Glamping sites around Allendale, Michigan offer diverse accommodation options beyond traditional canvas tents. Within a 25-mile radius, visitors can find yurts, cabins, and premium tent setups with varying levels of amenities and services. The region experiences warm summers with average highs in the 80s from June through August, making it ideal for water-based activities, while spring and fall temperatures range from 50-70°F.
What to do
Beach access and swimming: Grand Haven State Park Campground provides direct access to Lake Michigan's shoreline. One camper noted, "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."
Winter recreation: Lake Michigan Campground at Muskegon State Park Campground transforms into a winter playground when snow arrives. "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," shared a winter visitor.
River tubing: Chinook Camping offers organized river trips that end right at the campground. According to a reviewer, "This is a great campground for tubing down the river. They rent the tubes right at the campground, take you up river, and then you get out of the river back at the campground."
Mountain biking: Hungry Horse Campground features trails for riders. One camper mentioned, "There was lots for the kids to do at the campground including playground, jump pad, mountain bike trails, hayrides, barrel rides, and a pool."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Muskegon County Pioneer County Park receives praise for its well-maintained amenities. A camper remarked, "Clean bathrooms and showers. Warm water for the showers unlike some I have been to."
Sunset views: Multiple campgrounds offer sunset viewing over Lake Michigan. A camper at Grand Haven State Park shared, "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."
Privacy options: South Channel Campground provides sites with more space between neighbors. One visitor noted, "Sites have scattered trees and a decent amount of shade. Amenities are well maintained. A great offering in West Michigan."
Proximity to attractions: Lake Macatawa Campground serves as a convenient base for exploring Holland. A reviewer mentioned, "Close to downtown Holland. Nice bathrooms and clean showers."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. One camper advised, "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."
Site layouts: Some campgrounds have tighter spacing than others. A camper at Grand Haven State Park Campground observed, "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."
Alcohol restrictions: Check park policies before bringing alcohol. A reviewer at South Channel Campground noted, "Alcohol is NOT allowed and is posted."
Wi-Fi availability: Coverage varies by location. At Pioneer County Park, a camper reported, "Verizon phone gets maybe 2 bars at it's best, LTE & Verizon mifi, will be able to bring in 3G."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: South Channel Campground offers recreation for children near campsites. One visitor shared, "This is a wonderful park for families! We have stayed several times and it gets better each visit!"
Water activities: Multiple glamping sites near Allendale feature swimming areas. A camper at Pioneer County Park mentioned, "The beach is a beautiful place to watch sunsets or see the moon over the lake. The spots are pretty close together but the ground is soft and flat."
Activity planning: Schedule around peak times for popular features. A visitor to Lake Michigan Campground advised, "Right on the water! It's so beautiful, there are stairs over the hill or you can walk down to the main beach entrance."
Site selection: Corner sites offer more space and better views. One camper recommended, "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."
Tips from RVers
Parking challenges: Some campgrounds have narrow access roads. A camper at Chinook Camping reported, "They have very narrow roads that were very difficult to maneuver a large trailer. Lots were smaller and hard to back into."
Satellite reception: Tree cover affects satellite connectivity. At Pioneer County Park, a camper observed, "This park is huge and heavily wooded. If you're wanting your satellite to come in, there are only a few open spaces. We walked around it looked like site 76 and that general area, were open enough to get a clear shot."
Hookup variations: Not all sites offer full hookups. A visitor noted, "Electric hookups only - no water or sewer in campsites. It's beautiful and piney and full of poison ivy and mosquitoes because it's in Michigan."
Level sites: Some campgrounds provide better parking pads. A review of WaterTrail Ventures Paddle Respite mentioned, "It's close to the river but set back far enough so that during a downpour you won't be worrying and the drive to get to the site is quaint and peaceful."
