North Muskegon camping areas sit on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan within a system of coastal sand dunes rising 200+ feet above water level. Winter temperatures average 30°F with summer highs around 80°F. Most campgrounds operate from April through October with limited winter camping available at select locations such as Muskegon State Park where plowed sites accommodate cold-weather visitors.
What to do
Winter sports activities: Muskegon State Park's Lake Michigan Campground transforms into a winter recreation hub during colder months. "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... 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," reports Melissa M. at Lake Michigan Campground at Muskegon State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing access without requiring additional permits. Lake Sch-Nepp-A-Ho Family Campground provides stocked fishing opportunities. "Really enjoyed this campground. They had great fishing. We caught a lot of bass, bluegill, crappie and even a catfish. All catch and release. Lake is privately owned so no need for a fishing license," notes Clint at Lake Sch-Nepp-A-Ho Family Campground.
Water activities: White River RV Park allows visitors to float downstream directly to the campground. "We loved this campground! 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," shares Cassondra P. at White River RV Park & Campground.
What campers like
Large group accommodations: Hoffmaster State Park can handle larger groups with adequate space. "Camped here summer of 2014 and 2015 for a football camping trip. I did not arrange the reservation but assume they can accommodate very large groups. We had easily over 40 in attendance. Not a huge amount of amenities at our site but no major problems arose from this," reports Bryce J. at Hoffmaster State Park Campground.
Education programs: Nature education opportunities enhance camping experiences for families with children. "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," writes Shelly B.
Beach access: Pioneer Park Campground offers direct Lake Michigan access with swimming areas. "Large family campground with flush toilets, showers and hot water. Right on Lake Michigan with great views of the lake and beach," notes Lauren at Pioneer County Park. Many pet-friendly camping areas near North Muskegon include beach sections where pets can swim during designated hours.
What you should know
Alcohol restrictions: Several state parks prohibit alcohol consumption during peak season. "Big thing to remember for Michigan state parks is no alcohol even in the campground," notes Ray R. at Hoffmaster State Park.
Space limitations: Grand Haven State Park offers waterfront camping with significant tradeoffs in site size. "Lakefront access makes this a super cool camping spot for your rig. But 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 (grills, volleyball, game) etc. Very busy spot during the day in the nice weather months," explains Kelsey G. at Grand Haven State Park Campground.
Site selection strategies: For those seeking privacy, specific site recommendations can improve the experience. "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. If you are in a tent, just know that you aren't going to have any privacy," advises Kristen B.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Lake Sch-Nepp-A-Ho provides amenities specifically designed for children. "The lake is perfect for boating, fishing and swimming. We've really enjoyed our time here and how friendly everyone is... Seriously impressed with how clean the facilities are (showers/bathrooms). Its obvious the owners pride themselves on creating a fun, clean, family oriented camp experience," says Lisa B.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "Great play area for kids," notes Sara G. regarding Hoffmaster State Park. South Channel Campground at Muskegon State Park features newly renovated facilities suitable for families with children.
Site selection for families: When camping with children, choose sites that offer access to amenities. "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(my mistake lol) we had a lot of traffic come through our campsite... The beach had plenty of room for everyone to spread out and was not crowded at all which made up for it. Highly recommend watching the sunset from the beach," advises Julia A. at Muskegon County Pioneer County Park.
Tips from RVers
Dump station timing: Plan departure times strategically to avoid congestion at dump stations. "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," reports Shelly B. regarding Hoffmaster State Park.
RV-specific amenities: White River RV Park provides services geared toward RV campers. "The management keeps a dedicated maintenance man available and on 24 hour call! He will aid and assist everything from lock outs to rookie campers doing their first sanitation drain, to motor vehicle issues," shares Dave P.
Electric and water access: Most pet-friendly camping areas near North Muskegon provide electric hookups with varying amperage. "Electric only sight but water and nice portable bathroom was right outside your door," notes Amy K. at Pioneer County Park. Verify your RV's power needs against available hookups before booking.
