Veterans Park Campground

For Michigan residents who cherish the simplicity and tranquility of a genuine outdoor escape, Veterans Park Campground in Powers, MI, offers a delightful and affordable haven. Tucked away in the beautiful Upper Peninsula, this small, rustic campground provides an ideal setting for those looking to unplug, enjoy a campfire under the stars, and wake up to the soothing sounds of nature. It’s a place where the focus is on reconnecting with the outdoors, offering a back-to-basics camping experience that is both clean and welcoming.

This article will serve as your comprehensive guide to understanding what makes Veterans Park Campground a standout choice for your next Michigan adventure. We’ll delve into its convenient location and accessibility, the essential services it provides, its unique features and highlights, and practical information for planning your visit. From its immaculate grounds and friendly service to its prime position as an ATV and snowmobile trailhead, Veterans Park Campground embodies the spirit of Michigan’s beloved outdoor recreational opportunities, promising a memorable experience for families and individuals alike.

Veterans Park Campground is conveniently located at MFXC+VR, Powers, MI 49874, USA, making it an easily accessible destination for Michigan residents, particularly those venturing into the Upper Peninsula. Situated just outside the small community of Powers, the campground offers a balance of peaceful seclusion and proximity to essential services. Its location along U.S. Highway 2 in Spalding Township, MI, ensures straightforward navigation for campers arriving by car or RV.

Despite its "rustic" designation, the campground's accessibility is a notable advantage. The roads leading to and within the park are generally well-maintained, ensuring a smooth journey for campers with trailers or larger vehicles. A previous visitor specifically highlighted that the park facilities were clean and the campsites great, suggesting easy maneuverability within the grounds.

One of the key draws of Veterans Park Campground's location is its designation as a trailhead for both ATVs and snowmobiles. This feature significantly enhances its appeal for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore Michigan's extensive trail networks directly from their campsite. Beyond the trails, the park itself is comprised of 41.6 acres, offering ample space for various activities. While it provides a quiet, natural setting, the village of Powers and its surrounding areas offer necessary conveniences such as a grocery store, gas stations/party stores, and restaurants within walking distance of some parts of the park, providing a perfect blend of wilderness immersion and practical accessibility for local Michigan users.

• Rustic Campsites: Offers approximately a dozen rustic camping sites. These sites do not include individual power hookups.
• Potable Water: Clean, cold drinking water is available at the registration shack (or designated pump area) within the park.
• Vault Toilets: Clean vault (pit) toilets are provided for camper use.
• Picnic Areas: Dedicated picnic areas are available for day use or campers.
• Picnic Tables: Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table.
• Fire Rings: Individual fire rings are provided at each site for campfires.
• Playground: A children's playground is available within Veterans Memorial Park.
• Sports Courts: Includes basketball courts and a volleyball area.
• Softball Field: A softball field with dugouts is present within the park.
• Paddlesports Access: The campground is situated on the Middle Branch River Walk, a designated trout stream where Brown and Brook trout are a test of the angler's skills.
• Trash Service: Campers are typically instructed to tie trash in plastic bags and place it at the entrance of their site for daily pickup by the park manager, ensuring a clean environment.
• Firewood for Purchase: Firewood is available for $5.00 a bundle from the Campground host, with a strict policy against bringing outside wood to prevent pest spread.
• Honesty Box System: At times, fees are collected via an honor system where campers fill out an envelope and drop money in a slot.

• Quiet and Peaceful Atmosphere: Consistently praised by visitors for being a "quiet" campground, with the soothing sound of a "creek running along the side to pull you to sleep."
• Clean Facilities: Campers frequently commend the cleanliness of both the water supply ("clean cold water") and the vault toilets, which are well-maintained for rustic facilities.
• Rustic Camping Experience: Ideal for those seeking a back-to-basics approach to camping, without the distractions of power hookups at individual sites, promoting a true connection with nature.
• Attentive Grounds Crew/Host: A notable highlight is the helpfulness of the staff, with one review mentioning "Groundsman (I think?) brought us dry hardwood the next morning" after a rainstorm.
• No Flooding Concerns: Even during "pretty bad rainstorm," the campground maintained good drainage with "no flooding around the camps."
• Designated ATV and Snowmobile Trailhead: Offers direct access to extensive trail systems, making it a prime location for motorized recreational enthusiasts.
• Variety of Park Amenities: Beyond camping, Veterans Memorial Park offers a beach area, horseshoes, picnic pavilions, and a walking trail that winds behind the park, providing diverse recreational options.
• Fishing Opportunities: The Middle Branch River, a designated trout stream, runs alongside the park, providing excellent fishing prospects for various trout species, as well as panfish, bluegill, bass, and walleye in nearby lakes and streams.
• Affordable Camping: With a fee of $15.00 per night for rustic sites, it offers an excellent value for a well-maintained campground in the Upper Peninsula.
• Pet-Friendly: Pets are allowed, though specific rules (leash, clean-up) apply.

Veterans Park Campground in Powers, MI, as a small, rustic county park facility, primarily focuses on providing consistent, affordable access to outdoor recreation rather than offering complex promotional schemes or discounts. Its highly competitive nightly rate of $15.00 for a rustic site already serves as a significant value proposition for Michigan locals seeking an economical camping experience in the Upper Peninsula. This low, flat fee ensures that the beauty of the outdoors remains accessible to a broad range of campers without the need for additional coupons or special codes.

While the campground doesn't typically run formal "promotions" in the commercial sense, its operational model provides inherent benefits that could be considered ongoing special offers:

• Consistent Affordability: The steady $15.00 per night fee ensures budget predictability for campers, making it a reliable choice for spontaneous trips or planned getaways without financial surprises.
• "Honor System" Convenience: At times, the use of an honor system for payment (filling out an envelope and dropping money in a slot) offers a level of convenience and trust that streamlines the check-in process for arriving campers.
• Personalized Service: Reviews highlight the attentiveness of the grounds staff, such as bringing dry hardwood after a rainstorm. This level of personalized service, while not a discount, adds significant value and comfort to the camping experience, distinguishing it from larger, more impersonal facilities.
• Access to Free Amenities: The low camping fee grants access to various park amenities, including the playground, sports courts, walking trails, and beach area, all of which enhance the overall value of your stay without additional charges.

Given its public park status, Veterans Park Campground is unlikely to participate in national camping discount programs (like Good Sam or AAA). The true "special offer" here is the combination of its peaceful, well-maintained rustic sites, access to extensive recreational trails, and the genuine, helpful approach of the park management, all at an incredibly accessible price point for Michigan residents. For the most up-to-date information on fees, operational season dates, or any park-specific events, it is always recommended to check the Spalding Township website or contact them directly.

• Address: MFXC+VR, Powers, MI 49874, USA (also widely listed as U.S. Highway 2, Spalding Township, MI)
• Phone: 906-497-5850 (This appears to be the main phone number for Spalding Township, which owns and operates Veterans Memorial Park and Campground.)
• Website: For official information, including detailed park rules, amenities, and potentially updated seasonal dates or contact methods, it is recommended to visit the Spalding Township Michigan website (powers-spalding.org) and navigate to their "Sports and Recreation" section.
• Note: While the given address is MFXC+VR, it is a plus code. Using the street address (U.S. Highway 2, Powers, MI) or searching for "Veterans Memorial Park Powers MI" is generally more effective for GPS navigation.

For Michigan locals, Veterans Park Campground in Powers offers an irresistible combination of rustic charm, genuine tranquility, and exceptional value. This isn't a flashy resort, but rather a beloved local spot where the essence of Upper Peninsula camping truly shines. It provides the perfect backdrop for those seeking to unplug, unwind, and reconnect with nature without breaking the bank. At a modest $15.00 per night for a well-maintained, rustic site, it stands out as an incredibly accessible option for Michigan families and outdoor enthusiasts.

What makes this campground particularly suitable for Michiganders is its embodiment of the state's rugged, natural beauty coupled with thoughtful amenities. Imagine falling asleep to the gentle murmur of a nearby creek, confident in the cleanliness of the facilities, and waking up refreshed, ready to explore. The dedication of the park staff, highlighted by their proactive help like delivering dry hardwood, adds a personal touch that transforms a simple stay into a truly memorable experience.

Furthermore, its dual role as a trailhead for ATVs and snowmobiles positions it as a year-round hub for adventure, catering to a wide range of Michigan's favorite outdoor pastimes. Whether you're an avid trail rider, a keen angler looking to cast a line in the trout-rich Middle Branch River, or simply someone yearning for a quiet picnic by the beach, Veterans Park Campground offers something for everyone. It’s a place where children can enjoy a playground, and families can gather for a campfire, creating cherished memories that define a true Michigan summer or fall.

In essence, Veterans Park Campground is more than just a place to park your camper or pitch your tent; it's a testament to the simple, profound joys of Michigan's natural landscape, delivered with a welcoming spirit. It’s the ideal spot for locals seeking an authentic, peaceful, and highly affordable escape into the heart of the Upper Peninsula.