125 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Woodchip Campground and Steamboat Park Campground welcome pets at their sites near Kentwood. Both maintain spacious pet-friendly accommodations with policies requiring leashes throughout the grounds. Woodchip offers full hookup sites for RV campers with pets, while Steamboat Park provides riverside sites where dogs can enjoy the scenery along the water. Clean facilities and designated pet waste stations help maintain the grounds at both locations. Seasonal campers consistently report the Woodchip as particularly welcoming for families with pets, offering activities that accommodate four-legged companions. Most campgrounds in the area require proof of current vaccinations for all pets and limit guests to 2-3 animals per site.
Hiking trails near the Thornapple River provide excellent opportunities for dog walking near Indian Valley Campground, which offers both RV and tent sites for pet owners. The campgrounds implement standard quiet hours that apply to barking dogs, particularly after 10pm. During summer months, shaded sites become essential for pets' comfort, with Steamboat Park's riverside spots offering natural cooling. Several campgrounds feature nearby water access where dogs can cool off during warmer weather. Crooked Lake Campground provides spacious rustic sites offering privacy for campers with active pets, though mosquitoes can be problematic during certain seasons. Most locations maintain supply stores with basic pet necessities, while full veterinary services can be found within 15-20 minutes of most campgrounds.
"We love this as an easy getaway close to home. I wouldn’t call it a beautiful campground... but it is clean, and has a ton to do for kids!"
"Great trees surrounding the property. Tons of kids - great activities for them! Campground is clean, and staff friendly."
"Nice and secluded yet close to town and easy access to the highway"
"Lots of greenery to walk my dog. As a bonus, they have river cruises that leave directly from the office."
from $45 - $85 / night
Check Availability"First time in central Michigan and it was absolutely beautiful. The campground has a great location and lots of mountain bike and hiking trails."
"If you want seclusion away from the parking lot atmosphere down the road at Yankee Springs this is your place. There is much more space at each campsite and lots of old growth trees."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Cute little campground in a small town in Dorr, Michigan. Lots of activities, swimming, wagon rides, jump pad, and more. Facilities were fairly clean and easily accessible."
"Multiple playgrounds, toddler pool and regular pool, jump pad, and lots of room to run around."
"Lots of kids and dogs. You can rent golf carts by the day to play with in the campground. Bathrooms were newly redone. Looking allot better then previous years."
"Recently, I inherited a pop up camper and chose this place to be my first location to try it out. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Our site was nice with electric and water hookups."
from $28 - $50 / night
Check Availability"A small onsite store, but not to far of a drive if you need a grocery store or other amenities. They are also very affordable for canoe and kayak rental. Great place to go!"
"This is also a short drive away from tons of beautiful walking paths."
"Dog friendly! I've been coming here since I was a kid. I recommend you stay at this place."
from $30 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Pets are welcome here with two fenced dog runs and trails to keep the owners exercised. I love this place and have made it a regular stop."
"Lots of the activities within the park, they have a small petting zoo, sky pad, playground. Several cottages in the park as well. Well be back."
"I had a great spot overlooking the lake and next to the boat launch. Campsites are spacious, there are two vault toilets and a water pump."
"Stayed at 113 on the small lake. Narrow spot but behind is a fire pit and small dock to drop in a canoe/kayak. Bathrooms and shower was spotless."
"property, recently renovated. ( one still finishing renovations as of 4/16/22) Beach area for swimming
Two playgrounds
Field for play, basketball net, volleyball court, and state park trailers near by"
from $34 - $115 / night
Check Availability
TravelerDefinitely the best camp ground in West Michigan! Clean sites, friendly staff, and many amenities. Camp store, laundry, showers and bathrooms, huge pool, hot tub, pickle ball courts, kids play ground, bikes, scooters, and kayaks for rent (with a kayak launch) and boat slips on the water. They have access to a dog park as well. Home away from home!
ScoutVery nice campground, Clean and well maintained and friendly office staff. Nice wooded trail (about 3/4 mile loop around the pond) for walking the pooches. There is a nice sized fenced dog park with potable water right there. Great little playground and bounce house for the kiddos.
LegendHolland State Park is popular for its expansive sandy beach along Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa where swimming, sun bathing, fishing, and boating are popular activities. Holland SP has two campgrounds – the Lake Macatawa Unit and the Beach Campground (which is where we stayed and the focus of this review). The Beach Campground is essentially a parking lot as the sites, patios and roads are paved with little grass among them. It is nestled between dunes which adds to the scenic value and blocks the strong winds coming off of Lake Michigan. The Lake Unit campground is much larger (211 campsites) than the Beach Campground and has more of a state park feel with trees, grass, and fire pits.
Site description:
The Beach Campground has 98 RV sites of which 31 are 50 amp full hook-up and two camper cabins. Some sites towards the northern section of the park have great views of Lake Michigan but be warned that strong winds can come off the lake and really shake your RV. When we were there in early May the winds were very strong with blowing sand which made us really glad we were not near the water.
Campsites are plenty wide to fit your RV with slide outs and car next to it without feeling cramped. Utilities are at the very back of the site so you may need an extension for your sewer hose. All sites were level. Every site has a picnic table. There are no fire pits at individual sites but community ones are located near the beach and you are permitted to use your own fire pit if you have one.
We were able to get nearly two dozen television stations with our antenna and had no problem locking into a satellite with our roof-mounted dish. Verizon phone and hotspot worked well.
So is this park big rig-friendly? In general, yes. Our site was certainly long (and wide) enough to fit our RV and the tow car next to it. However, we did have the back five feet overhanging the sand at the back of the site. This was no problem for us because our stabilizing jacks are in between our back tires. We were also there at a time when the park was fairly empty so backing in and pulling out was no problem. The sites are all set at an angle to the main road which makes backing easier.
Campground amenities:
By far the beach is the biggest draw to the campground. The wide beach lures sunbathers out in warm weather and is popular for a walk at sunset. There is a playground, picnic area, community fire pits, dump station, boat launch and concession stand. There is one restroom/shower house that was very clean but no laundry facilities.
What we liked:
We loved that fact that this campground was so close to water and the nice paved path for walking and hiking trails in the main part of the campground. Within 50 yards from our site we could be walking along Lake Macatawa or along the sandy shores of Lake Michigan. The beach is wide and expansive and is the place to be for awesome sunsets. When we were there the beach was not crowded because it was cold and windy but it would be a great place to enjoy a good book under an umbrella. Definitely liked the fact that this was a full hook-up state park with level sites.
What we didn’t like:
The park is essentially a parking lot with little grass and trees. What really surprised us was how many cars drove through the campground that were not staying there. There apparently are no restrictions on who drives through the park so many day-use visitors came by just for a look resulting in unnecessary traffic.
Be advised there is a “no alcohol” policy in the park and campground and you have to sign a piece of paper saying you will abide by that rule. The rule states that “Possessing or consuming alcohol is prohibited in all areas of the park throughout the entire year” even inside your RV.
In order to enter the state park you must have a Michigan Recreation Passport which costs $32 for an annual non-resident OR you have to pay $11/day to enter the park even if you are camped there.
Pet:
There are plenty of places to walk dogs here and access points to water if your dog likes to swim. Unfortunately, they are not allowed on the beach but there is a long walking path and within the main part of the park are miles of hiking trails and a nice overlook. This park does not have an unleashed dog park; however, there is one within five miles at the fairgrounds.
ScoutClean and nice little park with a cool "trading post" with nice merchandise, snacks and food. They have a dog park and trails on the property with a longer bike trail that runs alongside the campground. They had a band one night and an ice cream truck come through the next. Would recommend!
GuideI grew up coming here and they had expanded a lot on it in the last few years. You will never be bored and it is a true resort feeling, you will forget your camping! 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!
ScoutThe staff is very friendly and helpful. There are activities for young and old and everyone in between. The showers are clean and spacious. They have campsites to meet everyone's desires. Pets are welcome here with two fenced dog runs and trails to keep the owners exercised. I love this place and have made it a regular stop.
GuideGreat family campground - Paired with the area offers many options!
With mostly modern sites situated in hardwoods, pines, or a mixture, we stayed in the hardwoods area; however, my kids would have enjoyed the pines better for it appeared to have hammock hanging at almost every site. Well-maintained and clean restrooms had soda vending machines.
Children's play area with equipment and activity field, where several kites were hoisted high into the air, were great. 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. We enjoyed the spider and bear presentations most, but maybe that is because I have all boys! 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. Unfortunately, a red flag was flying on our visit, so we only waded at the water's edge- but - still cool to lay out on the sugar-like sand and walk its 3 mile length! I do regret not making it back to the beach for sunset as our camping neighbors RAVED about it the following morning!
My favorite part of this campground was the trails. In addition to several trails within the campground (the one along the creek was especially loved!), many more can be accessed in the state park, which contains over ten miles of trails in its 1,200 acres. Trails to dunes, beach, and other parks as well as dune preserve: all well-marked and vary in difficulty, weaving through pine and hardwood forests nestled among dunes. Plus, the adjoining North Ottawa Dune Preserve offers an additional ten miles of trails! OMG - what a phenomenal place for a walk in the woods or trail running! One of our walks was up a 5-story staircase near the nature center, leading to an observation platform with expansive views of majestic dunes and Lake Michigan. I was impressed that a portion was barrier-free.
Some family ventured into nearby towns of Muskegon, Spring Lake, and Grand Haven to experience what they had to offer: shops, museums, World War II boats, piers to walk, and several craft breweries - all 15 minutes away! Our dogs enjoyed the visit to the unleashed dog park at Coast Guard Park that is a ten-minute drive or a five-mile walk through the trails.
Logistics to note: Campground sells ice - $2/7# bag and wood/$5.50 a bundle. We quickly realized that residences outside the park sold it at $5 for larger bundles. Area grocery stores include a Meijer superstore and Leppinks grocery. We preferred Leppinks for the quick trip and Meijer for items beyond groceries, such as that forgotten bathing suit or a propane tank for the grill. While we don't have a big rig, I did notice the backup of campers at the two campground dump stations Sunday before 1pm checkout. Being a state park, Hoffmaster requires vehicles have a recreation passport to enter ($11/year -residents and $32/year -non-residents or a daily rate of $9). No alcoholic beverages between April 15 and Labor Day.
I talked to a ranger about coming back later this year, and he told me 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. Weekdays usually have availability, especially the first half of the summer. He added that a great time to visit would be the weekend before Halloween as they encourage people to decorate their sites, wear costumes, and participate in trick or treating on Saturday night.
Guide29 campsites pretty close together with old growth trees interspersed around the campground. Fishing pier and boating, playground area, and beach. No longer has primitive camping. Some hiking trails...short. is next to a busy road, so traffic all night. Staff was great! Showers and bathrooms cleaned multiple times a day. Pet friendly. Would stay here again!
ScoutThis is always my go to campground! All natural camping with plenty of nice people! One word of advise is to bring your own tp though lol they seem to always run out on Sunday mornings lol but are back up and running by mid afternoon. No showers and just outhouses but that's REAL camping right!!!? No power motor lake but there is another lake close by that is. We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails. Walking trails around the lake that offer nature at it's purest! I have been coming to this lake to camp for over 40 years and I hope I have 40 more years left!!!
Campgrounds near Kentwood, Michigan offer varied terrain from lakefront sites to wooded areas across Kent County. Summer temperatures range from 75-85°F during peak camping season with occasional thunderstorms. Winter camping options exist at select locations, with Steamboat Park Campground operating year-round for those seeking off-season accommodations.
Lake activities on Gun Lake: Gun Lake Campground provides access to a large sandy beach where families can swim and kayak. "The beach area is large and sandy but where you access the lake is kind of small. Quite a bit of watercraft on the lake but only heard 1 or 2 boats from our site," reports Mike P.
Mountain biking on nearby trails: Deep Lake Rustic Campground connects to miles of mountain biking paths in Yankee Springs Recreation Area. "Lots of hiking (possibly mountain biking) trails, boating. Water & vault toilets, some sites wooded, ok size," notes Dan N.
Family entertainment options: Woodchip Campground offers numerous structured activities for children. "We love the jumping pillow and sand too! The bathrooms are clean, the pool is great, and they always have fun activities for the kids," says Andrea B.
Winter camping opportunities: Winter camping is available at select locations when most campgrounds close. "Love this winter spot. Will definitely be returning in the future. Very friendly staff," shares a camper about Woodchip Campground.
Riverfront camping views: Steamboat Park Campground offers premium sites along the river. "Our campsite was right on the river. Riverboat cruises available docking at campground office. We loved it!" writes Kimberly H.
Clean shower facilities: Modern restrooms matter to campers in the Kentwood area. "The shower rooms also have a dedicated sink and toilet, which I much appreciate. The washer and dryers in the bathhouse are brand new and take credit cards," notes James V. about Steamboat Park.
Secluded, spacious sites: Crooked Lake Campground provides larger sites with privacy. "Our campsite was huge and mostly private. The vault toilets were as clean as one could be. I would love to camp here again," reports Angie H.
Budget-friendly amenities: Campgrounds near Kentwood offer good value with reasonable firewood prices. "The firewood is cheap! 8 large pieces for $6, a wheelbarrow full of tinder for another $6. Bring a hatchet or axe because the wood pieces are huge!" advises Bill R. about Wabasis Lake.
Booking challenges: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially in summer months. "Because it's so close to Grand Rapids and some other cities, it typically is full on the weekends. Booking a site can be troublesome," warns a reviewer about Wabasis Lake.
Site spacing considerations: Some campgrounds have tighter spacing than others. "[Deep Lake] campground offered quite a bit to do in a nice family atmosphere. Most sites offer complete shade. Sites are setup somewhat close to each other but its not too terrible," explains Joshua M.
Lake conditions vary: Wabasis Lake County Park has shallow water near shore. "The lake is effectively a plate, so don't expect to do much fishing from shore. The water is incredibly shallow. (But that makes for a very nice beach!)" notes Bill R.
Seasonal pest issues: Mosquitoes and swimmers itch can be problematic at certain times. "We have loved this campground for its sites right on the park, and great beach area with park at the beach also. Unfortunately this summer swimmers itch got us!" reports Nicole C.
Indoor pool options for unpredictable weather: Indian Valley Campground offers an indoor pool for rainy days. "The indoor pool was great for the preseason camping! Being there in early May, when it was rainy we were happy to have that amenity," shares Nicole C.
Playground accessibility considerations: Some playgrounds may not accommodate all children equally. "The playground structure is not very friendly for kids with special needs or very young children. It's wooden with a ladder to access the upper levels, it was hard for our 2 and 4 year old to use it easily," cautions Megan V.
Centrally located play areas: Choose sites with visibility to play spaces. "There is a playground in the center which was very handy for our little ones. They could play and we could watch from our site," recommends Megan T.
Pet-specific amenities: Dog friendly campgrounds near Kentwood include Allendale-West Grand Rapids KOA with dedicated pet areas. "Pets are welcome here with two fenced dog runs and trails to keep the owners exercised," notes Greg B.
Site leveling requirements: Bring leveling blocks for uneven sites. "Some of the sites are a little uneven (the camper needed wood blocks underneath it so that the wheels weren't off the ground after leveling," advises Bill R.
Dump station timing: Plan for potential wait times when departing. "The dump station takes a bit to get through. We were in line for about an hour before we dumped and we pulled off our site at 1," warns Mike P. about Gun Lake Campground.
Check-in policies vary: Review arrival times to avoid unexpected fees. "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 Dan K.
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds open from May through October, but some offer year-round access. "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," notes Courtney A. about Steamboat Park's year-round operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Kentwood, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Kentwood, MI is Woodchip Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Kentwood, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 125 dog-friendly camping locations near Kentwood, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
