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Chelsea
Chelsea Attractions
Waterloo Recreation Area
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Waterloo Recreation Area

See all things to do
See all things to do
Waterloo Recreation Area
4.5
46 reviews
#3 of 19 things to do in Chelsea
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
46 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
16
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
1
michiganvisitor2017
14 contributions
Mill Lake cabins at Waterloo Recreation Area--don't stay here
Jun 2022
Overall I like this Recreation Area--great trails, the Discovery Center is interesting.

One thing I don't like are the cabins at Mill Lake. I stayed at one in June 2022 and was really disappointed. The cabin was dirty, the windows were full of cobwebs, the pictures on the reservation website showed futon couches but we tried and couldn't get them to be couches no matter what we did--we were stuck with flat mattresses, not couches.

And be aware that Mill Lake isn't somewhere you want to swim. There's access to the water near the cabins, but it's mucky and shallow.
Written 13 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anthony H
26 contributions
Beautiful
Aug 2021
Beautiful natural area, lakes and countryside!! I hunted it way back in the late 70s, they have added paved trails for biking, rollerblading, etc... Chelsea, the nearby town is still very nice, has everything you need for a great visit!!
Written 6 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Greg and Mary Beth
Ypsilanti, MI54 contributions
Fall Colors ...
Oct 2020
Waterloo Recreation Area is a beautiful place to visit all year round ... but, in the Fall it's spectacular!!! The Fall Colors are breathtaking and for folks that live in Southeastern Michigan it's an easy drive to get there ... and all others should include it in their weekend or vacation plans!!
Written 11 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HappyCamper415
Chelsea, MI3 contributions
I would absolutely love it if people honored the leash law.
Apr 2019
A beautiful place to hike. Discourteous dog owners, however, seem to think they own it. I have had two rotweillers run out of the woods at me at once....a bulldog/pitbull looking dog ran at me, my kids, and my small dog, and the owner refused to leash it...some retriever loose in the water came at me while kayaking as well, and the owner seemed to think this was real cute.

Waterloo......please enforce your rules. Some day you will be sued when a kid gets mauled.
Written 7 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2ContentReading
Michigan20 contributions
Great trails and fun place to camp
Sep 2018
We have camped here twice and enjoyed both experiences. The roadway leading into the campground is the biggest bummer with the washboard-type dirt road but the park is beautiful for walking and the staff friendly. We enjoy biking and there was plenty to keep us busy while there. You really have to educate yourself on which campground in the park is more your cup of tea as one is more "parking lot" style on grass whereas the other is more rustic and has mature trees throughout. It all depends on what you enjoy. We like a bit more privacy and picked out site accordingly.
Written 10 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
russnoftz
Chicago, IL26 contributions
Portage Lake Campground
Jul 2019
We tent camped here for three nights. The upsides were the well groomed campground, the amenities (beach, playground, disc golf), the helpful staff and especially the free private showers with hot water. We stayed adjacent to the shower house in the south loop. The downsides were that by Friday night, there was no privacy, that aside from the 'out and back' Waterloo-Pinckney trail, there isn't any real hiking. And, the mosquitoes. Not until we got home, did we realize how active the mosquitoes were (we hadn't felt feel them biting). A week after leaving, my wife and I still had visible bites all over our exposed skin. But, with sufficient insect repellent, it was an excellent campground.
Written 6 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cbrown154
Syracuse, NY18 contributions
Portage Lake South
Aug 2019 • Couples
We only stayed one night, but it was a very pleasant experience. The sites, like most Michigan State Park site, our large and wooded. The bathhouse was very nice, clean and well-kept. There’s a small restaurant just outside the gate where we had a beer and a pizza and it was most excellent.
Written 5 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ejb19852018
Trenton, MI14 contributions
Camping
Jun 2019 • Family
Camping at portage lake is great here. Good clean campground with plenty to do for kids. The lake is a short walk away and good hiking trails all through out.
Written 22 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mark D
15 contributions
Great family outing
Jun 2019 • Family
The Gerald E. Eddy Discover Center sponsors Hook, Line and Sinker, an introductory fishing experience geared toward kids. The program takes place at Crooked Lake outside of Chelsea in the Waterloo Rec. area. The DNR interpreter was very friendly and helpful teaching the basics of fishing. Also, the Discovery Center is a great interpretive center with an amazing arrowhead collection (don’t miss it!), an observation hive and live native animals. Don’t miss out on their great programs.
Written 4 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Fred S
Jackson, MI16 contributions
Treasure of Mid-Michigan
Sep 2018
I have lived within 10 miles of Waterloo my whole life . It is a treasure of a State Park and many lakes to explore in Mid-Michigan . I am extremely lucky to live so close to a place you can hunt and fish in Michigan throughout the year !
Written 31 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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WATERLOO RECREATION AREA (Chelsea) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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