Whitewater Township Park

Rules

GENERAL:

1. Whitewater Township Park property includes the ranger station, campground, dump station, boat launch, boat launch parking lot, waterfront, pavilion, beach area, and trails.

2. It is the responsibility of all users of the park to inform themselves of all park policies and rules.

3. Park rangers and park administrators have the authority to enforce all park policies and rules. Violations of policies and/or rules may result in expulsion from the park or other enforcement action.

4. For activities or situations not covered by these policies and rules, please contact the Parks & Recreation Manager at (call sms 231) 413-1160 or email: camping@whitewatertownship.org

Policies

Must be 18 years of age to reserve camping sites. The holiday weekend minimum is 3 nights. Holiday weekends include Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day.

TIMES AND VISITORS:

1. Quiet time begins at 10:00 p.m.

2. Waterfront and pavilion close at dusk.

3. Visitors are welcome in the park between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Visitors shall not enter or remain in the campground between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

CAMPGROUND:

1. Camping is permitted on designated sites only.

2. Maximum of six (6) people per site.

3. Campers under 18 years of age must have adult supervision. Parents, you are responsible for your children.

4. You have the option to pay an additional $25 per night for setting up an extra tent.

5. Each sleeping unit shall maintain a minimum of 4′ clearance on all sides.

6. RV trailers should be parked on campsites in a way to expedite removal in the event of an emergency.

7. Campsites must show occupancy with a sleeping unit for the duration of the reservation. Reservations on sites without occupancy may be canceled.

8. Subleasing of campsites is not allowed. Registered camper(s) who will not be present in the park overnight must report the length of their absence to the ranger station in writing, along with a phone number where the registered camper can be reached in case of emergency.

9. Moving picnic tables from one site to another is prohibited without the consent of a park ranger.

10. Moving a fire ring within a campsite is prohibited without the consent of a park ranger. Moving a fire ring to another campsite is prohibited.

FIREWOOD, FIRE PITS, AND WASTE DISPOSAL:

1. Fires are not permitted in the park except in designated fire pits and grills.

2. Bundles of split hardwood will be available for purchase. Only firewood purchased through the ranger station is allowed in the campground.

3. NO outside firewood or burning materials of any type shall be brought into the campground or burned in the fire pits.

4. Unburned wood should not be removed from the park, in accordance with DNR recommendations against transporting firewood.

5. Burning or placement of garbage, bottles, cans, or any other type of waste in fire pits is strictly prohibited and may be grounds for expulsion from the park or other enforcement action.

6. Waste of any type, including food, cigarette butts, and other trash or sewage shall be bagged and disposed of in proper containers provided throughout the park.

7. All returnables should be placed in designated containers.

8. Fish entrails shall be placed in leakproof plastic bags, tied shut, and placed in the dumpsters. Whitewater Township Park is in bear country! Do not dispose of fish entrails in the campground!

VEHICLES:

1. No more than two (2) vehicles and one (1) boat trailer are allowed at each site. Vehicles or trailers shall not protrude into roadways.

2. Additional vehicles, boats, or trailers must be parked in the overflow parking area.

3. Overflow parking area is for registered campers only.

4. No boats of any kind shall enter the park without the purchase of a boat pass. This rule applies whether the boat will be launched or not.

5. No vehicles, boats, or trailers shall park overnight in the boat launch parking lot.

6. Off-road vehicles and golf carts are prohibited in the park (except for the park’s golf cart).

BOAT LAUNCH, PAVILION, BEACH, AND WATERFRONT:

1. No smoking in the beach area.

2. No glass containers in the beach area.

3. No watercraft allowed within the buoyed swimming area.

4. Whitewater Township Park does not provide moorings for boats.

5. Anyone wishing to moor a boat must supply their own mooring and moors at their own risk.

6. Please restrict the mooring of boats to the area north of the boat launch.

7. Waterfront, pavilion, and park trails close at dusk.

8. No overnight parking is allowed in the boat launch parking lot.

DOGS/PETS:

1. All dogs and pets of any type must be registered at the time of check-in.

2. Dogs and pets of any type must be kept on a 6′ leash and in the company of the owner at all times. Campers who allow their dog or pet to wander unaccompanied off their site may be expelled from the park.

3. Campers who leave dogs or other pets unattended in the park, including inside a camping unit or vehicle, may be expelled from the park if the dog or pet disturbs the peace and quiet of the park.

4. Dogs and pets of any type are prohibited in and around the bathhouse (except leader dogs for the blind), the beach and swimming area, or any other building within the park.

DISTURBANCES:

1. Disrespectful, vulgar, or profane language anywhere on Whitewater Township Park property will not be tolerated. Violations may result in expulsion from the park or other enforcement action.

2. Disturbance of other campers’ outdoor experience, day, or night, with unreasonable noise or activities is prohibited.

3. Disturbance of other campers during quiet time (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) with noise of any type that can be heard beyond the campsite producing the noise is strictly prohibited. Violation of this policy may result in expulsion from the park or other enforcement action.

4. Destruction or damage of any type to park property may result in expulsion from the park as well as pursuit of reimbursement for damages or other enforcement action.

5. Fireworks and sky lanterns are strictly prohibited.

6. No devices that discharge projectiles either by air, explosive substance, or any other force are allowed on park property.

7. Drones are prohibited anywhere on park property.

Map

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Campground Map

Reviews Leave a Review

Nancy Miller

5.0

A very nice, well-kept park. We really enjoyed our stay. Staff were friendly and helpful. Their communication with people camping there was good.

October 15, 2024

Mary Zahrt

5.0

Late September stay was quiet, site was large, restroom was spotless and staff very friendly! Will be booking again!

October 07, 2024

Danielle Brodin

3.0

Great spacious wooded sites! Beautiful views of Elk Lake. Downfall, no running water due to well issue - no one called to tell us of this issue ahead of time.

October 07, 2024

Timothy Beggs

5.0

Late September visit. We staying in a pull thru lot in the Backwoods loop. Nice spacious site. Clean bath house with quarter fed showers (one quarter gets you 2 1/2 minutes of water). Park was pretty busy when we got there (fishing tournament) and after 2 days we were one of 4 units in the park. They also have a short network of nature trails that were nice for a stroll.

October 02, 2024

Delphine Warbington

5.0

Whitewater Twp Park is an annual trip for us for many years. We love the location and enjoy not only the scenic park itself and its hiking trails, but also visiting Traverse City while we are there.

October 01, 2024

Dave Elmblad

5.0

I'd like to Thank the staff you folks are very accommodating. The campground and bathrooms are clean and well kept . I have stayed here many times over the years and always have had a pleasant stay.

September 30, 2024

Dave Fosburg

5.0

Great place and very quiet

September 30, 2024

Michael Finch

3.0

I have spent quite a few days at Whitewater Township Park. The park is in a great location and the sites are nice sized. The staff is friendly and helpful. The bath house is very nice. The maintenance on the grounds need a lot of work. Many sites are not level and in need of work. The is a bathroom that is not functional and has danger tape wrapped around it. There are numerous fences that need replacement, don't lean on them. The playground is overgrown with weeds along with an old volleyball court. I believe they just don't have any maintenance staff and the township most likely does not want to invest to make it better. I am marginal whether I would recommend it.

September 26, 2024

DAVID DUFFY

5.0

Our last visit was our third, and it was wonderful. The staff is always so pleasant. I’m grateful that this beautiful campsite is available to us.

September 24, 2024

Mary Zahrt

5.0

Autumn camping! We loved our camping experience! The pine trees are beautiful and the campsite was huge. Restrooms were spotless. Not many campers due to the season; perfect! Staff is awesome! We will be back!

September 24, 2024

Tracey Weatherholt

5.0

This is a great campground! It may be off season but it’s so peaceful and it’s very clean. Seems like the bathrooms & showers are checked hourly. The staff is very friendly. The campsites are exceptionally big. Lots of trails nearby to hike on. The lake is another bonus! I would like to keep it all a secret so I could stay here whenever I get a chance.

September 23, 2024

Erin Betancourt

5.0

I hardly want to leave a review because this campground feels like a hidden gem! The view over Elk Lake from our campsite was breathe taking! We will definitely be back!

September 22, 2024

Mark Sable

5.0

Has been one of our favorite spots to camp for years, and just keeps.getting better. Look forward to future trips.

September 21, 2024

Michael Mack

3.0

Starting to get overpriced I have stayed at white water for years. The prices are starting to get too high for the quality of the park. I want to start out by saying the bathroom and showers are clean. It is a quarter for the showers but they have reduced the time. As the price comes up you would expect to see sight improvements. The sites are just dirt. What ever way the ground lays is how the site is. There is very few level lots. Also the mowing and the brush trimming is slacking.

September 17, 2024

Suzan Starr

5.0

Beautiful park on the lake. Always clean with helpful staff.

September 17, 2024

Olesya Khorysheva

5.0

Love the campground, clean, nice staff.

September 17, 2024

Keith Virgo

5.0

Great stay at a very nice park. Nice wide camping areas with plenty of room, staff very friendly and helpful. Bathroom was spotlessly clean. Will camp there again.

September 16, 2024

Dusti Donbrock

5.0

We had a great stay so nice and quiet here, peaceful surroundings.

September 11, 2024

Tracey Weatherholt

4.0

I was very happy with my stay. The campground is very clean. The bathrooms were clean and someone checking them often to keep them clean. Great hiking trails from the campground. The only reason for 4 stars is it’s very dark at night and walking to the bathroom was hard to see the road. I understand you wouldn’t want bright shining street lights but maybe low lights on short poles would help guide you along the edge of roads or pathways.

September 09, 2024

Cortney Verran

5.0

Beautiful wooded campground on Elk Lk. Bathrooms are very clean and provided accommodations are great. We will absolutely be back.

September 09, 2024

Jessica Dorer

5.0

This has quickly become one of our favorite camping spots and traditions to take the kids to. So clean, peaceful and easy lake access that leads to Torch as well.

September 08, 2024

Sara Miling

5.0

We had a great weekend camping with our family and friends!! No complaints 😊

September 04, 2024

DAN JENNINGS

5.0

It would be nice if from wood deck by site 13 you could see the water, but the trees have blocked it.

September 04, 2024

Mike Gerrits

5.0

I love this park and Mike is doing a great job as the new manager. I am disappoointed that my 2025 reservations were canceled wihout any explanation.

September 04, 2024

Penny Bassett

5.0

Really enjoyed our time there. Did see some disturbing things tho that didn't affect us but did affect the campground. Lots of people know when the office closes and we would see people come in after 8pm and leave before 7am cause they didn't want to pay for their lot. You are losing money. If you found a way to put a couple washing machines and dryers you would be a great added feature

September 04, 2024