Are you interested in taking a Holland State Park camping trip? Come to this 142-acre, forested, and sugar-sanded park in Holland, Michigan. As you relax, you’ll be treated to the natural and historical beauty of the two lakes and the Big Red Lighthouse.
Read on to learn about the features and activities you’ll experience while camping at Holland State Park!
What to Expect at Holland State Park
Pet-Friendly Location
For your Holland State Park camping trip, bring your dog to Lake Macatawa’s designated dog beach! Just keep your dog on a 6-foot-long leash and dispose of its waste properly, and you’ll both have a great time.
No Fire Pits for the Modern Campground
Out of the two campgrounds at Holland State Park, one doesn’t have fire pits. If you book a site for the Modern Beach Campground, you’ll want to pack a portable fire pit.
You must have your portable pit 6 inches above the sand, completely covered, and within 15 feet of camping units.
Track Chairs Available
Visitors with mobility challenges who desire a Holland State Park camping experience will enjoy the park’s two-track chairs. They’re available first come, first served and won’t cost you a cent, so come and claim a chair!
Holland State Park Camping
Camping in Holland State Park
You are to make your reservations by phone, and you’ll need a recreation passport if you arrive in a vehicle. Admission is a couple of dollars cheaper for non-residents than it is for residents.
RV sites have affordable rates depending on the hookup types. They’re first come, first served, so get one while you can, as they fill up quickly during the summer.
Lake Macatawa Campground
There are 211 tent and RV sites that have either 30- or 50-amp electrical service. They’re either grassy or graveled (with 11 paved sites), and some of them are in the woods. For campers with disabilities, 12 sites are ADA-accessible.
The campground has a horseshoe area, volleyball court, and access to Lake Macatawa’s swimming beach. Included are modern restrooms and showers and the sanitation station, which has two RV lanes and potable water.
Modern Beach Campground
Of the dune-surrounded campground’s 98 paved sites, 31 of them have full hookups, while the rest have 30-amp electrical service. You’ll have access to modern restrooms and showers and a quarter-mile-long sandy shoreline along Lake Michigan.
Whitetail and Beacon Cabins
If your Holland State Park camping trip is during cold weather, stay in one of these cabins. Each one sleeps up to seven people and has bunk beds, small kitchen amenities, and electric heat and service. Be sure to bring your own linens and cookware.
Book the Whitetail Cabin and you’ll have great views of the Holland Channel and the Big Red Lighthouse!
Camping Near Holland State Park
During the peak season, a sold-out campground is possible. Here are a couple of spots near Holland State Park to book if the park is at its maximum capacity:
Ottawa County Fairgrounds
The camping season at the Ottawa Country Fairgrounds starts in May and ends on Halloween. If you book a site on the last week of July, attend the Ottawa County Fair as an additional camping activity!
Rates per night are affordable, and there are 185 rustic or water and electric RV sites to choose from.
Macatawa Lake View Cottage
For a real getaway, book the three-bed, two-bath Macatawa Lake View Cottage for your Holland State Park camping trip. You’re only down the road from the park and 5 miles away from downtown Holland if you need to go shopping.
The cottage allows up to ten guests, so the two-stall garage will hold more than just your car. You also get a full view of the lake from the backyard, which has a campfire to conclude your nights.
Things to Do at Holland State Park
Water Activities
Camping at Holland State Park means you’re surrounded by water, so it’s natural to do something with it!
Swimming
Lakes Macatawa and Michigan have designated swimming spots in their day-use areas. Best of all, if you have mobility challenges, the Lake Michigan beach has beach wheelchairs!
Boating
Rent a boat from the Macatawa Boat House or launch your own from the boat launch east of the park. You can also go kayaking, canoeing, or paddling.
Fishing
Fish from either Lake Michigan’s channel walkway or Ottawa County’s boardwalk on Lake Macatawa. Just like the off-site boat launch, there’s a fish-cleaning station in the same area for your catches.
Hiking
Besides hiking, you can also bike or snowshoe these trails depending on the trail and the season.
Holland Dune Trail
This mile-long, out-and-back trail goes to the top of the Mt. Pisgah sand dune, where you’ll receive views of Lake Michigan.
Lake Macatawa Loop
This 1.8-mile trail is a popular hiking trail for birdwatching as you trek through the woods.
Lakeshore Trail
This 11-mile paved and continuous route runs along Lakeshore Drive to Quincy Street and back to Holland State Park.
Big Red Lighthouse
Built in the 1870s, this iconic Western Michigan attraction is called the Holland Harbor Light. It’s the most photographed lighthouse in the state, symbolizing the harbor’s Dutch history and the Great Lake’s beach life.
Thanks to its getting sandblasted and painted red in 1956, it became known as the Big Red Lighthouse.
For a closer look during your Holland State Park camping trip, walk the wheelchair-accessible boardwalk to the north pier.
Wildlife
Deer, squirrels, rabbits, and birds seem like everyday animals that you see once in a while in your neighborhood. But while you’re camping at Holland State Park, you’d get a chance to see them up close and often.
Even when you’re fishing, you’ll see various catches like bass, trout, salmon, and perch.
See Beautiful Kinds of Red at Holland State Park!
A sunset view or a view of the Big Red Lighthouse will make a wonderful Holland State Park camping trip. Whether you’re by yourself or with friends, family, or pets, come to Western Michigan for some relaxation and fantastic memories!
Check out our collection of State Park Camping guides to learn about other great state parks in the USA to camp in!
- About the Author
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Sarah Keck is a long-time resident of the Midwest and loves its warm and cool atmosphere. She takes any walking or hiking opportunity with open arms and likes to learn and write about the best trails.
Sarah’s first camping experience was her church’s teens’ and twenties’ summer conference years ago. Her favorite activities were exploring the campground and sitting by the fire, listening to the wildlife.
As time went on, Sarah looked forward to camping and other vacation opportunities. Writing for Beyond the Tent has opened her eyes and mind to the country’s many beautiful destinations.