Waterloo Green Lake Campground

4.23

124 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

$17/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Allowed

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

$17/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Allowed

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions

Waterloo Green Lake Campground

$17.00 - $17.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Nightly campsite fee.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Michigan

Provider

(734) 475-8307

What Campers Say

4.23

Satisfactory

Based on 124 reviews

124 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquiethikinglake

Some mention

noise

"Most reviewers describe the campground as quiet, scenic, clean and rustic, with many private, spacious lakeside sites and good trail access; overall sentiment is positive with some negative outliers."

Read all reviews

Fees & Passes at Waterloo Green Lake Campground

$17/night

Campsite fees

Prices verified December 13, 2025

Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Michigan DNR website.

Best Time to Camp at Waterloo Green Lake Campground

While there's no set season schedule, visitors rave about the incredible stargazing on clear nights—the kind of darkness that makes the Milky Way pop. The campground offers peaceful, quiet evenings perfect for unwinding around the campfire. Just pack your bug spray for mid-summer visits, as mosquitoes can be enthusiastic during peak season.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

About Waterloo Green Lake Campground

Escape to Green Lake Rustic Campground, a hidden gem tucked along the pristine shores of Green Lake in Waterloo Recreation Area. This intimate campground keeps things beautifully simple with classic pit toilets and hand-pump water, offering both waterfront and wooded sites that you can reserve ahead through MIDNRReservations.com.

Rustic (primitive) campground with 25 sites; basic facilities (pit toilets, hand‑pump water) and no electrical or sewer hookups.

Weather and SeasonsWhile there's no set season schedule, visitors rave about the incredible stargazing on clear nights—the kind of darkness that makes the Milky Way pop. The campground offers peaceful, quiet evenings perfect for unwinding around the campfire. Just pack your bug spray for mid-summer visits, as mosquitoes can be enthusiastic during peak season.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking up surrounded by towering hardwoods, with Green Lake's calm waters just steps from your tent. The campground nestles into a lush forest canopy, part of Waterloo Recreation Area's stunning glacial terrain of gentle hills, quiet wetlands, and jewel-like lakes. Snag one of the coveted lakeside sites for direct water access and breathtaking sunset views that paint the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks. Adventure awaits beyond your campsite, with miles of trails winding through the park, including segments of the renowned Waterloo-Pinckney Trail and the epic Border-to-Border Trail. Whether you're an avid hiker or simply love a peaceful forest stroll, you'll find yourself immersed in some of Michigan's most beautiful backcountry.

Geological RegionSouthern Michigan glacial landscape: rolling hills, mixed hardwood forest, wetlands and small lakes (Waterloo Recreation Area).

Campsite details

Total Campsites25 campsites

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

Amenities available

Potable water

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Trail‑focused campground with lake access—popular for hiking, biking, paddling and fishing; wildlife viewing and winter camping are noted by visitors.

Hiking

In close proximity to the DTE Energy Foundation Trail, the Waterloo–Pinckney Trail and the Border‑to‑Border Trail, providing day‑hike and longer route options.

Fishing

Visitors report fishing on Green Lake; some sites provide lake access though at least one reviewer reported limited access.

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Campground rules

Pets are allowed

Hazards

General hazardsTypical backcountry/park hazards: mosquitoes (can be severe in mid‑summer), bold raccoons/chipmunks that access food/trash, occasional highway noise carrying across the lake, and some steep/eroded access lanes to lower lakeside sites.

Weather at Waterloo Green Lake Campground

°F

Dec 26

Friday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 84%

Wind: 11 mph

Overcast

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Common complaintsRustic amenities only—no showers and no electric hookups; pit toilets only. Occasional highway noise reported across the lake, bold wildlife (raccoons), occasional disruptive neighbors, and hard ground that can make tent stakes difficult. At least one reviewer reported limited/no lake access from the campground.

Campground Map

Waterloo Green Lake Campground

Nearby supplies

Nearby towns within short drive include Chelsea, Ann Arbor, Brighton and Jackson.

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.2

124 reviews

Satisfactory

Waterloo Green Lake Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Most reviewers describe the campground as quiet, scenic, clean and rustic, with many private, spacious lakeside sites and good trail access; overall sentiment is positive with some negative outliers.

Review Summaries

Based on 124 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, wooded setting on Green Lake; several 'huge' lakeside sites with lake views and paddling access; close to extensive hiking and mountain‑biking trails; good for stargazing and winter camping.

Based on 124 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Choose lakeside sites for views and space; bring strong tent stakes or a mallet for hard/compacted ground; bring insect repellent for mid‑summer mosquitoes; store food securely to deter raccoons;...

Based on 124 reviews

Camper Quotes

'all of the sites on the water side are huge' ; 'Beautiful quiet rustic campground.' ; 'No showers. Have to drive to Sugarloaf Campground and pay $7 for a shower.'

Based on 124 reviews