How much does camping cost at Condon Lakes West?

Camping fees at Condon Lakes West range from Free. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

What is the best time to visit Condon Lakes West?

Condon Lakes West is open Peak season typically aligns with the open season (May 1–October 31).. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Condon Lakes West?

Condon Lakes West does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Condon Lakes West have?

Condon Lakes West has 6 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Condon Lakes West?

Pets are not allowed at Condon Lakes West. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Condon Lakes West?

Condon Lakes West offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Condon Lakes West?

Popular activities at Condon Lakes West include Hiking, Fishing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Condon Lakes West

Q: Is Condon Lakes West first-come first-served or reservation?

Condon Lakes West operates on a first-come, first-served basis. All sites are first-come-first-serve, with no reservations. Visitors report limited availability due to popularity.

Q: Can I have a campfire at Condon Lakes West?

Fire policies at Condon Lakes West: Fire policies are not explicitly stated, but campers should follow standard forest fire safety regulations.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

3.61

28 reviews

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

909 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

6 campsites

Season

This campground is o...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability

Get Directions

Quick Facts

909 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

6 campsites

Season

This campground is o...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability

Get Directions

Condon Lakes West

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Condon Lakes West Campground is a USFS site and does not charge camping fees. Free camping is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

No paid fee categories listed.

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USFS

Provider

(231) 745-4631

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

Condon Lakes West

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

Nearby places

Baldwin is the nearest city, approximately null miles away. Distances to other nearby population centers are not specified.

Nearby supplies

Supplies can be acquired from Baldwin, the nearest town. Specific details about grocery stores, fuel stations, or camping supply shops are not provided.

Driving directionsAccess the campground via Algers Road/Forest Road 5536. The road is sandy and non-paved, which may require a capable vehicle like a Jeep for easier navigation. Parking is available for up to 3 vehicles, including trailers.

Road access is via Algers Road/Forest Road 5536, which is sandy and unpaved. The road may be challenging for less capable vehicles due to its condition. Seasonal closures are not mentioned in the sources.

Weather at Condon Lakes West

Best Time to Camp at Condon Lakes West

Fall is the sweet spot. Daytime highs run 45–60°F, nights drop into the 30s, and the hardwoods explode with color around the lake. Bugs are gone, crowds thin out, and the light for sunrise shots over the water is excellent. Just note that late October overlaps with early firearms season, so wear blaze orange if you're hiking. Summer is warm but buggy. Spring brings wildflowers and morel hunters but also mud and unpredictable rain. Winter transforms the area into quiet snow country for the handful of campers who venture out.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall described as the 'sweet spot' with color, fewer bugs and great light for photos.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Peak season typically aligns with the open season (May 1–October 31).. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: This campground is open from May 1 to October 31.

About Condon Lakes West

Condon Lakes West sits within the Huron-Manistee National Forests near Baldwin, offering six primitive sites along a small kettle lake. The campground is free but basic: a single vault toilet, no water, and sites close enough that privacy is limited. It works for quick overnights or as a fishing basecamp if you don't mind neighbors and aren't expecting solitude.

Condon Lakes West Campground is a dispersed camping site with no fees, offering five to seven campsites according to user reviews.

Weather and SeasonsFall is the sweet spot. Daytime highs run 45–60°F, nights drop into the 30s, and the hardwoods explode with color around the lake. Bugs are gone, crowds thin out, and the light for sunrise shots over the water is excellent. Just note that late October overlaps with early firearms season, so wear blaze orange if you're hiking. Summer is warm but buggy. Spring brings wildflowers and morel hunters but also mud and unpredictable rain. Winter transforms the area into quiet snow country for the handful of campers who venture out.

ElevationThe gentle terrain of this Michigan forest setting creates an accessible wilderness experience for campers of all abilities.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground borders one of the area's glacial kettle lakes, ringed by mixed hardwoods and conifers at 909 feet elevation. The water is clear and swimmable, popular for bass and panfish. The surrounding forest is dense enough for mushroom hunting and berry picking, with rolling terrain typical of this part of Newaygo County. Fall foliage peaks hard here. Maples and oaks light up the shoreline in October. Deer and wild turkey move through regularly. The lake itself is small, which keeps motorboat traffic to a minimum.

Geological RegionNestled within the 3,300-acre expanse of the Huron-Manistee National Forests in Newaygo County, this region showcases Michigan's characteristic blend of mixed hardwood and coniferous forests interspersed with jewel-like lakes. The landscape, carved by ancient glaciers, has created the perfect conditions for the small kettle lakes and rolling hills that define this area. Condon Lake itself exemplifies these geological gifts, offering clear waters surrounded by the rich, diverse ecosystem that makes Michigan's national forests a treasure for outdoor enthusiasts seeking dispersed camping opportunities away from developed recreation areas.

Scenic ViewsThe campground provides views of Condon Lake, surrounded by forest. However, privacy between sites is limited as campsites are within sight of each other.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo lodging or hotel-style accommodations are mentioned in the provided sources.

Programs & ActivitiesThere is no mention of cultural or educational programs in either authoritative sources or user reviews.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Open 24 hours.

Check-out

Open 24 hours.

Stay Limit

No special use permit is required for individuals or small groups (up to 74 people).

Guests Allowed Per Site

No maximum guest limit per site is specified.

Groups

Group camping is not mentioned in the authoritative content or user reviews.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSix small primitive sites scattered near the lake, close enough that you'll see and hear your neighbors. One vault toilet serves the whole campground. No designated loops or formal organization. The setup is simple and a bit tight.

Reservation PlatformsReservations are not available; camping operates on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are first-come-first-serve, with no reservations. Visitors report limited availability due to popularity.

Cancellation PolicyNo reservation system is available; all sites are free and first-come-first-serve.

AccessibilityNo information was provided about accessibility features for campers with disabilities.

Site SizeUser reviews consistently describe the campsites as small. Peter Claybaker states that there are five campsites and describes the campground as 'small simple,' providing additional context.

PrivacyThe sites themselves are within eye-site of each other and do not offer much privacy," according to user Kevin L.

Total Campsites6 campsites

Recommended SitesPrivacy may be a concern as all campsites are within sight of each other. Visitors seeking a quieter experience should consider weekdays when fewer campers are likely.

Best CampsitesAll six sites are roughly similar. Small, close together, within sight of each other. Reviews suggest arriving early to claim a spot, especially on weekends, since it's first-come, first-served and free. No specific site numbers get called out as superior.

Amenities available

Condon Lakes West Campground is described primarily as a dispersed camping area located in the Huron-Manistee National Forests. The site does not offer potable water or a wide range of amenities, according to both official and user reviews.

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Camping, fishing, hiking, and hunting are identified as popular activities, with mushroom and berry picking also highlighted in authoritative sources.

Hiking

Fishing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include the sandy, non-paved access road and occasional loud gunshots heard in the area, as noted by some visitors. Wildlife interaction and lack of potable water are additional considerations.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyFire policies are not explicitly stated, but campers should follow standard forest fire safety regulations.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are not formally established, though disruptive noise has been noted by reviewers.

Emergency ServicesThe Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station is the closest emergency service for assistance and inquiries. For medical emergencies, details about nearby hospitals are not provided.

Trash & Recycling"No garbage collection. Carry out what you bring in," specified by Peter Claybaker, indicating campers must manage their own waste and recycling.

Water FeaturesCondon Lake is directly adjacent to the campground, offering opportunities for fishing from the shore or via the boat launch.

Camp HostNo campground host is mentioned.

Cell CoverageThere is no mention of cell phone service availability or quality in the authoritative materials or user reviews.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

3.6

28 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Condon Lakes West has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews describe the area as peaceful but with limited privacy and occasional disturbances. The vault toilet and free camping are appreciated, but some users criticize the lack of amenities and poor behavior of other campers.

Review Summaries

Based on 28 reviews

What Campers Love

Free camping, peaceful surroundings, and opportunities for fishing are noted as positives. Quotes like 'A hidden gem. Beautiful forest with small lake,' by Rebecca Sabin emphasize the appeal of the...

Based on 28 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include poor privacy, disturbances such as gunshots, and improper behavior by other campers. Kristina Elkins writes, 'The other people there were so loud and extremely trashy with no...

Based on 28 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

The campground features five to seven campsites, as noted by multiple users. No specific site numbers or rankings were provided.

Based on 28 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend arriving early to secure a site, as noted by Chase Bueche: 'It's free, but limited sites.'

Based on 28 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months appear popular, but visitors report disturbances and crowded conditions during high season. Winter allows for ice fishing but lacks extensive reviews.

Based on 28 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The sites themselves are within eye-site of each other and do not offer much privacy.' (Kevin L) 2. 'Free camping, first come first serve.' (Rebecca Sabin) 3. 'Looks like a homeless camp.' (Boo...

Based on 28 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific mentions of accessibility experiences were found in user reviews.

Based on 28 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No information about pet policies or experiences was provided.

Based on 28 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Bass fishers and fall foliage chasers who bring their own water and can arrive early enough to claim one of six spots. October hits best: bugs are gone, crowds thin, and the maples around the kettle lake turn hard. The small lake keeps motorboat noise down.

Skip if

Sites are within eyesight of each other and quiet hours aren't enforced, so a rowdy group next to you ruins the trip. Several reviewers mention disrespectful campers and, on occasion, nearby gunshots. Privacy-seekers and light sleepers will leave frustrated.

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