Best Campgrounds near Pentwater, MI

Pentwater, Michigan serves as a hub for beach-centered camping along Lake Michigan's eastern shore. Established campgrounds like Mears State Park, Hill & Hollow, and Whispering Surf offer a range of accommodations from tent sites to RV hookups to cabin rentals. Most camping areas near Pentwater feature sandy terrain with proximity to either Lake Michigan beaches or smaller inland lakes. The region includes several family-oriented campgrounds with amenities like swimming pools, mini-golf, and organized activities alongside more basic state park camping near the shoreline.

Camping in the Pentwater area operates primarily on a seasonal schedule, with most campgrounds open from May through October. "Many sites are very tight," notes a camper about Mears State Park. "It's essentially a parking lot in the sand, but the location right on Lake Michigan makes it worthwhile." Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holidays when lakefront sites fill quickly. Most established campgrounds provide electric hookups, with some offering full RV connections including water and sewer. The terrain throughout the region is predominantly sandy, which impacts tent camping and can make staking difficult during windy conditions. Cell coverage is generally good throughout the area, with some campgrounds offering Wi-Fi, though visitors report varying reliability.

Lake Michigan access represents the primary draw for campers visiting Pentwater. Several visitors highlighted the beautiful beaches and swimming opportunities as key attractions. "If you enjoy sunshine, beaches, trails and camping, this is the best place for you," commented one Mears State Park visitor. Campgrounds near town allow easy walking access to Pentwater's shops, restaurants, and harbor. Family-friendly amenities feature prominently in the mixed-use campgrounds, with heated pools, recreation areas, and rental equipment available at several locations. Most tent and RV sites include fire rings and picnic tables, though campers note that privacy can be limited in the more densely packed campgrounds. Bathroom facilities are generally well-maintained across campgrounds, with many reviews specifically mentioning clean showers as a positive feature.

Best Camping Sites Near Pentwater, Michigan (202)

    1. Silver Lake State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Mears, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 873-3083

    "But the location is awesome due to its proximity to the Silver Lake Off Road Vehicle Area, Lake Michigan, Silver Lake and the Little Sable Point Lighthouse. "

    "Silver lake is one of the most beautiful areas you can go in all of Michigan. With dunes of it's own, & a perfect, calm crystal lake - it's great for swimming, kayaking and photography."

    2. Mears State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Pentwater, MI
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 869-2051

    "Easy walk to the beach for beautiful views, or into Pentwater to go to boutiques, restaurants and ice cream shops. We loved our time here! Awesome campground, and I cannot wait to go back!"

    "The campground is located next the beach near the town of Pentwater. The location is beautiful and sandy with easy access from the paved road."

    3. Cedar Campground — Ludington State Park

    40 Reviews
    Ludington, MI
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 843-2423

    $25 - $65 / night

    "It is situated between Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan with several miles of beautiful shoreline along both lakes."

    "You have easy access to Lake Hamlin and Lake Michigan for great swimming. Float down the creek to Lake Michigan or go hiking to the light house."

    4. Kibby Creek Campground

    11 Reviews
    Pentwater, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 843-3995

    $40 - $160 / night

    "It’s close to Pentwater and Ludington for shopping, restaurants and breweries. They are currently expanding the campground to add on another 100 sites or so."

    "Wonderful location right in between ludington and pentwater. Updated bathrooms. Nice little mini golf course. Seem to keep improving it. Will be booking many more trips there."

    5. Dunes Harbor Family Camp

    11 Reviews
    Mears, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 873-3662

    "The tent sites and full-hookup camper sites are separate (but there were a couple campers and plenty of pop-ups in our area) and the tent sites are grassy/wooded and on the edge of the campground."

    "There is a nice lake for fishing and kayaking. This is campground is part of a Christian camp near by and is a dry campground. "

    6. Hill & Hollow Campground & RV Park

    9 Reviews
    Pentwater, MI
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 869-5811

    "Campsite is located 2 miles from downtown Pentwater, adorable small town on the water. Mears state park is 2 miles from the campground as well, Lake Michigan beaches."

    "The little town of Pentwater is close by. It is a neat place with shops and treats as well as art and a fancy grocery store. Plan to spend a day strolling the sidewalks there."

    7. Sandy Shores Campground

    9 Reviews
    Mears, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 873-3003

    "Silver Lake is a popular destination for off road vehicles, so this campground is always full of vehicles and traffic."

    "Grocery store immediately off site within walking distance. Sand beach across the street on the shore of a beautiful lake or use the heated pool on site."

    8. Dune Town Camp Resort

    9 Reviews
    Mears, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 873-4502

    $38 - $60 / night

    "We didn’t have a second vehicle so was trapped at the resort and close surrounding shops. The best thing about this park is the proximity to Silver Lake."

    "Right in the heart of Silver Lake, this campground is the walking distance or a short drive to shopping, food and fun! the campground itself has a pool and game room for the the family."

    9. Whispering Surf Campground at Bass Lake

    6 Reviews
    Pentwater, MI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 869-5050

    $46 - $69 / night

    "But it improves dramatically as you drive over the hill and into the hollow where there are nicely spaced sites scattered across a field with a great playground and a path to Bass Lake."

    "The staff does drive by checks on everyone throughout the day and this not only helped us develop a relationship with the staff but also made us feel very safe."

    10. Poncho's Pond RV Park

    9 Reviews
    Ludington, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 308-6602

    "very friendly from the get-go willing to help you if you needed any help. the lots are very clean and the level and the bathrooms are very clean great place to camp with the family with Ludington and Pentwater"

    "There are a few trees among the tent sites but they are not very private and located near the garbage dumpsters/recycle bins and on a main exit thoroughfare. "

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Recent Reviews near Pentwater, MI

860 Reviews of 202 Pentwater Campgrounds


  • Maria Mercedes M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Fisherman's Landing & Campground

    Classic Michigan Sunsets with Lakefront Views

    Nestled along the shores of Muskegon Lake, Fisherman’s Landing Launch & Campground hums with the easy rhythm of boats, endless laughter and evening campfires over s’mores. It’s a city-run spot with around a hundred sites, a marina close at hand and the kind of well-worn facilities that feel lived-in but cared for with clean restrooms, warm showers and a big playground that kept the boys busy while my husband wrestled with the fishing rods. We spent sunset on the dock, toes trailing in the water as the boys skipped stones and tried to out-cheer one another. I’d recommend Fisherman’s Landing to families who appreciate a laid-back lakeside stay, friendly folks and those golden Michigan summer evenings that end with the smell of water and woodsmoke.

  • J
    Oct. 14, 2025

    PJ Hoffmaster State Park

    Beautiful Park

    Campground is nice, quiet, and there’s a trail that leads directly to the beach!

  • Evelyn K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Green Road Dispersed - Manistee NF

    Lots of privacy

    These dispersed sites in the national forest are fantastic! Level for tents. Spread out enough that you aren’t on top of neighbors. We couldn’t see anyone from our site. Really great biking paths. We had fun on our e-bikes. Beautiful surroundings. Good birding too. No bugs!

  • K
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Lake Michigan Campground at Muskegon State Park Campground

    Lakeshore Campground at Muskegon State Park

    Staying in the north loop of the Lakeshore campground. Sites were level and shaded by mature trees. Road is a bit narrow which made backing out travel trailer in a bit tricky, not impossible. Family friendly campground that is a couple hundred feet away from Lake Michigan. Will definitely come back.

  • Therese S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Penny Park Campground

    Decent Little Campground

    Flat camp area on the lake. Some of the spaces have electric hookups. We came in the off season so it’s not too crowded, but the spaces are small so I imagine it would be tight in peak season. Bathrooms are currently locked, but there is a potable water spigot available. Reasonable camp fee - $20.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Sawkaw Lake

    Doesn't exist and says "no camping"

    We went down the path and it says to make it right when there's no road that goes to the right. We drove three and a half hours to get here and now we've got to figure out where we're going to stay for the night. And the only spot that looked like a campable spot says no camping. There's a stake in the ground that says it.

  • T
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Nichols Lake South Campground

    Needs to maintain standards of operation

    Facility at Office quite nice. Camp host was running his generator all night long. Women routinely take their dogs with them into the restroom. We’re not talking about outhouses but flush toilet bathroom with shower.

  • J
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Green Road Dispersed - Manistee NF

    Nice and woodsy

    The sites were easy to find and surrounded by forest. I could see other campers from my site, but they weren’t close. FCFS of course, but I had no problem finding an available site.


Guide to Pentwater

Camping near Pentwater, Michigan extends beyond the town's beachfront locations to include diverse inland lakes, forested sites, and family-oriented campgrounds across Mason and Oceana counties. The predominantly sandy terrain creates specific challenges for tent camping, with staking often difficult in windy conditions. Temperatures in the area typically range from 70-85°F during summer camping season with cool nights in the 50s.

What to Do

Sand dune adventures: At Silver Lake State Park Campground, campers can access the recreational vehicle area on the dunes. "Great area for camping especially if you want to go play on the dunes!" notes Julie T. The park provides a unique opportunity for off-roading enthusiasts, with a reviewer mentioning "there are places to rent jeeps if you don't own a vehicle that can handle it."

Lighthouse hiking: Follow the trail to Big Sable Lighthouse from Cedar Campground — Ludington State Park. "The hike to Big Sable Lighthouse was beautiful as it wound through the woods and out over the dunes," shares a visitor. Another camper adds that it's a "Beautiful hike to Big Sable lighthouse, which was wonderful, but take water and good shoes for walking in sand!"

Paddle sports: Bass Lake at Whispering Surf Campground offers calm waters ideal for beginners. "We enjoyed renting kayaks from the campground and paddling along bass lake," writes Hailey C. The campground provides "kayak and canoe rentals" with access to "a nice sandy beach and good fishing."

What Campers Like

Beach variety: Campers appreciate having multiple beach options. At Whispering Surf, guests enjoy "a private beach on Bass Lake" while being within "walking distance to Lake Michigan's sandy beaches." As one camper describes, "You can paddle through Bass Lake and into the river straight down to the dam at the big lake, where you are met with beautiful dunes and a little swimming hole."

Clean facilities: Dunes Harbor Family Camp receives consistent praise for maintenance. "This is a super clean family friendly campground! It is one of our favorite places to camp and go back every year," writes Cassondra P. Multiple reviews mention the exceptional cleanliness: "This private campground is the cleanest campground I have ever stayed at. The bathrooms are cleaned frequently and the grounds are well taken care of."

Town accessibility: Mears State Park Campground offers pedestrian access to Pentwater's downtown. "Easy walk into town to shops and restaurants," notes Hank G. Another camper highlights this convenience: "You can ride bikes, you can walk into Pentwater to go to boutiques, restaurants and ice cream shops."

What You Should Know

Site spacing varies widely: Campgrounds near Pentwater range from spacious to extremely tight. At Mears State Park, "the campsites are essentially a parking lot in the sand" and "many sites are very tight," while at Hill & Hollow Campground, "the sites have many great unique features" with "campsites well maintained" and "large campsites."

Reservation timing matters: Securing spots requires advance planning. For Dunes Harbor Family Camp, a camper noted, "We were on a waitlist and did not expect to get in but received a call a week later that there was a cancellation." Another review warns, "If they have availability just book it!"

Sandy terrain challenges: The predominant sandy soil affects camping experience. At Mears State Park, a reviewer mentions, "there is no grass and is pretty much all sand." This impacts tent camping particularly, with another camper noting, "Non-RV sites have you put up your tent on sand."

Tips for Camping with Families

Water recreation options: Family campgrounds offer alternatives to Lake Michigan. At Kibby Creek Campground, "There are two basketball courts (half courts), a volleyball court, shuffle board, mini golf, a pool, a train ride for kids, a private fishing pond, playgrounds, sand boxes, and various other planned activities."

Activity scheduling: Campgrounds organize regular events for children. Dunes Harbor Family Camp "have a lot of activities scheduled for the kids on a daily basis," with a visitor noting, "There is an ice cream parlor, store, pool (so nice!), athletic field, activity/craft center, playground, and Gaga ball pit."

Seasonal considerations: Different experiences await families depending on timing. A fall camper at Mears State Park observed, "Bath house near the water closed in fall," while another noted "The fall is a little calmer, campsites are a little more spread out but the cement pads are very small."

Tips from RVers

Hookup placement: Check electrical connection locations when booking. At Silver Lake State Park, one RVer noted, "Our electric box for our site was in the front passenger side of the lot. Aren't most RV plugs in the rear driver side? Ended up having to buy a $75 extension cord so we could stay here."

Size limitations: Many campgrounds have restrictions on larger rigs. Jennifer H. cautions about Silver Lake State Park: "Tight for large campers...better for pop-ups, hybrids and tents." For bigger RVs, Hill & Hollow offers "Pull throughs as well back in" sites that accommodate larger vehicles.

Leveling needs: Prepare for uneven sites at some campgrounds. One RVer at Kibby Creek noted "Our site needed leveling but was not bad," while at Ludington, a visitor mentioned "It is a typical state park where some sites are level and some are not and they vary in length."

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities does Hill & Hollow Campground in Pentwater offer?

Hill & Hollow Campground & RV Park features a pavilion that serves hot food (available for part of the day) and ice cream. The campground is conveniently located just 2 miles from downtown Pentwater and 2 miles from Mears State Park with Lake Michigan beaches. While specific site amenities aren't detailed in reviews, the campground provides RV accommodations and maintains a family-friendly atmosphere. For comparison, nearby Kibby Creek Campground offers two swimming pools, playgrounds, a fishing pond, mini-golf, a camp store with essentials, and uses a camper app for activity notifications.

How close are the nearest campgrounds to downtown Pentwater?

Hill & Hollow Campground & RV Park is located just 2 miles from downtown Pentwater, making it one of the closest options for easy access to town. Mears State Park Campground is also approximately 2 miles from Pentwater's downtown area, offering an easy walk into town where you can enjoy boutiques, restaurants, and ice cream shops. Most other area campgrounds are within a short 10-15 minute drive, making Pentwater's charming downtown easily accessible regardless of where you choose to stay.

What campgrounds are available in Pentwater, Michigan?

Pentwater offers several excellent camping options. Mears State Park Campground sits right on Lake Michigan with beach access and is a popular choice that books quickly. Lake Michigan Family Campground, formerly a Methodist retreat now open to the public, provides lake access and family activities. Other nearby options include Kibby Creek Campground, Hill & Hollow Campground & RV Park, Mason County Campground, and Poncho's Pond RV Park. Each offers different amenities and environments, from state park camping to private resorts with more facilities.