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Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds










Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds Overview
Rating
Phone (989) 634-9782
Address 7685 Lehring Rd, Durand, MI 48429, USA
Hours
Monday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds Location & Map
MichiganShiawassee CountyDurandLehring Road
Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds About
For families and individuals across Michigan looking to reconnect with nature, enjoy outdoor adventures, and create lasting memories, finding the perfect campground is key. Nestled in the charming landscape of Durand, Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds emerges as a top contender, consistently receiving glowing reviews from visitors of all ages. More than just a place to pitch a tent or park an RV, Walnut Hills offers a vibrant, clean, and engaging environment designed for wholesome family fun and peaceful relaxation. This article is crafted to help Michigan locals learn more about this exceptional destination, highlighting its offerings, location, and why it's suitable for your next outdoor escape.
Walnut Hills Family Campground, now proudly part of the GatherGrounds family, is a highly-regarded camping destination situated in Durand, Michigan. It’s a place where the joy of the outdoors meets the comfort of well-maintained facilities and a welcoming atmosphere. The campground is specifically designed to cater to families, offering a plethora of planned activities that keep children engaged and entertained, as echoed by happy parents whose "kids had a blast." This focus on family-friendly programming ensures that every visit is filled with excitement and opportunities for new experiences.
Beyond the lively activities, Walnut Hills maintains a commitment to providing a clean and well-kept environment. Visitors consistently praise the cleanliness of the sites and the campground overall, contributing to a comfortable and enjoyable stay. This attention to detail extends to the staff, who are frequently described as "very friendly," fostering a warm and inviting atmosphere for all guests. The combination of a family-centric approach, immaculate grounds, and hospitable staff makes Walnut Hills Family Campground a standout choice for those seeking a memorable and hassle-free camping experience in Michigan. It’s a place where both energetic youngsters and those seeking quiet relaxation can find their ideal getaway.
Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds is ideally located at 7685 Lehring Rd, Durand, MI 48429, USA. This placement in Durand, a city primarily in Shiawassee County with parts extending into Genesee County, positions the campground conveniently within the heart of Michigan. Durand offers a charming small-town atmosphere, known for its historic train depot and a friendly community, providing a pleasant backdrop for a camping adventure.
The accessibility of Walnut Hills is a significant advantage for Michigan residents. Situated relatively centrally within the Lower Peninsula, it is within a reasonable driving distance from major metropolitan areas such as Lansing (Michigan's capital), Flint, and even the Greater Detroit area. This makes it an accessible weekend getaway or a longer vacation destination for a vast portion of the state's population, minimizing travel time and maximizing relaxation.
While enjoying the tranquility of its natural setting, the campground is not isolated from essential services. Durand itself offers local grocery stores, gas stations, and basic amenities, ensuring campers can easily pick up forgotten items or restock supplies. For more extensive shopping or dining options, larger towns and cities are just a short drive away.
The surrounding region provides ample opportunities for exploration beyond the campground. Nature enthusiasts can find nearby state parks, trails, and fishing spots, further enhancing the outdoor experience. The convenient access from major state roads means that even RVs and vehicles towing trailers will find the journey to Walnut Hills smooth and straightforward, contributing to a stress-free start to any camping trip. This blend of peaceful seclusion and easy access to both local necessities and broader Michigan attractions makes Walnut Hills Family Campground an excellent choice for a wide range of campers.
Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds is designed to provide a comprehensive and comfortable camping experience, offering a range of services to meet the diverse needs of its guests. While it's always best to check their official website or contact them directly for the most current and detailed list, typical services offered by a quality family campground like Walnut Hills include:
- RV Sites: Spacious and well-maintained sites with various hookup options (electric, water, sewer) to accommodate different types of recreational vehicles.
- Tent Sites: Designated areas for traditional tent camping, often in more natural settings.
- Cabin Rentals: Offering a convenient and comfortable alternative to traditional camping, suitable for those without an RV or tent, or for family members joining for part of the trip, as highlighted by a review.
- Restrooms and Showers: Clean and well-maintained facilities for personal hygiene, often including hot water.
- Kayak Rentals: As explicitly mentioned in a review, providing on-site rental of kayaks, offering a fantastic opportunity for water-based activities and exploration.
- Planned Activities: A crucial feature for families, offering a schedule of organized events and entertainment for all ages, which kids "had a blast" with.
- Camp Store/Concessions: A convenience store on-site for purchasing essentials, snacks, firewood, and camping supplies.
- Laundry Facilities: On-site laundry services for guests to use during their stay.
- Dump Station: A designated area for RVs to empty their waste tanks before departure.
- Pet-Friendly Options: Many campgrounds allow pets on designated sites, with specific rules and regulations.
Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds distinguishes itself with several key features and highlights that contribute to its popularity and positive reputation among Michigan campers:
- Comprehensive Planned Activities: This is a major draw for families, ensuring children (and adults!) are constantly entertained. The review stating "Our kids had a blast with all the planned activities" underscores the success of these programs.
- Exceptional Cleanliness and Maintenance: Consistently praised for being "clean and well-kept," both the individual sites and the general campground areas are maintained to a high standard, enhancing the overall comfort and enjoyment of guests.
- Friendly and Welcoming Staff: The staff's disposition is a significant highlight, described as "very friendly." This creates a positive and inviting atmosphere, making guests feel welcomed and valued.
- Quiet and Family-Oriented Atmosphere: Despite the planned activities, the campground maintains a "clean and quiet" environment, especially appreciated by seniors who "love to see the families having a good time doing outdoor things in a quiet setting." This balance is crucial for a family campground.
- Variety of Accommodations: Offering both RV sites and cabin rentals caters to diverse camping preferences and needs, allowing families with different comfort levels to enjoy the experience together.
- On-Site Kayak Rentals: The convenience of being able to rent kayaks directly at the campground allows for spontaneous water adventures and adds a unique recreational dimension to the stay.
- High Return Rate and Recommendations: The strong desire of visitors to "definitely want to return next year hopefully for more than one trip" and their readiness to "highly recommend this family campground to anyone" are powerful endorsements of the positive experiences provided.
- Focus on Outdoor Family Fun: The campground's ethos revolves around encouraging families to engage in outdoor activities and create shared experiences, aligning perfectly with the spirit of Michigan's natural beauty.
Campgrounds frequently offer a variety of promotions and special offers to attract new guests and reward loyal patrons. While specific current promotions for Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds are not detailed in the provided information, it is common practice for campgrounds to have:
- Seasonal Discounts: Reduced rates during off-peak seasons or for longer stays.
- First-Time Camper Deals: Special introductory rates or packages for new visitors.
- Holiday Weekend Packages: Specific bundles or themed events for popular holiday weekends, often with enhanced activities.
- Extended Stay Rates: Discounted weekly or monthly rates for those planning longer vacations.
- Group Discounts: Special pricing for large family gatherings, scout troops, or other organized groups.
- Loyalty Programs: Rewards for returning campers, such as discounts on future stays or exclusive access to certain amenities.
- Early Bird Booking Incentives: Savings for those who book their sites or cabins well in advance.
To get the most accurate and up-to-date information on any current promotions, special events, or booking opportunities, it is highly recommended to visit the official website of Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds or contact them directly using the provided contact information.
For Michigan families and outdoor enthusiasts eager to plan their next camping adventure at Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds, here is the essential contact information:
Address: 7685 Lehring Rd, Durand, MI 48429, USA
Phone: (989) 634-9782
Mobile Phone: +1 989-634-9782
It is advisable to call during standard business hours for reservations, inquiries about specific site availability (RV, tent, or cabin), details on planned activities, and to clarify any policies regarding pets or specific amenities. You can also likely find more information and potentially online booking options on their official website.
Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds is exceptionally suitable for locals in Michigan, offering a premier outdoor escape that caters to a wide array of preferences and needs. For Michigan families, the campground's strong emphasis on "planned activities" is a huge draw, ensuring that kids are not only entertained but also have opportunities for active, outdoor play. This dedication to family fun means parents can relax knowing their children are engaged and making happy memories, often asking "if we can go again next week!" immediately upon returning home.
Beyond the engaging activities, the consistent praise for the campground's "clean and well-kept" sites and facilities, coupled with the "very friendly" staff, creates a welcoming and comfortable environment. This attention to detail alleviates common camping concerns about cleanliness and hospitality, allowing visitors to truly relax and enjoy their surroundings. The balance between lively family activities and a "clean and quiet" setting makes it ideal for mixed-age groups, including seniors who appreciate seeing families enjoy "outdoor things in a quiet setting."
The availability of both RV sites and convenient cabin rentals means that Walnut Hills accommodates diverse camping styles, making it accessible whether you own an RV, prefer tent camping, or simply want the comfort of a cabin. The added bonus of on-site kayak rentals further enhances the recreational opportunities, allowing for spontaneous adventures on the water. For Michigan residents seeking a reliable, enjoyable, and family-friendly outdoor destination that consistently delivers on its promises of fun, cleanliness, and hospitality, Walnut Hills Family Campground by GatherGrounds stands out as an unparalleled choice for creating cherished memories close to home.
Customer Reviews
We had a great experience at Walnut Hills! Our kids had a blast with all the planned activities. Our site and the campground was clean and well-kept. The staff was very friendly! Our kids are already asking if we can go again next week (we just got home yesterday)!
We spent a lovely 6 days at Walnut Hills on an RV site and also rented a cabin for a family member to come and stay with us at the camp ground. It was clean and quiet and the family atmosphere was lovely, we're seniors and we love to see the families having a good time doing outdoor things in a quiet setting. We definitely want to return next year hopefully for more than one trip and would recommend this family campground to anyone. We took advantage of the kayak rentals as well and it was a great experience. Highly recommend and we plan to return!
Walnut Hills is a great campground. Nice shady lots. A cool swimming area with a big water wibit (float) to play on. Activities for kids and parents. Themed weekends are the best. A new dog park for your fur babies. A lot of time and investment has been done with this campground and shows. We enjoyed our stay every time, even if it rains.
I will never camp here again due to threatening signs and emails to campers to put them in prison if they snuck on floating device or got noisy at night. We don't do either, but felt it was terrible to threaten campers with prison time.
It’s disappointing to write this review, as we truly enjoyed the campground and the friendships we built during our time there. We became seasonal campers at Walnut Hills two years ago, starting with a lovely site priced at $3,600 for the season. However, the pricing has increased significantly and unjustifiably since then. In our second year, the rate was raised to $4,200, which we accepted, as we were told the increase was to fund necessary updates to the campground. While the bathhouse was renovated (a much-needed improvement), little else was upgraded. For the 2025 season, we were informed that our site fee would rise to $5,000—a 40% increase in less than two years for a small site that does not justify such a premium. The owner’s (Matt) reasoning for the price hike was unconvincing. Despite claims that the additional revenue would fund activities and amenities, the reality is that seasonal campers often organize and finance events out of their own pockets. This disconnect between management’s statements and the actual experience is frustrating. We later discovered that the owner planned to convert our row of seasonal sites into weekend rental sites because they generate higher profits. It was disheartening to feel intentionally priced out of our site. The owner does not live in Michigan and, during our two years there, we never once met him and he never engaged with his campers. Overpricing was an ongoing issue. For example, campers were charged exorbitant fees for amenities like the Wibit water park and firewood bundles. Meanwhile, the justification for rate increases—that new amenities were being added—did not align with the reality of our experience. While new golf carts were purchased for rental purposes, seasonals are going to be charged an additional $300 fee to help cover these costs, with no direct benefit to us. Unfortunately, the management changes only compounded these issues. The two previous managers, who were caring and dedicated, were replaced with less capable individuals. Our interactions with the new manager, Janet, were particularly unpleasant; her overbearing approach and condescending attitude created unnecessary tension and detracted from the welcoming atmosphere that camping should foster. We were going to move to a less expensive site in 2025, but after a couple of interactions with her driving around pretending to be a police officer towards other campers, yelling at people that she will remove all “drama” from HER campground, we decided it was time to move on. It’s clear that the focus has shifted from creating a positive experience for campers to maximizing profits. While we understand the need for any business to be financially sustainable, there must also be a balance that prioritizes guest satisfaction. Unfortunately, this balance is not being achieved. The lake, which is more like a pond, is poorly maintained, and the campground itself lacks meaningful improvements. Many other seasonal campers have chosen to leave in recent years, with 30-40 departing just this past year alone. The reviews from other campers echo our concerns, and it’s apparent that the current ownership does not prioritize the long-term happiness of its guests. Camping is meant to be about creating lasting family memories, but the current direction of Walnut Hills focuses solely on profit at the expense of its community. For anyone considering this campground, I would recommend reading other reviews carefully before making a decision.
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