[perfectplace]

Hi everyone. We are looking for a fun place to camp with our kids and another family. We know that it is next to impossible to get into some state parks now and so I am looking for suggestions for campgrounds that may still have availablitily this summer. We want to have a lake, clean bathrooms and electricity. We live in Portage/Kalamazoo and would like to not drive more thatn 2 hours unless the place is just fantastic. I would LOVE to hear some suggestions and reasons why you like that particular campground.
Thank you for your help!! : )

[michmoldman]

Originally Posted by perfectplace

Hi everyone. We are looking for a fun place to camp with our kids and another family. We know that it is next to impossible to get into some state parks now and so I am looking for suggestions for campgrounds that may still have availablitily this summer. We want to have a lake, clean bathrooms and electricity. We live in Portage/Kalamazoo and would like to not drive more thatn 2 hours unless the place is just fantastic. I would LOVE to hear some suggestions and reasons why you like that particular campground.
Thank you for your help!! : )

Most "fantastic" places are more then 2 hours from you...lol
Try Gun Lake, Waterloo or Pinkney. If we dont go north..these are where we usually go. Other then that, there may be a few more..but north and west is where its at. I know there are some just north of GR also...but cant remember the names.

[detwahDJ]

Will this be tent camping? Makes a big difference in your available choices.
Muskegon County Parks
To simplify things, for the amenities you mentioned, the other options are county parks or township parks (just google the counties). Private campgrounds usually have good amenities except swimming. State forest campgrounds are all rustic. Inland lakes are not great for swimming (if you like sand it has to be Lake Michigan) .
The really good stuff starts beyond Oceana County. All-time favorites for fond memories are Ludington SP, Platte River campground in Sleeping Bear, and others in between. If you can possibly get reservations here and can drive a bit further, you'll be glad you did imo.

[perfectplace]

Thank you for the responses. We are going to Petoskey in July, we go there every year and absolutely love it! Anyway, we are just trying to find a place that isn't too far away since we are just going for a weekend. Yes, we will be tent camping and prefer to go somewhere with trees in between camp sites so it isn't like a parking lot. My husband mentioned Yankee Springs?

[michmoldman]

Originally Posted by perfectplace

Thank you for the responses. We are going to Petoskey in July, we go there every year and absolutely love it! Anyway, we are just trying to find a place that isn't too far away since we are just going for a weekend. Yes, we will be tent camping and prefer to go somewhere with trees in between camp sites so it isn't like a parking lot. My husband mentioned Yankee Springs?

Yankee Springs is nice also!

[jmz768]

The Michigan DNR site has a pretty good search tool for campgrounds.

DNR Campground Search

[detwahDJ]

Yankee Springs (Gun Lake) has a nice shaded campground but the sites aren't real private, and are popular for rvs - not real sure about tents. Gun Lake is shallow and the 4 beaches are OK. You might camp there and just use the less crowded day-use area.
Bing Maps - Driving Directions, Traffic and Road Conditions

This the Deep Lake rustic campground - not the better one on Gun Lake. Can't fid a suitable picture of the modern campground.
One Tank Trips - Yankee Springs Recreation Area - YouTube

Bowens Mill historic site has activities all summer long.
Cornmeal Grinding Bowens Mills - YouTube

[danielj72]

Ionia rec area (east of GR), or sleepy hollow state park (north of Lansing), both nice places to camp. I also agree that gun lake is nice, and probably closest to you if your down in Kalamazoo.

[ram2]

Originally Posted by perfectplace

Hi everyone. We are looking for a fun place to camp with our kids and another family. We know that it is next to impossible to get into some state parks now and so I am looking for suggestions for campgrounds that may still have availablitily this summer. We want to have a lake, clean bathrooms and electricity. We live in Portage/Kalamazoo and would like to not drive more thatn 2 hours unless the place is just fantastic. I would LOVE to hear some suggestions and reasons why you like that particular campground.
Thank you for your help!! : )

Van Buren state park in South Haven. Great beach. 34 miles from K'zoo.

If that is full, try the KOA in Covert and drive to the beach.

[Med.Coder]

Seven Lakes State Park in Holly is nice, its about 2 1/2 hours from you. Lakes to fish/swim in, trails to hike and playground all spread over almost 1500 acres. It gives an "up North" feeling without going that far.

Seven Lakes State Park Detail

Coder