Grand Haven State Park Campground, near Grand Haven, Michigan, is a lively spot that puts you right on the beach, making it a popular choice for those who love sun and sand. With sites that are close together, you’ll find a bustling atmosphere, especially during peak season, but the stunning views of Lake Michigan and the nearby lighthouses are hard to beat.

This campground offers easy access to the beach, where you can enjoy sunsets and the sound of waves crashing. Visitors appreciate the clean facilities, including well-kept bathrooms and showers, which make it convenient to freshen up after a day of fun in the sun. As one camper noted, “You can sit in the sand and watch boats come through the channel,” highlighting the prime location for beach activities.

If you’re looking to explore, downtown Grand Haven is just a short walk away, offering shops, dining, and local attractions. The nearby bike trails provide a great way to take in the scenery while getting some exercise. While the sites can feel a bit cramped, the vibrant beach atmosphere and the chance to camp right next to the water make Grand Haven State Park Campground a memorable destination for your next getaway.

Nestled on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, Grand Haven State Park showcases scenic views of Grand Haven Pier and lighthouse in front of vibrant sunsets that paint the open sky beyond. It’s not just the slow tide of Lake Michigan that draws people over, nor the perfectly groomed sand beaches. Aside from scenic beauty, Grand Haven State park also offers a host of amenities for campers, and then some. Moreover, the Grand Haven area is home to a number of offbeat attractions nearby which provide entertainment and laughs for the entire family. 

One of these notable attractions was built over 60 years ago, known as the Grand Haven Musical Fountain. At one point its claim to fame was its feat as the largest fountain in the world. However, in 1998 Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas stole that record after unveiling The Fountains of Bellagio. All things considered, those who don’t want to make a trip to Vegas will find Grand Haven’s fountain the superior (and less crowded) option. Besides that, the Musical Fountain is still the largest of its kind. Many here would argue that authenticity is more important than size. 

Aside from a charming fountain, the area also offers a local boardwalk with live music. It doesn’t stop there though. Outdoor enthusiast will enjoy the many hiking trails that span the park’s 48 acres. Fisherman will love the world-class fishing Lake Michigan is known for.  And everyone can enjoy the local shops, eats, and oddities found throughout the city. It goes without saying, finding something to do here is never a problem. 

Camping in the Grand Haven State Park is readily accessible, with online reservations available year round. The parks’ acreage rest’s along the western shores of Lake Michigan, and offers a host of lodging options as well. Aside from full service campsites, there are also cabins available for rental throughout. Moreover, there’s also beach sites open for reservation if you’d prefer your own beach getaway during the day. Campsites range from $21-$37/night, while cabins start at $126/night. Be sure to reserve cabins well in advance, as they are an extremely popular amenity for the campground. 

If you’re looking for an idealistic vacation getaway, Grand Haven State Park should be a unique spot you consider. Honeymooners, couples, families, and travelers alike will enjoy everything the region offers. All in all, this park is an unexpected delight sure to keep you wanting more over and over again.

Grand Haven State Park Campground

Grand Haven is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Grand Haven, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Grand Haven

The Best Camping Near Grand Haven, Michigan

Grand Haven State Park is great for families, and those who want a camping experience minus the seclusion of being in the woods. The camping area is a large parking be lot where most camp in trailers and RVs. The beach and pier is within short walking distance and amenities are well kept for. Plenty of great restaurants and breweries in downtown Grand Haven, again, only walking distance away. All in all, Grand Haven State Park is the place to go when your main camping goal is getting rid of those tan lines.

Beautiful beach, but crowded.

If you can get site 127, it will be worth it, corner and facing the pier and the lighthouse. It is very busy and mostly full of RV's and trailers. If you are in a tent, just know that you aren't going to have any privacy. Everyone is very friendly and a nice sense of community. The State park sits less than a mile from the main strip of Grand Haven, which is a very cute town with great restaurants, shops and candy stores. It also is a 10 min walk to the town dog beach where dogs can run wild and play in the water. The lake is beautiful with a great walk down the pier to the lighthouse. They have great facilities as well with large individual showers.

Site 127

This campground is EXTREMELY hard to get into on the weekends. If you are planning a trip to Grand Haven State Park, be sure to log onto the State Reservation site six months to the date that you want to camp. This campground is unique because it is basically a parking lot with site numbers. There are no fire rings and plenty of sand! Be prepared to have lots of sand and dirt in and around your RV! The catwalk on the lighthouse pier is being updated so if you plan on a 2017 trip, you will not be able to go onto the pier to look at the lighthouse up close. I will post pictures from last summer when we camped there so you can see the lighthouse with the catwalk. My son likes to jump off the pier. The pier is usually packed with older kids listening to music and jumping from the pier. This is a hot spot for the locals as well as tourist. Grand Haven is one of my favorite towns and my husband and I have considered moving there in the future. The campground is well kept and the facilities are nice. This is a busy town so be patient and enjoy the town. If you can go during coast guard festival, I recommend it! Also, walk down the boardwalk and visit Barefoot Dave at the Tshirt shop! He is so personable and has awesome tshirts! There is also a place called Pronto Pup and it is basically a deep fried hot dog.. YUMMY!

Great parking lot camping with a view!

This is one of the most beautiful State Parks in Michigan-if you haven't been here, please put it on your list!

Breathtaking!

Grand Haven is a tourist destination. Known for its beautiful beaches, great restaurant’s, and small town shops. The State Park is not at all roughing it but makes up for that in views of sunset and beach front camp sites. Bring your own fire pit if you need a fire. Clean bathroom’s. Walking distance to all the downtown action. Prices can be a bit high during peak summer dates. 

Beach camping in a wonderful town. 

We visited this campground for two nights in June 2018\. Spots are tight but we selected one prior to our arrival that would allow us a little more room. We parked on pavement and had sand right outside the back of our camper. Our kids loved that and we did too. Playgrounds are awesome and have lots of room for many kids. There is a lot of beach area at the water. It does get crowded though. The bath house was nice. We used it for showers. There aren’t full hookups, only electricity. Campground was easy to get to and in walking distance to some souvenir shops and restaurants. It’s a great campground for families with children.

Lake Michigan Beach Camping

No fire pits

Suggest bringing your Coleman grill as campfires are not allowed

Small sites big views

This was a great overall experience. We were right on the canal side and only 300ft away from Lake Michigan. Grand Haven State Parks has upgraded facilities so bathrooms and showering is actually pleasant. Loce this place and will be going back annually. 

Bucket-list checked!

Close to Downtown Grand Haven and boardwalk, on sandy beach of Lake Michigan. Ideal for RV camping. $21-37/night. Cottage available too. Book in advance! End of July-early Aug this small town is packed due to Coast Guard Festival. 

DT GH experience

The pier is always fun to go out onto, also great area for walking along the beachhead. The fountain fireworks in July I highly recommend as well. Beaches are usually pretty crowded but still worth it.

Beautiful Beach

Grand Haven is very busy, so you shouldn't be expecting a quiet retreat when you visit. But the beaches are beautiful and kept clean. It is nice to walk the pier to the lighthouse and there's plenty of shops and restaurants to explore nearby. This area is known for their Coast Guard presence and musical fountain that operates in the summer.

Nice beaches & lots to do

This is a campground located right on the sandy beach of Lake Michigan. Its perfect for those who want to be right up close to the water. There is paved lots where your rv sits. No trees for shade so be sure to be prepared with ac! 

Beach Camping

Lakefront access makes this a super cool camping spot for your rig. But the RV area is a concrete parking lot where you’re feet from your neighbors. The whole area is well kept and there’s tons to do on the beach (grills, volleyball, game) etc. Very busy spot during the day in the nice weather months. Fourth of July week was packed.

Parking Lot on the Lake

Great to be so close to town and the beach. Not much of a “vacation” with such strict drinking rules and tight quarters. 

Use to be better  

If you want beach than this is your campground. No dirt as this is a parking lot. Spaces are very small. No fire pit, you need to bring a portable one. Hope you get good neighbors! Still it is fun to be on the beach but all and all not my kind of camping. 

Beach access

Right on the beach! No need to pay for parking or lug your things too far. Only downside is small spots and no water hookups. 

Amazing location !

As woods lovers, we never thought we would like this... but - consider it! If you like the beach! Yes, the sand in the tent sucks... however, the sun, sand, and water are awesome if you like that sort of thing! Plus, GH State Park has access to a great boardwalk to stroll and a downtown with restaurants, ice cream/fudge, breweries, and shopping! They have a farmers market too!

During normal years (non pandemic), the musical fountain is a nightly draw -/ is the Coast Guard Festival with its parades, special events, and fireworks! 

COVID-19 info: the Main Street is a one way as half of it has been blocked off for more outside seating!!! (Love the outside!). The beach is “iffy” about social distancing... The musical Fountain, parades, and festivals are not happening; yet, this is still a cool place if you like beaches.

Cons: sites are Way too close, a lot of people. 

Oof! One thing to note: you MUST BRING your own fire pit that sits above the ground and has a cover! We didn’t know this. Luckily, we found one at a local big box store for about $60... but, yes, it was $60 extra that we didn’t plan on nor did we need the item in the future (gave it to one of our kids).

Helpful hint: sites book up 6 months in advance. Cancellation has to happen 14 days before the reservation starts, so you can often book a site (from someone who cancelled) when you start checking daily between 30-15 days out. 

Camping on the Beach 

This was our first trip on this side of the lake and we absolutely loved it! We stayed at the State Park campground. We we're on the pier side and it was amazing watching the water toys and people watch. Very close walk to town and the fountain water light show, nice bike path and clean bathrooms. Also, they are constructing a new bathroom on the pier side. Currently the pier is closed at the first light house due to renovations. Sites are not very large but the trade off is so worth it. Quite time is 11 pm so great for couples to make a late night romantic stroll down the pier or beach.

LOVED IT!

I love camping right next to the beach. The have a good amount of showers they are all private. The only downfall for me is the sites are very very close together. Other than that, you are right by all the action. You can sit in the sand and watch boats come through the channel. You can lay out on the beach. Everything is within walking distance. 

Beach campground 

This is a cool campground to come hang out at one of the most beautiful beaches in Michigan, and provides the unique experience of actually camping ON the beach, which is something you don’t get to do with 95% of the campgrounds on Michigan’s coast. Right across the Grand River a really nice nature preserve to escape for a hike, but there isn’t much in the way of hiking at this particular state park. The showers and facilities though are of the cleanest and well kept in all of Michigan’s state parks.

Campin’ on the beach! 

We were traveling back from the UP and always wanted to stay in this campground.

The camp spots are flat, back to a playground (Amazing For kids) 3 min walk to the beach and pier , sand is going to be everywhere , tight spots busy all the time.  

  

Not your private campground the beach is the priority..Would return

Beautfull Town And Beach

It is basically a parking lot with electricity connection, It is located on the beach near the lighthouse.  The location is beautiful but it is extremely crowded.  It's pretty hard to park big rigs.  They have a playground for children and bathrooms.  Water and sewage are located at the entrance where tanks can be filled or emptied.  Access is very easy from an asphalt road.

Crowded but beautiful 

Grand Haven is often described as a parking lot: However, we don't spend much time at the camper when we are here. We are here for Lake Michigan. The sunrises and sunsets, the water, the beach and the waves. 

Nothing like waking up and walking to the beach, easy back and forth for lunch/dinner and snacks. The town is super cute and you can't leave without trying a pronto pup! 

Bathrooms are clean and facilities are large. Easy access to town for any needs or a dinner out. 

Its not where I go if I want a quiet camp in the woods, it is a great destination for lake time!

All day lake michigan access great town 

This place is always booked pretty quick so be sure to reserve your place sooner rather than later! Always a great time at GH

Very popular

This is a parking lot on the beach - sites are extremely tight and small 

This is not a normal michigan style camping experience but it’s about the location of where you are.

This is a great location for being right on the beach and being able to walk downtown

This campground is not for everyone

We love sitting on the beach having a fire and waking downtown 

Bathrooms were very clean, staff were very friendly 


Not your normal campground 

Not our usual type of camping. But, with that said we really enjoyed our 4 night stay. Lake Michigan is a short stroll and downtown Grand Haven is a short walk. Enjoyed the Spring Lake bike trail loop that gave us a 19 mile ride from the campground. Verizon signal okay to stream. 
Lucked out and only had one off and on neighbor. Otherwise sites are very close and on a parking lot covered with sand here and there. 

Great Beach Camping

  We were camping at Holland State Park, which isn't that far away &amp; decided to take a morning to see the pier &amp; lighthouses at Grand Haven. Unfortunately, we picked the Saturday they were having the Kite Fest on the beach so the parking was CRAZY!

  

   I asked the guy at the gate how to get to the pier &amp; he said "cut through the campground". I'm pretty sure there's a city park outside the state park, but like I said- crazy weekend parking. 

  

  My thoughts on Grand Haven State Park is the sites are VERY tight. I thought Holland was bad, but Grand Haven is much worse. 

  

The pro- You can get a site right on the beach. Imagine sitting &amp; watching the sunset every night from the comfort of your site! You get a nice view of the lighthouses.

  

The cons- Very Tight Sites! This is also a very small state park, so it's parking lot/beach/campground &amp; that's about it. There's only 1 bathhouse. You have to bring your own portable fire pit. No hiking trail, unless you count the walk to the pier.

Photos of Grand Haven State Park Campground

Real photos from real campers