Near Allendale, Michigan, camping options stretch from the eastern edge of Grand Rapids to Lake Michigan's sandy shores, approximately 25 miles west. The region features a mix of flat terrain with scattered woodlands and water features, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Campsites near Allendale, Michigan typically offer a range of hookups with many parks providing recreational amenities beyond basic camping facilities.
What to do
Beach activities: 5-10 minute walk from any site at Hoffmaster State Park Campground, where campers can enjoy Lake Michigan's shoreline. "The campground beach, only a 5 - 10 minute walk from any site, was awesome! While there wasn't a lifeguard, I appreciated the 'flag system' advising how safe the water is each day," notes one visitor.
Hiking trails: over 20 miles combined between parks near Allendale. "My favorite part of this campground was the trails. In addition to several trails within the campground, many more can be accessed in the state park, which contains over ten miles of trails in its 1,200 acres," explains a Hoffmaster visitor.
Fishing opportunities: catfish common in the Grand River at Steamboat Park Campground. "This is a quirky little campground tucked away along a large river. You can fish there, but it's mostly catfish. Beautiful to drink your morning coffee by the water!" reports one camper.
Winter activities: sledding, skating, skiing available at Lake Michigan Campground at Muskegon State Park during colder months. "Across the road is the Winter complex, sledding, skating, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and luge course. Our kids had a blast here, they have tons of bonfire pits as well," mentions a winter visitor.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and showers. "The showers are not just clean and well maintained, but the shower rooms also have a dedicated sink and toilet, which I much appreciate," notes a Steamboat Park visitor. "The bathrooms are clean, the pool is great, and they always have fun activities for the kids!" reports a camper at Woodchip Campground.
Riverside locations: Several campsites offer water views or access. "Half of the sites are directly on a wide fast moving river. Occasionally a paddleboat goes buy with tourists," explains a Steamboat Park camper, while another mentions, "They have a salt water pool overlooking the river."
Pet amenities: Dog owners appreciate dedicated areas at certain campgrounds. "They even have doggy play pens for the pups where you can let them roam off-leash," shares a visitor to Allendale-West Grand Rapids KOA. Another camper reports, "Pets are welcome here with two fenced dog runs and trails to keep the owners exercised."
Year-round availability: Several campgrounds remain open during winter. "The only issue we had was the smell of sewer every once in a while. But the park owners were fixing it up and everything else was great. Really cute park with great prices on the river," mentions a visitor to Steamboat Park.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: From tightly packed to spacious. At Grand Haven State Park, one camper notes, "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." Meanwhile at Dutch Treat Camping & Recreation, "The lots are pretty flat and easy to park."
Alcohol regulations differ: Some parks prohibit alcohol entirely. "Big thing to remember for Michigan state parks is no alcohol even in the campground," warns a visitor to Hoffmaster State Park. This policy applies to several state parks in the region but not to most private campgrounds.
Early arrival fees: Some campgrounds charge for early check-in. "Make sure you do not arrive before 2:00PM, as they require a $10 early registration fee. If you decide not to pay, you'll be directed to overflow parking where you can loiter until 2:00," cautions an Allendale KOA visitor.
Parking lot camping: At beachfront locations like Grand Haven, expect limited privacy. "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," shares one camper.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused campgrounds: Chapel in the Pines Campground offers water recreation options. "Very nice pond/lake to swim and fish in!" reports a visitor, while another mentions, "Such friendly staff with a very strong sense of community among the campground."
Playgrounds and amenities: Woodchip Campground caters specifically to families. "There are campsites in a circle around the playground, so you can sit at your site and watch the kids play," notes one camper. Another visitor adds, "Great place to stay for the weekend. Lots of activities for kids. Heats pool till end of October. Does trick or treating."
Special events: Many campgrounds schedule family activities. "We came here for a fall camping weekend. Kids loved going on wagon ride to find the pumpkins and then decorating them. They really enjoyed the glow wagon ride," shares a Woodchip camper.
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer programs for children. "Gillette Visitor Center in the State Park area about 1/4 mile away offers Explorer and interpretive programs Tuesday through Saturday, with topics ranging from nature history/preservation to information on wildlife," explains a Hoffmaster visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Pay attention to parking arrangements. At Dutch Treat, "Sites are level with full hookups 50 amp. Owners are very accommodating to your needs," reports one RVer. Another visitor mentions, "Drove in with our class A pulling a trailer and called ahead, friendly staff was able to accommodate us with a pull through spot that was easy access."
Dump station timing: Plan departure carefully at busy parks. "I did notice the backup of campers at the two campground dump stations Sunday before 1pm checkout," warns a visitor to Hoffmaster State Park.
Winter camping options: Some campgrounds accommodate cold-weather RV camping. "Campground was nice in the winter our spot was plowed out and had a reserved cone at it, the bathrooms are closed and water is off but the outhouse is open," notes a winter camper at Muskegon State Park.
Reservation advice: Book well in advance for popular times. A ranger at Hoffmaster advised a visitor, "It is best to book months ahead for weekends because they fill up at the beginning of summer; however, cancellations are not uncommon, so watch the DNR site for openings."
