161 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Kalamazoo County and surrounding areas offer a range of campground options within proximity to Mattawan, Michigan. Several established facilities cater to different camping styles, including Fort Custer Recreation Area with tent, RV, and cabin accommodations approximately 15 miles southeast of Mattawan, and Markin Glen County Park featuring full hookup sites roughly 10 miles east. Outdoor Adventures Kalamazoo Resort and Cranberry Lake Campground provide additional options for those seeking developed campgrounds with amenities. The region includes both public parks and private camping resorts that accommodate tent campers, RV travelers, and those seeking cabin rentals.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with many closing between mid-October and late April. Markin Glen County Park operates from April 25 to October 15, while others like Fort Custer maintain year-round accessibility. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when facilities reach capacity. Many campgrounds offer electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities, though amenities vary significantly between locations. The terrain throughout the region is relatively flat with some small hills, making most sites accessible without specialized vehicles. Weather conditions remain mild through summer months with occasional thunderstorms. A visitor noted about Markin Glen: "Despite having lived near Kalamazoo for seven years, we had never visited this park previously. The sites are large level concrete pads with grass dividing the sites."
Family-friendly amenities represent a common feature at campgrounds near Mattawan. Several facilities offer swimming areas, fishing opportunities, and hiking trails. Markin Glen County Park provides access to the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail system, connecting campers to extensive paved pathways for biking and walking. Campers report that noise levels can vary, with some sites experiencing occasional train noise. Camping close to Kalamazoo provides convenient access to urban amenities while maintaining a natural setting. One camper commented that Markin Glen is "a great place for us with the family. The lake was wonderful. Meeting up with some friends was easy here." Most campgrounds offer a mix of sunny and shaded sites, with waterfront locations typically commanding premium prices and booking quickly during peak season.
"Fort Custer is a hidden gem in Michigan. Nobody thinks to go camping near Battle Creek, but they really should reconsider!"
"Another great camping experience, site 210 has an amazing trail that leads directly to the showers at one end and at the other path went directly to running water, plus only a couple of yards from a great"
from $21 - $108 / night
Check Availability"We stayed here on our way to/from Michigan Upper Peninsula. Great stopover spot. Small campground with 38 sites, all with full hookups. The bathhouse is clean and handicap accessible."
"Despite having lived near Kalamazoo for seven years, we had never visited this park previously. The site are large level concrete pads with grass dividing the sites. All full hookups."
from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Not only is it a short distance from our home but it is a short walk to Lake Michigan! The campground has tree-lined lots and some of the loops are very wooded."
"Walkable access to Lake Michigan is unbeatable! Bathrooms are very clean."
from $41 - $46 / night
Check Availability"Access to several lakes including all sports"
"Lake for boating and fishing. Has a small swimming area, playground."
from $25 / night
"Nice very busy pool and slide, play areas, walking trail, camp store with hot food. Not far from Lake Michigan and places to buy fresh fruit and veggies. Check it out you'll be happy you did."
"This is a great place to camp with young children, as there are many activities around the camp. It is family owned and operated and you can tell- warm and friendly."
"The camping spots are in a park right off the main road, however they are tucked all the way around back offering surprisingly private camping."
"The campsites are located past the playground and shelter. Just keep driving down the road that looks like an alley. There is a wonderful place set up for just a few campers. "
from $5 - $10 / night
Check Availability"It’s not as big as some of the expo centers in Michigan, but it does the job. If you plan to camp here they offer 220 campsites over 5 small campgrounds."
"The kids and dog really enjoyed the playground, swimming in the lake and jumping off the floating pad. There were little cabins and trailers for rent but we had our own camper."
"Park near store and get great WiFi....I spent 14 days streaming, gaming and watching movies. This is campground is definitely a diamond in the sand."
"Pros: Lake Michigan is right there! We walked down to sunset and it was a 5 min walk max."
"Close to beach of Lake Michigan. Walk in primitive tent site is what I stayed at. Many other sites available. Quiet at night. Great staff"
from $40 - $100 / night
Check Availability
LegendPremium sites worth it. Old camp sites are crowded and very tight. Not sure it’s be the same experience.Clean, nice staff, nice camp store, great pool and hot tub, clean and updated bathrooms and showers. Much less crowded and cleaner facilities than state park near by, but more expensive.
LegendGreat tree covered camp spot. Premium sites definitely with the expense. Not sure we would enjoy the others. Really tight with a lot of long term stats and mini houses. Friendly staff and guest, close to everything the area has to offer. Not the largest campsites and probably limited to the amount that could fit large 5th wheels or 40ft plus coaches. All full hook up and significantly nicer than the two state park campgrounds right down the street. Pool and hot tub clean and very nice.
ScoutDid a father son trip, it was great! The beach site camping is about a 5 minute flat walk to Holland Beach. Very easy! Basketball and volleyball court on beach. Recommend walking out to the pier at Sunset and diving off pier into water (there are built in ladders to get up easily and many people were out there, liferings available too).
Good ice cream at the beachside ice cream shop. Recommend bringing bikes if you have them.
TravelerThe sites were easy to park, the staff were friendly and helpful. Loved the mushrooms we found in May. We plan to go back some day. Nice town area close by for shopping.
ScoutOverall best camping experience I have ever had. Easy check in. Peaceful. Good "neighbors". Cleanest bathroom houses. Great beach!
TravelerWe booked a last minute spot and are so glad we did! The campground wonderfully maintained by perhaps the nicest hosts we have met! We pulled in early Friday evening and were greeted by Ken and Chris, who helped us pull into our site (which was VERY appreciated since the sites are pretty tight!). There are a lot of seasonal sites, four cabins, and a guest house that is tucked behind a privacy fence. Bathrooms were extremely clean and looked newly renovated. They even had a basket of toiletries and a stack of clean towels. Though we didn’t use it, there was a cool open air “game barn” that had a pool table, foosball, seating area, etc…it would be a great hangout for older kids or teenagers. Probably the best part was the walkability. There is lake access directly across the street down a set of concrete stairs. It’s a grassy area, not a “beach” and a lot of goose poop so we brought our chairs down. You can enter the lake to cool off, which was great because it was a hot day. Also walkable are two restaurant/breweries. “The Strand” is literally next door to the campground with a great outdoor seating area with a view of the lake. About a 5 minute walk is Sister Lakes Brewing Company. Both places had excellent cocktails and cool lake vibes. Full hookups at all sites. We look forward to coming back!!!
ScoutMy family and I booked this campsite for the Fourth of July and arrived with a confirmed reservation and confirmation number. When we arrived, my husband checked us in (even though it stated it was a self check after we booked) luckily he did because he was told that the campsite was not ready yet, but that they would get it prepared for us shortly. At that time, there was no mention that our reservation was invalid, that they did not use the booking platform, or that there was any issue with our stay.
We waited, set up our additional tents, and had already been on the property for about two hours when we were suddenly approached and accused of being there without a reservation. We provided our confirmation information and proof that we had every right to be there, but instead of honoring our reservation or trying to resolve the situation, we were told to leave immediately because another family was expected to arrive.
We were then told they “don’t use this app” and that we had been scammed. However, if there was truly an issue with our reservation, it should have been addressed when my husband checked in…not after we had already arrived, been allowed onto the property, and started setting up.
What was especially upsetting was that the treatment seemed to change after my husband (who is white) checked us in and then the host saw me and my family members, who are Black. The sudden change in attitude and the decision to remove us despite having a valid reservation left us feeling that our race may have influenced how we were treated.
The campsite was not ready when we arrived, yet instead of working with us after we had already been checked in, we were made to feel unwelcome and forced to leave. Regardless of the reason, no guest should be treated this way after arriving with a confirmed reservation. This experience was extremely disappointing and left our family feeling disrespected and unheard.
RangerWe were here over Memorial Day weekend and it was crowded but still nice. Spacing between sites was nice, lots of trees for privacy.
Camp store was nice and stocked with plenty even on a busy weekend.
Dune hikes are amazing and access to Lake Michigan if you climb over the dunes.
TravelerStayed here over the 4th of July. Very small campground, about 124 sites. Well cared for and friendly staff. Not too many amenities; basketball court, ping pong, and volleyball. No pool and no camp store. Sites were a bit close but it was a very peaceful campground. Would visit again.
Camping sites near Mattawan, Michigan cover terrain that transitions from flat to gently rolling hills with numerous small lakes throughout the region. The climate supports a typical camping season that runs April through October, with summer daytime temperatures averaging 75-85°F and cooler evenings around 55-65°F. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 750-850 feet above sea level, with sandy to loamy soil types common throughout the camping areas.
Mountain biking trails: Fort Custer Recreation Area provides extensive trail networks for riders of all skill levels. "We camped and rode 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., who also notes the convenient site location "close to the trails for riding."
Lake activities: Covert Park Beach & Campground offers direct access to Lake Michigan with multiple beach access points. "We walked down to sunset and it was a 5 min walk max. I'll stay at any campground to have Lake Michigan in walking distance," notes Melissa M. The park features "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."
Fishing opportunities: Several smaller lakes provide good fishing around Mattawan. "Great fishing, amenities available. This is one of the first places I felt gave me a bang for my buck," writes William E. about Cranberry Lake Campground, which offers both lake fishing and swimming options from their floating pad.
Privacy levels: Site spacing varies considerably between campgrounds. "We just stayed at 51 and it is extremely secluded! We had an amazing time tent camping it was so quiet!" reports Hannah about Fort Custer Recreation Area, while also mentioning that other sites like "161 you do have neighbors pretty close."
Beach proximity: Multiple campgrounds provide beach access within walking distance. "The short walk to the beautiful beach makes this campground worth it," notes Daniel S. about Covert Park. Most beach-accessible campgrounds have at least partial shade, with Jessica D. observing, "Tree cover is generous, and it really preserves the camping feel."
Bike trail connections: The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail provides extensive paved riding opportunities. "The campground has direct access to the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail which is a paved trail extending for many miles," as noted in a review of Markin Glen County Park. Some campers use these campgrounds as bases for longer rides, with one visitor reporting, "We rode 47 miles round trip from Bloomingdale to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo."
Rustic vs. modern options: Campgrounds range from basic to full-service. "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," explains VB S. about Fort Custer, while Markin Glen offers "sites that are large level concrete pads with full hook-ups."
Seasonal considerations: Some smaller facilities have limited operating seasons or reduced services in shoulder months. For Markin Glen County Park, the season runs "April 25 to October 15," while other parks like Kalamazoo County Expo Center operate "late April to October."
Reservation needs: The popularity of certain campgrounds necessitates advance planning. Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday fills quickly during summer months, especially on weekends. One camper advises, "We spent 5 days here in June. The campground is clean, the wi-fi is great," and recommends making reservations well in advance for holiday weekends.
Train proximity: Several campgrounds experience periodic train noise. "Beware: sites 19, 20, 21, 23, 25, and 27 are the closest to railroad tracks that are about 30 yards away," warns a camper about specific sites at Markin Glen County Park.
Playground facilities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Covert Park Beach & Campground, a camper notes, "Play set was ok. One for smaller kids and one for bigger. Slide, few swings, nothing to big." This provides important context for families with children of different ages.
Swimming options: Beaches and swimming areas vary in size and features. Melville 7 Lakes has "a small swimming area, playground" according to Kara H., while larger facilities like Covert/South Haven KOA offer "a heated pool and lots of activities for kids."
Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled events at some campgrounds enhance the family experience. "Friendly staff, lots of kid activities. Nice pool, clean campground. Barrel train ride is a lot of fun for the whole family," shares Jill P. about the KOA, which also features "a pool and playground area [that] is nicely laid out."
Day-use considerations: Some campground beaches allow public access. At Covert Park, "The campground allows anyone to buy daily passes for the beach so the beach can get crowded. Lots of traffic in and out," explains Melissa M., which might affect families seeking quieter experiences.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. "The sites are pretty close on the sides and behind your site (if you are on the inner roads that back up against other sites)," notes one RVer about Markin Glen. For Covert Park Beach & Campground, a camper warns that "most sites the electrical box and water hook up is on the wrong side of the site."
Utility placement: Check hookup locations before booking. "Sites are easy to get in and out of with RV/TT," mentions Bob B. about Fort Custer, though others note "you may need extra hose and power cord length" at other campgrounds where utilities are poorly positioned.
Big rig accommodation: Outdoor Adventures Kalamazoo Resort offers varying site sizes but some limitations. "The campsites are a good size but those we found are not very level. I love the option of walking around the campground as there are up and down and one really big huge hill," reports Mary T., suggesting larger rigs may struggle at certain sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Mattawan, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mattawan, MI is Fort Custer Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 45 reviews.
Keep Exploring
