Waterloo Recreation Area and W.J. Hayes State Park anchor camping options near Tipton, Michigan, with over 20,000 acres of outdoor recreation space within a 30-minute drive. Tipton sits in the Irish Hills region at approximately 1,000 feet elevation, characterized by rolling terrain and numerous small lakes. Camping season typically runs April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak months.
What to Do
Trail exploration: Green Lake Rustic Campground offers direct access to multiple trail systems. "I loved this quiet little campground! I stayed at #6 and had a beautiful view of the lake. There is a hiking trailhead, Border to Border bike trail, and DTE mountain bike trail nearby. You can bike a few miles in to Chelsea, a very cute town with shops, restaurants, brewery and distillery," notes Melissa B.
Lake activities: W. J. Hayes State Park Campground provides water recreation opportunities on Wamplers Lake. "It has access to Wamplers Lake and there are several other lakes near by. The area is quiet and clean," reports Annie G. The park includes boat rentals for exploring the water without bringing your own equipment.
Wildlife viewing: Lake Hudson Recreation Area offers opportunities for nature observation. "Great for fishing, wildlife viewing and swimming. You must bring your water unless you want to hand pump it from the only central pump," explains Bob J. The park's designation as a dark sky preserve makes it ideal for stargazing away from light pollution.
What Campers Like
Spacious sites: Many campsites throughout the region provide ample room. "Our site was the perfect spot for two tents and a hammock, and I loved the fire pit and table being next to the driveway. There's electric at every site, and a paved driveway for RVs," shares Emma W. about her experience at Hayes State Park.
Quiet atmosphere: Lake Hudson Recreation Area offers a peaceful experience compared to other locations. "Lake Hudson is a dark sky preserve full of trees, nature and a beautiful lake. The camping sites come with an electric plug in, a nice fire ring and a picnic table. They are cute sites. Most are not by the lake," reports Marg B.
Family amenities: Apple Creek Campground provides numerous activities for children. "This is a well kept campground that has lots of trees (shady sites) and some nice amenities for kids. There is a pool and a volleyball area as well as a playground. There is also nice walking/hiking trails connected right to the property," explains Robyn H.
What You Should Know
Site privacy varies: Campgrounds in the area differ greatly in how separated sites are. "This small campground (about 40 sites) is well off the beaten path, but still easy to access by road. Each site is separated from the next by young forest, so it lends to a very private and secluded atmosphere," notes Meghan R. about Lake Hudson Recreation Area.
Water access limitations: Not all bodies of water are suitable for swimming. "The lake is not good for swimming as it is very mucky and covered in Lilly pads," warns Mike B. about Green Lake. Research water conditions before planning water activities.
Facility availability: Campground amenities differ significantly across locations. "It is rustic with just vault toilets. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring," explains Mike B. about Green Lake Rustic Campground. Many campgrounds have limited or no shower facilities.
Tips for Camping with Families
Activity planning: Indian Creek Camp & Conference Center offers numerous family-oriented features. "This campground had all the fun stuff my kids enjoy. The jumping pillow was popular as they spent most of their time there. We enjoyed visiting the llamas...Yes, they have llamas! And we even got to use the zip line which was a lot of fun that we could all do together," shares Angela H.
Site selection for shade: When camping during summer months, consider tree coverage. "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," notes Miranda J. about Hayes State Park.
Pet-friendly options: Ja Do Park Campground welcomes families with dogs. "Very friendly and family oriented they do activities right down the street from the lake and they make you feel like one big family," reports Heather R. Most pet-friendly sites have specific rules about leashing and cleanup.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric service varies between campgrounds. "There is a nice little mile nature trail through one of those loops. There's a nice dog run that we took advantage of. There's a couple of lakes where you can fish and kayak," explains Alex H. about W.J. Hayes State Park, which offers both 30-amp and 50-amp options at select sites.
Size restrictions: Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern accommodates larger rigs but site selection matters. "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. Lots of activities for the family by camp staff," cautions Mano P.
Seasonal considerations: Campground experiences change dramatically throughout the season. "This is a wonderful campsite to check out in the off season, it does fill up quickly when camping season kicks off and spots are very close together. Quite a few level areas so works well for tent or camper vans," advises John P. about Green Lake Rustic Campground.
