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Southwestern Michigan features a diverse selection of campgrounds around Nazareth, with established facilities like Fort Custer Recreation Area and Markin Glen County Park offering a mix of developed camping experiences. Both tent and RV camping are available throughout the region, with several parks offering full hookup sites for larger vehicles. Some locations like Cold Brook County Park and Outdoor Adventures Kalamazoo Resort also provide cabin accommodations, giving visitors multiple options beyond traditional camping. The area's mixed-use campgrounds typically offer convenient access to local attractions while maintaining natural settings with varying levels of privacy.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. "The park was very clean and well-kept. Bathrooms with showers were cleaned daily," noted one visitor about Markin Glen County Park. Reservations are recommended during summer months, particularly for weekend stays when facilities reach capacity quickly. Water and electric hookups are common at developed campgrounds, while sewer connections are available at select locations like Markin Glen. Several campgrounds implement seasonal closures, with some shutting down completely during winter months. Proximity to Kalamazoo provides convenient access to urban amenities while still offering natural settings for outdoor recreation.
Campers consistently highlight the balance of natural surroundings and modern amenities available throughout the area's camping options. Many campgrounds feature water recreation opportunities, with fishing and swimming available at locations like Cold Brook County Park. Several visitors mention the convenience of paved walking trails at Markin Glen County Park that connect directly to the Kalamazoo River Trail system. Train noise affects some campgrounds in the region, particularly Markin Glen where tracks run nearby. Families appreciate the playground facilities and activities available at parks like Fort Custer, which also offers extensive hiking and biking trails through wooded terrain. The camping landscape includes a mix of county parks, state recreation areas, and private resorts, providing options for different preferences and budgets.
"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"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"First time in central Michigan and it was absolutely beautiful. The campground has a great location and lots of mountain bike and hiking trails."
"This is a campground in Yankee Spring Recreational Area in Mid-Michigan. This is a nice rustic campground near the NCT(North Country Trail)."
from $20 / 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."
"29 campsites pretty close together with old growth trees interspersed around the campground. Fishing pier and boating, playground area, and beach. No longer has primitive camping."
"Lots of neat free and inexpensive things for kids and families nearby. Check out Kzookids.com to see what’s available if you want to. A nice disk golf course, lots of fishing."
"Spacing was generous between locations. We had a drive-in(forward) location(#10) overlooking the small lake. There was some interstate noise but it was more of a steady hum and not an issue at all."
"And the only trash bin we could find was at the entrance of the grounds (which was quite a distance from 241 our site)."
from $50 - $70 / night
Check Availability"This is also a short drive away from tons of beautiful walking paths."
"You can walk the trail to the state park beach and store. Bathrooms are clean."
from $30 - $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.
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!!!
ScoutGreat site, however, DNR drives by every five minutes. The primitive bathroom facilities are absolutely horrid, the newer ones up the road from site 238 are beautiful.
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.
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.
ScoutI been to this campground several times over the past 8 years and my experience was never a bad one but I do hear about others bad experiences
Camping near Nazareth, Michigan offers a mix of county and state recreation areas within southwestern Michigan's varied terrain. The region experiences seasonal weather patterns with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures with occasional rain. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 800-900 feet above sea level, contributing to moderate humidity levels during summer camping.
Mountain biking trails: At Fort Custer Recreation Area, visitors can access extensive trail systems for all skill levels. "Endless hiking trails and two lakes where you can fish, swim, and boat. If you're in the area, this is highly recommended," notes Bob B. The park maintains dedicated mountain bike trails separate from hiking paths.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes throughout the region provide fishing access with varying catch potential. At Deep Lake Rustic Campground, campers can fish directly from the shoreline or dedicated piers. "There are several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach," reports Janet N., highlighting the multiple water recreation options.
Winter recreation: While most campgrounds operate seasonally, some recreation areas remain accessible for winter activities. The trail systems at Fort Custer offer snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities when snow conditions permit. Some parks maintain plowed access roads for winter recreation even when camping facilities close.
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate sites with natural barriers. "We found a campsite that was large with vegetation separating us from neighbors," reports Art S. about Fort Custer. Some campgrounds offer more seclusion than others, with Deep Lake Rustic Campground providing more isolated sites compared to more developed facilities.
Paved camping pads: At Markin Glen County Park, campers enjoy modern amenities with full hookup sites. "All sites are 50 amp full hook-up that are paved with paved patios, fire pits, and picnic tables," notes one visitor. The concrete pads provide level setups for both tents and RVs regardless of weather conditions.
Trail connectivity: Several campgrounds provide direct access to regional trail systems. "The campground has direct access to the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail which is a paved trail extending for many miles," reports a Markin Glen visitor. This connectivity allows campers to explore beyond campground boundaries without driving to trailheads.
Train noise affects some locations: Railway proximity impacts certain campgrounds more than others. Sites at Markin Glen near the tracks (specifically sites 19, 20, 21, 23, 25, and 27) experience more train noise, with one camper noting trains "sitting there for hours getting loaded" approximately every day or two.
Limited services in rural areas: Some campgrounds are located far from amenities. One visitor to Hidden Ridge RV Resort noted: "There isn't much close to the campground at all. Like the closest gas station is 15 miles. Not really any fast food restaurants either." Stock up on supplies before arriving at more remote locations.
Reservation systems vary: County parks often have different reservation procedures than state recreation areas. For Brookside City Park, "registration is at the police station, and if it's after hours you may have to call an off site officer to meet you with the phone provided," according to Katie. Some campgrounds require cash or check payment only.
Beach quality considerations: When planning water activities for children, check beach conditions. At Gun Lake Campground, visitors advise: "Wear aqua shoes lake is rocky." Another camper adds that Gun Lake "is crowded and very warm towards end of summer," which affects water quality.
Look for organized activities: Some campgrounds provide structured children's programs. "Kid friendly! This park always finds a way to have something fun for the kids to do," notes Melissa M. about Hidden Ridge RV Resort, which offers "hayrides, crafts, store, pond for fishing" and other amenities specifically designed for families.
Site selection for noise management: Families with young children should consider site location relative to common noise sources. "Our site was on the far end of a loop. This meant a longer walk to the restrooms and showers. On the other hand, we were right across from an access trail to the blue hiking trail," reports Art S., highlighting the tradeoffs between convenience and quiet.
Electric-only hookups: Many state recreation areas provide limited services. At Fort Custer Recreation Area, "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," advises VB S. Plan water tank capacity accordingly for these partial hookup sites.
Dump station timing: Plan departure times strategically to avoid dump station congestion. "The dump station takes a bit to get through. We were in line for about an hour before we dumped and we pulled off our site at 1," notes Mike P. about Gun Lake Campground. Mid-day departure times often coincide with peak dump station usage.
Site leveling challenges: At Cold Brook County Park, some sites require additional leveling equipment. While some parks feature concrete pads, others have natural surfaces with varying degrees of levelness. At private resorts, one camper observed: "The campsites are a good size but those we found are not very level."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Nazareth, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Nazareth, MI is Fort Custer Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 45 reviews.
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