Cabin camping near Mattawan, Michigan ranges from rustic cabins to more equipped units with private lake access. Located in southwest Michigan, this area experiences cold winters with average January temperatures of 24°F and humid summers reaching 83°F in July. Most cabin camping options remain open from April through October with seasonal availability affected by Michigan's variable weather patterns.
What to do
Water activities on private lakes: Outdoor Adventures Kalamazoo Resort provides fishing opportunities on their private lake with multiple stocked species. "If you have a family and like to fish it is a great place for you. If you like tent camping go for it," notes a reviewer who appreciated the wooded country setting.
Biking on regional trails: Kal-Haven Outpost offers direct access to the Kal-Haven Trail, connecting Kalamazoo to South Haven. "This was a nice campground right on the Kal Haven Trail - about 4 miles from South Haven. The RV camping is in a circle in the center of the campground near the bathhouse with cabins and tent camping on the perimeter," reports one camper who enjoyed both biking and hiking opportunities.
Blueberry picking: Several campgrounds offer seasonal berry picking. "This KOA has blueberry fields everywhere on the property. For a period of time in summer and early fall, you can pick your own blueberries in the morning to have in your breakfast pancakes!" explains a visitor about the unique agricultural experiences available within camping distance of Mattawan.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Fort Custer Recreation Area offers secluded camping spots with natural separation. "We've stayed at both sites listed. 161 you do have neighbors pretty close, but we just stayed at 51 and it is extremely secluded! We had an amazing time tent camping it was so quiet!" shares one camper about site selection at this popular destination.
Clean facilities: Many cabins provide access to well-maintained restroom facilities. "The bathrooms were very clean and showers nice and hot. The two guys who were running the check-in and campground operations were super cool- they were the perfect mix of attentive and laid back," reports a camper who stayed at Covert Park Beach & Campground.
Water proximity: Lake Michigan access remains highly valued. "Tree cover is generous, and it really preserves the camping feel. Weekend crowd was fun, friendly and lots of locals," writes a visitor appreciating the combination of wooded sites and beach access.
What you should know
Variable site conditions: Some campgrounds experience drainage issues during rainfall. "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," notes a Fort Custer visitor about hookup limitations, while another mentions, "Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long."
Advance reservations essential: Popular cabin locations book quickly, especially during summer months. "We camped during their 'soft open' Memorial Day weekend - the park was 2/3 full and closed to day use so the smaller beach wasn't a problem," reports a visitor highlighting timing considerations.
Cabin amenities vary widely: Tri-Ponds Family Camp Resort offers multiple cabin types with different feature sets. "The cabins and cottages are great (book early) nice RV sites. On-site food is really good compared to most," shares a camper who found the food service particularly noteworthy among cabin options.
Tips for camping with families
Activity programming: Many campgrounds schedule organized events. "This was our first camping trip ever, the campground was a huge factor in her great time!" shares a first-time camper whose granddaughter enjoyed the structured activities available at Outdoor Adventures Kalamazoo.
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with multiple water features. "Swim options are a swimming pool and ponds (big dipper & small dipper). There is a putt-putt course, farm animals to feed, and a little store that serves ice cream. Kids can also take a hay ride thru the park," notes a camper at Tri-Ponds describing the diversity of family activities.
Playground accessibility: Site selection matters for families with young children. "They have a pool, bounce pillow, playground, outdoor sports area, hayrides, crafts, store, pond for fishing, golf cart rental," lists a seasonal camper who brings their children regularly.
Tips from RVers
Electrical considerations: Most cabin and RV campsites offer only partial hookups. "Sites are easy to get in and out of with RV/TT," notes a Fort Custer visitor specifically mentioning trailer access, while another advises to prepare for limited hookup options.
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have tight internal roads. "The sites and the roads in the campground are all dirt so while we were there it was exceptionally dusty. I could imagine that when they have a lot of rain, it is exceptionally muddy," describes a camper detailing practical road conditions that affect RV mobility.
Site leveling: Select cabins and RV sites carefully based on terrain. "The campsites are a good size but those we found are not very level," mentions a reviewer who appreciated the walking trails but found site preparation challenging at one location.
