Family camping opportunities around Wayland, Michigan blend woodland, lakeside, and open-field settings within the gently rolling terrain of southwest Michigan. The area sits at elevations between 700-900 feet with seasonal temperature ranges from winter lows near 15°F to summer highs averaging 82°F. Summer camping season typically runs May through October, with fall color camping extending until late October at most campgrounds.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Camp Michawana offers a lake with free fishing equipment. "They have a lake/beach for swimming, kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes to use at the lake" and "fishing rods to use for free," according to one visitor at Michawana Campground.
Biking trails: Several campgrounds provide access to nearby biking routes. At Eastpointe RV Resort, campers note it's "biking distance to town" which creates convenient access to Grand Haven amenities without moving your vehicle.
River cruises: Unique paddleboat tours operate from some campgrounds. "They have river cruises that leave directly from the office. These two hours cruises offer drinks and feature live music from local bands for only $16 per person," shared a visitor to Steamboat Park Campground.
Swimming options: Beyond natural lakes, several campgrounds maintain swimming pools. One Woodchip camper mentioned, "We love this as an easy getaway close to home. I wouldn't call it a beautiful campground... but it is clean, and has a ton to do for kids! The bathrooms are clean, the pool is great, and they always have fun activities for the kids!"
What campers like
Recreational amenities: Many campgrounds offer extensive entertainment options beyond basic camping. A Woodchip Campground visitor noted, "There is a pool, bounce pillow and basketball court. There are seasonal sites and other full hook-up sites."
Water recreation access: Lakefront properties provide multiple water activities. One Camp Michawana camper shared, "They have a massive slip 'n slide, zip lining, and a rock climbing wall. The bath houses are huge and well taken care of."
Family-friendly environments: Campgrounds organize structured activities for families. A Dutch Treat visitor reported, "This is a family oriented campground with lots of family activities planned throughout the summer."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and common areas consistently receive positive mentions. According to one Dutch Treat camper, "Bathroom, showers and pool were clean and looked like brand new. The owners take a lot of pride in the place."
What you should know
Distance to amenities: Some campgrounds require driving for basic supplies. One Steamboat Park Campground visitor noted, "We stayed here as a home base for exploring Grand Rapids, which is only a 30 minute drive from the campground."
Site sizes and spacing: Campsite dimensions vary significantly across properties. A Michawana camper mentioned, "We got site 36. We put our tent up on the hill tucked back up in the woods. Shade from the start!"
Road conditions: Surface materials affect mobility within campgrounds. One Steamboat Park review pointed out, "Only a portion of the roads were paved as well and the rest was gravel, so my little ones were disappointed that they couldn't ride their scooters and balance bikes right by our campsite."
Seasonal availability: Several campgrounds operate only during warm months. Dutch Treat Camping has a "season: Apr 1 to Nov 1" while Michawana Campground runs "April 21 to October 16."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated kids' areas: Some properties offer extensive child-focused facilities. A Dutch Treat Camping & Recreation visitor mentioned, "Kids had a blast fishing, swimming in the pool, playing in the gagaball pit."
Consider accessibility needs: Playground structures vary in design and accessibility. A Steamboat Park camper cautioned, "The playground structure is not very friendly for kids with special needs or very young children. It's wooden with a ladder to access the upper levels, it was hard for our 2 and 4 year old to use it easily."
Check activity schedules: Campgrounds often organize special weekend events. According to one Woodchip Campground review, "We came here for a fall camping weekend. Kids loved going on wagon ride to find the pumpkins and then decorating them. They really enjoyed the glow wagon ride. Root beer floats Saturday night were great!"
Evaluate swimming options: Water features range from natural lakes to constructed pools. A reviewer at Camp Michawana stated, "The lake nearby is clean and they have a swimming spot for kids and adults. Boats and kayaks are free to use if the lifeguard is on duty."
Tips from RVers
Site pad materials: Surface types affect setup and comfort. At Hidden Ridge RV Resort, A Sun RV Resort, "spacing was generous between locations. We had a drive-in(forward) location(#10) overlooking the small lake."
Electrical service types: Amperage options determine which appliances can operate simultaneously. Dutch Treat provides "full hookups 50 amp" according to campers, making it suitable for larger rigs with higher power needs.
Vehicle size restrictions: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. Dutch Treat visitors reported the "sites are level with full hookups" and "the lots are pretty flat and easy to park."
Late season camping options: Some RV parks extend their seasons into fall. A Dutch Treat visitor noted taking photos "in late December" indicating longer operational seasons than advertised at some properties.
