Grand Rapids, MI

This park is a little north of the city of Kalamazoo. I don't know if that would be too far from you. Lots to do in the KZoo area, too! We've stayed there when visiting hometown friends.

http://www.kalcounty.com/parks/markinglen/

https://freecampsites.net/#!Grand+Rapids,+MI+ 35 miles from Grand Rapids, but free with power.

doxiemom11,

That's about 18 CG's right in those above posts and there are many more that are less than an hour from the Meijer Gardens and GR.

BTW, we live just south of Grand Haven city (GH) and have for 74 years and go the Grand Rapids (GR) very often. A wonderful large very progressive city, mostly new and clean downtown and metro area, having well over 1 million in population and very spread out. Approx 35 miles both N/S and E/W. GR is 35 to 45 minutes by vehicle from GH/the lakeshore as there are 2 Interstates and also very nice M-45 (divided more than halfway) to get from GR to the lakeshore or vise versa. Also have a new very scenic limited access N/S highway (M-231) with a .8 of a mile long bridge over the Grand River a little west of Allendale so the east/west major routes now connect too.

Noticed the OP has 3 kids and the huge gorgeous very modern and one of the largest 100 colleges and universities in the country, Grand Valley State University, (over 25,000 enrollment and fast growing) main campus is in Allendale between GR and the lakeshore. Very highly rated university and could be a possibility for the kids in the future. Might be a look-see since being right in the area. One of 14 colleges and universities in the local GR area as a fine education is taken very seriously in West Michigan. So much to do, see, and enjoy in West Michigan and there's very low unemployment and welfare numbers which really helps. Just sayin!

We are from the GR area and all of the above campgrounds are pretty much what is available in the area. You could go as far as the MI lakeshore if you want and it's actually only about an hour to GR. The would be the Grand Haven/Spring Lake/Holland areas.

Allendale/West Grand Rapids KOA on Warner St in Allendale area on the south side of the Grand River, close to the river, about half way between Grand Rapids and Grand Haven. Grand Haven on Lake Michigan with it's superb sugar sand beaches, long boardwalk, free live entertainment, and so much for kids, adults, and entire families to do everyday without draining your wallet give additional options. Also a dozen or so CG's there too. Approx 32 miles west of Grand Rapids by Interstate.

Conestoga Grand River Campground on Oriole Drive on the north side of the Grand River about across from the KOA and the Michigan State Park huge Recreation area. On a hill overlooking the river with a paved few hundred foot long road going down to the river, beach, boat launch, and docks. Directly across the wide river from the large Riverside County Park.

Both of these CG's are in a very rural setting and wooded.

Woodchip byron center, hungry horse dorr, hidden ridge hopkins.

About a half hour away, not sure if that's close for you, is Yankee Springs state park. We go there often, next week as a matter of fact. It has a huge lake, Gun Lake, with a beach and boat launch in the park including a huge day use area. It's an easy drive using 131.