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Best Tent Camping near West Olive, MI

672 Reviews

State parks and public lands surrounding West Olive, Michigan offer diverse tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. South Channel Campground in Muskegon State Park provides walk-in tent sites with access to both Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan, featuring paved parking pads and fire rings. Allendale-West Grand Rapids KOA, located about 20 miles east of West Olive, offers spacious tent campsites in wooded areas. For more primitive tent camping experiences, Drews Country Camping in Holland and Pine Point Campground in Allegan County maintain year-round tent-only sites with basic amenities.

Most tent campgrounds in the region feature a mix of grassy and dirt surfaces with varying levels of shade. South Channel Campground provides electrical hookups but no water connections at individual sites, with water stations distributed throughout the park. Firewood is available for purchase at most established campgrounds, though primitive tent-only sites may require campers to bring their own supplies. Bathroom facilities vary significantly, with South Channel offering clean, updated bathhouses, while more primitive sites like Pine Point Campground provide only basic toilet facilities. Seasonal considerations are important, as many campgrounds operate from April through October, though some like Pine Point remain open year-round.

Tent campers frequently note the proximity to natural features as a highlight of the region. According to reviews, South Channel Campground offers "miles of trails through the dunes and woods" with "lookout points scattered throughout." The tent sites at Allendale KOA are described as "perfectly spacious" in "a nice wooded area to just sit and look at the stars." WaterTrail Ventures Paddle Respite, accessible by boat or car, provides a more secluded backcountry tent camping experience with only three sites. One visitor noted it was "off the beaten path" with "more wildlife viewing opportunities than we could ask for." Most tent campgrounds in the area maintain quiet hours after 9 PM, creating peaceful environments for overnight stays.

Map showing campgrounds near West Olive, MichiganExplore the Map

Detours Nearby

Oak Grove Resort & Campground

Oak Grove Resort & Campground

15 min away

WaterTrail Ventures Paddle Respite

WaterTrail Ventures Paddle Respite

25 min away

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Best Tent Sites Near West Olive, Michigan (17)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near West Olive, MI

16 Photos of 17 West Olive Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near West Olive, MI

672 Reviews of 17 West Olive Campgrounds

  • T
    Apr. 15, 2021

    Ely Lake Campground

    Keyword: RUSTIC

    This is our "home base" campground. It's familiar. We've been coming here for decades. Comfortable, and quiet(for the most part).

    Caveat: no electric, no running water, no sewer/septic, no dump, no fill... Can run your generator(inverter type is best). Solar is a negative due to tree cover.

    Vault toilets only, and pitcher pumps for water. There is a dumpster available in the busier parts of the season but this campground is open year round.

    No playground. Just the beach and the trails.

    Sites range from small tent sites to fairly large, but the "roads" inside the campground are tight so think twice before bringing the longer 5th wheels.

    In short, if you want a quiet getaway from your usual then this is a great place to go. If you're expecting a pool, arcade, and dining hall... Look elsewhere.

  • Olivia S.
    Jul. 20, 2020

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp Resort-South Haven, MI

    This is my top pick for South Haven

    Although this campground has great amenities, a pool, clean showers, and good sites/cabins, it is hard to book. If you know you are going to come to this area and camp, you need to book it a while in advance. I have used a pop-up and there was good space between campers. When I tent camped, we had a great spot near the cafe, the showers are amazing over there, they are more secluded. Our tent spot had electric, water, picnic table and fire ring. We camped on the grass and there is gravel to park your car. This campground is a perfect place to stay when visiting surrounding towns and going to the beach.

    Don’t forget to go to Sherman’s!!

    There was a forecast or rain, don’t mind the tarp

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2019

    Brookside City Park

    Beautiful super small camping in town

    The campsites are located past the playground and shelter. Just keep driving down the road that looks like an alley. There is a wonderful place set up for just a few campers. 

    A couple sites are for tents only and the others are standard sites. There are a few trees by the sites but it’s mostly open area. Portable toilets are at the end of the camping area and in the playground area. The playground is a day use area for town so expect to meet some locals. 

    Driving just down the street takes you to the police station. This is where you register for the site. Town is around you and ready to explore. There are a few train tracks and industrial businesses which provide a bit of noise along with traffic. For us, the noise just slid right into the background. 

    This is a great place for a low price.

  • N
    Jul. 19, 2016

    South Channel Campground

    Close to the beach, but very very cramped

    There 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.

  • Christopher P.
    Jul. 25, 2021

    Deep Lake Rustic Campground — Yankee Springs Recreation Area - TEMPORARILY CLOSED IN 2024

    Nice rustic site

    Nice rustic campground with a beautiful lake view. Nice big fire rings. Vault toilet and water pump nearby. Some what level site but in the small side. Perfect for tent camping or a teardrop. Definitely nothing over 15'. Was able to park across from my site to maximize space.

    Gorgeous little lake town just 8 miles away has a full grocery store and restaurants.

    Campsites border the Deep Lake trail.

  • B
    Jun. 11, 2023

    Covert Park Beach & Campground

    Great Lakeside Camp

    Great campground. Better cared for than a State Park and better accommodations, too. Newish shower house with 6 uni-sex showers (all with their own locking doors). Water mechanisms on several made hot water a little tricky… test before you undress haha. If 5+ showers are in use, don't count on much hot water.

    Very friendly operators and employees. Genuinely interested in how you're doing. Above average camp store and they even deliver your firewood order to your site for you ($7 for a 15"x15"ish bundle).

    Beach access is easy and the beach is nice. On the cooler week we were there, would only see one or two other people out if any, but when school gets out mid-June, sounds like it gets busier. Our Monday-Friday stay saw us as the only tent campers which was great. Our kids enjoyed the playground and we made use of the grills by the picnic shelter a few times.

    All tent sites (except for T12) are walk in (but most are only 100-300 feet).

    Tent Sites 1, 2, 3, 11 and 12 as well as the group site are on their own away from the main loops. They are served by a flush toilet with running (cold) water. Or you can make the slightly longer walk to the shower house.

    Tent 1 is 100 foot walk, small site, easily visible from T-2 and 3 as well as the group site.

    Tent 2 is medium sized, across from T-3 and visible from T-1 and T-3. 

    Tent 3 is large. Slightly overlooks the group site and can see T-1 and T-2.

    Tent 4 is large, but almost totally isolated. It's surrounded by hills (although T-5 is on one of those hills so could overlook it. Long walk to bathroom.

    Tent 5 overlooks 4 a little and is a medium sized site. Also long walk to bathroom.

    Tent 6 is elevated above everything so overlooks T-5, T-7 and the RV loop. It's a huge site with nothing but nature around and above you. Long walk to bathroom.

    Tent 7 shortest walk to car parking, but surrounded by other sites. Access to other sites runs through site as well.

    Tent 8 and 9 are basically one large site with two tables and fire rings. Requires a walk up several flights of stairs, but puts you on top of a bluff that, without trees, would give you a view of the lake. They charge a premium for these sites.

    Tent 11 is probably the longest walk… you walk past T-1,2,3, then up 70 steps to the top of a ridge. You cannot see or be seen and the picnic table is covered with a shelter. Not a ton of space, but a great site for a lite packer.

    Tent 12 is a drive in site right next to the bathroom and the main drive into the campground.

    We were pleasantly surprised and, outside of a cold shower or two, never disappointed in our stay.

  • Napunani
    Dec. 1, 2023

    Beach Campground — Holland State Park

    Beach Campground = Parking Lot

    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

  • s
    Jul. 4, 2020

    Lake Michigan Campground at Muskegon State Park Campground

    Campground steps away from Lake Michigan

    Clean, shady campground with easy access to Lake Michigan beach. We stayed at site 50A right across from the steps down to the beach. There was no privacy, but it was a large corner lot with both water and trash steps away. Bath house had nice, clean individual showers and seperate multi stall restrooms. We have t mobile and had cell service at our site, but there is no wifi.

Guide to West Olive

West Olive, Michigan, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful getaway surrounded by nature.

Tent campers should check out South Channel Campground

  • Enjoy a close proximity to the beach with a dirt trail leading directly from the campground to the water at South Channel Campground.
  • This campground features clean restrooms and well-maintained facilities, making it a comfortable choice for families and groups.
  • With electric hookups available, you can enjoy the convenience of modern amenities while still experiencing the great outdoors.

Explore local attractions near WaterTrail Ventures Paddle Respite

  • Nestled along the Kalamazoo River, WaterTrail Ventures Paddle Respite offers a serene environment perfect for kayaking and wildlife viewing.
  • The campground provides a private beach area, ideal for swimming and relaxing after a day of paddling.
  • Guests can enjoy complimentary firewood, enhancing the camping experience with cozy evening campfires.

Engage in outdoor activities at Silver Creek County Park

  • Silver Creek County Park is perfect for horse lovers, featuring miles of equestrian trails for riding and exploring.
  • The rustic camping experience includes picnic tables and fire pits, allowing for enjoyable meals and gatherings around the fire.
  • With clean facilities and well-marked trails, this park is a great spot for both tent camping and outdoor adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near West Olive, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near West Olive, MI is Allendale-West Grand Rapids KOA with a 4-star rating from 13 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near West Olive, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near West Olive, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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