Glamping in Hudsonville, Michigan combines convenience and outdoor recreation along the western Michigan shoreline. Located 20 miles from Lake Michigan and nestled between Grand Rapids and Holland, this region offers camping options within 30-40 minutes of the Great Lakes coastline. Winter temperatures average 24°F while summer averages reach 72°F, creating distinct seasonal camping experiences.
What to do
Water activities: Paddle the Thornapple River from Indian Valley Campground. The river runs directly through the property with canoe, kayak and tube rentals available on-site. "Cute, small campground. It is along the Thornapple River where it is very popular to canoe, kayak, and tube. It's close enough to a city but not too close," notes Jessica R.
Mountain biking: Explore dedicated trails at Fort Custer Recreation Area. The park maintains separate trail systems for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. "We camped and rode (again) at Fort Custer. We've been here 2x before (once in a cabin and once in tents) and this has now officially become a favorite," shares Joel K.
Fishing: Cast a line at several nearby lakes and rivers. Multiple campgrounds offer direct fishing access, including ponds stocked specifically for campers. "They have tons of stuff to do such as swimming pool, playground, basketball courts, fishing, and kayaking," mentions Clint at Hidden Ridge.
Winter sports: Visit winter complexes during colder months. Some campgrounds maintain year-round access with winter-specific amenities. "Across the road is the Winter complex, sledding, skating, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and luge course. Our kids had a blast here, they also have tons of bonfire pits," reports Melissa M.
What campers like
Natural swimming areas: Lake Michigan beaches within 30 minutes of Hudsonville. Grand Haven State Park Campground offers direct beach access. "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," says Ryan L.T.
Community activities: Themed weekend events at several resorts. "They have themed weekends filled with activities for both adults and children and have a pool, pizza and ice cream, jumping pillow, clubhouse, fishing, playground, dog park, and so much more," reports cheyanne P.
Privacy options: Secluded camping spots available at several parks. "We just stayed at 51 and it is extremely secluded! We had an amazing time tent camping it was so quiet! We love it here already with only being here twice," explains Hannah about Fort Custer.
Diverse accommodation types: Luxury to rustic options throughout the area. While upscale glamping in Hudsonville, Michigan resorts provide full amenities, smaller campgrounds offer more traditional experiences. "We have two young girls and they had plenty to do all week during our stay. Multiple playgrounds, toddler pool and regular pool, jump pad, and lots of room to run around," says Jeremy D.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Book 6+ months ahead for peak season. Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for holiday weekends. "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," advises Stephanie C.
Site proximity varies widely: Some glamping sites near Hudsonville offer spacious lots, while others place units close together. "The sites are close together, but the trade off is so worth it. Quiet time is 11 pm so great for couples to make a late night romantic stroll down the pier or beach," notes Sallie M.
Utility hookups: Confirm available connections before booking. Many campgrounds offer electric only, requiring visits to dump stations. "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," reports VB S.
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping available at select locations. "Lake Michigan 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," explains Melissa M.
Tips for camping with families
Jump pads and pools: Check for dedicated children's areas. "We have two young girls and they had plenty to do all week during our stay. Multiple playgrounds, toddler pool and regular pool, jump pad, and lots of room to run around," reports Jeremy D. from Hungry Horse Campground.
Weekend activities: Participate in scheduled events. Many campgrounds organize family-friendly programming. "Cute little campground in a small town in Dorr, Michigan. Lots of activities, swimming, wagon rides, jump pad, and more. My favorite was that they offered social activities on the weekends for people to meet one another," shares Vivianne M.
Beach access: Consider proximity to swimming areas. "We had one of the sites closest to the beach access which was very nice for us, but since we were there Labor Day weekend we had a lot of traffic come through our campsite. The beach had plenty of room for everyone to spread out," notes Julia A.
Off-peak visits: Consider less crowded times. School schedules impact campground noise levels. "The owners seem to genuinely care about the guest. One example was when our girls were playing in the toddler pool after the posted 8pm close time for that specific area. Norm turned the water feature back on in that pool because he saw we were using it," says Jeremy D.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Check for concrete pads at upscale glamping destinations near Hudsonville. "All sites are good size with a cement pad and very green grass. It is also very well run and maintained," notes Clint from Hidden Ridge RV Resort.
Shade availability: Limited at newer resorts. Many developed campgrounds lack mature trees. "One downside to this place is there is not much shade. Most of the bigger trees are around the perimeter so most sites are in the sun all day," warns Clint.
Golf cart rentals: Available at several campgrounds. "We rented a golf cart from them, which our kids had a blast just going for rides around the campground," mentions Clint about Hidden Ridge.
Dump station timing: Plan for morning lines. "Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long," reports Bob B.
