Double R Ranch Campground: A Look at Camping Near Belding, MI

Double R Ranch Introduce

For Michiganders considering a camping getaway in the Belding area, Double R Ranch is a name that might come up in your search. Situated in the beautiful landscape of West Michigan, this campground offers a rustic experience with access to the Flat River and options for horse riding. It's a place that has seen many years of visitors, and like any long-standing establishment, it has developed its own character and reputation over time.

Our goal here is to provide a factual and informative overview of Double R Ranch, drawing directly from publicly available guest feedback. Understanding the experiences of past campers can help you decide if this particular campground aligns with your expectations for an outdoor adventure in Michigan. Whether you're drawn by the allure of the river or the equestrian opportunities, it's important to be well-informed before you pack your gear and head out.

Location and Accessibility

Double R Ranch is located at 4424 Whites Bridge Rd, Belding, MI 48809, USA. This address places it in Belding, a community in Ionia County, Michigan, situated along the Flat River. The location offers a taste of rural Michigan, away from the immediate hustle and bustle of larger cities, yet remains accessible for many residents across the state. Belding itself provides basic services, and larger towns are within a reasonable driving distance for more extensive needs.

Accessibility to the campground via Whites Bridge Road typically involves navigating standard paved and possibly some unpaved county roads, which is common for campgrounds in more natural settings. For those coming from Grand Rapids or other West Michigan areas, the drive is generally straightforward. While the property's natural setting contributes to its potential appeal, it's always advisable to verify directions and road conditions, especially if traveling with an RV or trailer. The river's presence is a key geographical feature that influences activities at the ranch.

Services Offered

Double R Ranch aims to provide various services typical of a campground, focusing on outdoor activities and accommodations. Based on guest reviews, here's an overview of what campers can expect:

Campsites: The campground offers sites that are described as "adequate." These likely include options for both RVs and tent camping. However, specific details about hookups (water, electric, sewer) for RV sites are not consistently highlighted as a positive feature, suggesting a more basic or varied setup.
River Tubing/Floating: A major draw and explicitly mentioned service is tubing or floating down the Flat River. Guests are transported upstream and float back to the campground. A critical note from visitors is the strong recommendation to "NEVER do their float without shoes" due to challenging terrain at the drop-off and along the riverbank, which can include "tree limbs, rocks, poison ivy," and steep, rocky sections.
Horse Riding: The ranch offers horse riding opportunities. However, it is explicitly stated that if you intend to ride horses, you "better book the horse riding when you book the site or you're SOL" (meaning out of luck), indicating limited availability or a strict booking policy.
Restroom and Shower Facilities: The campground provides restroom and shower facilities. Reviews mention "new bathrooms are fine, even spacious," but also note issues such as "a lot of standing water on the floor" and a lack of places to set personal items, with water being "everywhere." Older bathrooms by the pool also reportedly have standing water issues.
Swimming Pool: There is a swimming pool on site. However, guest feedback indicates issues with maintenance, stating it was "only maintained once in 5 days" during a five-day stay and lacked "pool chairs of any kind," with ants being present on the ground around the pool area. It was also reported as "closed over Memorial Day weekend" in one instance.
Playground: A playground is available for children. However, reviews strongly warn about "numerous hazards for kids," including "cracked slides that'll cut your children" and a "rotting lumber climbing structure complete with rusty bolts protruding." This raises significant safety concerns for families.
Golf Course: While not part of the core camping amenities, the adjacent golf course is mentioned as "ain't bad" by one reviewer, suggesting it could be a separate recreational option nearby.

Features / Highlights

While some aspects of Double R Ranch have drawn criticism from recent visitors, certain features stand out as points of interest or potential highlights:

The Flat River Access: For many long-time campers, the Flat River remains the primary reason for returning. Its presence offers opportunities for tubing, fishing, and general riverside enjoyment, providing a natural draw for those who love water activities.
Horse Riding Opportunities: The availability of horse riding is a distinct feature that sets Double R Ranch apart from many standard campgrounds, catering to equestrian enthusiasts looking to combine camping with their passion for horses, provided bookings are made well in advance.
Rustic, Natural Setting: The overall environment of the ranch, being located in a rural part of Michigan along a river, offers a natural and potentially quiet escape for those seeking a less manicured camping experience.
Potential for Improvement: The mention of "new bathrooms" suggests an effort, albeit with noted deficiencies, to upgrade facilities. This indicates a potential for future improvements that could enhance the overall experience.
Golf Course Nearby: The presence of an adjacent golf course offers an alternative recreational activity for campers interested in hitting the links during their stay.
Spacious New Bathrooms (Design): While lacking amenities, the newer bathrooms are described as "fine, even spacious" in their layout, indicating a positive design in terms of roominess, despite functional issues.

Contact Information

To inquire about Double R Ranch, including reservations for campsites, horse riding, or river tubing, you can use the following contact details:

Address: 4424 Whites Bridge Rd, Belding, MI 48809, USA

Phone: (616) 794-0520

Mobile Phone: +1 616-794-0520

It is strongly advised to contact the ranch directly and ask specific questions about the condition of facilities (especially the playground and pool), the exact nature of the river tubing drop-off points, and to confirm any booking policies for activities like horse riding. Given recent public feedback, thorough communication before your visit would be prudent to ensure your expectations align with what the campground currently offers.

Conclusion: Why Double R Ranch is Suitable for Locals

For Michiganders considering Double R Ranch near Belding for their next camping trip, it's essential to approach it with a clear understanding of what it currently offers, based on recent guest experiences. While it presents some compelling natural advantages, particularly the Flat River, and opportunities for unique activities like horse riding, it also has notable areas that require attention.

The primary suitability of Double R Ranch for locals lies in its access to the Flat River. For those who prioritize river-based recreation like tubing or fishing, this remains a significant draw. The natural setting provides a rustic backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts who appreciate a less developed environment. Additionally, the option for horse riding, if booked correctly, adds a distinct equestrian element that appeals to a niche audience within Michigan.

However, it is crucial for local families, especially those with young children, to be aware of the detailed feedback regarding facility conditions. Concerns about the playground's safety, the pool's maintenance, and the state of the bathrooms are significant. This suggests that campers should prepare for a very "no-frills" experience, bringing their own solutions for comfort and entertainment, and exercising caution regarding some on-site amenities.

For locals who have a long-standing history with the ranch, as some reviewers indicated, the river might be a strong enough pull to continue visits. For new visitors, particularly those seeking a well-maintained family-friendly resort, a thorough inquiry directly with the ranch, coupled with a review of the latest public feedback, is highly recommended. If your primary goal is simple camping with river access and perhaps horse riding, and you are prepared for a rustic and potentially challenging experience regarding amenities, Double R Ranch might fit your needs. It offers a certain charm for those who appreciate its specific, perhaps rugged, character within Michigan's diverse camping landscape.

Double R Ranch Photos

Double R Ranch Location

Double R Ranch

Michigan Ionia County Belding Whites Bridge Road

4424 Whites Bridge Rd, Belding, MI 48809, USA

Double R Ranch Reviews

Been camping here a long time, over two decades. I have watched the care and attention given to the campground decline, especially over the last few years. The playground has numerous hazards for kids, cracked slides that'll cut your children if they do dare to venture on to the aged equipment. The owner himself is rude. Will walk right into your campsite unannounced, cussing you out for something you didn't have anything to do with! There are numerous dead oak trees throughout the campground, while there last week a huge 500lbs+ branch fell into a thankfully empty campsite. Sooner or later someone will get hurt. The river is the only reason I have kept going back, but I might be done with them now. Their camp playground is a hazardous joke, with a rotting lumber climbing structure complete with rusty bolts protruding for maximum effect. The bathrooms are guarded by some random dude who must've traded free camping for his guard services, creepy AF. If you intend to ride their horses, you'd better book the horse riding when you book the site or you're SOL. But hey, apparently the golf course ain't bad
Jun 18, 2025 · ihfarmer1586
Where do I start? The sites are adequate. However everything is run down. The bathrooms by the pool always (5 days there) had a lot of standing water on the floor. The pool was only maintained once in 5 days. No pool chairs of any kind and you couldn’t sit on the ground as there were ants everywhere. The new bathrooms are fine, even spacious, but there is absolutely no where to set your stuff and there is water everywhere! The staff is less than helpful and not friendly. We (a group) went tubing down the river. We were told to leave shoes, towels, etc in our cars. NEVER! NEVER do their float without shoes! They drop you off (probably on state land so they aren’t liable)! at a culvert that immediately goes down hill. You are walking on tree limbs, rocks, poison ivy and down by the river it is very steep and rocky. They are vague about the end point landing. We will not be staying there again! Sad, it could be a beautiful, quiet place!
Jun 30, 2025 · Suzanne Merrill
This campground is in a beautiful setting with lots of trees and open spaces.I stayed in a chalet, which did not look great from the outside but was quite clean and adequate on the inside. It could benefit from "prettying up" with the addition of some decor to make it less stark. The bedroom I stayed in had two outlets, but not all the plugs worked.The distance between the chalets and the campground was not conducive to visiting friends in the campground or using the pool.Bathrooms and other buildings look shabby and in need of upkeep and maintenance.Coming from the south there is no sign indicating the campground entrance, which makes it difficult to find. An additional sign would be helpful.
Jun 29, 2025 · Marty Kissell
I would not come back to this camp! All kinds of bugs, most sites have no grass, Chalets and bathrooms and pools were far from everything, we went tubing, and it was terrible. We were told to leave shoes, towels, belongings in your vehicle, and then they dropped us off at the top of a ravine, where they told us to go down to the river. There was no path, it was covered with logs and branches, and rocks. There was hardly any place to get into the river. They were not clear where we would be picked up, it was ridiculous! They charge $5 each for any other people over 2 on your site, including children. Not family friendly, for sure. Pools and bathrooms and showers were yucky.
Jun 29, 2025 · Dawn Harlos
Price does not reflect the quality of their amenities.Do not book Site 87, as the FHU sewer is higher than your typical sewer drain and you’ll have lift and drain your hose yourself.Electrical box is fried.Whole campground could use refurbishment.
Jun 20, 2025 · Sara