Camping options near St. Johns, Michigan span across several rural landscapes within a 30-mile radius of the city. St. Johns sits in Clinton County at approximately 800 feet elevation, with relatively flat terrain interspersed with small lakes and rivers. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, while spring and fall camping seasons bring cooler nights requiring additional layers.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Ionia State Recreation Area features an established course with varying terrain. "Best hiking trails within 1hour drive of the state capital... disc golf, horse and bike trails, geocaching available," notes Jacob B. about the Ionia State Recreation Area.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes offer fishing options with varying species. "Fishing is good here for some largemouth bass, and huge blueguils. Lots of traffic being so close to City, but good day excursion," shares Michael P. about Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground.
Kayaking and paddling: Local lakes provide no-wake environments ideal for paddling. "Nice beach but you have to walk a short distance to get there. Bathrooms are clean, paved roads and grass sites," reports Ricky C. about Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground.
Hiking trail systems: Multiple parks offer trail networks of varying difficulty. "There are many things that my family enjoys doing at the Ionia State Rec Area. Some of our favorites are hiking, camping, fishing, and the beach. We try to get here a couple of times each year," mentions Linsey D.
What campers like
Private campsites: Some campgrounds offer sites with natural separation. "We stayed during very hot weather at the beginning of July 2020... Our site backed up to trees and I can't recall seeing our neighbors to the left or right," shares Amy D.
Swimming beaches: Several campgrounds maintain lake beaches for summer recreation. "We came to the Lansing area for a family function and stayed at one of the Primitive Sites at Cottonwood Campground. The front of the grounds did seem a bit congested and not many trees, but we had a primitive site and it was everything we wanted," reports Beth S.
Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings support diverse wildlife. "There are a lot of wildlife noises, owls, frogs, crickets, etc. and you can hear some of the highway traffic but the nature sounds kind of drown it out," continues Beth S. about her experience at Cottonwood Campground.
Family amenities: Several campgrounds offer specific kid-friendly features. "Great campground, but more for families with younger children. Great staff, great events, always a fantastic time!!" says Martin W. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
What you should know
Variable site sizes: Campgrounds have different site layouts and dimensions. "The sites were plenty wide but not terribly deep. They had a fire pit, picnic table and a small tree. The sites were fully graveled," notes Paula W. about Campgrounds R Us.
Electrical hookup limitations: Some parks have electrical systems that require additional equipment. "Be sure to bring at least 100 feet of extension chord if you want electricity, because the power ports are not as accessible from some areas," advises Nathan V. about Sleepy Hollow.
Walking distances: Beach access often requires walking from campsites. "The path led to another path that led to a parking lot for the beach. After crossing the parking lot we still had to cross a large yard/park that finally opened onto the beach on this small lake," explains Nick W.
Water quality considerations: Seasonal water conditions may affect activities. "We drew water from the spigot and it was very discolored and one jug we put it in had red flakes in it. Make sure you use your water filter," cautions Paula W.
Tips for camping with families
Rental equipment: Some campgrounds offer equipment rentals for additional recreation. "This place is great for the family, lots of events on the weekend including fireworks or movies on their big screen. Nice private beach and they even have floating trampoline to play on," explains David F. about Just-In-Time Campground.
Beach areas for children: Look for campgrounds with designated swimming areas. "There is swimming, some fishing, camp store, & activities for the kids! It is a very clean atmosphere with friendly people!" shares Karen P. about Walnut Hills Family Campground.
Seasonal bug preparation: Be prepared for insects during summer months. "The silk worms were everywhere when we went in June 2022," notes Roxane K. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature playground equipment. "Nice family campground on a man-made lake. Lots of things to do for kids. Fishing, swimming, playgrounds, jump pads," describes Clint about Leisure Lake Family Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Some campgrounds have terrain issues for RVs. "The sites are not marked well, if at all, so don't come when it's dark. It's hilly and quiet," advises Wendy K. about Walnut Hills Family Campground.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer dump stations or charge additional fees. "You do have to pay $5 for shower use and $5 to use the dump station," notes Alexandra M. about Maple River Campground.
Power needs: RVers should check electrical capacity before booking. "The park needs to upgrade the electrical system as this was putting a strain on their electrical equipment," shares Amy D. about running air conditioning at Sleepy Hollow during hot weather.
Seasonal access: Most campgrounds near St. Johns operate seasonally. "We loved that the area was grassy and not all dirt. The campground had big sites, nice bathrooms, and a great pond to swim in," reports Kelly L. about Walnut Hills Family Campground.
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