Camping near Hoffmaster State Park MI

[GreenBananas]

Hi all. Can anyone recommend a good camp ground/RV park near Hoffmaster State Park that you could possibly get late reservations this July 20th – 25th? As of now there are three sites available, but we are not sure if the rest of the group is in fact going to be able to make it. Also we have never been to Hoffmaster State Park, or the area (we already have our reservations) and are looking for suggestions on the “MUST SEE and DO”. We are a family with children under 13 years old. As always, Thank You for suggestions!

[travelnutz]

bimbert84,

Thanks, forgot to add the football field sized Musical Fountain that you view from the waterfront stadium on the other side of the river (about 700 to 1,000 feet away) or anywhere along the waterfront. 32 - 18" 600 watt JBL subwoofers, 12 high frequency JBL horns 30" X 30" X 72" deep. 14 powerful amplifiers. 40,000 gallon basin, 8,000 feet of piping ranging form 1/4" dia to 16" dia, 1300 nozzles from 3/16 dia to 1" dia, 4,000 gallons per minute during a show, max 125 ft high water spray.

The new this year RGB fixtures for lighting has a max consumption of 2400 watts but that sure doesn't sound like much until you see it all LED's. The new LED's consume 98% less electric power than the previous airport beacon lights and the Led's are twice as bright. Also instant on and off for dramatic displays. 16 million colors available during the 20 minute shows. The lights change colors in 1/1000 of a second!

The present waterfront stadium is now scheduled to be replaced with a new one approx 2-1/2 times the size or close to 6,000 capacity. It's a year or so away.

[Snowman9000]

20 years ago we camped a few times at the Jellystone Park outside of GH. It was a nice park. Is it still there?

edit: oops I see Travelnutz covered it.

[bimbert84]

In addition to what travelnutz said, Grand Haven also has a musical fountain with performances every night during the summer. Pretty cool.

http://www.grandhaven.org/photo-album/album-3/155/

-- Rob

[travelnutz]

Yes, that is a ways away, like 70 miles but the OP is very late in finding an open site as it's prime time. The OP didn't define what was meant by the word "near".

[memgrove]

Not exactly close but you will have luck at the "DEEP LAKE" campground. It is in the Yankee springs recreation area near Gun Lake just off us 131 in the middle of the state. This is a no electric no water campground but usually there are many open spaces all the time. It acts as the "overflow" campground for the "yankee springs modern" campground that is right on Gun lake. If you stay at deep lake you have access to the shower houses and boat launch at the modern campground and park. Its never crowded and the sites are deep in the woods and we have never been hot in the shade there. This place is a one of a kind experience for people who forget that their trailer will work without plugging it into an outlet. Try it!

[travelnutz]

Very late date to find open sites but I will give you some possibilities below:

The National Coast Guard Festival that's in Grand Haven each year begins this year on July 26th and there will be a couple hundred thousand people in town for the next 10 days. You will be around just before this. It's been going on for the last 88 years and the city is well setup for the crowds and handles them very well. Here's the link:

http://www.coastguardfest.org/

Grand Haven/Spring Lake etc is approx 5 miles south of Hoffmaster S.P. depending on which road you take. Hoffmaster State Park is huge and has very tall sandunes and 2-1/2 miles of pristine Lake Michigan sand beach with lots of trails. We camp there usually every year.

Much depends on what you and/or your kids like to do and if you are on a very tight budget or not. There's more to do than you could if you were camped around here all summer long.

http://www.visitgrandhaven.com/camping--rv-parks-101/

8 CG's on this site and I'll list some more.

Lake Michigan RV Resort 6 miles south of Grand Haven just off US-31. I have 2 ph nos. for the resort 616-842-9395 and 616-850-8530 I haven't been in the CG for several years but it used to be rated the "Best" Yogi Bear resort in the USA. The original owners have retired and it was sold a few years ago.

River Pines RV Park/Campground 616-895-6601 It's roughly 6 miles east of downtown Grand Haven on the south side of the Grand River.

Conestoga Campground 616-837-6323 It's on the north side of the Grand River and has a boat launch. About 6 miles east of Spring Lake, MI

I don't care for Camper's Paradise because it's right next the busy US-31 4 lane divided highway but it is close to everything. Just south of the city limits road.

North of Muskegon is the big "Michigan's Adventure" Amusment Park and Water Park. Largest in the state. $

There's a WWII submarine in the water in Muskegon you can go down into and explore. $

Lots of programs at Hoffmaster SP Gillete Visitor Center - free

A mall and a gobs of other stores just east of US-31 between Muskegon and Grand Haven.

Concerts in Central Park in Grand Haven on Tuesday nights. Various type bands etc. free

Big Band Dances at the waterfront stadium in downtown Grand Haven on Wednesdays $3/person, I think

Concerts at Mill Point Park in Spring Lake on Thursday nights. free

A many mile long wide Boardwalk along the Grand River in Grand Haven from the end of the 1/4 mile long pier out in Lake Michigan past downtown .7 miles and on past marinas and water front stores etc and the charter fishing fleet all the thru into Spring Lake. Extremely popular and millions walk it every year. Lots of boats, benches with backs, bathrooms, food and/or snacks/ice cream along the way including the Coast Guard buildings and basin. Plenty of outdoor cafes downtown. Downtown is extremely clean and beautiful. Over 90 eating places in the local area if so desired.

A very nice skateboard park, water park activated by motion, and nearly 200 miles on paved off street bike trails to ride.

Many beach volleyball nets at GH SP.

Fishing, open air trolley car rides - cheap, Wind Dancer Schooner Charters for families $

Several museums to visit. free

Just the tip of the iceberg but may give you some ideas. We've lived here for over 70 years and know what it's like.

So much to do and so little time and you'll be back again like the millions of others do again and again!

[GizmosMom]

Not real close to Hoffmaster but you could try Duck Creek RV Resort .

There are a couple of commercial RV parks in Grand Haven.

I can't think of any other parks near Hoffmaster (I grew up down the road from there!)

[ktosv]

"near" Hoffmaster State Park? Honestly, any of the other state parks (Silver Lake, Grand Haven and Holland) are probably booked full for a summer weekend at this point.

There is Pioneer Park north of Muskegon on the lakeshore. I believe it is a county run park. From what I know, they are very popular.

There is Oak Grove near the Holland State Park that is private, but knowing the area I am going to guess they could be full too.

Things to see and do? The beach. My kids love swimming and playing in the sand. You have Michigans Adventure, it is an amusement park with a water park. Last time I was there it was well worth the money.

What kind of things does your family like to do? Tons of bike trails and hiking trails in the area. Besids the state parks in the area, plenty of awesome county parks up and down the lakeshore.