Holland State Park Campground Review: Beach Camping, Breweries, and Dutch Charm in Holland, Michigan
On this week’s episode of The RV Atlas Podcast, we’re kicking off an epic three-part Michigan series with our friend Casita Dean May—and we’re starting in a place that feels like a postcard come to life: Holland State Park on the shores of Lake Michigan. If you’ve ever wanted a Great Lakes beach vacation that works beautifully for RVers (and doesn’t require flying across the country), this is it.
Dean’s trip wasn’t a quick weekend loop. It was a 23-night road trip built around three Michigan campgrounds—Holland State Park first, then Interlochen State Park near Traverse City, and finally Magnus Park in Petoskey. Along the way, he and Laura mixed in time with family and friends—exactly the kind of “RV life at its best” itinerary we love.
Why We’re So Excited About Michigan
We’re going to make the call right up front: from everything we’ve learned over years of RV travel and campground research, Michigan has one of the best state park systems in the country—and it shows in this episode. Dean’s review reinforces something we’ve been saying for a long time: Michigan is wildly underrated as an RV destination, especially for anyone who loves beach camping, great small cities, and strong public campgrounds like Holland State Park and Interlochen State Park.
Shenanigans and Stats: Dean’s Camping Year Was No Joke
Before we even get to Michigan, we have to pause and applaud the mileage Dean and Laura put in last year: 96 nights of camping. That’s not “we stayed in the RV a few weekends.” That’s a lifestyle. And it’s why Dean’s reviews are so valuable—he’s not guessing what matters to RVers; he’s out there living it, week after week.
Holland State Park Basics
Holland State Park sits on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, near the small city of Holland (about 35,000 people). It’s an easy-to-reach beach destination for RVers coming from places like Chicago, Indianapolis, and Detroit—especially if you’re driving north out of Indianapolis and aiming for the Lake Michigan coastline.
Two Campgrounds, Two Totally Different Experiences
One of the most helpful parts of Dean’s review is that Holland State Park isn’t a single campground. There are two distinct camping areas (plus a few cabins), and the difference between them matters.
The Beach Campground
The campground Dean chose—and the one that defines the Holland State Park experience—is the Beach Campground (also referred to as the “modern beach campground”). It’s not your typical wooded state park loop. It’s essentially a campground built into a large paved area near the dunes and beach access, with the kind of location that makes you immediately stop caring that you’re camping on asphalt.
There are 98 sites total, with a mix of electric-only sites and a smaller number of full hookup sites. The setup is unique: instead of your truck being parked directly in front of your camper, your parking is more parallel beside your rig, and the picnic area is positioned so you still have a functional outdoor living space. Dean described it as “a bit tight,” but still workable—and for him, the beach access was absolutely worth it.
If you’ve ever wanted to wake up and walk straight to sand, watch sunsets every night, and stay close to snack bars, bathhouses, and beach facilities, the Beach Campground at Holland State Park delivers.
Lake Macatawa Campground
The second option at Holland State Park is the Lake Macatawa Campground, about a mile away. This is the more traditional campground: 211 sites, more trees, more shade options, and a classic state park feel. You can choose between 30-amp and 50-amp electric, but there’s an important tradeoff: no water hookups at individual sites—you’ll use central water stations throughout the campground.
Dean emphasized that if he were doing the trip again, he’d still pick the beach campground—but he would stay longer. That says a lot.
Cabin Options
Holland State Park also offers a few camper cabins. These are not luxury cabins with full kitchens and linens provided. They’re more of a simple, two-room, bring-your-own-stuff style option—more comfortable than rustic, but nothing fancy. They can work well for a family traveling with someone who doesn’t own an RV but still wants to be part of the trip.
Reservations, Booking Windows, and What It Costs
Michigan’s state parks use a six-month booking window, and Dean’s advice was crystal clear: if you want a full hookup site at the beach campground at Holland State Park during peak season, you should be ready to book as soon as that window opens—because those sites disappear fast.
Pricing struck us as very reasonable for what you’re getting. Electric sites were around $45–$48 per night depending on amperage. Full hookup sites at the beach were around $60–$63 per night. Cabins were around $120 per night.
What to Know Before You Arrive
Here’s the “save yourself a headache” tip Dean learned the hard way: check-in for the beach campground happens at Lake Macatawa first. He drove all the way down to the beach campground and had to loop back a mile to check in, then return again. If you’re staying at the beach campground, head to Macatawa first for check-in.
Cell service was strong (Dean had AT&T and reported good service), and staff were friendly—but this is a busy park, especially at the beach campground, with constant day use traffic and sunset visitors flowing in and out. It’s not a “linger at the gatehouse and chat” kind of park. It’s a well-oiled machine.
The One “Con” That Isn’t Really a Con
If you need trees, quiet loops, and forest vibes, the beach campground might not be your dream. You’re camping on pavement, in sun, with a lot of people. But if you go in knowing what you’re choosing, the payoff is huge: beach walks, sunsets, and that classic “Lake Michigan is basically an ocean” feeling every single day.
What to Do Near Holland State Park
Explore Holland’s Dutch Influence
Holland has a strong Dutch history dating back to immigrants arriving in the mid-1800s seeking religious freedom. That influence comes through in the architecture, the food, and the cultural attractions—and it gives the town a distinct vibe compared to other Great Lakes beach cities.
Downtown is about six miles from the campground, and it’s easy to turn a morning or afternoon into a “coffee + walk + brewery” kind of outing.
The Big Red Lighthouse
The Big Red Lighthouse is in the state park, and it’s a classic Michigan photo stop—especially at sunset, when the beach fills up with people watching the sky change over the water. It’s easy to fit into your beach routine because it’s right there.
Windmill Island Gardens
If you only do one attraction beyond the beach, Dean said it should be Windmill Island Gardens. This is where you’ll find the famous De Zwaan windmill and a full experience built around the area’s Dutch heritage—walking paths, gardens, reconstructed buildings, and a setting that’s perfect for photography.
The park is also closely tied to Holland’s well-known Tulip Festival in the spring, which draws huge crowds.
Hope College
We love a good campus walk, and Dean does too. Hope College is near downtown and makes for a lovely stroll if you’re already exploring Holland on foot.
Where to Eat and Drink in Holland
Dean’s travel style includes what we value too: yes, camp cooking is great—but discovering local food and breweries is part of the fun.
Dune Dogz
Between the two campgrounds at Holland State Park, you’ll find Doon Dogs, a classic “hot dogs and ice cream” kind of stop that’s especially fun for families. What surprised Dean in the best way was the presence of fish options—one of those “you’re in Michigan, you’re on the water” reminders that shows up even in a casual roadside spot.
Hops at 84 East
Downtown, Hops at 84 East hit a perfect RV day-tripping combo: pizza for Laura and local beer for Dean. It’s a great “walk around downtown, then sit down somewhere comfortable” stop.
Big Lake Brewing
Another brewery stop Dean enjoyed was Big Lake Brewing, where he talked about a pasta dish that tasted like a lobster mac-and-cheese vibe—plus a family-friendly dining room that still feels like a brewery hang.
New Holland Brewing
For Dean, New Holland Brewing was a must and one of the main reasons he wanted to visit Holland in the first place. He’s been drinking their beer for 15–20 years, and visiting the brewery downtown was one of the highlight experiences of the stop.
de Boer’s Koffee Roasters Bakkerii Restaurant
Coffee matters. Dean recommended de Boer’s Coffee Roasters Bakery Restaurant—and we love the detail that the Dutch influence shows up even in the spelling (“bakkerij”). He grabbed coffee and donuts there and noted it would also be a great place for breakfast or lunch.
Ottawa Beach General Store
This spot sits between the two campgrounds and is walkable from the beach campground. It’s convenient for supplies and souvenirs, and Dean tried the coffee—but kept missing the homemade donuts because they sold out early.
Bonus: Pickleball in Holland
If you travel with paddles (or you’re pickleball-curious), Holland makes it easy. Dean found newer courts on the main route between the state park and town, with multiple courts and even wind mitigation mesh on the fencing. It was breezy when they played, but he got the sense there’s an active local pickleball community.
Dean’s “If You Only Do Two Things” Picks
If you’re passing through quickly, Dean’s top recommendations were simple. Grab a beer at New Holland Brewing and spend the day at Windmill Island Gardens.
Final Thoughts
Holland State Park is the kind of destination that makes a strong case for a week-long Great Lakes vacation. The beach campground may be paved, but the experience is Pure Michigan: sunsets over the water, quick access to town, and an easy blend of beach time, breweries, and sightseeing.
We’re excited to keep this Michigan trilogy rolling. Next up, Dean takes us to Interlochen State Park near Traverse City, and then we’ll head north to Petoskey and Magnus Park.
We’ll see you at the campground!