Waterloo State Recreation Area is a beloved destination for outdoor enthusiasts visiting the Chelsea area of Michigan. Located at 16345 McClure Rd, this picturesque park offers a variety of recreational opportunities surrounded by stunning natural landscapes. Whether you're looking to camp under the stars, hike through serene trails, or enjoy a day by the lake, Waterloo State Recreation Area provides something for everyone.
The park is open daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, making it accessible for both day visitors and overnight guests. Its convenient location near I-94 ensures easy access while still offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle of city life.
Customer feedback highlights the park's charm. One visitor described their experience as "very nice," noting the ease of check-in, cleanliness, and quiet environment. Another appreciated the peaceful campsite at Green Lake, despite noting areas for improvement like lake maintenance. Both reviewers emphasized the park's suitability for future visits.
Waterloo State Recreation Area is more than just a stop; it's a destination that invites you to disconnect and reconnect with nature. Whether you're traveling with family or friends, this park offers an unforgettable Michigan experience.
Picnics
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Hiking
Barbecue grill
Picnic tables
Public restroom
Slides
Swings
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes
Playground
Dogs allowed
Campsite at Green Lake was nice and peaceful. The lake, however, was overgrown and had a film. Beautiful views. Needs some love, but I would camp again.
Close to I-94. Easy check in. We did not have a reservation but the park wasn’t full since it was a week day in mid May. Nice lake with a beach and swimming available. Very nice shower and restroom facilities. The park was very clean. Decent cell signal so we were able to stream our shows at night. Lots of hiking trails in the area. We took a two mile hike around the park. Quiet time after 10 pm and all of the campers adhered to that. Overall, a very nice place to camp. We will keep it in our good list for future travels.
One of my favorite places to hike in Michigan, full of beautiful forests and wetlands. The Waterloo-Pinckney trail is the main trail in a vast network of trails. You could wander for woods for days.
Love the beach here. Very clean, well kept. Dog friendly, concessions, paddle board & other rentals. Sandy areas, lawn areas, grills, ample space. Plenty of parking but it is a short walk to the beach down a hill (with a paved path). I highly recommend using a wagon if you have one.
We visited the South Fork rustic cabin on a chilly weekend in March. It was lovely and secluded. The wood stove is wonderful and it was very warm during the day but we had to get up multiple times and refill it during the night to stay warm. There was an amazing amount of bird species in the area , and we heard coyotes the first night. Many hiking trails close to the cabin. Quite roomy inside, with a picnic table that was excellent for family games. Be sure to grab a trail map before you come, as there was none in the cabin. Likewise matches for the wood stove, we were lucky that we had some in the car as we've had forgotten to bring any with us. There was ample wood for the wood stove although if you want an outside fire you need to bring your own wood. Lovely time had by all.