Waterloo Recreation Area and nearby parks provide several cabin accommodation options around Pleasant Lake, Michigan. These cabins range from rustic structures with minimal amenities to more modern facilities with electricity and heating. Cabins typically require advance reservations, with availability limited during peak summer months from May through October. Winter camping options vary with some facilities maintaining year-round operations while others close seasonally.
What to do
Swimming and beach activities: Portage Lake within Waterloo Recreation Area offers a popular swimming beach with family amenities. "The beach walkway is handicap accessible. The fishing pier is new, has two benches and tables for your stuff. It is a bit of a walk to get to but is handicap accessible," notes a camper at Portage Lake.
Kayaking on the chain lakes: The area features interconnected waterways ideal for paddling adventures. A visitor to Rockeys Campground mentioned, "Rockey's is on a chain of 5 lakes and has some of the best fishing!" This provides opportunities for multi-lake exploration without portaging.
Trail hiking: Pinckney Recreation Area maintains extensive trail networks suitable for day hikes or overnight adventures. "This is a great trail for beginning backpackers or anyone looking for a quick escape to the woods. We hiked the 7.5 mile loop and stayed one night," shared a hiker at Bruin Lake Campground.
Disc golf: The area offers course options for disc golf enthusiasts. A visitor to Portage Lake noted, "Nice mix of camping & Disc golf. The course is mowed down and easy to navigate. Picnic tables, fire ring, primitive tent sites available!"
What campers like
Paved camping pads: Many sites feature paved areas that simplify setup and teardown, especially valuable during wet conditions. A visitor to Waterloo Portage Lake Modern mentioned, "The best part of this campsite was the fact that it was paved! It was so easy setting up and tearing down."
Variety of accommodation options: The region provides camping styles from primitive to modern. A visitor to Pinckney Recreation Area observed, "There are multiple camping opportunities with a variety of camping styles. Yurt rental, to hike-in rustic sites, there's good camping for anyone."
Winter accessibility: Some cabins remain open year-round for cold-weather adventures. A winter visitor to Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern shared, "Had the pleasure of visiting first weekend in February, on the coldest weekend of the year! Nice little cabin set in about 800' from where you park. It has a table, wood stove, and 4 sets of bunks in a back room."
Fishing opportunities: Local lakes support diverse fish populations. According to a Bishop Lake camper, "The campgrounds restrooms and showers were clean. Our campsite had a view of the lake, but no shade. The beach was nice but you have to walk a trail to get to it from the campground or drive. Nice walking trails. Our favorite was the lake for kayaking."
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Campground layouts differ in terms of spacing and tree cover. At Bishop Lake Campground, one camper noted, "The campground is nice with good access to bikes, trails, water, beach. Unfortunately the sites are on top of each other and very loud."
Beach conditions fluctuate: Water quality and beach conditions may vary throughout the season. A visitor to Portage Lake observed, "The campground is great, but the beach area is very mucky and dirty. Seaweed just flats around and gets tangled around your legs and arms all the time. Good, but not great!"
Electrical access considerations: Some campgrounds have limitations on power hookups. A camper at Sleepy Hollow State Park mentioned, "Most electrical posts are designed to accommodate at least 2 adjoining lots, and as many as 4. This in itself is not a concern until you realize the posts are way too far away to reach without an extension."
Seasonal operation differences: Facilities operate on varying schedules throughout the year. At W.J. Hayes State Park, winter visitors should note that reduced services may affect their stay, with some bathroom facilities closed during colder months.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. A visitor to W.J. Hayes State Park shared, "We stayed in a tent on site 32, this was a very nice campground, peaceful, with trails and ample shade. Campsites were decently sized, fire pits were big, $5 per bundle of dry wood, showers were private with hot water, and there were activities and a beach/playground for kids."
Organized activities: Some campgrounds offer structured programming for younger campers. At Apple Creek Campground, a visitor noted, "Great owners that care about the camping experience and provide activities on the weekend for the kids. Pretty spacious sites."
Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds feature bike-friendly paths. A camper at Portage Lake observed, "We stayed for the weekend tent camping, getting to the site was a little crowded (alot of kids on bikes) our site was pavement but had some space to set the tent on the grass. I seen alot of sites with trees for shade."
Water recreation options: Beyond swimming, some locations offer additional water attractions. A Bishop Lake visitor mentioned, "It's connected but costs money. $15 for a 45 minute jump session. Follow on Facebook for coupons. You can also just swim at the lake- nice area with shade trees beach and nice lake water."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Some campgrounds have limited accommodation for longer RVs. At W.J. Hayes State Park Campground, a camper advised, "If your longer than 40ft be aware most sites will not work for you here, they do have some but the wood line, privacy and nature is great."
Seasonal site availability: Many private campgrounds have a high percentage of seasonal campers. A visitor to Holiday RV Campground noted, "This campground is family owned and very nicely kept up. It is predominantly all season campers but there are plenty of other spots open for short visits. They have expanded sites recently, newer areas have no trees. Older sites have plenty of shade."
Electrical system limitations: During peak times, power systems may experience strain. A Sleepy Hollow camper shared, "We stayed during very hot weather at the beginning of July 2020. The park needs to upgrade the electrical system as this was putting a strain on their electrical equipment."
Winter RV options: For cold-weather camping, special considerations apply. Waterloo Recreation Area maintains some winter-accessible sites, though visitors should confirm which facilities remain operational during off-season months.
