Best Campgrounds near Allendale, MI
The Allendale area in western Michigan features several established campgrounds, most within a 30-minute drive of the city. The Allendale-West Grand Rapids KOA offers both tent and RV sites with full hookups, while Chapel in the Pines Campground provides a more wooded setting with water access. Other nearby options include Steamboat Park Campground along the Grand River and Baldwin Oaks Family Campground, both catering primarily to RV campers. Most campgrounds in the region are privately owned with varying amenities, though public options can be found at state parks like P.J. Hoffmaster and Grand Haven along Lake Michigan, approximately 25-30 minutes west of Allendale.
Camping season generally runs from April through October, though several facilities like the Allendale KOA remain open year-round. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. "This campground is great, it's only 25 minutes from Grand Haven beach. The sites are well treed and flat!" noted one visitor about the Allendale KOA. Most developed sites provide water and electric hookups, with many offering full sewer connections. Weather conditions vary significantly throughout the camping season, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 70-85°F and occasional thunderstorms. Spring and fall camping brings cooler temperatures but fewer crowds at popular waterfront locations.
Proximity to water represents a significant draw for campers in the region. Riverside camping at Steamboat Park offers scenic views along the Grand River. As one camper observed, "This is a quirky little campground tucked away along a large river. It's not large, but half of the sites are directly on a wide fast moving river." Family-friendly amenities feature prominently at many local campgrounds, with swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities available at facilities like Baldwin Oaks and the Allendale KOA. Most campgrounds provide clean restrooms and shower facilities, though quality varies by location. For those seeking more natural surroundings, the Lake Michigan shoreline campgrounds at state parks offer beach access, dune landscapes, and more primitive camping experiences compared to the primarily developed private campgrounds closer to Allendale.
