Between Traverse City And Grand Rapids Is Michigan's Lesser-Known Park With Secluded Campsites

In the middle of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, you can take a detour from the region's small towns and farmlands into the woods of Deerfield Nature Park. About midway between Traverse City and Grand Rapids, Deerfield Nature Park takes up a patch of forest along the winding Chippewa River, just outside downtown Mt. Pleasant. The park packs riverside hiking, fishing, paddling, and disc golf into an easy outdoor stop if you're traveling through the region. You could spend a few hours on the trails or at the swim beach, or camp overnight at one of the park's tucked-away campsites (if you're up for a backcountry-style experience).

Deerfield Nature Park doesn't have the name recognition of Lower Peninsula destinations like Ludington State Park or Fort Custer Recreation Area — both of which have thousands of reviews on Google Maps and appear on lists from outlets like National Geographic and Tripadvisor. With under a thousand reviews on Google Maps (as of this writing), Deerfield Nature Park isn't as renowned. It's also a considerable (but drivable) distance from bigger cities, with Grand Rapids just over an hour away and Traverse City close to two hours away. 

Deerfield's relatively low profile lends it the quiet, secluded atmosphere that past visitors have so often praised. One previous traveler described it as "a peaceful stop to enjoy nature and let the chaos of the world take a back seat for a while." For those visiting Mt. Pleasant — Michigan's small, artsy hub with city amenities — or coming from further cities, Deerfield Nature Park is a peaceful place to trade the bustle for a few hours or a night among the trees.

For outdoorsy travelers seeking out the best Midwest camping destinations with more solitude than amenities, Deerfield Nature Park offers an unplugged overnight stay. The park has 10 primitive campsites, all tent-only, tucked into its nearly 600 acres of woods. It's not a place where you can roll out of your car beside a fire pit; the campsites are located a mile from the parking lot and reachable on foot or by canoe. You'll have to leave modern comforts like electricity and showers behind, as the only utilities provided here are pit toilets and a hand-operated water pump (all the more reason to read up on some DIY camping hacks to improve your outdoor adventure and arrive prepared). The flip side is that you get to camp near the river, pleasantly removed from the park's main day-use area. Each site also has its own picnic table and fire pit.

If you're looking for some activities while camping out, or you're just stopping by for a day of outdoor recreation, Deerfield has lots to choose from. Numerous hiking and cycling trails — some looping close to the park entry, others venturing deeper into the woods — run through the park, ranging from about a quarter-mile to 2.5 miles in length. The roughly 1.5-mile River Trail is a good option if you want to follow the Chippewa River. Along the way, you'll pass two swinging bridges and a covered bridge, offering plenty of opportunities for a scenic pause. Close to the parking lot, there's a sandy swim beach, volleyball area, canoe launches, and two disc golf courses. Note that you'll need an Isabella County Parks Vehicle Entrance Permit, available for purchase at the park's gatehouse.