Best Campgrounds near Nazareth, MI

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Nazareth, Michigan (160)

    1. Fort Custer Recreation Area

    44 Reviews
    Augusta, MI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 731-4200

    "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"

    2. Markin Glen County Park

    6 Reviews
    Nazareth, MI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 381-7570

    $35 - $40 / night

    "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."

    "There are three roads in the campground and the two roads on the outside have no one behind them which adds privacy. "

    3. Brookside City Park

    6 Reviews
    Allegan, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 692-3391

    $5 - $10 / night

    "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. "

    4. Deep Lake Rustic Campground — Yankee Springs Recreation Area - TEMPORARILY CLOSED IN 2024

    25 Reviews
    Cloverdale, MI
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 795-9081

    "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)."

    5. Kalamazoo County Expo Center

    1 Review
    Kalamazoo, MI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 383-8778

    "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."

    7. Cold Brook County Park

    4 Reviews
    Galesburg, MI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 746-4270

    "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."

    8. Hidden Ridge RV Resort, A Sun RV Resort

    10 Reviews
    Wayland, MI
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 672-9196

    $50 - $70 / night

    "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)."

    9. Gun Lake Campground — Yankee Springs Recreation Area

    13 Reviews
    Middleville, MI
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 795-9081

    "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."

    10. Oak Shores Resort Campground

    2 Reviews
    Vicksburg, MI
    13 miles
    +1 (269) 649-4689
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Recent Reviews near Nazareth, MI

656 Reviews of 160 Nazareth Campgrounds


  • G
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Beach Campground — Holland State Park

    Entry policy needs revising

    Got to campground at 13:00, checked to see if my reserved site was vacant (it was vacant) then went to check in. Attendant told couldn’t check in until 15:00. Had to park in marina parking lot.  Went back to check in and there was a line out to the street (safety issue).  It then took us 1/2 hr to check in then had to wait another 1/2hr in line for water. Got to site at 16:15.  Something has to change. Was told this was a Holland State Park decision because other state parks don’t do this.  Horrible, horrible policy

  • v
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Markin Glen County Park

    Clean and near bike trails

    Great park. Well maintained. Very clean. Lots of bike trails, a beach area. Helpful staff!

  • Joel K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    MTB camp and bike (again)

    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. 

    We loved our site (so don't book this one) as it's close to the trails for riding.  The campground was almost to capacity, but still some open sites.

    All in all this was a great trip, and we even visited Belle's brewery on our way home.

  • Jessica D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Covert Park Beach & Campground

    Small, lakeside, chill

    This was our first time staying at Covert Park Beach + Campground. We stayed in site 52 with our 21 ft travel trailer. The site is a good size. Tree placement made it a little tricky to back into, but nothing crazy. We stayed Sunday to Saturday, so we got to see it at its bustling weekend peak and the quiet, cozy weekday vibe. Family friendly, dog friendly and kid friendly. Dogs aren't allowed on the beach, but there's a beach a few minutes down the road (Hagar Beach) where you can bring leashed dogs. Sunset views were beautiful. 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. No sewer on campsites but there's a dump station when you enter/exit. Ice and firewood are abundantly available and can be delivered to your site. We loved our stay here. Tree cover is generous, and it really preserves the camping feel. Weekend crowd was fun, friendly and lots of locals. Would definitely stay again!

  • James V.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Steamboat Park Campground

    Wonderful, well thought through campground.

    I have had a very enjoyable stay. The river location is quite nice and the grounds are very well cared for. The site(and all sites, as far as I can see) are quite level. The bathrooms are not just clean and well maintained, but the shower rooms also have a dedicated sink and toilet, which I much appreciate. The washer and dryers in the bathhouse are brand new and take credit cards. While it is near a regional airport, there is close to no air traffic and no commercial traffic I noticed. Overall, probably one of the top 5 campgrounds I have encountered, if the list was for being up to date, well thought out and well provisioned. Everything was top notch.

  • Linda C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Brookside City Park

    More expensive now

    Tents sites are now $20 and RV hookups (water and 20/30 amp) are $30. When I got to the police station they were closed for the week but a phone # was provided to call dispatcher and an officer responded promptly to help me get registered. Cash or check only.

  • SkipperAllen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Shipshewana Campground South Park

    Nice stay

    Bathrooms clean Campground well maintained. Showers clean. Push button operation not temperature control little on the cold side for me.

  • Chris R.
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Tyler Creek

    Absolutely garbage

    Had a reservation for 6 months and the day we were to arrive, we were told we could not have the site we prepared for because someone else wanted to stay longer.  Management has the right to alter your reservation without your consent or the courtesy of a phone call.  When questioned, the owner treated us like garbage and was rude as hell.  Would never recommend this place to anyone, stay away!!!


Guide to Nazareth

Camping near Nazareth, Michigan, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin.

What to do:

  • Explore trails: Many campgrounds, like Fort Custer Recreation Area, have beautiful wooded trails. One visitor mentioned, "We took full advantage of the mountain bike trails which are very easily accessed from the campground."
  • Water activities: If you enjoy kayaking or fishing, check out Sharp Park Campground. A reviewer said, "You can also rent a kayak and see the beautiful lake."
  • Family fun: TriPonds Family Camp Resort has a lot of activities for kids, including a swimming pool and a mini-golf course. One happy camper shared, "There is a putt-putt course, farm animals to feed, and a little store that serves ice cream."

What campers like:

  • Natural beauty: Campers appreciate the scenic views and privacy at places like Ely Lake Campground. A long-time visitor said, "Been coming here since 1969... just good ole wilderness camping!"
  • Clean facilities: Many campers rave about the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A reviewer from Sharp Park Campground noted, "Bathrooms and shower was spotless."
  • Friendly staff: Campgrounds like Covert Park Beach & Campground have welcoming hosts. One visitor mentioned, "The camp is under new management and they are friendly and welcoming."

What you should know:

  • Bugs can be a problem: At Fort Custer Recreation Area, one camper warned, "It was EXTREMELY buggy. If you weren't covered in Deep Woods bug spray the whole time, you were getting bit."
  • Crowded on weekends: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak times. A visitor at Van Buren State Park Campground said, "The property has something like 219 campsites, and that weekend every single one of them was full."
  • Limited amenities: Campgrounds like Deep Lake Rustic Campground may not have all the modern conveniences. A reviewer noted, "No electricity, no running water, no sewer/septic, no dump."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly spots: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids, like Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday. A parent shared, "This is a great campground for kids. It has a splash pad, a jump park, and the pool."
  • Plan for quiet hours: Some campgrounds can get noisy. A visitor at Van Buren State Park Campground mentioned, "Noisy during the day with a few large groups and a LOT of kids, but they were quiet at night."
  • Pack snacks and drinks: Not all campgrounds have stores nearby. A camper at Hidden Ridge RV Resort said, "The closest gas station is 15 miles. Not really any fast food restaurants either."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Some campgrounds have tight spaces. A reviewer at Yankee Springs Gun Lake Trail noted, "Spaces were too tight, even with a small camper."
  • Look for full hookups: If you need amenities, choose campgrounds like Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday that offer full hookups. A visitor said, "Sites weren’t too tight. Campstore had everything incredible ice cream and pizza that could be delivered to your site."
  • Be prepared for limited services: Some campgrounds may not have trash pickup at your site. A camper at Hidden Ridge RV Resort mentioned, "There isn’t much close to the campground at all."

Camping near Nazareth, Michigan, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure.

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 4.3-star rating from 44 reviews.