RV parks near Grand Rapids, Michigan offer seasonal options with varying accessibility from urban amenities. Most campgrounds in the area operate from May through October, with seasonal closures during winter months. The region features multiple waterfront camping opportunities along rivers and lakes within a 30-minute drive of downtown Grand Rapids.
What to do
Kayaking on White River: White River RV Park & Campground provides direct river access for paddlers. "We brought our kayaks and just brought one vehicle up the river to the start point to put in and got out right at the campground," explains one visitor who appreciated the convenient water entry points.
River cruising at Steamboat Park: This year-round campground offers unique boating experiences right from the property. "They have river cruises that leave directly from the office. These two hour cruises offer drinks and feature live music from local bands for only $16 per person," notes a camper at Steamboat Park Campground.
Horseback riding near Belding: Double RR Ranch RV Resort combines camping with equestrian activities. "We enjoyed a reasonable trailride on horses thru a shallow part of the river. Very easy for inexperienced riders and kids," reports a visitor who appreciated the family-friendly riding options.
Golf access included: Some campgrounds offer recreational amenities beyond typical outdoor activities. At Double RR Ranch, one reviewer mentioned that "my husband liked the golf course that came with renting spot," indicating no additional fees for camping guests to use the course.
What campers like
Family-focused activities: Woodchip Campground earns praise for its kid-friendly setup. "We love this as an easy getaway close to home... There are campsites in a circle around the playground, so you can sit at your site and watch the kids play," writes one reviewer who appreciated the thoughtful layout.
Clean facilities: Steamboat Park consistently receives compliments for maintenance standards. "Card operated laundry. Rigorously cleaned restrooms and showers - the best I've seen," notes one full-time RVer who considered this campground among their favorites after two years on the road.
Spacious, level sites: Many campers value the concrete pads and site quality at Hidden Ridge RV Resort. "All sites are good size sites with a cement pad and very green grass. It is also very well run and maintained," observes one camper who found the site consistency worth the higher price point.
Water recreation options: Multiple campgrounds offer water access beyond swimming pools. At Hidden Ridge, one visitor noted, "Some of the things they have to do are swimming pool, playground, basketball courts, fishing, kayaking, jump pad, and lots of paved roads for bike riding."
What you should know
Highway noise concerns: Location relative to major roads affects some camping experiences. At Cedar Springs RV Resort, campers should prepare for traffic sounds. As one reviewer notes, "The highways a littler closer then it looks, so you do get a lot of road noise. Especially when trucks hit the chatter bumps on the side."
Distance from services: Some campgrounds are relatively isolated despite proximity to Grand Rapids. Eastpointe RV Resort offers different logistics with one camper noting it's "biking distance to town," while Hidden Ridge presents challenges where "there isn't much close the the campground at all. Like the closest gas station is 15 miles."
Site spacing variations: Campgrounds differ significantly in site density. Some offer privacy while others maximize capacity. "Sites are small. Great trees surrounding the property," notes one camper about Woodchip Campground, contrasting with Steamboat Park's "very spacious sites" that multiple reviewers praised.
Seasonal operations: Most RV parks close during colder months. White River RV Park operates "May 1 to Oct 15," while Eastpointe RV Resort runs a shorter season from "May 1 - Oct 1," requiring advance planning for fall camping trips.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused bookings: White River RV Park & Campground stands out for organized recreation. "Amenities include basketball court, playground, horseshoe pits, walking trails, heated pool, etc. Plus, you can 'float' in tubes, kayaks, or canoes (your own or rented) from a launch site two miles away," explains one family camper.
Themed weekend planning: Woodchip Campground offers special events throughout the season. "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. Root beer floats Saturday night were great!"
Golf cart rentals: Larger campgrounds often require transportation within the property. Hidden Ridge addresses this need as one visitor explains: "Because of the size of this campground most people get around by golf cart. We rented a golf cart from them, which our kids had a blast just going for rides around the campground."
Pool features: Water amenities vary between properties. At Steamboat Park, visitors appreciate the distinctive "salt water pool overlooking the river," while White River RV Park offers a "heated pool" that extends the swimming season during cooler months.
Tips from RVers
Winter camping options: Year-round RV sites are scarce in the region. One reviewer highlighted a key exception: "The also really awesome thing about this park is that it is year round. Year round parks are so hard to find in Michigan. This one is awesome," referring to Steamboat Park Campground.
Big rig accessibility: Hidden Ridge accommodates larger vehicles with appropriate hookups. "All sites include a concrete pad, fire ring and full hook-up. 120/150 amp," notes one reviewer, making it suitable for larger motorhomes requiring higher electrical capacity.
Trash service differences: Campgrounds vary in convenience services. One camper at Hidden Ridge observed, "I found it odd the there isn't trash pickup at the site. And the only trash bin we could find was at the entrance of the grounds (which was quite a distance from 241 our site)," contrasting with other parks that offer site pickup.
Riverfront site selection: Several campgrounds offer premium water-view sites. At Steamboat Park, "half of the sites are directly on a wide fast moving river. Occasionally a paddleboat goes buy with tourists," creating opportunities for scenic camping with passing boat traffic adding visual interest.
