Cloverdale, Mich., is a small community situated at the elbows of three scenic lakes. Bordered most closely by Long Lake and Cloverdale Lake, this community is a popular destination for vacationers across the Midwest. While the town is replete with vacation shares and condos, the more adventurous, and the more money-conscious, often seek out the various campgrounds located around the community for a more rugged and affordable visit to the region. Whether you're taking a recreational vehicle to the area or looking to do some rustic tent camping, the campgrounds around Cloverdale, Mich., have a spot for you.
RV Camping
Most Michigan state parks and recreation areas offer RV camping with various degrees of amenities available. For those RV travelers who are looking for parks with full-service amenities, there are also a number of options in the Cloverdale, Mich., area. Private campgrounds such as Whispering Waters, located just 14 miles north of Cloverdale, offer full services to all recreational vehicle campers; services include electricity, water and sewage.
Tent Camping
For those looking for a more rustic camping trip, tent camping in one of the Cloverdale, Mich., area's many state recreational parks can be a scenic and affordable option. Within 40 miles of the community there are four state recreation areas that allow tent camping, including Yankee Springs Recreation Area, Ionia State Recreation Area and Fort Custer Recreation Area. Each of these campgrounds have various levels of amenities, from the rustic vault toilet to the more modern sites with shower facilities.
Camping Cabins
Camping cabins provide a great opportunity for visitors to experience the great outdoors within their own comfort level without the expense of a recreational vehicle. Various campsites throughout the Cloverdale, Mich., area have camping cabins available for rental, to provide the amenities of home in a more rustic setting. The services provided vary from campsite to campsite. For instance, Ionia State Recreation Area, about 35 miles north of the Cloverdale area, has its own mini-cabin available to rent with modern appliances, electricity and bathrooms. Fort Custer cabins, however, have no electricity and only a vault toilet. Most cabin amenities will run the gamut from fully modernized to rustic, electricity-free rentals.
Campground Activities
Since Cloverdale, Mich., is surrounded almost entirely by lakes, many campers flock to the area to enjoy water sports, fishing and boating. Some campsites, for instance Whispering Waters Campgrounds, have their own canoe and kayak livery, allowing guests to rent watercrafts at an affordable rate. For those less inclined to enjoy the water, scenic hiking trails provide opportunities for wildlife spotting and excellent birding. Especially for those campers that are staying in state parks or recreation areas, there are miles of scenic hiking trails along flatlands, remnant prairies and wetlands for campers to enjoy.
Fees and Regulations
Michigan state parks and recreation areas generally require about the same fee for camping. For instance, as of August 2010, Fort Custer, Ionia State Recreation Area and Yankee Springs Recreation Area all charge between $16 to 19 for tent camping, and between $60 to 80 for cabin rentals, though discounts are given in the off-seasons. The cost of staying in an RV park varies depending on whether or not you are using a site designed for hookup to electricity, water and sewage. Generally, the price for RV sites without hookups is about $28 to 30, while fully-equipped sites can cost anywhere from $36 to 40.
Member Comments