Norton Shores camping areas span both inland and Lake Michigan shores at elevations ranging from 580 to 800 feet above sea level. The sandy soil throughout the region allows for good drainage during Michigan's rainy spring season, when rainfall averages 3-4 inches per month. Most campgrounds in this region remain open from May through mid-October with limited wintertime options at state parks.
What to do
Kayaking on the White River: At White River RV Park & Campground, visitors can enjoy kayaking with convenient access. "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," notes one camper. The park offers both personal watercraft access and rentals.
Swimming in clear inland lakes: Lake Sch-Nepp-A-Ho provides exceptionally clear water swimming. A camper reports, "This water was so clear you can see to the bottom and the kids had a blast trying to catch the little fish." The lake features a dedicated swimming area with a floating platform for jumping.
Winter activities near Muskegon: Lake Michigan Campground at Muskegon State Park offers year-round camping with winter recreation options. "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," notes a winter visitor who camped there during the colder months.
What campers like
Riverside camping options: Grand Haven provides waterfront camping at Eastpointe RV Resort with views of the river. As one reviewer notes, "Super nice staff. Great views. Great pool. Biking distance to town." The riverfront sites remain popular throughout the season.
Family-oriented activities: Woodchip Campground specializes in keeping children entertained. "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! There are campsites in a circle around the playground, so you can sit at your site and watch the kids play," explains a frequent visitor.
Clean, organized facilities: White River RV Park stands out for maintenance standards. A satisfied camper shares: "Management does a fine job of cleanliness, neatness and extreme attention to detail. Two facts summarize our satisfaction with this operation: cleaning people are seen making the rounds of each and every restroom and shower house TWICE daily."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most RV sites near Norton Shores, Michigan operate seasonally with specific opening and closing dates. Sun Retreats Silver Lake runs from April 1 to October 31, while White River RV Park & Campground operates May 1 to October 15. Few campgrounds offer winter camping.
Site spacing differences: Site sizes vary significantly between parks. A camper at Woodchip Campground observed: "Spots are small and it's tight maneuvering around but that's standard." Some campgrounds like White River RV Park offer larger sites with more privacy.
Road access considerations: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful navigation. Lake Sch-Nepp-A-Ho campers note tight access roads, while a reviewer at White River RV Park explains the convenience: "Nice large level sites very helpful staff. Very pleasant long weekend. Reasonable checkout and check in times. In at 3 PM out by 1 PM."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds near campsites: For families with younger children, look for campgrounds with playground visibility. At Woodchip Campground, "There are campsites in a circle around the playground, so you can sit at your site and watch the kids play," making supervision easier.
Lake activities for different ages: Lake Sch-Nepp-A-Ho Family Campground caters to various age groups. One family with children from 7 to 15 reports: "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."
Organized children's activities: Scheduled activities keep children entertained at certain parks. A Woodchip Campground visitor shared: "We came here for a fall camping weekend. Kids loved going on wagon ride to find the pumpkins and then decorating them. They really enjoyed the glow wagon ride."
Tips from RVers
Concrete pad availability: For RVers seeking stability, several campgrounds near Norton Shores feature concrete pads. At Eastpointe RV Resort, sites include concrete pads with full hookups and river views. Another concrete pad option is Hidden Ridge RV Resort, where "All sites include a concrete pad, fire ring and full hook-up. 120/150 amp."
Campground-specific amenities: Certain campgrounds offer unique services for RV campers. Eastpointe RV Resort provides convenient services, as one camper notes: "They pick up your trash right from the front of your sight and deliver fire wood right to the fire pit."
Size restrictions awareness: Some RV parks cannot accommodate larger rigs. At Lake Sch-Nepp-A-Ho, a reviewer mentioned the campground is "Not big-rig friendly" with tight access roads, which contrasts with White River RV Park & Campground that welcomes larger motorhomes with spacious sites.
