Cabin accommodations near Mason, Michigan provide access to lakes, hiking trails, and outdoor recreation areas within a 40-mile radius. The terrain consists primarily of rolling hills, small lakes, and mixed forests across elevations ranging from 850 to 950 feet. Winter cabin rentals typically require additional preparation as temperatures can drop below 20°F between December and February.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Sleepy Hollow State Park, visitors can catch largemouth bass and bluegill in the park's lake. "Fishing is good here for some largemouth bass, and huge blueguils," notes camper Michael P., who uses the park for day excursions.
Mountain biking trails: Pinckney Recreation Area offers extensive trail systems for mountain biking enthusiasts of all skill levels. "We loved the trails for Mountain Bikes that are close to the Campsite! They are super fun!!" says Maria G., who enjoyed the accessibility of biking directly from her campsite.
Winter sports: The cabins at Waterloo Recreation Area stay open year-round, allowing access to winter activities. One reviewer at Waterloo Sugarloaf noted, "Had the pleasure of visiting first weekend in February, on the coldest weekend of the year! Nice little cabin set in about 800' from where you park." The reviewer heard wolves and saw tracks while staying at the Southfork Rustic Cabin.
Beach swimming: Multiple lakes in the region offer summer swimming options. One camper at Bishop Lake Campground mentioned, "You can also just swim at the lake- nice area with shade trees beach and nice lake water. We brought a cooler and ordered ice cream from concessions."
What campers like
Lake accessibility: Cabin renters appreciate the chain of lakes at Waterloo Recreation Area. A camper at Portage Lake Campground shared, "We had a great view of Portage Lake from our rPod window. And we captured a sunset, some snowfall, and saw more start than we've seen in a long time."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting around cabins provides opportunities for wildlife observation. "Cranes, Swans, Geese, and even a Bald Eagle soared by. I also noticed some coyote tracks in the snow as well," reported a winter cabin camper at Portage Lake Campground.
Private sites: Campers value the privacy found at certain cabins and sites. A reviewer at Sleepy Hollow State Park noted, "We stayed during very hot weather at the beginning of July 2020. Our site backed up to trees and I can't recall seeing our neighbors to the left or right."
Organized activities: State parks in the region offer scheduled events for cabin guests. One Sleepy Hollow visitor mentioned, "Every year they put together an awesome Halloween trick or treat weekend, but be sure to book the day of six months before because otherwise you will not get a site."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular cabins book quickly, especially for seasonal events. At Sleepy Hollow State Park, Halloween weekend requires booking "the day of six months before because otherwise you will not get a site."
Winter heating methods: Winter cabin visitors should understand heating options. A Waterloo Sugarloaf cabin user reported, "It has a table, wood stove, and 4 sets of bunks in a back room," and suggested, "Pro tip for cold nights is to block the back room and sleep in the main area."
Distance to amenities: Cabin locations may require walking to reach facilities. "The beach is pretty good for swimming," notes a Bishop Lake visitor, while another points out that at Sleepy Hollow, "The path led to another path that led to a parking lot for the beach. After crossing the parking lot we still had to cross a large yard/park that finally opened onto the beach."
Electrical limitations: Some cabins have limited electrical service. A Sleepy Hollow reviewer warned, "Be sure to bring at least 100 feet of extension chord if you want electricity, because the power ports are not as accessible from some areas."
Tips for camping with families
Beach and playground combos: Fort Custer Recreation Area offers multiple recreation options for children. "There is a beach and playground, but it is quite the walk from the campground. Plan to drive or bike ride if you have trouble walking long distances," advises Stephanie C.
Water activities: Families enjoy water features at several parks. At Bishop Lake Campground, one parent mentioned, "Such a cool place to enjoy with the kids, we had a blast at Jump Island!" The water park costs "$15 for a 45 minute jump session" and visitors can "Follow on Facebook for coupons."
Biking opportunities: Children can safely ride bikes at multiple campgrounds. Bob B. noted that at Fort Custer Recreation Area, "A great plus is still seeing kids rise actual bikes!"
Weekend activities: State parks often schedule family-focused weekend events. A camper at Waterloo Portage Lake shared, "The park workers walk around and tell you about the activities they have that day," making it easy to plan family participation.
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: Taylor's Beach Campground has paved sites that work well for RVs. A winter visitor to Portage Lake noted, "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."
Power considerations: RVers should be aware of electrical hookup locations and capacity. A Sleepy Hollow visitor warned that "Most electrical posts are designed to accommodate at least 2 adjoining lots, and as many as 4. This in itself is not a concern until you realize the posts are way too far away to reach without an extension."
Site selection for shade: RV campers should consider sun exposure when choosing a site. One camper at Sleepy Hollow mentioned, "We soon found out that there was enough clearing in the treetops to give our camp full sun for most of the day. If you camp here, I suggest one of the other sites that would give you a break from the sunny heat."
Dump station timing: When no sewer hookups exist, plan accordingly. Fort Custer visitors noted, "Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long."
