.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely at campgrounds near Mattawan. One camper at Covert Park Beach & Campground reports, "Cellular data was poor in the campground and on the beach - we needed a 5-minute drive to get good Verizon coverage." Many campgrounds maintain this disconnected atmosphere by design.
Site variations: Brookside City Park offers limited but affordable sites. "Nice little park. Only has 6 sites but its rarely used. $10 a night, you pay at the police station. Water and electric," explains one camper. Site characteristics and pricing differ significantly between campgrounds in the region.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate seasonally. Janet N. notes about Fort Custer, "Michigan State park with large sites and lots of privacy. $25 per night with electric. Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing." Most campgrounds in the region open from April through October, with limited winter options.
Reservation systems: Each campground maintains different reservation policies. Vincent S. comments about Brookside, "Max 3 nights, the only odd thing is registering at the police department (about a half mile away) but they make it simple and easy once you are there." Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served.
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Covert Park Beach & Campground provides direct lake access ideal for children. Melissa M. shares, "Play set was ok. One for smaller kids and one for bigger. Slide, few swings, nothing to big. New wash house, rinse off after lake play." The beach area allows for supervised water play and sand activities.
Kid-friendly amenities: Covert Park Beach & Campground receives praise from families. Rylie R. explains, "This was amazing place to stay. The people were very friendly. Everything was clean. And it was quiet and peaceful and the beach was absolutely beautiful. I haven't gone tent camping before and I went here and it made me love it!"
Activity options: Fort Custer provides diverse recreation for different age groups. Bob B. recommends, "Don't miss out on the great finishing and hiking. A great plus is still seeing kids rise actual bikes!" The range of activities helps keep children engaged throughout the stay.
Multi-generational accommodations: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Mattawan offer cabin options alongside traditional camping. Jeremy B. notes about Outdoor Adventures Kalamazoo Resort, "Our granddaughter joined us and it was her first camping trip ever, the campground was a huge factor in her great time!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Consider site characteristics when booking. At Van Buren State Park Campground, Heather Q. shares, "Our site was on a corner lot and couldn't have been more perfect for our stay. Large fire pit and picnic table available at every site." Corner sites often provide more space and privacy.
Hookup considerations: Electric-only sites are common at state parks. "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," notes VB S. about Fort Custer Recreation Area. Plan water usage accordingly and check dump station hours.
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for leveling. Mary T. mentions about Outdoor Adventures Kalamazoo Resort, "The campsites are a good size but those we found are not very level." Bring leveling blocks when staying at older or less developed campgrounds.
Accessibility features: Markin Glen County Park offers concrete pads with full hookups. Emily P. describes, "The site are large level concrete pads with grass dividing the sites. All full hookups. The park has a lovely series of paved walking paths and a lake for swimming."
Legend
