Best Campgrounds near Whitehall, MI

The area surrounding Whitehall, Michigan offers multiple camping options along Lake Michigan's eastern shoreline. Campgrounds like Muskegon State Park, with both Lake Michigan and Channel campgrounds, provide access to sandy beaches and dunes. Pioneer County Park and White River RV Park & Campground accommodate various camping styles, including tent camping, RV sites with full hookups, and cabin rentals. Several facilities offer glamping options and yurts for those seeking more comfortable outdoor experiences, while Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping provides free dispersed camping opportunities for more adventurous visitors.

Several campgrounds near Whitehall maintain proximity to Lake Michigan as their primary draw, with many sites offering either direct beach access or short walks to the shoreline. The camping season generally runs from May through October, with some locations like Muskegon State Park's Lake Michigan Campground remaining open year-round. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during summer weekends. Facilities vary widely, from primitive sites with minimal amenities to developed campgrounds with electrical hookups, showers, and sanitary stations. Cell service can be spotty in some areas, particularly at more remote sites. As one visitor noted, "Ludington State Park is one of my favorite parks in Michigan with easy access to Lake Hamlin and Lake Michigan for great swimming."

Lake Michigan access represents the primary attraction for most campers in the Whitehall region. Many visitors specifically seek out sites with beach proximity, though these tend to fill quickly during peak season. Camping areas often feature a mix of wooded sites and those with water views. Several campgrounds offer beach access via short trails or stairways leading over dunes. According to reviews, privacy levels vary considerably between campgrounds, with some offering well-spaced, shaded sites while others are described as more crowded. One camper described Hoffmaster State Park as having sites that "back up to a little creek and trail which was just perfect for the kids to play in" with "not too long of a walk from the beach." The region's campgrounds also provide convenient access to nearby towns including Whitehall, Muskegon, Ludington, and Pentwater for supplies and additional attractions.

Best Camping Sites Near Whitehall, Michigan (168)

    1. Lake Michigan Campground at Muskegon State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    North Muskegon, MI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 744-3480

    "Just steps from Lake Michigan. Literally walk down some steps, and you’re at the beach. Clean bathhouse too, with plenty of hot water."

    "Clean, shady campground with easy access to Lake Michigan beach. We stayed at site 50A right across from the steps down to the beach."

    2. Hoffmaster State Park Campground

    55 Reviews
    Norton Shores, MI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 798-3711

    $38 - $42 / night

    "Site 31 and any along that path back up to a little creek and trail which was just perfect for the kids to play in."

    "Great hiking trails, close to Lake Michigan"

    3. Muskegon County Pioneer County Park

    18 Reviews
    North Muskegon, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 744-3580

    "There is a path to Lake Michigan. The beach is small but there is access to swimming. They also have an overlook, for a great sunset view."

    "Minutes away from Lake Michigan."

    4. Lake Sch-Nepp-A-Ho Family Campground

    13 Reviews
    Twin Lake, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 766-2209

    $35 - $55 / night

    "We stayed for two days while on our way on our trip around Lake Michigan. This was our first stop and I think we will have a tough time beating the value and experience."

    "Beautiful campground we stayed site 72 backed up to the lake. Nice playground with private very clean beach. Jumping water trampoline for the kids."

    5. White River RV Park & Campground

    9 Reviews
    Whitehall, MI
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 894-4708

    "Also very large, so lots of room to walk or ride bikes. Located next to the White River for canoeing fun too."

    "Sweet pool, good store, Great facilities, laundry, and all that Western Michigan has to offer. You won't be sorry."

    6. Pioneer Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    North Muskegon, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 744-3580

    $34 / night

    "Lots of trees, walking paths, Lake Michigan beach steps away. Big sites and well maintained!"

    "Great location, pretty standard park with standard amenities. Right on lake Michigan and very close to Michigan Adventure."

    7. South Channel Campground

    14 Reviews
    North Muskegon, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 744-3480

    $10 - $60 / night

    "We stayed on the channel side, and was right next to the pathway to walk to the channel. It’s very well maintained, fire pit rings, bath house, electric hookups, dump station, paved spots."

    "Has a path to the channel with a short walk to Lake Michigan beach. Electric hook up, no water hook up. Site 89 was large and wooded."

    8. Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping

    8 Reviews
    Whitehall, MI
    7 miles

    "There looks like there are trails off of the parking lot. No signs that say no overnight parking. I'm in a van and this worked great for me. Quiet area and right off the lake."

    "There are also quite a few drive in sites as well for car camping. There was running water in a creek south of Sand Road."

    9. Silver Lake State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Mears, MI
    18 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."

    10. Muskegon KOA

    8 Reviews
    Twin Lake, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 766-3900

    "Outside our temporary home was our own gas grill, patio table with seating, fire ring, and Adirondack chairs. How nice it was for meals on the deck and campfires in the evenings!"

    "They have lots of activities, a lake, trails, everything. Definitely coming back."

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Recent Reviews near Whitehall, MI

874 Reviews of 168 Whitehall Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • G
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Beach Campground — Holland State Park

    Entry policy needs revising

    Got to campground at 13:00, checked to see if my reserved site was vacant (it was vacant) then went to check in. Attendant told couldn’t check in until 15:00. Had to park in marina parking lot.  Went back to check in and there was a line out to the street (safety issue).  It then took us 1/2 hr to check in then had to wait another 1/2hr in line for water. Got to site at 16:15.  Something has to change. Was told this was a Holland State Park decision because other state parks don’t do this.  Horrible, horrible policy

  • Nicole B.
    Sep. 22, 2025

    White River RV Park & Campground

    Terrible Campground/Noisy/Rude Staff

    Campsites are right on top of each other, so very little privacy. There were people outside our tent all night making noise. Staff was very rude. We left a day early.

  • Jade M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road

    good spot

    we went in mid september only stayed in this spot for a night. we took the 3rd open space i think. it was close to others but not too close. it is definitely around hunting land so wear bright colors if going during season.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Mears State Park Campground

    Best little campground at the lake

    Beautiful small state park campground. Very well maintained, clean facilities, beautiful beach. Easy walk into town to shops and restaurants.

  • Holly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Lake Michigan Campground at Muskegon State Park Campground

    Beautiful and well taken care of!

    The campground was full on my visit, but that did not affect the atmosphere. It was quiet and sites are large and well spaced out. The staff did a great job keeping things clean and well stocked. My site was right next to the beach access, and it was fantastic!

  • W
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Hoffmaster State Park Campground

    We will keep coming back

    We stayed Sunday, and Monday night of Labor Day weekend for the second time this year. This place is clean! The only negative of this place is that the water is not as clear compared to a little north & south. I think it has something to do with the grand river being so close. The walk down & back to the beach is pretty strenuous if you are not used to the dunes & a hill. If you are elderly or not in shape you might go to the beach at an easier access point. Bathrooms & showers are always very clean. They have a campground host that offers free coffee in the mornings & tools you can barrow for your campsite. This is a great place for families. Well spaced sites. No alcohol allowed and pretty quiet after 11pm just the occasional person is awake. We had the site with the creek behind us so we sat our tent up facing the creek. Monday morning there was a lot of people leaving so we did get woke up pretty early w/ a lot of noise of people leaving from Labor Day but Monday night we had empty sites all around us & it was very chill Tuesday morning. I was a little worried that the workers would say something to us bc we had not packed fully by 11 but we were able to finish our breakfast and pack up quickly without them saying anything to us.

  • M
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Crockery Creek RV Park

    Rude and unprofessional

    The little owners wife racially profiled my kids friends mom,  in front of the kids!!!!!!  Ha!  She tried accusing us of sneaking in their pool.  That's hilarious,  because we paid $3700.00 for a seasonal.  The pool is actually small and it was oily and full of hair.  Being off Apple Ave,  it's  loud and hard to relax.  My husband had a tragic workplace accident,  so we weren't able to get to the camper in a few weeks.  The owner called him multiple times at once,  being aggressive with his tone,  trying to get us to pull our camper so they can rent that spot out.  They must be desperate for money.  They should try reading up on the law.  Their website lies about their amenities,  they had no fish all season and their pond was disgusting.

  • tThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Sawkaw Lake

    Small and quiet

    Not a lot of privacy between sites, but they are very large so you don’t feel on top of another and having the lake right there was nice


Guide to Whitehall

Camping sites near Whitehall, Michigan tend to fill quickly during summer months, with peak season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The region experiences warm summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during daytime hours but can drop into the 50s at night. Many campgrounds enforce quiet hours starting at 10 or 11 PM, with enforcement varying by location.

What to do

Winter sports access: Muskegon State Park's Lake Michigan Campground remains open year-round with winter activities across the road. "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 Melissa M. about her Lake Michigan Campground winter camping experience.

Fishing opportunities: Lake Sch-Nepp-A-Ho offers private lake fishing without requiring a license. According to Clint, who visited in 2021, "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."

Dune exploration: The extensive trail network at Hoffmaster State Park provides diverse hiking options through dune landscapes. Shelly B. explains, "In addition to several trails within the campground, many more can be accessed in the state park, which contains over ten miles of trails in its 1,200 acres. Trails to dunes, beach, and other parks as well as dune preserve: all well-marked and vary in difficulty."

River paddling: White River RV Park offers convenient river access for kayaking and tubing. "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," reports Cassondra P. about her experience at White River RV Park & Campground.

What campers like

Boat watching: Channel Campground provides opportunities to observe maritime traffic. "Great boat watching. Can watch boats go through channel from campsite, loved watching the lake express," writes Sara G. about her stay at South Channel Campground.

Spacious sites: Pioneer Park campsites offer adequate room despite high occupancy. Lauren noted in September 2020: "Large family campground with flush toilets, showers and hot water. Right on Lake Michigan with great views of the lake and beach. A bit on the noisy side due to lots of families and kids playing. Not much privacy or space between campsites."

Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness frequently appears in positive reviews. Whitney A. shared about Hoffmaster State Park: "Bathrooms & showers are always very clean. They have a campground host that offers free coffee in the mornings & tools you can barrow for your campsite."

Creek access: Some campsites feature water features beyond Lake Michigan access. According to Whitney A., "We had the site with the creek behind us so we sat our tent up facing the creek," providing additional environmental interest at their campsite.

What you should know

Alcohol policies: State parks enforce no-alcohol rules during peak season. "Big thing to remember for Michigan state parks is no alcohol even in the campground," advises Ray R. about Silver Lake State Park.

Road noise: Several campgrounds experience highway noise due to proximity to major roads. "I did not like the road being so close for road noise," mentions Kathie M. about Lake Michigan Campground cabins, while another camper notes similar concerns about Lake Sch-Nepp-A-Ho: "The only downside was that there is a major road along the camp ground."

Off-season availability: Many camping sites remain accessible during shoulder seasons with reduced crowds. Les S. reports about March camping: "We went in March so the weather was cold but doable. 20 degrees at night but with electricity hookups we put a space heater in our tent. Campsites are nice no running water at that time of year & only primitive outhouses."

Electrical hookup placement: Electrical connections may require planning. A Clint notes about Silver Lake State Park: "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."

Tips for camping with families

Play areas: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's facilities. Sara G. highlights that Pioneer County Park has a "good hiking nice playground" and "large grassy field for kids."

Beach activities: Most campgrounds provide beach access for water play. "The campground beach, only a 5-10 minute walk from any site, was awesome!" reports Shelly B. about Hoffmaster State Park. "While there wasn't a lifeguard, I appreciated the 'flag system' advising how safe the water is each day."

Recreational equipment: Many campgrounds offer water recreation options. "The beach is small but there is access to swimming. They also have an overlook, for a great sunset view," notes Lora H. about Pioneer County Park, while Lake Sch-Nepp-A-Ho camper Amy K. mentions "Jumping water trampoline for the kids. This water was so clear you can see to the bottom and the kids had a blast trying to catch the little fish."

Group enforcement: Family camping areas may have strict policies about site boundaries. Several reviewers at Pioneer Park mentioned enforcement of campsite boundaries even during inclement weather, with one noting "we had to move our tents just an inch away from each other in the rain."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling: Many campgrounds offer level sites for easier setup. Lora H. describes Pioneer County Park: "The sites are close together, dirt, grass and semi-level. They have water, electric, dump station, firepit & picnic table."

Satellite reception: Dense tree cover affects satellite connectivity at some sites. Lora H. adds: "This park is huge and heavily wooded. If you're wanting your satellite to come in, there are only a few open spaces. We walked around it looked like site 76 and that general area, were open enough to get a clear shot."

Cell connectivity: Mobile phone coverage varies significantly across campgrounds. According to Lora H., "Verizon phone gets maybe 2 bars at its best, LTE & Verizon mifi, will be able to bring in 3G" at Pioneer County Park, while other reviewers note complete dead zones in more remote areas.

Dump station timing: Plan departure timing around dump station availability. Whitney A. observed at Hoffmaster: "Monday morning there was a lot of people leaving so we did get woke up pretty early w/ a lot of noise of people leaving from Labor Day," while another camper noted long lines forming at dump stations before checkout times on busy weekends.

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available near Whitehall, MI?

Several excellent campgrounds are located near Whitehall. Muskegon County Pioneer County Park is a family-friendly option in the pines with walking distance to Lake Michigan and convenient driving distance to Whitehall. For those looking to explore more of the area, White River RV Park & Campground near Montague offers easy access for RVs. Other nearby options include South Channel Campground on the channel from Muskegon Lake to Lake Michigan, and Silver Lake State Park Campground, which provides access to dunes, beaches, and recreational areas within a short drive from Whitehall.

What amenities are offered at Whitehall campgrounds?

Campgrounds near Whitehall typically offer a range of amenities to enhance your stay. Lake Michigan Campground at Muskegon State Park features clean bathhouses with hot showers, water access, trash disposal, and shady sites with fire rings. Many sites are just steps from Lake Michigan beaches. Whispering Surf Campground at Bass Lake provides nicely spaced sites, a playground for children, and direct access to Bass Lake. Typical amenities at other area campgrounds include fire rings, picnic tables, drinking water, restroom facilities, and some offer electrical hookups for RVs.

What camping options exist near Whitehall, Michigan?

The Whitehall area offers diverse camping experiences to suit different preferences. For state park camping, Silver Lake State Park Campground provides access to the Off-Road Vehicle Area, Lake Michigan, and Silver Lake. Those seeking more rustic experiences can explore Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - Green Road for dispersed camping or Sand Road Primitive Rustic Camping for a more minimalist experience. Family-oriented options include Lake Sch-Nepp-A-Ho Family Campground and Muskegon KOA, which offer more amenities and organized activities within driving distance of Whitehall.