Waterloo-Group Use Area Camp

1 review

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions

Waterloo-Group Use Area Camp

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Nightly fee: Contact the park.

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

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

167,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

Michigan

Provider

(734) 475-8307

What Campers Say

N/A

Limited Reviews

Based on 1 reviews

1 Google reviews

Most mentioned

hiking

"Very positive — reviewer calls Waterloo Recreation Area an underutilized southeast Michigan gem with a wide range of activities."

Read all reviews

Best Time to Camp at Waterloo-Group Use Area Camp

Summer brings this recreation area to life, with warm days perfect for swimming, hiking, and gathering around the campfire under star-filled skies. While weekends draw crowds of fellow nature enthusiasts during peak season, the popularity is a testament to just how special this place truly is—plan ahead to secure your spot in this beloved Michigan retreat.

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-Group Use Area Camp

Tucked within the beautiful Portage Lake Unit of Waterloo Recreation Area, this rustic group camping field offers the perfect blend of peaceful seclusion and convenient access to adventure. Your group will enjoy a primitive setting just steps from Portage Lake's shores, with modern campground amenities nearby and miles of scenic trails waiting to be explored.

Rustic group use area in the Portage Lake unit of Waterloo Recreation Area. Designed for organized groups and located near the Portage Lake modern campground facilities.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings this recreation area to life, with warm days perfect for swimming, hiking, and gathering around the campfire under star-filled skies. While weekends draw crowds of fellow nature enthusiasts during peak season, the popularity is a testament to just how special this place truly is—plan ahead to secure your spot in this beloved Michigan retreat.

Natural Features and SceneryStep into Michigan's glacial past as you camp among the rolling moraines and mixed hardwood forests that define this stunning landscape. The surrounding Waterloo Recreation Area is a patchwork of natural wonders—tranquil kettle lakes formed by ancient ice, winding wetlands teeming with wildlife, and dense woodlands that seem to stretch endlessly. When you're ready to cool off, nearby beaches welcome you with crystal-clear waters and soft sand that feels like a hidden paradise.

Geological RegionGlacial landscape of Waterloo Recreation Area characterized by rolling moraines, mixed hardwood forest, wetlands, and kettle lakes.

Campsite details

Total Campsites5 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

Accomodation available

GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

Amenities available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Group use field within the Portage Lake unit of Waterloo Recreation Area, providing access to the area's extensive trails, lakes, beaches and outdoor recreation. The group area itself is a rustic field but is a short drive from modern campground facilities at Portage Lake and Sugarloaf.

Hiking

Dry Marsh Trail (Portage Lake campground) and the Waterloo/Pinckney hiking trail are a short distance from the group use area.

Fishing

Fishing opportunities exist on Portage Lake and other nearby park lakes; anglers access shoreline and launch areas from the modern campgrounds and park lakeshores.

Swimming

Swimming is available at sandy beaches on Portage Lake and at Sugarloaf campground a short drive from the group field.

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsTypical southern Michigan forest/wetland hazards noted in sources include mosquitoes and ticks in warmer months; no reports of large‑predator problems at this site. Cell coverage in parts of the Portage Lake/Sugarloaf area is reported as variable (Verizon and AT&T: some coverage; T‑Mobile: little to none), though exact coverage at the group field is not documented.