Walter J. Hayes State Park sits in the Irish Hills near Onsted, between Wamplers Lake and Round Lake, with a 180-site modern campground. It’s about 35 miles from The Oaks Campground in Munith, about an hour’s drive south. Hayes is a compact lake park with a busy all-sports lake across the road. The Oaks is a nature-first private campground on 155 acres next to Waterloo, with its own beach, water park and about 120 acres of trails. Both are good family choices for different reasons. Here’s a fair look at each.
Hayes State Park camping vs The Oaks: quick comparison
| Hayes State Park Campground (Michigan DNR) | The Oaks Campground (private) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | Irish Hills, near Onsted | About 35 miles from Hayes, about an hour by car |
| Campsites | 180 sites in east and west loops along Round Lake, each with an asphalt pad; two mini cabins and two tiny houses | RV sites from 35×65 up to 55×120 feet, plus 20 tent sites; no cabins or pull-throughs |
| Hookups and power | 20- or 30-amp electric; sites 1–10 also have water (no sewer); toilet and shower building; sanitation station | 50-amp electric on short-term sites (30 amp on seasonal sites) and water, a gray-water drain, honey-wagon pump-outs and a dump station; bathhouses with showers and laundry |
| Reservations | midnrreservations.com or 800-447-2757; Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry | Book online; no Recreation Passport; no office check-in |
| Swimming | Buoyed swim area and beach house across the street on Wamplers Lake | Sand beach on a spring-fed swim lake, the Aquaglide water park (wristband) and a free Kangaroo Jumper |
| Trails | Short Red and Blue hiking trails between the campground loops | About 120 acres of on-site trails for hiking, mountain biking, golf carts and day riding |
| Fishing and boating | Wamplers Lake (all-sports) launch; Round Lake (no-wake) launch and fishing pier; kayak and paddleboard rentals; Michigan license for ages 17 and up | Fishing lake with a dock, bait at the store; paddle your own kayak; Portage Lake public launch about 9 minutes away |
| Pets | 6-foot leash; allowed along the shoreline except the swim beach | Leashed in the campground; off leash on the back trails and in the dog run; can swim in the fishing lake, not at the beach |
| Quiet hours | 10 PM to 8 AM | 11 PM to 8 AM, with kids and bikes back at the site by dusk |
| Season | 2025 dates: April 22 to October 21 | May 1 to October 20 |
| Best for | Boaters and families who want a lake-focused weekend in the Irish Hills | Families who want a beach, water park, trails and events at camp |
About camping at Hayes State Park
Hayes covers 654 acres in the Irish Hills. According to the Michigan DNR, its campground wraps around Round Lake in two loops with a mix of sunny and shady sites. Every site has an asphalt pad and 20- or 30-amp electric, and sites 1 to 10 also have water. The DNR notes that these “full hook-up” sites offer water and electric only, with no sewer. There’s a toilet and shower building and a three-lane sanitation station.
The two lakes give Hayes its character. Wamplers Lake, across the street from the campground, is an all-sports lake with the day-use area, a buoyed swim area, a beach house and a public launch. Round Lake, which the campground surrounds, is a no-wake kettle lake with a fishing pier and a launch that’s reserved for campers on weekends during the camping season. Kayaks and paddleboards are rented at the campground office from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends, and a concession in the beach house sells food and camping supplies and rents float mats.
For a roof over your head, Hayes has two mini cabins that sleep four and two tiny houses with air conditioning and a private bathroom.
State parks are funded and priced differently, through camping fees, the Recreation Passport and public investment, so the campground centers on the lakes rather than on-site activities.
Who Hayes State Park is best for
- Boaters and skiers. An all-sports lake across the road and a quieter no-wake lake at the campsite give you both kinds of water.
- Paddlers and kids learning to fish. Round Lake’s no-wake water and fishing pier are easy places to start.
- Campers who want water at the site. Sites 1 to 10 have water and electric.
- Small groups who want a private bathroom. The tiny houses have their own toilet and shower.
- Irish Hills visitors who want a base in the middle of the lake country, closer to Adrian and the US-12 corridor.
Who The Oaks is best for
The Oaks is a nature-first campground next to Waterloo Recreation Area and the Haehnle Sanctuary. It’s for families who want a day of activities at camp and a lot of room.
- Families who want the water park at camp. The sand beach and Aquaglide are a short walk from the waterfront sites, and the free Kangaroo Jumper is next to the playground by the store.
- Campers who want space. The smallest sites are about 35×65 feet and the biggest run 55×120. Sites 46 to 61 have no one behind them.
- Trail users and dog owners. About 120 acres of trails start at camp, and dogs can run off leash on the back trails.
- Wildlife watchers. Sandhill cranes, deer, turkeys and herons are regular sights, and the Haehnle viewing area is a short drive away.
- Event weekends. Holiday weekends bring fishing contests, tie-dye, bingo, bike and golf-cart parades, food trucks and a DJ. See the events page.
The Oaks has water-and-electric sites (50 amp on short-term sites) with a gray-water drain, with no sewer, pull-throughs or cabins. For 50-amp full hookups, our sister park Walnut Hills in Durand has them. Rates vary by date and site; see our rates page.
Visiting both
The Irish Hills is one of the places our guests visit most, and Hayes makes an easy day on the lakes. Spend a morning paddling Round Lake or boating on Wamplers, have lunch in the Irish Hills, and be back at The Oaks for an evening swim and a fire. Remember that your vehicle needs a Recreation Passport to enter the park. If you’re coming from Toledo or Adrian, The Oaks is also a reasonable drive.
Want a beach, trails and big sites in one place? Book your site at The Oaks.
Questions
How many campsites does Hayes State Park have?
The Michigan DNR lists 180 campsites in east and west loops along Round Lake, plus two mini cabins and two tiny houses.
Does Hayes State Park have full hookups?
Sites 1 to 10 have water and electric. The DNR notes there is no sewer at the site; a sanitation station serves the campground.
Where do you swim at Hayes State Park?
At the buoyed swim area on Wamplers Lake, across the street from the campground, where the beach house is.
Are dogs allowed at Hayes State Park?
Yes, on a 6-foot leash. The DNR allows pets along the shoreline but not on the designated swim beach.
How far is Hayes State Park from The Oaks?
About 35 miles, roughly an hour by car.
Do I need a fishing license at The Oaks?
Not on the campground’s private fishing lake, where you may keep fish (most guests release them). On public water like Wamplers Lake, a Michigan license is required.
Can I bring my own firewood to The Oaks?
No. Outside firewood isn’t allowed at our Michigan parks, to protect the old-growth oaks from insects carried in on wood. The camp store sells firewood and delivers it to your site.
When is the Aquaglide open at The Oaks?
Thursday through Sunday plus holiday-weekend Mondays, opening late morning, through Labor Day. Riders must be 7 or older, kids under 16 need a parent present, life jackets are provided, and campers ride free on Thursdays.
