Mason County Campground opens May 16 for an extended season

Photo by Tom Oele

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — The Mason County Campground will open for the 2024 season on Thursday, May 16.

The 56-campsite campground, operated by the Mason County Parks and Recreation Commission, is set in the woods at 5906 W. Chauvez Road. The campground also features four camper cabins, two which sleep six people. A new playscape for 5-to12 year-olds has been added at the campground playground.

This year, the campground will remain open through October due to Ludington State Park’s closing for renovations after Labor Day through June 2025.

The campground is home to the family-friendly Tinderbox Disc Golf Course. Campers can borrow discs from the camp office to give that popular sport a try. The public is welcome to use the course, too.

In recent years, water has been added to all electric sites. Tent sites remain primitive. WIFI is available at all sites. The centrally located bathhouse, shower and restrooms are accessible.

“Our campers like the quiet campground we have,” Deb Roberts, park manager, said.

Nearby is the Mason County Picnic Area which features a pavilion with a kitchenette and modern bathrooms available to rent, a walking trail, and a playground added in 2021.

The picnic area is also home to the Mason County Disc Golf Organization courses, Beauty, Beast and Goliath courses featuring 72 holes of disc golf that for years has hosted state championships. MCDGO requests a dollar for each course played on a given day. Put the money in fee collection devices on site.

The south end of the park adjoins the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant co-owned by Consumers Energy and DTE and provides access to the plant’s Lake Michigan and Ludington Pumped Storage Reservoir overlooks managed by Consumers Energy. Both are great spots for birding and provide unique views. The Lake Michigan Overlook is open year-round during daylight hours. The Reservoir overlook typically is open Labor Day to Memorial Day.

A foot trail connects the campground to the picnic area. Along the way accessible from Chauvez Road, too, Hull Field, operated by Twisted Sticks R/C Club, provides a place for members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics to fly remote-controlled aircraft. The club hosts an afternoon of family fun open to the public, July 27, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

“We will have flight demonstrations of various aircraft throughout the day. If you or your children want to try your hand at R/C flying, check out our flight simulator and then get your hands on a trainer airplane with an experienced pilot to assist you. Starting at 11 a.m. we will have free hot dogs. The candy drop for the kids will be at 2 p.m. Hope to see you there.” Shayne Eskew, club president said.

Beaches and other attractions are nearby.

“You can drive to all the great beaches we have in the area, then come back to your camp site and relax,” Roberts said. “I think our campground is one of the best-kept secrets in Mason County. Come check us out and see what a great park we have.”

For reservation information, contact 231-845-7609, mccampground@masoncounty.net.