Camping near Portage, Michigan offers outdoors enthusiasts sites within moderate hardwood forests at elevations ranging from 800-900 feet above sea level. The region experiences warm summers with average temperatures around 82°F in July and August. Most campgrounds in the area maintain operating seasons from April through October due to Michigan's snowy winters.
What to do
Hiking trails: Fort Custer Recreation Area provides multiple trail options for varying skill levels. "Endless hiking trails and two lakes where you can fish, swim, and boat," notes reviewer Bob B. The blue trail circles multiple lakes and offers rest spots along the route.
Disc golf: Cold Brook County Park maintains a complete course for disc golf enthusiasts. "A nice disc golf course, lots of fishing" is available according to Rich L., who visited the park for four nights. The course is accessible for all skill levels.
Mountain biking: Yankee Springs Recreation Area features extensive mountain biking trails through wooded terrain. "Tons of hiking trails!!" states Jessica R., who also notes the park has "a beautiful lake to fish and kayak." The recreation area connects to longer regional trail systems.
Kayaking: Fort Custer Recreation Area offers multiple no-wake lakes perfect for paddling. Art S. mentions, "We passed other hikers and bikers and even some people trying their luck at fishing." The recreation area rents kayaks during summer months at reasonable rates.
What campers like
Private sites: Many campers appreciate the separation between campsites at various parks. "We found a campsite that was large with vegetation separating us from neighbors," writes Art S. about Fort Custer. Sites along outer loops generally provide more privacy.
Lake access: Cold Brook County Park receives positive feedback for its water features. Nellie notes it has a "Small county park. Lots of lake for small boating, kayaking. Fishing pier to fish off." The swimming beach includes a sand area for families.
Paved sites: Markin Glen County Park offers concrete pads that RVers appreciate. Emily P. explains, "The site are large level concrete pads with grass dividing the sites. All full hookups." The park maintains sites large enough for most RVs.
Dark skies: Some parks minimize light pollution for stargazing opportunities. Janet N. observed at Fort Custer, "I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky." Summer and early fall provide optimal viewing conditions.
What you should know
Reservation systems: Different parks use separate reservation platforms. The county parks require recreation passes that grant access to multiple facilities throughout Kalamazoo County, while state parks use the Michigan DNR system.
Site variations: Site conditions vary significantly between campgrounds. At Yankee Springs Deep Lake, Ryan F. cautions, "If I wanted to camp in the open with a bunch of RV's I would have chosen a campground with water, electricity, flush toilets and shower houses." Research sites carefully before booking.
Insect preparation: Bug activity increases in warmer months. Cathy Y. advises Fort Custer visitors that "lots need mowing so lots of bugs, bring insect repellent." Summer campers should pack appropriate repellents and clothing.
Water access regulations: Lakes have specific rules regarding swimming and boating. Debe K. notes Cold Brook has a "Fishing pier and boating, playground area, and beach," but some parks restrict swimming to designated areas only.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple dog friendly campgrounds near Portage feature play equipment. At Cold Brook County Park, Margaret M. highlights it's "Family friendly, quiet, disc golf, fishing, playground for kids." Most playgrounds accommodate children ages 2-12.
Swimming beaches: Several parks offer designated swimming areas with gradual entry points. Nellie mentions Cold Brook has a "Swimming beach with sand," making it suitable for younger children who need shallow water.
Activity options: Kalamazoo County Expo Center campgrounds provide diverse recreation. Joe F. states they "offer 220 campsites over 5 small campgrounds. Most have electric and water with nice restrooms." The facility hosts regular family events throughout summer.
Site selection: For maximum privacy with children, consider specific site locations. Hannah notes at Fort Custer, "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!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Pet friendly campgrounds around Portage have varying utility connections. VB S. notes Fort Custer has "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," which can affect longer stays with pets.
Dump station lines: Popular weekends can create wait times for services. Bob B. cautions that at Fort Custer, "Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long." Weekday arrivals and departures typically see shorter wait times.
Site leveling: Some campgrounds require additional preparation. Mary T. observed at Outdoor Adventures Kalamazoo Resort that "The campsites are a good size but those we found are not very level." Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for most area campgrounds.
Train noise: Consider proximity to railroad tracks when selecting campgrounds with pets. Nancy W. notes at Markin Glen, "Sites 19, 20, 21, 23, 25, and 27 are the closest to railroad tracks that are about 30 yards away." Noise-sensitive pets may do better at sites farther from tracks.
