Recommended Campgrounds in Michigan or Ohio???

[worddoer]

So....we took a 2 week family vacation in June before our son heads off on his own to make some life long memories. We pulled our small travel trailer with us through 8 states and keep moving every 2-3 days...3,800 miles in total. I can say we accomplished the memory goal, albeit some of those memories were unplanned & unpleasant.

Let's just say that once we were home we needed a vacation from our vacation. Part of our motivation to travel was that we have been to most of the Indiana state parks several times and we wanted to do something new...have some new experiences.

So we are looking for some new family friendly campgrounds that are closer and we can spend more time at (less setup / tear down time...more fun). We were thinking of keeping things to a 4-5 hour "towing a camper" drive from the Fort Wayne area (that usually equates to a 3-4 hour drive in a car).

Oddly enough, even though we live near Ft. Wayne, and only 6 miles from Ohio. We have not explored Ohio campgrounds much at all. We thought about camping around the Celina reservoir once, but when we realized how polluted it is and that you should not swim or fish in it, that idea was thrown out pretty quickly.

I have heard good things about Sauder Village in Archbold OH, so we have added that to our list. My wife is checking out a campground near Van Wert, OH that a friend recommended. So far, that is all we got.

So INGO....what campgrounds in Michigan or Ohio would you recommend that would be within our driving range?

 

[Ingomike]

Van Buren state park near South Haven Michigan is a great place. Great beaches and near a nice town with restaurants and shops.

 

[EyeCarry]

Warren, Van Buren, Holland(right on the beach, or not), Grand Haven. It just keeps getting prettier the further up the west coast you go.

 

[rosejm]

This is right on the edge of your range: Dillon State Park - Nashport, OH
The campground is nice, family friendly and the park is full of lake-type opportunities. Beach, boating, fishing, water skiing.

Worthwhile if you can time a trip with some of the activities nearby, perhaps check out the canal or Homeschool days in Roscoe Village Coshocton, OH

 

[snapping turtle]

Sleepy bear is maybe 5-6 hour out in MI from the fort. North of holland.

 

[worddoer]

This is right on the edge of your range: Dillon State Park - Nashport, OH
The campground is nice, family friendly and the park is full of lake-type opportunities. Beach, boating, fishing, water skiing.

Worthwhile if you can time a trip with some of the activities nearby, perhaps check out the canal or Homeschool days in Roscoe Village Coshocton, OH

Thanks for the link!

 

[worddoer]

Sleepy bear is maybe 5-6 hour out in MI from the fort. North of holland.

We may keep that one in reserve. We actually live about 40 min south east of Fort Wayne, but few seem to know where Adams County is located. So I usually refer to Ft Wayne.

That makes it closer to a 6-7 hour drive by the time we drive around Ft Wayne. I'm not sure we will be going that far any more this year.

It will be next year before we go on a long trip with the camper again.

 

[spencer rifle]

Old Man's Cave State Park
Mohican State Park
Both in Ohio
Shades State Park, Indiana

 

[worddoer]

Old Man's Cave State Park
Mohican State Park
Both in Ohio
Shades State Park, Indiana

I didn't know that Shades had electric camping. Last I knew, it was primitive only. Must have been longer than I thought since we've been down there.

We've been to Turkey Run many times and drove over to Shades to hike. There is great hiking there. It's our favorite area in Indiana.

Sycamore Springs in English is a close 2nd place for us.

 

[skydelta34]

In Michigan, Ft. Custer recreation area, especially if someone is into biking.

 

[spencer rifle]

I didn't know that Shades had electric camping. Last I knew, it was primitive only. Must have been longer than I thought since we've been down there.

We've been to Turkey Run many times and drove over to Shades to hike. There is great hiking there. It's our favorite area in Indiana.

Sycamore Springs in English is a close 2nd place for us.

You are correct - no electric at Shades.

 

[Bigtanker]

My parents have a seasonal at Melville's 7 Lakes Campground in Lawton, Michigan. Great family run place on a chain of lakes.

https://maps.roadtrippers.com/us/lawton-mi/camping-rv/melvilles-7-lakes-family-campground-llc

It's about 30 min WSW of Kalamazoo, about 15 minutes south of Paw Paw. South of I-94, west of US-131.

 

[worddoer]

My parents have a seasonal at Melville's 7 Lakes Campground in Lawton, Michigan. Great family run place on a chain of lakes.

https://maps.roadtrippers.com/us/lawton-mi/camping-rv/melvilles-7-lakes-family-campground-llc

It's about 30 min WSW of Kalamazoo, about 15 minutes south of Paw Paw. South of I-94, west of US-131.

Sounds interesting.

I must be doing something wrong. Linky no worky for me.

 

[Bigtanker]

Sounds interesting.

I must be doing something wrong. Linky no worky for me.

Ok. Try it again. I fixed the link.

 

[worddoer]

Ok. Try it again. I fixed the link.

Yep...works. Thanks!

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Ok. Try it again. I fixed the link.

I did some more digging, but can only find their facebook page. They must not have a website. I was hoping to see a map of the campground, relation of campsites to the lakes, info on prices, boat rental availability, etc... So many questions!

But, on the bright side, everything I saw about them was just glowing, awesome reviews. That's why I'd like to see more info.

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

Warren, Van Buren, Holland(right on the beach, or not), Grand Haven. It just keeps getting prettier the further up the west coast you go.

That's true.

I'd also check out hueston woods. It has a nice lake, nice scenery, and a lovely lodge. The cabins are very comfortable. The campground is more than adequate, but don't take off from the campground on your bicycle if you're a fat old man like me. That climb back up the hill will kill ya!

Also, you might give celina another look. I hear the lake has cleaned up significantly.

 

[Bill2905]

Harrison Lake State Park in Ohio isn't too far from the state line and is just a few miles off the Ohio Turnpike.

 

[Bigtanker]

I did some more digging, but can only find their facebook page. They must not have a website. I was hoping to see a map of the campground, relation of campsites to the lakes, info on prices, boat rental availability, etc... So many questions!

But, on the bright side, everything I saw about them was just glowing, awesome reviews. That's why I'd like to see more info.

They don't have much of an online presents. I do know the Marina next door rents boats and will drop them off right at the campgrounds docks.

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My mom is working on getting the campground map. I'll post that when I get it.

 

[1mil-high]

I grew up in the western MI area and have been to most of the state parks in that area. Warren Dunes is heavily traveled, but for good reason. Ludington State park is also a big hit. Most of the lakefront state parks are similar, but do your research on timing since flies can be horrible at times.