Camping sites near Hastings, Michigan offer a mix of natural lake settings and wooded environments across Barry County. The area features relatively flat terrain with sandy soil and elevations ranging from 750-900 feet above sea level. Seasonal camping typically runs April through October, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping months and frequent afternoon thunderstorms possible in July and August.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Deep Lake Rustic Campground provides excellent access to mountain biking opportunities. "Lots of sites available! Disappointed that it was not open year round but the trails are still open. There's a beautiful lake to fish and kayak. Tons of hiking trails!!" notes Jessica R. The nearby trail system connects to multiple recreation areas.
Swimming beaches: Sharp Park Campground offers a designated swimming area with sandy shoreline. "The campground is right on the lake with a sandy beach area for swimming and also has canoe/kayaks/paddleboat to rent," reports Jessica. Water activities remain the primary draw during summer months.
Fishing opportunities: Thornapple Lake provides productive fishing for panfish. According to Trevor C. at Camp Thornapple, "We were there for 3 days total and did a lot of boating, swimming and fishing. Good lake for panfish. We caught about 50 total in 2 days." Most lakes in the area require Michigan fishing licenses.
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural surroundings at certain campgrounds. Mary Z. notes about Deep Lake Rustic Campground, "If you want seclusion away from the parking lot atmosphere down the road at Yankee Springs this is your place. There is much more space at each campsite and lots of old growth trees."
Clean facilities: Renovated bathhouses receive positive reviews. At Sharp Park Campground, one visitor mentioned, "Clean, updated bathrooms with hot showers. The camp store has everything you may have forgotten to bring and they even delivered firewood to our campsite!"
Lake activities: Fort Custer Recreation Area contains multiple non-wake lakes. According to Janet N., the park has "Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Sites vary significantly in size, privacy and shade. At Gun Lake Campground, Mike P. advises, "sites were fairly large and level. The beach area is large and sandy but where you access the lake is kind of small."
Weather considerations: Summer heat can impact comfort at exposed sites. Jacob K. warns, "Be careful what campsite you get though because flooding was a problem last time I was there. We got 2-4" of rain overnight."
Reservation timing: The most popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for summer weekends. One camper at Welcome Woods Family Campground suggests, "Make sure you get information from the same person before making decisions and book both the week and weekdays as they fill up fast on weekends."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer designated play areas. At Welcome Woods Family Campground, Joie V. notes, "This is a family campground and my kids loved the playground! They also have a dock you can rent space and keep your boat in the lake."
Organized activities: Some locations provide structured recreation. At Michawana Campground, Bailey C. explains, "They have a lake/beach for swimming, kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes to use at the lake. They also have a massive slip 'n slide, zip lining, and a rock climbing wall."
Safety considerations: Waterfront camping requires vigilance. A visitor to Gun Lake Campground mentions, "Wear aqua shoes lake is rocky" - important for protecting children's feet while swimming.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV sites with full connections require advance planning. At Fort Custer Recreation Area, VB S. points out, "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station."
Dump station timing: Allow extra time during peak checkout periods. Mike P. shares his experience at Gun Lake Campground: "We were in line for about an hour before we dumped and we pulled off our site at 1. The two annoyances however aren't deal breakers and we will be back again to this campground."
Site access challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow interior roads. At Camp Thornapple, Trevor C. advises, "Roads on property are very narrow and was hard to maneuvered the camper on the turns to get to our spot we had reserved. Sites them selves were great has it had a cement patio, sewer and water hook up."
