Muskegon, MI is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Muskegon. Find the best campgrounds near Muskegon, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
$38 - $42 / night
"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!"
"The camping spots were nice and the amenities were great: bathroom, showers, fire pit, picnic table, trails, etc. It was a full campground and it can be a tad noisy depending on neighbors."
"This was our second time Camping at Muskegon State Park. The first time we camped at the Channel Campground (not so great), and this time we camped at the Lake Michigan Campground."
"We found a gorgeous campsite at this campground with Lake Michigan just over the sand dunes.
The campground was well maintained. Some of the campsites were sandy and unlevel. "
"This campground is our home away from home in the summer! It is beautiful & very relaxing especially during the weekdays when it's not as full."
"One of the best campgrounds in Muskegon! Love the trails but it has lost its beach and group camping to the lake levels. still a place we like to go!"
"We were right on the canal side and only 300ft away from Lake Michigan. Grand Haven State Parks has upgraded facilities so bathrooms and showering is actually pleasant."
"We are here for Lake Michigan. The sunrises and sunsets, the water, the beach and the waves.
Nothing like waking up and walking to the beach, easy back and forth for lunch/dinner and snacks."
$10 - $60 / night
"We stayed on the channel side, and was right next to the pathway to walk to the channel. It’s very well maintained, fire pit rings, bath house, electric hookups, dump station, paved spots."
"This is one of two campgrounds in Muskegon State Park. All sites with full sun and no shade. Easy bike or car ride to beautiful beach and picnic area on Lake MI. Brand new bath houses."
$35 - $55 / night
"Beautiful campground we stayed site 72 backed up to the lake. Nice playground with private very clean beach. Jumping water trampoline for the kids."
"We stayed for two days while on our way on our trip around Lake Michigan. This was our first stop and I think we will have a tough time beating the value and experience."
$34 / night
"Many trails to explore (within driving distance of campground). Not a fan of Muskegon area, but it's outside the city and you'd never even know you're around Muskegon."
"Lots of trees, walking paths, Lake Michigan beach steps away. Big sites and well maintained!"
"Sadly, we just left the KOA Muskegon campground this morning after a relaxing and peaceful three-day stay. While travelling home, plans are already being made for another camping vacay at this KOA."
"They have lots of activities, a lake, trails, everything. Definitely coming back."
"Also very large, so lots of room to walk or ride bikes. Located next to the White River for canoeing fun too."
"Amenities include basketball court, playground, horseshoe pits, walking trails, heated pool, etc."
GuideThere are two campgrounds in the park - The Channel Campground & the Lake Michigan campground. We stayed at the Channel Campground two years ago. It's right on the channel from Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan, so you have walking access to both lakes. The campsites were VERY close together. It was actually the first thing we noticed as soon as we pulled through the gate. Campsites have a paved parking pad, fire ring, electrical hookup, and picnic table. Restroom & shower facilities were relatively clean & well maintained. You'll probably have to wait for the showers, but that's pretty typical.
Overall, the campground was just average. If you don't like being close to your neighbors, I'd recommend staying at the Lake Michigan campground in the same park. Larger sites & tons of shade.
GuideThis was our second time Camping at Muskegon State Park. The first time we camped at the Channel Campground (not so great), and this time we camped at the Lake Michigan Campground. This campground was easily the better of the two. Tons of tall trees, HUGE campsites with electrical hookups, picnic tables, and fire-rings. I believe you're allowed to have up to 6 people per-site, and you would have no problem fitting everyone. There were clean restrooms and private showers. There are steps that lead straight from the campground to a small beach right on Lake Michigan. Firewood & ice are sold at the campground office, and there's also a small privately owned ice-cream shop at the north end of the campground that sells wood & ice.
There's a boat ramp right down the road at Snug Harbor, and the fishing is great. It's also just a short drive to a canoe/kayak launch on the Muskegon river. The downtown area is about a 20-25 minute drive around the lake, but it has some cool military museums including a WW2 submarine and a transport ship that was used in D-Day. Also, two pretty solid breweries.
Although we were there in the summer, this campground is right across the street from Muskegon's Winter Sports Park. The park has cross-country skiing trails, a permanent luge track, a roller-luge track, and i think an ice skating track through the woods. We're looking forward to taking a winter trip up here to give everything a try!
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!
GuideI have camped here many times over my lifetime. It is a great family campground, close to Lake Michigan and within driving distance to North Muskegon and Whitehall. Lovely camping in the pines within walking distance to Lake Michigan.
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.
TravelerWe found a gorgeous campsite at this campground with Lake Michigan just over the sand dunes.
The campground was well maintained. Some of the campsites were sandy and unlevel.
Here are closeby fun things to do and see:
1.) The Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse is located on the channel in the harbor of Muskegon, Michigan.
2.) USS Silversides Submarine Museum with World War 2 submarines, gigantic torpedoes and more.
Video about Muskegon State Park and things to do in the area: https://youtu.be/cHmivLJhovU
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.
GuideThis place is FUN!!!
The campground in itself is a blast. The waterpark, playground, hammock area, swings, biggest sand box ever, all the activities, and can’t forget the ice cream shop!!!
Then add in ATV access from the campground, waterfront sites to park your jet skis, and horse rides onsite!!
We never really wanted to leave! The staff were awesome! The grounds are well maintained and they have the best grass. Lol
My only suggestion would be to put in a fenced in dog park, but other than that, this is a must stop if ever in the Silver Lake area.
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.
Muskegon, Michigan, offers a variety of pet-friendly camping options for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with their furry companions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Muskegon, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Muskegon, MI is Hoffmaster State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 55 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Muskegon, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 127 dog-friendly camping locations near Muskegon, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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