Parks & Recreation

Important Announcements

Herrick Recreation Area’s Day Use Area closes after Labor Day, but is still accessible.
To access Herrick day-use area:
Visitors may park along Herrick Road on the day-use side as long as the main gate is not blocked. Utilize the pedestrian gate to walk through to the day-use side. Visitors may also park on the campground side in the parking spaces near the gatehouse. Running water and bathrooms may be unavailable. Vault toilets are available on the campground side of the park.

Herrick Recreation Area Camping Limited to 14 Consecutive Nights
As adopted by the Parks and Recreation Commission’s Regular Meeting on August 5, 2026, effective immediately, a park user may not camp for more than 14 consecutive nights in Herrick Recreation Area’s campground. Upon reaching the 14-night limit, the camper or camping party is not eligible to return until 5 nights have elapsed.
SPECIAL NOTE: Reservations longer than 14 nights booked prior to August 5, 2026 will be honored this season, but no extensions of those reservations will be permitted.

VIEW RESERVATION WEBSITE
For the remainder of the 2026 Season after Labor Day:
Camping reservations can be made 1) online, 2) at the Coldwater Lake Family Park and Deerfield Nature Park gatehouses over the phone or in-person on weekends only, or 3) over the phone M-F from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through the Parks Main Office at (989) 317-4083. Herrick Recreation Area camping reservations can be made only 1) online or 2) through the Parks Main Office. Pavilion reservations can be made in the same manner as detailed above, but only at Coldwater Lake Family Park and Deerfield Nature Park.

Park Gatehouse Phone Numbers (weekends only after Labor Day):
Coldwater Lake Family Park: (989) 644-2388
Deerfield Nature Park: (989) 772-2879

Coldwater Lake Family Park Campground
Open Friday, May 1 – Sunday, October 4, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Herrick Recreation Area Campground
Open Friday, May 1 – Thursday, October 1, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Deerfield Nature Park
Open Year-Round
8:00 a.m. – Dusk

Annual Park Entrance Permits for your vehicle are available for purchase ONLY at Deerfield Nature Park in the off-season (Labor Day-Mid/End of May). The Deerfield Gatehouse is open Fridays 3-7 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 5 pm, and Sundays 12-4 pm (dependent on staff availability; hours may vary).
Permits are not available at the Parks Main Office.
Isabella County Residents: $25 | Non-Residents: $35

Sign Up to Be Notified of Cancellations
If you’re unable to secure the campsite you want, don’t forget that the “Notify Me” feature on the reservation website (isabellacounty.goingtocamp.com) allows you to sign up for an email notification when a site becomes available for selected dates.

The last day to be added to the 2027 lottery list for 30 or more consecutive nights, including full season, for camping at Coldwater Lake Family Park is Tuesday, December 1, 2026 by 4:30pm.

Reservations, including changes to existing reservations, can be completed online, or by calling the park gatehouse or Parks Main Office. All policies apply to both online and phone call reservations. Full payment is due at time of reservation. When making your pavilion reservation, be sure to fill out and submit the Special Event Form linked in your confirmation email to complete your reservation. If you have not created an online account since 2022, you must create a new account to make online reservations.
Reserve Online
Log In to Online Account

CUSTOMERS CAN NOW MAKE CHANGES TO AND CANCEL RESERVATIONS ONLINE:
1) Log in to your online camping account
2) Click My Reservations
3) Click Change Reservation or Cancel Reservation

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