Holland State Park - Macatawa Campground — Attraction in Park Township

We are currently staying here. We have been to many state-managed campgrounds, and this one is among the worst. The location is Ideal, but the site and amenities are not. We have an electric only site - typically when you see this, you also have a water source nearby for hook-up - not here. Here you have to wait hours to fill up at the only water point on the campground. Our site is a corner lot near a playground - we strategically selected this for our young kids (5 & 7); unfortunately they don't like the playground. The electrical box on our site is in an odd location - so we had to maneuver our camper to make it work, however, the campground did not take this into account when placing a new pine tree on the site, as well as fencing & posts for the playground areas. It is nearly impossible to get a camper on this site - this should be designated for tent only. I was able to back in the trailer - but I am unsure how I am going to pull it out without damaging something - and our trailer is only 20'. I'm not saying that from a place of inexperience - I drove truck & trailer for the Army for 12 years.

The showers are an environmentalists' dream. You push the button and you get 10 seconds of water from a shower head that is so worn that you have to hold it up to get any water on you. Try doing this with two small children and yourself - the family was not at all in mind when this idea was conceptualized. There are newer showers on the east side of the campground - but you have to shower in the dark because they installed environmentally friendly lighting that doesn't work properly. Its on for one second - then goes dark. I was told that most of them are like this. That's fine that you want to go with environmentally friendly lighting, but the least you can do is fix it and maintain it; you have staff everywhere checking on every site to ensure they aren't being too loud -but you can't maintain the lights? You would think the campground management (The State of Michigan) would make this a priority - since they don't have running water to each site - forcing everyone to use these showers for the most part.

The sites are hit or miss. Most of them are just dirt with a grass blade here and there. Some are shades, others are full sun. The fire pits are concrete encased, so you cant move them out of the way to maneuver a trailer in a tight spot.

One thing my kids love about camping is the "treat store". The front office is only a 'check in' location, and not a treat store.

The only good thing about this campground, so far, is...

This is a nice beach to visit if you're local or from far away. There are plenty of places to sit, sunbath, and play, as well as areas to picnic and a playground. The Pavillion has public restrooms, showers, and changing areas, and also has a smaller beach restaurant and store. There are BBQ pits scattered along the beach as well as many volleyball nets for competition or for fun. The RV park inside the State Beach as restrooms, dump area for your tanks, and water area for your RV. All along the beaches are places to walk and explore. There is also a place to walk up a dune. The deck and boardwalk area is a nice place for a sit, bike ride, and a really good place to fish. Look at the weather station eith camera put in by the pier, and rake a walk into the channel on the North pier for walking, jogging, fishing, as well as pier jumping. Just remember to always jump on the side the channel isn't on, always have parents and guardians, and to never jump alone. The pier can have a very powerful undertow to always remember to be safe as you can and to not put yourself or others into a dangerous situation. Enjoy the sites and scenes all along the beach, and remember to look at Big Red, the lighthouse on the other side, famous for many reasons and many years. I vote that we have the boardwalk opened up on the other side, and bring back the public tours that once we're. Just think of it being maintained and being able to be light for special holland and national activities and...

The Lake Macatawa Campground is great. The Pines side has more trees and shady sites. The Woodstock side has sunnier sites and less trees. It’s about a 1/4 mile sidewalk to the beach at Lake Michigan. You can see the The Big Red lighthouse across the channel to the south.

Plan on hiking to the top of Mt Pisgah for the sunset or heading to the beach at Lake Michigan. Give yourself extra time, everyone else is thinking the same thing.

Just a few tips to make your life easier. Expect long lines to beach on hot summer days, sunset and weekends. (Bike or Walk if you can, or plan on arriving before 9 am).

This park is very quiet at night, which I love! It has mostly families with kids and campers that are respectful of others. If there are loud campers, Rangers do enforce quiet hours, and alcohol isn’t allowed.

Pets of any kind are not allowed on the designated swimming beach, or in the water. (Unless it is a Real Service Animal, however still need to be leashed and attended at all times) The Designated swimming area is the area between the parking lot and Lake Michigan. You can have pets along the channel and on the pier. Ask a Ranger if you have questions!

Always attend to your dog and keep them on a leash. You don’t want your dog to be the one that chases after that baby deer or animal and hurts it in front of everyone. (If you are looking for a spot to take your dog swimming “google Ottawa County Kirk Park” they have specific hours that allow dogs...