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Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort










Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort Overview
Rating
Phone (231) 972-4455
Address 15854 Pretty Lake Dr, Mecosta, MI 49332, USA
Website http://www.bluegillcamping.com/
Hours
Monday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday, 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort Location & Map
MichiganMecosta CountyMecostaPretty Lake Drive
Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort About
For Michigan families seeking a peaceful, wholesome, and activity-rich outdoor experience, Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort in Mecosta offers an ideal retreat. Owned and operated by Paul and Nancy Maitre, this resort is dedicated to providing a serene yet engaging environment where families can create lasting memories. Nestled on 56 picturesque acres, featuring a stunning private spring-fed lake, Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort prides itself on its cleanliness, large sites, and a welcoming atmosphere that balances fun with respect for fellow campers.
Despite varying opinions on strictness, the consensus among many satisfied campers, including those with "crazy four year old," highlights the owners' dedication to fostering a "peaceful and wholesome family campground." Guests consistently praise the "large sites that are very clean" and the array of "themed weekends" and "many many kid activities." It's a place where you can genuinely unwind, fish, swim, and enjoy quality time together in Michigan's beautiful natural setting. This article will explore what makes Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort a cherished destination for locals, from its unique location and comprehensive services to its standout features and contact information.
Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort is perfectly situated at 15854 Pretty Lake Dr, Mecosta, MI 49332, USA. This prime location in Mecosta County places it amidst the scenic beauty of central Michigan, making it a highly accessible and convenient destination for families across the state.
A key highlight of the resort's location is its direct access to a private, spring-fed lake. This 11-acre lake, reaching depths of 60 feet, boasts "pristine water and sandy beach," offering an exclusive and clean environment for swimming, fishing, and various water activities without the crowds often found at public access points.
Beyond its private lake, the campground is strategically located with excellent proximity to other significant water features:
- It is "conveniently located between all-sports Pretty Lake" and the larger Martiny Chain of Lakes. This proximity means campers have easy access to even more extensive waters for boating, fishing, and exploration beyond the resort's private lake.
- The campground is also "adjacent to the Tubbs Lake Recreation Area," further expanding the recreational possibilities for hiking and enjoying diverse ecosystems.
For Michigan residents, the resort's central location between key points in the Lower Peninsula enhances its appeal. It's centrally located between Mt. Pleasant (home of Central Michigan University) and Big Rapids (home of Ferris State University), providing easy access to larger towns for supplies, dining, and other amenities. This allows campers to enjoy a secluded natural environment while still being within reach of necessary conveniences. The "rolling terrain, breathtaking views, and abundant wildlife" surrounding the resort further enhance the appeal of its natural setting, making it an ideal spot for those seeking a true Michigan outdoor experience.
Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort offers a robust array of services and amenities designed to cater to a wholesome family camping experience, ensuring comfort, convenience, and plenty of activities for all ages.
- Diverse Campsite Options: The resort features 100 modern campsites, offering flexibility for various camping styles:
- RV Sites: Many sites are equipped with water and electric hookups (including 50-amp options), providing convenience for RVs and trailers. These are described as "large sites that are very clean."
- Log Camping Cabins: For those seeking a more traditional cabin experience, there are two charming waterfront log camping cabins available.
- Spacious, Mature Sites: All sites are designed to be "spacious, mature sites" set against "rolling terrain" with "breathtaking views."
- Modern and Clean Facilities: The campground boasts a "sparkling clean modern bathhouse," which is also "updated and heated," ensuring comfortable and hygienic restroom and shower facilities for all guests.
- On-Site Camp Store: The "country store," which is "open to the public," is a central hub for convenience, offering:
- Essentials: Items such as "ice, firewood, ice cream, candy, bait, and everyday necessities at reasonable prices."
- Friendly Service: Owners Nancy and Paul are often present, with Nancy noted as an "absolute sweetheart" to families visiting the store.
- Watercraft Rentals: To enhance enjoyment of Bluegill Lake, the resort offers rentals of canoes, kayaks, and rowboats, allowing guests easy access to the water for fishing or leisurely paddles.
- Catch & Release Fishing: The private spring-fed lake is excellent for fishing, with a "Catch & Release" policy to maintain the fish population for everyone's enjoyment.
- Swimming and Water Activities: The private lake features a "sandy beach" and "exciting water inflatables," providing ample opportunities for swimming and water play.
- On-Site WiFi: WiFi is available at overnight sites, supporting mobile devices (1 device per site, with 40 sites offering WiFi).
The comprehensive nature of these services, combined with the owners' commitment to a "wholesome" and "peaceful" environment, ensures that guests at Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort have everything they need for a relaxing and activity-filled vacation.
Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort is renowned for several key features and highlights that consistently draw families back, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, engaging activities, and a welcoming atmosphere.
- Private Spring-Fed Lake and Sandy Beach: The resort's most distinctive feature is its private, 11-acre, 60-foot deep, spring-fed lake with "pristine water and sandy beach." This exclusive access provides a clean and uncrowded environment for:
- Swimming: Enjoy safe and refreshing dips in the clear waters.
- Water Inflatables: "Exciting water inflatables" add an element of adventure and fun for kids and adults alike.
- Catch & Release Fishing: Excellent opportunities for fishing within the private lake, maintained by a catch and release policy.
- Boating & Paddling: Canoes, kayaks, and rowboats are available for rent, allowing guests to explore the serene lake at their leisure.
- Wholesome, Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Owners Paul and Nancy Maitre "pride themselves on having a peaceful and wholesome family campground." This commitment is reflected in their "respectful to others" rule, ensuring a calm environment where "loudness from any groups or kids" is minimal, yet families feel welcomed and comfortable, as demonstrated by their understanding with a "crazy four year old."
- Themed Weekends and Abundant Kid Activities: A major highlight for families is the diverse and engaging schedule. The resort offers "many many kid activities" and "themed weekends," which provide structured fun and opportunities for interaction. These include "crafts," "special events," and other "fun-filled times."
- Spacious and Clean Sites: Guests consistently praise the "large sites that are very clean," providing ample space for camping setups and outdoor relaxation. The overall campground is well-maintained, including "sparkling clean modern bathhouse."
- Pet-Friendly Environment: The resort is a "pet-friendly campground," allowing families to bring their beloved four-legged members along for the adventure.
- Scenic Natural Setting: Situated on 56 picturesque acres, the resort boasts "rolling terrain, breathtaking views, and abundant wildlife," offering a serene backdrop for hiking and connecting with nature.
- Proximity to Other Lakes and Trails: While featuring a private lake, its location between Pretty Lake and the Martiny Chain of Lakes, as well as adjacent to the Tubbs Lake Recreation Area, expands the opportunities for exploration and water sports beyond the resort's boundaries.
These features collectively underscore Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort as a premier choice for Michigan locals seeking a balanced and enriching family camping experience focused on peace, cleanliness, and engaging activities.
As a privately owned and operated family camping resort, Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort, run by Paul and Nancy Maitre, tends to focus on providing value through its comprehensive amenities and themed activities rather than overt, constantly advertised promotions. However, certain aspects of their offerings can be seen as special value propositions:
- Themed Weekends: Every weekend at Bluegill Lake features a different theme, with "crafts and activities... based around the theme." While participation is optional and some fees may apply for specific crafts or meals (e.g., $1/person for Mother's Day or Grandparents Day breakfasts, or for tie-dying shirts), these themed events add significant value and entertainment to a stay without necessarily increasing the base camping fee. Examples include Mother's Day, Pet Weekend, Chocolate Weekend, Halloween in July, Christmas in July, Western Weekend/Chili Cookoff, Lake Fun Weekend (with Kid's Fishing Contest and Cardboard Boat Races), and Labor Day/Glow Weekend.
- Competitive Pricing: While not a "promotion," the base rates for their sites (e.g., starting around $37-$40 for basic water/electric sites) are competitive for a resort offering a private lake, extensive activities, and modern facilities. This ensures a high value-for-money proposition for families.
- Seasonal Sites: For those looking for an extended stay or a regular seasonal getaway, the availability of "seasonal sites" implies potentially more economical long-term rates compared to nightly stays. Inquiring about seasonal rates could be a "special offer" for frequent campers.
- Affordable On-Site Conveniences: The camp store offers "reasonably priced" ice, firewood, and other essentials, which contributes to the overall affordability and convenience of a stay, reducing the need to travel off-site for basic needs.
For the most accurate and current information on specific rates, themed weekend schedules, and any potential long-term stay options or packages that might be considered "special offers," the best course of action is always to directly contact Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort. Their website provides a detailed "Weekend Themes" schedule, and a direct phone call will allow you to speak with Nancy or Paul, who can provide personalized information and assistance for your camping plans.
To plan your family's next memorable camping trip or to inquire further about the offerings at Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort, you can easily reach out to the owners, Paul and Nancy Maitre.
Address: 15854 Pretty Lake Dr, Mecosta, MI 49332, USA
Phone: (231) 972-4455
Mobile Phone: +1 231-972-4455
Email for Information: Information@bluegillcamping.com
Official Website: BluegillCamping.com
When contacting the resort, you can expect to speak with Nancy or Paul, who are deeply involved in the daily operations and guest experience. They can provide detailed information on site availability (including 50-amp options), cabin rentals, rates, specific themed weekend activities and schedules, rules, and any other inquiries you might have. Given their reputation for a wholesome and respectful environment, they are the best resource for understanding how your family's needs can be met for a wonderful camping vacation.
Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort is an exceptionally suitable destination for Michigan locals, particularly families, seeking a well-rounded and deeply satisfying outdoor experience. Its unique blend of a pristine private lake, extensive recreational opportunities, and a dedicated, family-oriented atmosphere makes it a standout choice for those looking to create cherished memories close to home.
For Michigan families, the resort's commitment to a "peaceful and wholesome" environment, as consistently highlighted by positive reviews, is a major draw. Owners Paul and Nancy Maitre actively foster a respectful atmosphere where children can be "crazy" and have fun without disturbing others, demonstrating a genuine understanding of family dynamics in a camping setting. This makes it a perfect place for parents to relax while their kids enjoy the outdoors safely.
The centerpiece of the resort – its private, spring-fed Bluegill Lake – offers an unparalleled advantage. Michiganders can enjoy clean, uncrowded waters for swimming (complete with "exciting water inflatables"), excellent catch-and-release fishing, and leisurely paddles in rented canoes, kayaks, or rowboats. This exclusive access to a beautiful lake enhances the feeling of a true getaway.
Beyond the lake, the resort's "many many kid activities" and diverse "themed weekends" provide constant engagement, from crafts to fun-filled events like Halloween in July or cardboard boat races. This structured entertainment, combined with spacious, clean sites and modern amenities like a heated bathhouse and on-site store, ensures a comfortable and convenient stay. Furthermore, its pet-friendly policy means no family member has to be left behind, and its central Michigan location makes it an easy drive from many parts of the state.
In essence, Bluegill Lake Family Camping Resort offers Michiganders a comprehensive, family-focused camping experience where cleanliness, respect, and abundant opportunities for both relaxation and active fun converge. It's a place where you can truly "unplug" and reconnect with nature and loved ones, making it an ideal choice for a memorable Michigan vacation.
Customer Reviews
Very Rude Owners, no fun allowed!! Very strict rules!!! I don't let my family camp or visit the store. Just horrible!!! Edit- as a resident nearby ive been in your park enough to know you guys are extreamly unwelcoming, and have talked with aprox 4 of your seasonal/past residents to know they feel the same way.
My family just got back from our Labor Day camping trip at Bluegill. If you are looking for peace and quiet, then this is it. Nancy and Paul really pride themselves on having a peaceful and wholesome family campground. They have large sites that are very clean, 50amp is what we had. My family honestly loved every minute. Nancy was an absolute sweetheart to my family, especially my crazy four year old who loved stopping into her store. Sometimes kids are not always quiet, but Nancy and Paul never mentioned a peep about my kids and honestly, I really didn’t hear any loudness from any groups or kids. Both want you to have a wonderful time but also be respectful to others during your stay. I absolutely love the themed weekends, the many many kid activities, fishing and swimming. Thank you for a wonderful weekend and we hope to be back next year.
Nice quiet campground, very nice lake. We spent two seasons there, Paul and Nancy are good hosts. Store is stocked very well and is not as expensive as I thought it would be for a camp store. But with everything there are pro's and con's. The Pro's 1. It's a very quiet campground. 2. You get a pretty decent load of wood for $13 3. Camp sites are bigger than most. 4. Nice walking trail that goes around the lake. 5. Nice clean restrooms with showers. 6. They do alot for the kids, crafts, bike parades, and such The Con's 1. It's almost too quiet, 2. They are not motorcycle friendly, if you ride you'll have to park at the camp store and walk to your site, the reason I got was "motorcycles are to loud", there are trucks that are louder than my bike that come in every weekend. There is a lady rider who literally has to ride past her camp site to park at the store and walk back to her site. I watched an older couple pull in across from our site with a motorcycle on the back of his rig and he rode out and back from his camp site, I guess if you drive a 200K motor home towing a 50K jeep the rules are different. 3. They don't do much for the adults, be nice to see an organized corn hole, washer toss or euchre tournament. 4. Not a lot to do in the surrounding area, casino is about and hour away if you're into that. 5. No gas golf carts, again "their too loud" be prepared to pay extra for electric for your seasonal spot. 6. Can't bring your own canoe in you have to rent from them. Again if your looking for a nice quiet campground this is your place, if you're a night owl and would like to stay up late and have fun around your camp fire please be aware that the owners will come out of nowhere and tell you to quiet down even if no one has complained, we never had this problem but know of those who did. Also had a guys weekend with my brother and 2 friends, they asked my neighbor to "let them know if there were any problems" that didn't sit well with me at all.
Beautiful and friendly! Very well maintained. Has that old time family reunion atmosphere. Our site was on a hill overlooking the quaint sitting fed lake. Lots of grass, not much dirt which is great. Owners are very friendly. Highly recommend if you are looking for a quiet family experience. I'm regards to negative reviews... If you own a dog the rule is to leash it! That's on you. If you are driving a class A it's not their fault you can't read... Very few 50amp mostly 25 so don't complain. Why mention in ground sewer as being an issue if you know coming in it's not available? Bathrooms are Kitchy but cute and clean. Quiet campground... If you are a huge group and loud I understand why you were asked to leave.
We stayed 3 nights in the cabin. The owners were very nice! They educated my kids about their turtles on the land and they seem to love their wildlife and want to protect it. The park is very relaxing and quiet. I included pictures of the inside of the cabin and the view. Also, the swimming area and the stack of wood I received for $13 (a lot!). I read some mixed reviews (wood, electric box, showers) so I was a little nervous. However, I believe it was a nice place to go! Showers are typical camping showers, nothing special but cleaned and gets the job done! The owners are nice and seem laid back. I would stay here again!
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