Due to the size of the park, you may want to view the park map and driving directions prior to your visit.
Waterloo Recreation Area is the largest state park in the Lower Peninsula and home to a diverse array of camping options (modern, rustic and equestrian campgrounds, backpack-only sites and overnight lodging facilities), 11 inland lakes, a trail system, the DTE Energy Foundation Trail, a visitor center, and excellent fishing and hunting opportunities.
The Gerald Eddy Discovery Center introduces visitors to the fascinating world of geology and to the diverse natural habitats found within Waterloo.
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The DNR planning team has reviewed all public input and incorporated necessary revisions for the park's Phase 2 general management plan. The plan will now undergo the approval and adoption process, with the final version posted online upon completion. Visit the project page.
The beach house is in the day-use area on Portage Lake and includes restrooms, boat rentals, changing stalls and a concession store.
There are public boating access sites on Big Portage, Cedar, Doyle (carry-down launch), Green, Crooked, Mill, Mud, Walsh and Winnewana lakes. Sites on Big Portage, Green, Crooked and Winnewana lakes are accessible. The accessible Sugarloaf Boating Access Site is for campers only.
The Eddy Center has 6 pairs of EnChroma-enabled sunglasses for use when requested at the Discovery Center desk during normal operating hours.
JR's Concessions, located at the beach house in the day-use area on Portage Lake, offers food concessions, grocery items, camping supplies and boat rentals.
An accessible fishing pier is located at Crooked Lake.
The Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center, located at 17030 Bush Road in Chelsea, introduces visitors to the fascinating world of geology and to the diverse natural habitats found within Waterloo's 20,000-plus acres.
There is a modern restroom located at the Gerald Eddy Discovery Center.
The park's track chair expands access beyond traditional wheelchairs. The chair is available for visitors to borrow at no cost.
The Eddy Discovery Center showcases Waterloo's geology and natural habitats, with exhibits spanning Michigan's history.
All trails are open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; however, they are not groomed. View the recommended cross-country ski trails.
An 18-hole disc golf course, located in the Portage Lake day-use area, is open all year.
There are 20 miles of horseback riding trails easily accessible from two staging areas, one located off Loveland Road and the other located off Maute Road. Thanks to the Waterloo Horseman’s Association, which helps support equestrian activities in the park!
Fishing is a popular activity in the park. Bass, panfish and pike are common in the many lakes.
Hunting is allowed in the state park; however, you should call this park directly to inquire about any special rules, concerns or considerations.
Metal detecting is allowed in certain park areas. Please consult the park map for designated locations and review applicable regulations. Only registered campers can metal detect in campgrounds.
Seasonal naturalists offer nature-based programming at the park during the summer and/or fall. Check the park's explorer program calendar for dates, locations and topics.
JR’s Concessions offers watercraft rentals at the beach house in the day-use area on Portage Lake mid-May through early October. For more info, call 231-843-1888.
In addition, watercraft rentals are available at the Sugarloaf Lake Campground for campers . To make a reservation, call 734-355-0784.
There are paddling opportunities on the 11 inland lakes located within the park.
There are picnic areas, located in the Crooked Lake and Portage Lake day-use areas, that include picnic tables and charcoal grills available first come, first served.
There are two picnic shelters located in the Portage Lake day-use area. Shelters can be reserved up to a year in advance by calling 1-800-447-2757 or visiting MiDNRReservations.com.
A playground is located in the Portage Lake day-use area.
The park’s sanitation stations are located at Portage Lake and Sugarloaf Lake campgrounds. Each has potable water and two lanes.
The majority of the park is open to snowmobiling. The park’s snowmobile map differentiates areas where the activity is permitted from areas closed to snowmobiling.
There are two designated swim areas in the park, one in the Portage Lake day-use area and the other (for campers only) in the Sugarloaf Campground.
There are 11 inland lakes in the park, including Portage, Sugarloaf, Cedar, Doyle, Green, Crooked, Mill, Mud, Walsh and Winnewana lakes.
The accessible Portage Lake camper cabin, overlooking the beautiful lake, is located in the Portage Lake Campground between sites 100 and 102. It sleeps up to six people and includes a full-size bed, a full-size futon and a bunk bed.
There is electrical service and heat, but no running water.
Amenities include a small table and two chairs, mini-fridge, microwave and coffee maker. There is a small patio, picnic table, fire pit and grill outdoors. Modern toilet and shower buildings are available in the campground April 1 through Dec. 1 and a port-a-potty is available in the off season.
Guests are required to provide their own bedding. The cabin is available year-round.
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This quaint, rustic equestrian campground is surrounded by a beautiful hardwood forest and located at approximately 8400 Loveland Road in Chelsea. It has 25 spacious, grassy sites available for campers with horses. Each site has a firepit, picnic table and picket posts. Other amenities include vault toilets and a solar well pump for water. While the campground is rustic, visitors can take showers at the Sugarloaf Lake Campground May through October, just up the road, for a small fee. Campsites are reservable except for certain event weekends.
The campground connects approximately 21 miles of Waterloo's equestrian trails as well as the day-use staging area, which offers a mounting block and pavilion for gatherings and picnics.
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Hike-in camping at Waterloo Recreation Area is intended for thru -hikers on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. Camping is allowed at the 10-mile marker at the Pines Campground for one night only.
There are five campsites equipped with picnic tables and an outhouse. Campfires are prohibited. Water is available at the Horse-N-Around Stables (located .5 miles north) May 1- Sept. 30.
Reservations for hike-in sites are taken through the reservation call center or at self-registration stations throughout the park.
Check-in at the park office is not required.
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The modern campground is divided into three loops, north, central and south. The gently rolling campground provides a beautiful tree canopy and is located on Portage Lake, which features a designated swim area down a paved path in the nearby day-use area. There is 30- or 50-amp service available on each site and a sanitation station. Recycling is available.
From Dec. 1st to April 1, the campground is open for overnight stays Thursday through Saturday.
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There are eight rustic cabins located throughout the park. Mill B-7, Burns #2 and the Southfork Rustic Cabin are accessible.
Please bring your own bedding, cooking devices, dishes and utensils. There is an outdoor grill and fire circle. Vault toilets are located on-site. Water is available from a hand pump; however, Southfork only has water available May 1-Oct. 15 from a spigot located approximately 700 feet away. Guests can also bring their own water.
There are eight rustic cabins located throughout the park. Mill B-7, Burns #2 and the Southfork Rustic Cabin are accessible.
Please bring your own bedding, cooking devices, dishes and utensils. There is an outdoor grill and fire circle. Vault toilets are located on-site. Water is available from a hand pump; however, Southfork only has water available May 1-Oct. 15 from a spigot located approximately 700 feet away. Guests can also bring their own water.
Burns #1 and #2 equestrian bunkhouse cabins (open to all campers): accommodate 14-16 people
This rustic cabin is located on the site of the John Burns Homestead, one of the early settlers in the Waterloo area. It's located adjacent to the Horsemen's Equestrian Campground (8400 Loveland Road in Chelsea). Burns#2 sleeps 16 people with 6 twin bunkbeds and 2 full-size futons. Burns 1 sleeps 14 people with 2 twin bunks, 2 single-over-full bunks and 2 full-size futons.
Mill Lake cabins (B-1, B-3, B-6, B-7, B-8): accommodates 10 people
This rustic cabin is located on the site of the John Burns Homestead, one of the early settlers in the Waterloo area. It's located adjacent to the Horsemen's Equestrian Campground (8400 Loveland Road in Chelsea). The cabin sleeps 14 people. There are 2 twin bunk beds, 2 single-over-full bunk beds and two full-size futons.
Southfork cabin: accommodates eight people
The Southfork Cabin is a rustic bunkhouse style cabin and is set in a wooded area south of the riding stable. The cabin will sleep 7-9 people and has 2 single size bunk beds, a twin-over-full bunk bed and a full-size futon in the living area.
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The campground features campsites generous in size, open and sunny and is home to a campers-only designated swim area. There is 30- or 50-amp electrical service available on each site and a sanitation station. Recycling is available.
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The park's new accessible tiny house offers a lake view and is located in the Sugarloaf Lake Campground near the designated swim beach. It sleeps four people with a full-size bed and a single trundle bed on the main floor and a single bed in the loft.
The cabin has electrical service, including air conditioning, ceiling lights and a fan. There is no running water or a bathroom, but guests have access to the campground's modern restroom/shower building. Potable water can be obtained at the campground's fill station.
Amenities include a couch, small table and chairs, a mini-fridge, a microwave and a coffee maker. There is a deck/porch, picnic table, fire pit and grill outdoors.
Guests are required to provide their own bedding.
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The accessible yurt is set in the Green Lake Rustic Campground and sleeps up to five. The yurt is outfitted with a twin-size loft bed and two full-size futon beds. A small table and chairs, a camp stove (guests must bring their own propane canisters), fire pit, picnic table and an outdoor table/chairs are provided. Guests are required to provide their own bedding.
There are no modern restrooms or electricity available, but interior solar lighting is provided. A hand pump and vault toilets are located nearby.
The yurt is heated and available to rent year-round. During the winter, the park will contact campers and provide instructions on how to access the yurt.
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This rustic campground is situated on Green Lake and is near the DTE Energy Foundation Trail, Waterloo Pinckney Trail and the Border-to-Border Trail. There are vault toilets and a hand pump available for water.
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This rustic group campground is open to youth groups and civic organizations and is located at the Portage Lake unit. There are five sites that can accommodate groups of up to 150 people. There are shared picnic tables and fire pits dispersed throughout the campground. A potable water faucet and two vault toilets are available. Campers may pay to take showers in the Portage Lake Modern Campground April through November.
To reserve the group camp area, please call the park.
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Our virtual tours are an immersive way to explore locations from home with detailed visual information. The Waterloo virtual tour includes the park entrance, Eddy Discovery Center, bog trail, pavilion, nature play area and more.
