Seven Lakes State Park, near Holly, is about 23 miles and about 45 minutes from Walnut Hills Family Campground in Durand. It’s a compact park of 1,434 acres with more than 230 acres of water spread across six lakes: Big Seven, Dickinson, Little Seven, Spring, Mud and Sand. Walnut Hills is a 42-acre resort-style family campground on the Shiawassee River, with a spring-fed swimming lake, a floating water park and events most weekends. Here’s a fair side-by-side so you can pick the one that fits.
State parks and private campgrounds are funded and priced differently. A state park is paid for through camping fees, the Recreation Passport and public investment. A private campground like Walnut Hills pays for its amenities, staff and utilities through the site rate. That difference shapes what each one offers, so the useful question isn’t which is better, it’s which one fits the trip you have in mind.
Seven Lakes State Park vs Walnut Hills: quick comparison
| Seven Lakes State Park | Walnut Hills | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Walnut Hills | About 23 miles, about 45 minutes | — |
| Campsites | 70-site modern campground along Sand Lake | 201 RV sites, 18 tent sites and 2 camping cabins on 42 acres |
| Hookups and power | 30- and 50-amp electric; sanitation station for campers | 30- and 50-amp; 80 full-hookup (water, electric, sewer) sites |
| Reservations | MiDNRReservations.com or 1-800-447-2757; Recreation Passport for vehicle entry | Book directly with us; license-plate gate, no office check-in |
| Swimming | Campground swimming beach on Sand Lake; buoyed swim area at Big Seven Lake day-use area | Spring-fed lake with a sandy beach and the Wibit floating water park |
| Boating | Launches on Big Seven and Dickinson lakes; no-wake rules | Shiawassee River launch; canoe, kayak and tube trips through Cheff’s |
| Trails | Hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing | Scenic walking trails; the Shiawassee River is the main outdoor draw |
| Fishing | Bluegill, bass, pike, tiger muskie, walleye, catfish; fishing pier on Dickinson Lake | Catch-and-release in the campground lake and ponds; the swim lake’s north end |
| Pets | 6-ft leash; not on designated swim beaches | 6-ft leash; fenced off-leash dog park; dogs can swim in the river, not at the beach |
| Quiet hours | 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. | 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. |
| Best for | Couples and small families who want a small campground and quiet lakes | Families who want a full weekend of things to do on site |
Park details come from the Michigan DNR’s Seven Lakes page. Check it for current notices before you go.
Who Seven Lakes State Park is best for
Seven Lakes is the smallest campground in this group, and that’s a real strength. With 70 sites, it feels close to the water and easy to get around.
- Campers who like a small campground. All 70 sites sit along Sand Lake, with a swimming beach and a playscape right in the campground.
- Anglers and quiet-water boaters. The DNR lists bluegill, bass, pike, tiger muskie, walleye and catfish. There are launches on Big Seven and Dickinson lakes, no-wake rules, and a fishing pier on Dickinson Lake.
- Trail users. Hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are all listed, with a trail map on the DNR site.
- Families who like nature programs. Seasonal naturalists run programs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
- Campers who want a calm, alcohol-free summer setting. Alcohol is prohibited from April 1 through Labor Day unless the park grants an event permit.
One practical note from the DNR: the sanitation station is closed to non-campers because of septic capacity, so plan your dump stop if you’re only visiting.
Who Walnut Hills is best for
Walnut Hills Family Campground is a resort-style family campground, and it’s built for families who want to spend the weekend at the campground itself rather than driving somewhere every day. Our team hears the same thing from guests every season: the campground is the destination.
- Families with kids. The spring-fed swimming lake has a sandy beach and the Wibit floating water park (open Tuesday through Sunday through Labor Day, free for campers Tuesday through Thursday; ages 7 and up, kids under 16 with a parent present, life jackets provided). There’s also the Kangaroo Jumper, playgrounds, an arcade, sand volleyball and gaga ball, plus themed weekends with crafts, games and food trucks.
- RVers who want full hookups. We have 80 full-hookup, 50-amp sites, and many sites run 70 to 80 feet long for rigs up to 45 feet.
- River lovers. We sit on the Shiawassee River. Cheff’s Canoe Rental, an independent outfitter, runs canoe, kayak and tubing trips from our launch.
- Easy arrivals. There’s no office line. Your license plate opens the gate, and after hours you can call the store to pre-check in.
- Dog owners. Dogs stay on a leash around the campground, run off leash in the fenced dog park, and can cool off in the river.
What we don’t have: a pool, Wi-Fi or laundry. Our season runs May 1 to October 20. Rates vary by date and site; see our rates page to book your site.
Put simply, Seven Lakes gives you several small lakes to fish and paddle in a quiet setting. Walnut Hills gives you more to do without leaving the campground, with bigger sites and full hookups for larger rigs.
Visiting both
Seven Lakes is an easy half-day trip from Walnut Hills. Many of our guests like to fish or paddle in the morning when the lakes are calm, then come back for the beach and the Wibit (Tuesday through Sunday) in the afternoon. Bring your Recreation Passport for the park entrance. If your group is split, some at the state park and some with us, visitors can register at our store and pay day-visit or beach rates; see the Wibit day pass page.
Questions
How far is Seven Lakes State Park from Walnut Hills?
About 23 miles, or about 45 minutes by car. It’s the closest of the four state parks we compare, just outside Holly.
How many campsites does Seven Lakes State Park have?
The DNR lists a 70-site modern campground along Sand Lake with 30- or 50-amp electric service, a toilet and shower building and a sanitation station.
Can you swim at Seven Lakes State Park?
Yes. The campground has a designated swimming beach, and there’s a buoyed swim area in the Big Seven Lake day-use area.
Are there full hookups at Seven Lakes State Park?
The DNR page lists electric service but doesn’t mention water and sewer at the site. Walnut Hills has 80 full-hookup, 50-amp sites.
Can you drink alcohol at Seven Lakes State Park?
The DNR says alcohol is prohibited there from April 1 through Labor Day unless the park manager grants written permission through an event permit.
Do I need a fishing license at Walnut Hills?
Not on the campground’s private lake and ponds, which are catch and release. You do need a Michigan license on public water, including the Shiawassee River and the lakes at Seven Lakes State Park.
Can I bring my own firewood to Walnut Hills?
No. Outside firewood isn’t allowed at our Michigan parks, to protect the old-growth trees from insects carried in on wood. The camp store sells firewood and delivers it to your site.
Is the Wibit open in September?
No. Labor Day is its last day; the pieces come off the lake for the winter and return the next season. The beach, Kangaroo Jumper and Halloween weekends keep fall busy, and the park is open through October 20.
