Best RV Parks & Resorts near Norton Shores, MI

Absolutely lovely park! Spacing was generous between locations. We had a drive-in(forward) location(#10) overlooking the small lake. There was some interstate noise but it was more of a steady hum and not an issue at all. Other locations are further back- this is a very large RV park and spread out in different areas. All facilities were very clean. Nice place to walk around and get some exercise. We camped at Hidden Ridge RV Resort in a Motorhome.

Hidden Ridge is a modern RV resort within 8 minutes of Gun Lake and sandwiched between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. There is no tent camping available at this location.

All sites include a concrete pad, fire ring and full hook-up. 120/150 amp

Lots of activities for the whole family. There is a pool, hot tub, bounce pillow, splash pad. Children’s activities are planned throughout the week and adult activities, as well.

Gun Lake is crystal clear meaning you can see the sand/pebble bottom. There is fun to be had on this nice-sized Lake.

Not far from Hidden Ridge is a race track that is busy each weekend with all manner of race cars.

Clean family friendly RV Resort. Pool, hot tub, modern restrooms and showers, playground, laundry and bike rentals. I believe all the sites are full hookup, cable t.v. and wi/fi. Less than a mile to Lake Michigan and close to boat launch and Lake Macatawa.

We had a great time at Hidden Ridge RV Resort. This is part of the Sun RV Resort group, which is a national chain. It’s a little pricier than other camp grounds but you get what you pay for. All sites are good size sites with a cement pad and very green grass. It is also very well run and maintained. 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. 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. 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. Overall we had a great time though and would definitely go back.

Love this local family run campground! Kids had a blast fishing, swimming in the pool, playing in the gagaball pit. Clean bathhouse. Full hook ups and rustic camping available. Campsites are easy to get into with plenty of room to get situated. Close to town and fairly short drive to Lake Michigan.

If you like to camp in a parking lot, like Walmart or Cracker Barrel, you will love this lake side campground- it's a parking lot! 

PROS 

Toilet/shower facilities very clean 

2 bars TMOBILE 

Walking distance to Lake Michigan 

Rangers strictly enforced beach closure each evening- lots of sirens. 

CONS 

Pricy state park camping at $53/night for full hook up

$8 Fee to make on-line reservations 

Since out of state, we had to purchase a $39 Michigan State Park Permit in addition to paying for campsite 

No senior or veteran discount 

Campground is one big asphalt parking lot with painted lines to delineate each site. Absolutely no privacy from any other campsite. 

Camping is slammed together as tow vehicles have to be parked next to camper/RV insufficient space to park in front of camper/RV 

Must check-in before going to campground even with on-line reservation and payment in full 

3pm check-in was strictly enforced--there was quite a line of RVs backed up at 230pm. Once registration opened it took us 20 minutes to register. 

Needed plumbers tape to connect hose to site water faucet 

Waist high weeds behind campsites 

No shade and most of time too windy to deploy awning 

No security gate closure overnight. 

Anyone can drive through or walk in from the beach. 

Lots of drive thrus by non campers 

No campfire rings or lantern poles at campsites 

Lots of campfire debris dumped behind campsites from those who bring their own fire pit and charcoal grills 

Site 396 not level 

No park WIFI

Holland 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.

This campground is peaceful. Nice sites, even a place for rustic camping. Rustic camping you hike up the road, no cars are allowed to sites. Perfect!!! Full hook ups, 3 50 amp sites. Others are 30 amp.
Tent camping has platforms, so your tent is off the ground. Cabins are available for rent.
There is a playground, for the young ones. Rental of bikes, tubing, row boats and canoes are right at the campground. Beach access across street.
The campground is the older type, but the quiet, and professional care you get is awesome!!! This place is a must visit campground. Family feeling here. Vet friendly. Bathroom house is cleaned perfectly every day. Always clean. Day excursions, to see are, sand dunes, ludington, etc. then after the fun, come back to a peaceful evening, beside the fire. Each site has a fire ring.
Peaceful!!!
Just FYI. No drinking of alcohol is allowed. Perfect for my family, but just FYI.
Camp peacefully!!!

We had a large family camp weekend at Stony Haven. We had 5 sites (21-25) pack to capacity with 32 people.  They owners allowed use to squeeze in a few extra bodies more than their policies specify.

They offer so much at the campground!! We rented bikes and tubes, but they also rent canoes & kayaks (including launch & pickup), pedal cars, yard games and wifi hotspots.  They have a nice playground with swings, a sandbox, slide and climbers.  Adjacent to the playground is a large pavilion with charcoal grills and a volleyball quart.

The tent sites were very nice. Well maintained, each with their own fire ring, a picnic table,  water spickets and electric.  They also have full hookup sites for RVs, rustic sites and mini cabins.

There is a walking path around the back of the campground. It cuts through the woods and past a pond.  My kids (ages 1.5, 3, 5,& 6) spent hours at the pond catching frogs.

The bathrooms were clean and checked several times a day. There were public bathrooms with a few stalls and a shower, but there were also 2 private bathrooms with showers, one of which was handicap/family.  There were 2 additional private shower rooms.  They also have a laundry facility ON SITE!!!!  This came in very handy when I opened up my canvas hammock and found mold.

There is access to Stony Lake across the street and that connects to Lake Michigan.  There was an awesome county beach 5 min down the road on Lake Michigan.  It was right where the big lake meets the outlet for Stony Lake, Benona County Park. When they weren't at the pond my kids were playing in the sand and swimming at the beach.  I love little outlets like this because they are usually shallower and warmer than the big lake and are great for my littles.

They offer a short worship service on Sunday mornings for all that wish to participate. 

They owners were so sweet and easy going. We called several times to adjust our reservation right up to the day before and they gracefully tolerated our shuffling and were able to accommodate us. They even allowed us to leave our packed trailer at the site while we spent the afternoon at the beach after checkout.  We came back to the site ate, used the bathroom, hooked up the trailer and took off for home.

We had a great time here! As with all Michigan DNR campgrounds you only get electricity. No full hookups but the camp sites are gorgeous!

This is a tough park to get into in the warm months. The back up to get in is crazy. The staff at the booths move things along, but the cars were still backed up a mile.

 There are 2 campgrounds. The Lake Macatawa campground is across the street from a small beach on the Macatawa Lake. This is a wooded campground. The sites are pretty tight as is usual for a Michigan State Park. This is where you check in to camp here & at the beach campground. Don't forget or you'll have to turn around & come back! 

The best thing about the beach campground is it's closer to Lake Michigan & the campground has beach access. No dogs or bikes on the beach. Sounds good if it was actually enforced. We saw no one getting yelled at, so go ahead & do what you want! 

 The campground is surrounded by sand dunes on both sides.

 This campground is entirely on asphalt. You're not allowed to put anything on the sand- including tents! Crazy.

 There's no fire rings at the beach sites. Bring a portable if you want a fire.

 The interior sites up to the shower house have full hook up. All others are electric only. There's one restroom/shower house for the whole campground. The showers are individual & we had no trouble getting one in the late afternoon. They look recently remodeled & were SUPER clean!

   The best campsite is 348. This site gives you a good view of the beach outside your rig. Other good campsites are 347 & 349, but your door faces away from the beach.

 There are trees by the following campsites: 305/309/319/321/323/331. They won't give you a lot of shade, but they look nice.

 I would recommend getting a site North of the bath house. You have a shorter walk to the beach. There's a double dump station& that's where you also fill up your water tanks. There's also dumpsters there.

A+ Campground! Free WiFi, larger sites, great staff, full hookups at the site and can accommodate anything from larger rvs (we have a 33ft. 5th wheel with slides) to tents, clean restroom facilities (if need them) and reasonable rates! This is a smaller campground so the sites tend to reserve quickly and there is an additional county park fee per day/night but it is well worth it! It's a short walk to Lake Michigan/beach and the campground is quiet and well kept.

Great family owned for generations. Not many private campgrounds around anymore. Close to holland city activities. Sites are level with full hookups 50 amp. Owners are very accommodating to your needs. Bathrooms are old but very clean. Might be filled up during holidays. Easy access off highway.

Campit is one of the few campgrounds that caters to the entire LGBTQ community and those who support it. The amenities feel grounded not over the top…a nice pool, unique “neighborhoods” to roam and chat up new neighbors and friends, and it boasts a combination of full hookup RV sites, cabins, and tenting areas.

Close to Downtown Grand Haven and boardwalk, on sandy beach of Lake Michigan. Ideal for RV camping. $21-37/night. Cottage available too. Book in advance! End of July-early Aug this small town is packed due to Coast Guard Festival.

The back 40 campground at the Double JJ has full hookup sites as well as cabins available for rent. There are 2 water parks on the ranch as well as horseback riding and a river to explore.

We visited this campground for two nights in June 2018. Spots are tight but we selected one prior to our arrival that would allow us a little more room. We parked on pavement and had sand right outside the back of our camper. Our kids loved that and we did too. Playgrounds are awesome and have lots of room for many kids. There is a lot of beach area at the water. It does get crowded though. The bath house was nice. We used it for showers. There aren’t full hookups, only electricity. Campground was easy to get to and in walking distance to some souvenir shops and restaurants. It’s a great campground for families with children.