The Remus region sits within the Central Michigan plains at approximately 1,050 feet elevation, where the landscape features a mix of hardwood forests and inland lakes. Summer temperatures typically reach 80°F with cooler 55°F nights, creating ideal camping conditions from late spring through early fall. The area's numerous lakes and rivers provide multiple water recreation opportunities throughout Mecosta County.
What to do
Disc golf at rustic locations: Newaygo State Park Campground features an exceptional disc golf course that draws enthusiasts. According to Ryan L T., "There's good hiking, an awesome disc golf course, and the lake right there with boat launches for fishing. If you're not into fishing or disc golf, you might be happier elsewhere." The course winds through wooded areas with lake views.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Mecosta Pines Campground offers trails leading to unique wildlife habitats. "There are trails that lead to the river and also to an area where bald eagles have a nest," notes Wilma S. The area supports diverse wildlife viewing, particularly during morning and evening hours when animals are most active.
Water recreation at multiple access points: The region offers various water activities with sandy shorelines. Joshua E. describes Brower Park: "With a beautiful beach that we saw park staff racking every day to make sure it was clean of seaweed or trash and two boat ramps as well as many places to moor your boat for your stay." Most water access points open at sunrise and close at sunset.
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Many campgrounds maintain natural tree cover between campsites. At Weidman KOA, Tammy P. notes: "Rather than clearing all the trees the sites were developed around many mature trees which makes for a much more attractive setting." This natural spacing provides privacy not found at more developed campgrounds.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Consistent maintenance stands out in camper reviews. Gerard states about Weidman KOA: "The facilities were spotless and the staff were very helpful and friendly... The bathrooms/showers were immaculate." This attention to cleanliness extends to common areas and beaches.
Family-friendly amenities: Brower Park Campground provides extensive recreation options. Bethany S. shares, "This campground is on the beautiful Muskegon river, it has a large swimming area, nice sandy beach along the swimming area, play grounds, everything is clean and well kept, there is a trail head with a gorgeous trail along a smaller stream and an art barn with activities for kids to create each day."
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Most campgrounds operate from May through October. Lakeview Family Campground runs from "May 1 - Oct 15" while Newaygo State Park remains open "All year" for those seeking winter camping options.
Varying levels of amenities: Tubbs Lake Island State Forest Campground offers a more primitive experience. Michael W. explains: "There are about 20 rustic sites on the island and all first come first serve so plan to get there early because it fills up." Many state forest campgrounds lack electricity or running water.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Remus require leashes and proper cleanup. Most public campgrounds permit pets with standard restrictions, while some private campgrounds provide dedicated pet areas. Review each campground's specific pet policies before arrival.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity matters: When camping with young children, site selection can impact your experience. At Mecosta Pines, Kasey J. shares: "We initially booked a site by the river, but once we saw the sites next to the playground, we knew we had to switch for our sanity and so our toddler could play. They were very accommodating with us and so friendly."
Seek organized activities: Some campgrounds offer scheduled programs. Nicole C. notes about Mecosta Pines: "The campground is overall really quiet during the week. Quite busy on the weekends but they are good about keeping quiet times. The pool is a wonderful perk, and so is the river running through that has a nice Sandy and shallow bottom to set a chair in and relax!"
Water safety considerations: Many pet-friendly campsites near Remus offer water access with varying conditions. Brower Park features graduated swimming areas as Heather Q. describes: "Swim area is great... You can go 200 ft. out before it gets deep... Hayrides and movies on the weekend."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Coldwater Lake Family Park accommodates bigger RVs with appropriate hookups. Jaimie reports: "This was a great place to camp! Spot was on the lake, had plenty of spots to park an RV or tent camp, and had a playground for kids."
Seasonal timing impacts experience: Weekday camping provides a different experience than weekends at most dog-accepting campgrounds around Remus. Mecosta Pines demonstrates this pattern as Nicole C. notes: "The campground is overall really quiet during the week. Quite busy on the weekends but they are good about keeping quiet times."
Utility connections vary: When seeking pet-friendly camping options near Remus with full hookups, verify specific amenities. While some campgrounds offer water/electric only, others provide sewer connections. Check reservation systems for accurate site-specific information about hookup availability.
