© GatherGrounds
© GatherGrounds Resorts
Golf carts and e-bikes
Golf Cart Rules at Walnut Hills: Rentals, Your Own Cart and E-Bikes
Walnut Hills is big and spread out, and a golf cart is a fun way to get from your site to the beach, the store and the evening events. Here’s how carts and e-bikes work, with the reason behind each rule. The complete posted rules are on our map and rules page.
Electric onlyno gas carts or ATVs
Your own cart$25/night pass
Speed limit5 mph everywhere
After darkcarts park for the night
Golf cart and e-bike rules at Walnut Hills
Electric carts only
Electric golf carts are welcome. Gas carts, ATVs, side-by-sides, off-road vehicles, minibikes and go-carts aren’t allowed, and motorcycles may be used only to enter and leave the park. The reasons are safety, noise and insurance: gas carts bring noise and fumes into a quiet campground, and campground insurers no longer cover ATVs at all.
Bringing your own cart
Short-term campers pay a $25 per night golf cart pass, show proof of golf cart liability insurance and sign a waiver when they register. We’ll give you a window sticker for the cart. The park carries its own costly insurance policy so guests can have carts, and the pass helps cover it. Your own insurance is still required, because both policies protect you and other guests.
Renting a cart
Rent a cart by the day. Reserve ahead online or by phone, or ask at the store when you arrive if any are left. Rental rates are dynamic like our sites, and multi-day rentals get a much better daily rate. That’s on purpose: a one-day rental on a busy weekend can block a family who wanted a cart for three or four days.
5 mph, everywhere
The speed limit is 5 mph for every vehicle in the park: cars, trucks, RVs and golf carts. Kids are everywhere at a family campground, riding bikes, chasing balls and darting between sites. At 5 mph a driver can always stop in time. It’s the most important safety rule we have.
Carts park at dark
Golf carts park for the night at dark. Cart headlights shine straight into RV and tent windows as they pass, which wakes up kids and neighbors who are trying to sleep. It’s also much harder to see kids on bikes and people walking after dark. Plan evening trips to the pavilion so you’re back before it gets dark.
E-bikes and regular bikes
E-bikes are allowed for adults only, and only pedal-assist models. Kids can’t ride e-bikes, and throttle-only e-bikes aren’t permitted. Throttle-only bikes behave like small motorcycles, and there have been serious accidents at campgrounds around the country involving kids on e-bikes and pedestrians. Regular bikes are welcome for everyone, back at the site by dusk.
Who can drive, and kids on carts
Please follow the golf cart rules on your waiver and the posted park rules. Ask the office about driver requirements when you rent or register a cart. Carts share the roads with kids, bikes and walkers, so a careful driver at 5 mph keeps everyone safe. Kids and bikes are back at the site by dusk.
Where to ride
Carts use the campground roads. Walnut Hills doesn’t have mountain-bike or cart trails inside the park, but savvy campers know about a public nature area just around the corner on Reed Road. It’s land a local farmer donated to the City of Durand, and it runs through the woods to the Shiawassee River, a nice nature ride by golf cart. Holiday weekends add golf cart parades, a Christmas in July parade and a Fourth of July golf cart race; see the events page.
Seasonal campers and carts
Seasonal campers at Walnut Hills pay $300 per season to keep their own electric cart at the park, and they provide their own golf cart insurance. Like the nightly pass, the fee helps cover the park’s own cart insurance policy.
For arrival, quiet hours and the rest of our rules, see plan your stay at Walnut Hills, our pet policy and our firewood and campfire rules. Comparing parks? Read golf cart friendly campgrounds in Michigan. Ready? Book your site.
Questions
Can I bring my own golf cart to Walnut Hills?
Yes, if it’s electric. Short-term campers pay a $25 per night pass, show proof of golf cart liability insurance and sign a waiver. We’ll give you a window sticker.
Can we rent a golf cart at Walnut Hills?
Yes. Carts rent by the day; reserve ahead online or by phone, or ask at the store when you arrive. Multi-day rentals get a better daily rate.
Can we drive golf carts at night?
No. Carts park for the night at dark, because headlights shine into camper windows and it’s harder to see kids and walkers.
Can kids ride e-bikes at the campground?
No. E-bikes are for adults only, and only pedal-assist models. Regular bikes are welcome for everyone.
Can I bring my ATV, side-by-side or gas golf cart?
No. ATVs, side-by-sides, off-road vehicles, minibikes, go-carts and gas golf carts aren’t allowed at any of our parks.
Ready to book?
Rates vary by date and site; see our rates page.
Walnut Hills Family Campground · 7685 Lehring Road, Durand, MI 48429 · (989) 634-9782
