Campgrounds near Bellevue, Michigan provide a mix of established facilities and rustic options throughout the region. Fort Custer Recreation Area in Augusta and Travel Trailer Club of the Midwest are among the prominent developed campgrounds in the area, offering both tent and RV camping experiences. Most facilities operate seasonally from spring through fall, with only select locations like Camp Turkeyville RV Resort remaining open year-round. The campground landscape includes several lake-adjacent properties with boat access, including Camp Thornapple on Thornapple Lake and Rockeys Campground which sits on a chain of five connected lakes, providing water recreation opportunities alongside camping.
Permits and reservation requirements vary significantly across the region's campgrounds. Many locations like Fort Custer require advance bookings, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. Several campgrounds feature a mix of electrical hookups, with 30-amp and 50-amp service available at locations like Travel Trailer Club of the Midwest and Camp Turkeyville RV Resort. Water hookups are common but not universal, with some more rustic sites offering communal water sources instead. Camping seasons typically run from May through October, though specific opening and closing dates differ by property. A frequent visitor to Travel Trailer Club of the Midwest noted, "Great place to recharge. Close to small towns that have car shows, parades, yard sales, and roadside vegetable stands. Rustic but full of nature."
Camper experiences highlight the diverse amenities and settings available near Bellevue. Family-friendly environments receive consistently positive mentions in reviews, particularly at Camp Turkeyville RV Resort where visitors appreciate the spacious sites with concrete patios and daily trash pickup. Several campgrounds maintain seasonal resident populations, with Camp Thornapple described by one reviewer as having "mostly seasonal campers" that make up approximately "80% of the people on the campground." While most locations offer standard amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, bathroom and shower facilities vary considerably between properties. The Eaton County Fairgrounds provides a more affordable option at $20 nightly for full hookups in a wooded setting, though it lacks formal check-in procedures. Travelers note varying levels of tree cover and site spacing, with some campgrounds described as open fields with limited shade and others offering more secluded, wooded environments.
"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"
$12 - $30 / night
"This is a secluded campground near Bellevue. Not a lot of trees or space between campsites. There is electric and water hookup available."
"Close to small towns that have cars shows, parades, yardsales, and roadside vegetable stands. Rustic but full of nature. Monthly events at the park. Fun for all. Come visit us"
"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)."
"Confidently located a mile outside of Charlotte, with all the conviences of restraunts, walmart, Meijer etc."
$1600 / night
$32 - $80 / night
"We put our tent up on the hill tucked back up in the woods. Shade from the start!"
"The lake nearby is clean and they have a swimming spot for kids and adults. Boats and kayaks are free to use if the lifeguard is on duty. There is also fishing rods to use for free."
"It has mostly seasonal campers and is right on the lake with boat docks."
"Rockey’s is on a chain of 5 lakes and has some of the best fishing! Rob and Vicki do so much for the kid campers too! We go every year for Memorial Day and they remember us every time."
$35 - $45 / night
"Close to home but feels “up north”. They offer both rustic and water and electric sites. This is a family campground and my kids loved the playground!"
"Campsites are right next to each other."
ScoutKayak/canoe, tubing, horseback riding, golf. They have plenty do do here but they just seem to float along. This is not a camp ground that uplifts there game to make it better and be a rising star. No full hook up site other than seasonal. Campstore is very limited, but good for the kids. Alway enjoy staying here but just think they could be more. They do put on a good fireworks on July 4th
TravelerWe stumbled across this park and it’s now one of our favorites. It’s a county park. Very small, only about 50 sites. All have full hookups and concrete pads. There’s a fire ring and picnic table. This park is all transient travelers, no seasonal dwellers. So not a lot of golf carts everywhere. There are paved trails and a beach in the park. The Kalamazoo Nature Center is only a couple miles away for many more miles of beautiful trails. Downtown Kalamazoo is about 10 minutes if you need an urban fix. It is a bit off the main roads but still not hard to get to, even with a larger rig. No road noise. Bathrooms were dated but clean. No issues for us with cell service or Starlink. Sites are reasonably spaced. There are a few pull through but most are angled back in. Tree coverage varies by site. Pet friendly but have to be leashed of course. Overall quiet vibe. Granted we were there toward end of season so it will be busier in summer but we would recommend this gem to anyone
ScoutGreat place to stay for the weekend. Lots of activities for kids. Heats pool till end of October . Does trick or treating. Sites are small.
TravelerGreat park. Well maintained. Very clean. Lots of bike trails, a beach area. Helpful staff!
GuideWe 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.
GuideTents 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.
ScoutHad 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!!!
TravelerI camped here countless times throughout my childhood. It was nice returning. I brought back great memories and it struck a balance of staying up with the times but still leaving most to nature.
Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long.
Sites are easy to get in and out of with RV/TT.
Don’t miss out on the great finishing and hiking. A great plus is still seeing kids rise actual bikes!
TravelerWe’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! We love it here already with only being here twice!
Campgrounds near Bellevue, Michigan are situated in the gently rolling terrain of south-central Michigan, with elevations averaging between 850-950 feet above sea level. The camping season typically runs from late April through October when average temperatures range from 45°F-85°F, with occasional frost possible in May and September. Most campgrounds in this area feature a mix of open field sites and wooded areas with maple, oak, and pine trees providing varied shade options.
Fishing opportunities: Five interconnected lakes provide excellent fishing at Rockeys Campground. "Rockey's is on a chain of 5 lakes and has some of the best fishing," notes camper Keely B. The campground store sells fishing supplies, "even worms."
Hiking trails: Fort Custer Recreation Area offers extensive trail networks with varying difficulty levels. "We hiked on a multi-use trail that the ranger suggested. The blue trail goes around a couple lakes and was wonderful," shares Art S., though he cautions about navigation: "We did miss a sign or two and ended up turning our 4 mile trip into a 6.5 mile one."
Mountain biking: Dedicated bike trails at Fort Custer Recreation Area accommodate riders of all skill levels. Joel K. reports, "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."
Secluded campsites: Many campers appreciate the privacy offered at certain sites. Hannah ⚡ reports about Fort Custer: "We just stayed at 51 and it is extremely secluded! We had an amazing time tent camping it was so quiet!"
Boat access: Several campgrounds feature lake access with docks. Trevor C. noted at Camp Thornapple: "The beach was a nice area and had good docks for boating if you bring your boat. We were there for 3 days total and did a lot of boating, swimming and fishing."
Family activities: Camp Michawana offers numerous recreational options. Bailey C. explains: "They have a lake/beach for swimming, kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes to use at the lake. They also have a massive slip 'n slide, zip lining, and a rock climbing wall."
Site selection considerations: Tree coverage varies significantly between campgrounds and individual sites. Janet N. observed at Fort Custer Recreation Area: "Michigan State park with large sites and lots of privacy. $25 per night with electric. I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky."
Hookup limitations: Many campgrounds offer electric but limited water or sewer connections. VB S. notes about Fort Custer: "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station."
Reservation policies: Some campgrounds near Bellevue fill quickly during peak times. Bob B. warns about Fort Custer: "If you're in the area, this is highly recommended," but suggests booking early as "most sites were full."
Water recreation access: Michawana Campground provides free water equipment with supervision. Rich reports, "Boats and kayaks are free to use if the lifeguard is on duty. There are also fishing rods to use for free."
Playground facilities: Welcome Woods Family Campground offers play areas for children. Stacia L. notes the campground has "Playgrounds, Lake, dump station, well stocked store, some shaded sites, clean bathrooms by the store, pit toilets throughout the campground."
Spacious sites: Camp Turkeyville RV Resort provides well-maintained sites. David D. appreciates: "Spacious sites. Concrete patio at each site. Daily trash pickup at campsite. Very quiet and family friendly."
Budget camping option: Eaton County Fairgrounds offers affordable full hookups. Northstorm T. reports: "Only $20 nightly, full hookup, nice wooded sites. This is a fairgrounds RV and tent park. Very peaceful when there are no ongoing events. Large bath house with Showers."
Payment procedures: Some campgrounds have informal payment systems. Joann S. shares about Eaton County Fairgrounds: "Pull in and pick your own site and the site manager will come by and collect your money for night stayed. In fact, we enjoyed it so much we called to ask for another night."
Road conditions: Interior campground roads can present challenges for larger rigs. Trevor C. mentioned at Camp Thornapple: "Roads on property are very narrow and was hard to maneuvered the camper on the turns to get to our spot we had reserved."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities and facilities are available at Bellevue campground?
Bellevue campground offers basic amenities including electric and water hookups at the campsites. The sites are generally open with limited tree cover and modest spacing between neighbors. Similar to Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground, you can expect standard facilities like restrooms and possibly a water source. The area may also provide access to hiking trails and fishing opportunities, though specific recreational features vary. For more extensive facilities, Ionia State Recreation Area nearby offers additional amenities like beaches and multiple outdoor activities.
Where is Bellevue campground located and how can I access it?
Bellevue campground is a secluded camping area located in central Michigan. Based on similar campgrounds in the region, like Travel Trailer Club of The Midwest, it's likely accessible by driving and offers a quiet retreat. The area is within reasonable distance of Lansing and other shopping centers, making it convenient for supplies. While somewhat isolated, the campground is part of Michigan's network of outdoor recreation areas and can be accessed via local roads.
Do I need reservations for Bellevue campground and what are the fees?
While specific information for Bellevue campground is limited, most Michigan campgrounds in the area operate with a reservation system. Like Green Lake Rustic Campground, making reservations through the Michigan DNR website is recommended, especially during peak seasons when campgrounds can fill up quickly. Fees typically range from $15-30 per night depending on amenities and hookups. For more economical options, Pleasant Lake offers reasonable rates with basic amenities. Consider booking at least a month in advance to secure your spot.
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