Every now and then, you stumble upon an RV park that’s a real hidden gem, a place that offers incredible value and convenience in a location where you’d least expect it. The Wayne County Fairgrounds & RV Park in Belleville, Michigan, is one of those spots. Located just a handful of miles from the Detroit-Metro Airport, it’s an unassuming but incredibly practical home base for anyone looking to explore southeastern Michigan, from the heart of the Motor City to the beautiful surrounding parks and lakes. It’s the kind of place that seasoned full-timers know to look for: affordable, no-frills, and perfectly positioned.
Fairground camping is a category all its own. Outside of the big event weeks, these places can be wonderfully quiet and spacious. You’re not packed in like sardines, and you often get wide, easy-to-navigate lanes and large pull-through sites designed to handle big rigs and event trailers. That’s certainly the case here. The park offers full hookups, including that coveted 50-amp service that lets you run both air conditioners on a hot, humid Michigan summer day without having to fire up the generator. And, of course, they have an on-site dump station. One of the best things about this particular park is that they are very clear on their website about the seasonal availability of their dump station, so you’re not left guessing whether it will be open when you arrive.
The location is a huge part of its appeal. You’re just off I-94, which makes getting in and out a breeze, though you might want to time your arrival to avoid the airport rush hour traffic. The town of Belleville itself is a pleasant surprise, situated on a large lake and serving as a gateway to three of the wonderful Huron-Clinton Metroparks. These parks are a paradise for outdoor lovers, with miles of biking trails, opportunities for kayaking and paddling on the Huron River, and even a family aquatic center to keep the kids happy. If you’re an aviation or history buff, you’re in luck. The Michigan Flight Museum is right there at the nearby Willow Run Airport, where you can get up close with historic WWII aircraft. And for the main event, the incredible attractions of Detroit, like the Henry Ford Museum and the Motown Museum, are just a short 25-minute drive to the east.
This fairgrounds park lets you have the best of both worlds. You can spend your days exploring the rich history and culture of a major American city and then retreat to a quiet, affordable campsite in the evening. The value here is pretty hard to beat. With nightly rates around $22 for a full hook-up site, you’re paying a fraction of what most private campgrounds in the Detroit area would charge. That price includes your water, electricity, and access to the dump station. For RVers on an extended stay, they even offer monthly rates, which makes it a fantastic option for anyone working in the area or taking their time to really dig into all that the region has to offer.
The amenities are solid and practical. The full hook-ups are the main draw, but they also have a centrally located and heated bathhouse with showers and laundry facilities. This is a big plus, especially if you’re staying for a while. They offer propane refills on-site, which is super convenient for topping off before you head further north into Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula. There are large roll-off dumpsters near the exit, making trash disposal simple. And for those of us with four-legged travel companions, the adjacent grassy areas of the fairgrounds provide plenty of space for long walks and exercise.
There are a couple of very important insider tips for this park that you need to know. First, and this is crucial, the entire campground and dump station shut down for the annual Wayne County Fair, which typically happens in late July. You absolutely have to check their calendar and plan your visit around that closure. Showing up during fair week and finding the gates locked would be a major disappointment. Second, they have a policy regarding the age of RVs, requiring rigs older than 12 years to get pre-approval with a photo. This is becoming more common at private parks, so it’s something to be aware of if you’re traveling in a vintage or older model. A quick phone call and an email can sort it out, but you need to do it in advance.
My advice for a smooth visit is to use the park map, which you can download from their website, to pick your site. Some spots offer more shade than others, which can make a big difference in the summer. And as mentioned before, try to time your drive to avoid the heaviest airport traffic on I-94.
Ultimately, the Wayne County Fairgrounds is a perfect example of smart RVing. It’s not a fancy resort with a pool and organized activities. It’s a practical, affordable, and strategically located park that gives you everything you need to comfortably explore a fascinating part of the country. It’s for the RVer who values a good deal and a great location over bells and whistles. Mark that late-July fair closure on your calendar, and if your rig fits their criteria, put this spot on your list. It’s a no-nonsense solution for a full-service stay at a price that feels more like a motel than a campground, letting you save your money for the museums and attractions that brought you to the Detroit area in the first place.
10871 Quirk Rd, Belleville, MI 48111
(734) 697-7002
Cost: $22
Category: RV park
Has Water
waynecountyfairgrounds.net