Best Campgrounds near Rockford, MI

The wooded landscapes surrounding Rockford, Michigan feature a variety of established campgrounds within a 30-minute drive. Wabasis Lake County Park in nearby Greenville offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with full hookups and lake access, while Duke Creek Campground in Cedar Springs provides similar amenities in a family-friendly setting. Scalley Lake Park Campground stands out with diverse accommodation options including yurts and glamping facilities. Cedar Springs RV Resort and Lincoln Pines Resort cater primarily to RV campers seeking more developed facilities. For those preferring a more rustic experience, Newaygo State Park Campground, about 40 minutes north, maintains year-round primitive sites with fewer amenities but greater seclusion.

Camping seasons in this region typically run from late April through October, with a few facilities like Newaygo State Park and Allendale-West Grand Rapids KOA remaining open year-round. Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Cell service varies considerably, with better coverage at developed campgrounds closer to Rockford and Grand Rapids. As one camper noted, "The campground has a great location and lots of mountain bike and hiking trails. Firewood is not available on site but is at a local convenience store." Michigan Recreation Passports are required for entry to state parks, costing $13 for Michigan residents or $39 for non-residents annually.

Shaded sites receive consistently positive reviews from campers visiting the area. "Lots of trees, so it's cooler to camp," reported one visitor to a nearby state park. Many campgrounds feature clean bathroom facilities and shower houses, though site privacy can be limited at more popular locations. Campers frequently mention the proximity to water as a major draw, with several parks offering access to lakes or rivers for swimming and fishing. Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds and hiking trails are common at county and state parks. During peak summer months, campgrounds can become crowded, with one reviewer noting, "This campground is very crowded during the summer. The sites are close together, dirt, grass and semi-level."

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Best Camping Sites Near Rockford, Michigan (163)

    1. Wabasis Lake County Park

    10 Reviews
    Cannonsburg, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (616) 691-8056

    "There are a few downsides:

    1. Because it's so close to Grand Rapids and some other cities, it typically is full on the weekends. Booking a site can be troublesome."

    "However, we were able to get a hold of the staff the next day, we were refunded for our first night, and had a great second night at Wabasis Lake staying in the camper cabins."

    2. Duke Creek Campground

    6 Reviews
    Cedar Springs, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (616) 696-2115

    "Right across the road from Michigan's Adventure amusement park"

    "Train rides, Pool, Scavenger hunt, trails, bike rides, there just weren't enough hours in the day! We should have reserved an entire week!"

    3. Scalley Lake Park Campground and Cabins

    6 Reviews
    Cannonsburg, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (616) 691-8534

    "Amazing spot away from the city! The owner of the place is very accommodating and pleasant to be around. Private lake with no motors so it is very quiet and peaceful!!!"

    "The cabins are clean and nice, the view of the lake is beautiful. My 6 children had a great time here"

    4. Cedar Springs Rv Resort

    3 Reviews
    Cedar Springs, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (616) 696-1735

    "Only downfall is the proximity to the highway and lack of woodsy camping feeling. Restrooms are always immaculately clean. Close to Cedar Springs downtown."

    "Nice fishing pond, the cleanest bathrooms I’ve ever seen at a campground and nice walking path."

    5. Steamboat Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Jenison, MI
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (616) 457-4837

    $45 - $85 / night

    "Year round parks are so hard to find in Michigan. This one is awesome. Great spots in the trees and also back in spots right on the river."

    "This is a quirky little campground tucked away along a large river. It's not large, but half of the sites are directly on a wide fast moving river.  Occasionally a paddleboat goes buy with tourists. "

    6. Newaygo State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Morley, MI
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 856-4452

    "This was such a beautiful location!! And definitely a nice find!"

    "I love the campsites at this state park, they're decently big and each site is surrounded by trees. The sites are a little close together but all in all we really enjoyed our stay."

    7. Hoffmaster State Park Campground

    55 Reviews
    Norton Shores, MI
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 798-3711

    $38 - $42 / night

    "Site 31 and any along that path back up to a little creek and trail which was just perfect for the kids to play in."

    "Great hiking trails, close to Lake Michigan"

    8. Allendale-West Grand Rapids KOA

    13 Reviews
    Allendale, MI
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (616) 895-6601

    "We did venture out to a brewery 5-10 mins away in Allendale and Grand Haven is about 20-25 minutes away if you want to cruise out to Lake Michigan. The pool was clean and we had a lot on the pond."

    "Very easy drive to the lighthouse, too!"

    9. Lincoln Pines Resort

    1 Review
    Gowen, MI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (616) 984-2100

    10. Ionia State Recreation Area — Ionia Recreation Area

    15 Reviews
    Ionia, MI
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (616) 527-3750

    $24 / night

    "There is a disc golf course, mountain bike trail, equestrian trails, hiking trails, a beautiful no wake lake perfect for swimming, kayaking, or fishing.   "

    "First let me say the rustic area is walk-in only. I was unaware of this until we arrived."

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Recent Reviews near Rockford, MI

743 Reviews of 163 Rockford Campgrounds


  • W
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Hoffmaster State Park Campground

    We will keep coming back

    We stayed Sunday, and Monday night of Labor Day weekend for the second time this year. This place is clean! The only negative of this place is that the water is not as clear compared to a little north & south. I think it has something to do with the grand river being so close. The walk down & back to the beach is pretty strenuous if you are not used to the dunes & a hill. If you are elderly or not in shape you might go to the beach at an easier access point. Bathrooms & showers are always very clean. They have a campground host that offers free coffee in the mornings & tools you can barrow for your campsite. This is a great place for families. Well spaced sites. No alcohol allowed and pretty quiet after 11pm just the occasional person is awake. We had the site with the creek behind us so we sat our tent up facing the creek. Monday morning there was a lot of people leaving so we did get woke up pretty early w/ a lot of noise of people leaving from Labor Day but Monday night we had empty sites all around us & it was very chill Tuesday morning. I was a little worried that the workers would say something to us bc we had not packed fully by 11 but we were able to finish our breakfast and pack up quickly without them saying anything to us.

  • M
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Crockery Creek RV Park

    Rude and unprofessional

    The little owners wife racially profiled my kids friends mom,  in front of the kids!!!!!!  Ha!  She tried accusing us of sneaking in their pool.  That's hilarious,  because we paid $3700.00 for a seasonal.  The pool is actually small and it was oily and full of hair.  Being off Apple Ave,  it's  loud and hard to relax.  My husband had a tragic workplace accident,  so we weren't able to get to the camper in a few weeks.  The owner called him multiple times at once,  being aggressive with his tone,  trying to get us to pull our camper so they can rent that spot out.  They must be desperate for money.  They should try reading up on the law.  Their website lies about their amenities,  they had no fish all season and their pond was disgusting.

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Sawkaw Lake

    Small and quiet

    Not a lot of privacy between sites, but they are very large so you don’t feel on top of another and having the lake right there was nice

  • Ileene R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Sawkaw Lake

    Peaceful

    There are signs on the sites saying permit required, but no info for that purpose. No one else had them so I stayed. May be ramping up to making it a paid site, toilet is nice. Lake has boat access. There are fire rings and lots of wood to collect. Not tons of trash but I cleaned up some left in fire pit.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    White River RV Park & Campground

    A camp that does everything right!

    There’s a great variety of campsites available with a north woods bent!Management does a fine job of cleanliness, neatness and extreme attention to detail. Two facts summarize our satisfaction with this operation: cleaning people are seen making the rounds of each and every restroom and shower house TWICE daily. The management keeps a dedicated maintenance man available and on 24 hour call! He will aid and assist everything from lock outs to rookie campers doing their first sanitation drain, to motor vehicle issues. We are on our second annual visit.

  • 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.

  • 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!!!

  • Sal M.
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Highway to Haven Family Campground

    Find somewhere else to go. Owner is too much!! Very uptight

    Bad owner. 

    He has anger issues. 

    Not everything someone does  while camping can be an issue


Guide to Rockford

Camping near Rockford, Michigan, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful parks and campgrounds, you can enjoy nature while making lasting memories with family and friends.

What to do

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the trails at Hoffmaster State Park Campground. “Miles of trails if you are into hiking,” says a long-time visitor. The park is also known for its scenic views and access to Lake Michigan.
  • Fishing: Head to Fort Custer Recreation Area for some fishing. One camper mentioned, “Great dunes covered in dune grass, beautiful water next to the pier where we can go fishing.”
  • Beach Access: Enjoy the sandy shores at Lake Michigan Campground at Muskegon State Park. A reviewer noted, “Beautiful campground right on Lake Michigan. Clean facilities. Beach access.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground said, “The bathhouse was clean and the water was hot.”
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many families enjoy the playgrounds and activities available. One camper at Pioneer County Park mentioned, “Kids love the playground. Great campground close to GR.”
  • Privacy Between Sites: Campers at Newaygo State Park Campground appreciate the space between sites. A reviewer noted, “Nicely designed campground with privacy between sites.”

What you should know

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Silver Lake State Park Campground said, “Very busy however and right on the road causing traffic noise late into the night.”
  • Tight Campsites: Many sites are close together, which can feel cramped. A visitor at Grand Haven State Park Campground remarked, “The sites are VERY tight. I thought Holland was bad, but Grand Haven is much worse.”
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A reviewer at Lake Michigan Campground mentioned, “No campfire rings or lantern poles at campsites.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Plan for Activities: Choose campgrounds with plenty of activities for kids. Hoffmaster State Park Campground has a great playground and trails, making it a family favorite.
  • Pack Bug Spray: Bugs can be a nuisance, especially in wooded areas. A camper at Fort Custer Recreation Area warned, “It was EXTREMELY buggy. If you weren't covered in Deep Woods bug spray the whole time, you were getting bit.”
  • Bring Portable Fire Pits: Some campgrounds don’t have fire rings. A visitor at Lake Michigan Campground suggested, “Bring a portable if you want a fire.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site before booking. A camper at Silver Lake State Park Campground advised, “Make sure you check your rig size against the site you are planning on reserving.”
  • Arrive Early: Getting to the campground early helps with setup and finding your site. A visitor at Muskegon County Pioneer County Park mentioned, “We have camped here several times and it is especially nice if you love Lake Michigan.”
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds have narrow roads and tight spots. A camper at Grand Haven State Park Campground noted, “The campground is one big asphalt parking lot with painted lines to delineate each site.”

Camping around Rockford, Michigan, has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a family getaway or a peaceful retreat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds near Rockford, Michigan?

The Rockford area offers several excellent camping options within driving distance. Wabasis Lake County Park near Greenville provides reservable sites with water and toilet facilities, making it a convenient option for families. For those willing to drive a bit further, Hoffmaster State Park Campground offers family-friendly camping with sites backing up to a creek and trails perfect for kids to play. The park also features easy access to Lake Michigan beaches. Other notable options include Duke Creek Campground near Cedar Springs and Newaygo State Park Campground, which offers both drive-in and boat-in access. Most campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and access to recreational activities.

What tent camping options are available in the Rockford area?

Tent campers near Rockford have several quality options to choose from. Dutch Treat Camping & Recreation offers both rustic camping and full hookup sites, with amenities including fishing, swimming pool, and a gagaball pit. The campground is family-run and features clean bathhouses, making it ideal for tent campers seeking basic comforts. For a more rustic experience, Ionia State Recreation Area provides tent sites with access to hiking trails and water activities. Tent campers can also consider Scalley Lake Park Campground and Cabins, which offers walk-in tent sites with water and toilet facilities. Most tent camping areas in the region provide fire rings and picnic tables, with varying levels of privacy depending on the specific campground and site.

Are there campgrounds with lakes for swimming near Rockford?

Several campgrounds near Rockford offer excellent lake swimming opportunities. Lake Michigan Campground at Muskegon State Park provides direct access to Lake Michigan beaches via steps leading from the campground. The shaded sites keep camping temperatures cooler, and the clean bathhouses offer plenty of hot water. Another option is Lake Macatawa Campground — Holland State Park, which features a walking path to Lake Michigan and proximity to downtown Holland. For inland lake swimming, consider Newaygo State Park Campground, which offers boat-in access and water recreation. South Channel Campground provides unique access to both Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan, though campsites are noted to be close together. Most lake-adjacent campgrounds in the area fill quickly during summer months, so advance reservations are recommended.