Benton Lake

Camped 8/24/19-8/29/19 (Sat thru Tues). Traveling north out of Grand Rapids on Hwy 37, we checked various Nat'l Forest campgrounds - Twinwood (full), Indian Lake (rugged track to get to it, tent site-oriented), Shelley Lake (another skinny dirt road to reach, crappy lake). We checked out Diamond Lake Co. Park as well, but seemed kind of a rip-off having to pay $6 extra each day you were there, on top of your camping fee. We decided on Benton Lake.

There are 24 sites here, in two loops (loop 1 has sites 1-12; loop 2 sites 13-24). A camp host is at one site in the first loop. The park is paved, has a boat launch area with parking, a picnic area with parking, the campground and a visitor parking area by the loops. Site pads are asphalt and mostly level (some have a slight slant). Most sites are very large, grassy and have a picnic table, fire ring, lantern post and we saw 3 sites that had a grill as well. They are spaced out with trees between so there's some privacy. We were glad there were sites that were open above and had sun exposure, so our solar panel was usable.

Two water spigots - one by the camp host, the other (in the other loop) by the information board. There are also 2 vault toilets per loop. Loop 13-24 VTs were doubles (toilet on each side).

We stayed in site 2 but were across from the VT and the chemical smell was so bad, we moved to site 15 in the other loop. The VT we used in that loop was okay (as far as VTs go), except for dead bugs on the floor, which were cleaned up on day 2 of our stay. VTs had TP, deodorizers and hand sanitizer.

Arriving on a Saturday, the place was almost full, so there was some people noise. By Sunday night though, it had almost cleared out, and we only heard occasional traffic from Pierce Rd.

Sites closest to the lake had a trail to water's edge. There was also a trail that went along the lake, and a trail connecting loops. Two piers are there at the campground for campers to fish from or to tie up your fishing boat, kayaks or canoe.