Holland State Park, Michigan
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Holland State Park is a slice of beach resort town heaven right in the heart of the Midwest. Michigan is well-known for its quaint resort towns along the Lake Michigan coastline, and Holland stands out for its unique Dutch heritage and culture, plus the incredible sugar sand beaches at the State Park. For a great family vacation, Holland can’t be beat—and it’s made even better by the excellent RV camping available throughout the area. As you plan your next big family vacation, why not rent an RV to fit the whole gang and head for Holland where the windmills and tulips call back to the old country and the beach invites you to relax and unwind? Here’s everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable RV vacation to Holland State Park.
One of the main draws to Holland State Park is the opportunity to relax and play on the beaches along the Lake Michigan shore and the channel leading into the lake. The beaches in Lake Holland State Park are white, sugar-sand beaches you might expect in a tropical destination—perfect for tossing down a blanket or bringing the buckets and shovels to build a sandcastle.
Lake Michigan itself can be quite cold in the spring, but as the weather heats up into the summer, so, too, does the lake. That means great swimming in warm, clear water. The area is known for its sandbars that stretch into the water, which makes for a fun swimming experience where even little ones can easily stand even far out into the water and enjoy the waves and bouncing wakes of boats zooming by.
Speaking of boating, Holland State Park is an excellent destination for boaters. There’s no boating access to Lake Michigan within the park, but if you are bringing your boat along for the trip, there’s a boat launch located just a mile east of the park that gives access to both Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa.
Don’t have your own boat to bring? That’s okay! Holland State Park itself operates a boat rental shop located at the Lake Macatawa Campground within the park. There, you can rent canoes, kayaks, and even stand-up paddle boats to enjoy on Lake Macatawa. The paddle boards are a local favorite, offering a tranquil experience paddling on the peaceful lake—make sure to head out early and grab a boat rental while it’s still cool! Find more information about rentals from the Macatawa Boat House here.
Right inside the Holland State Park entrance, there’s a fully accessible fishing pier that’s ADA compliant, so anybody can grab a spot and while away the day fishing. The big draw during the summer months is salmon fishing, where anglers can expect to bag Kings and coho salmon during their spawning run through the area. Trout is also a common target and is easy to find in the park’s channels and inland lakes.
If you really want a fishing experience you won’t forget, Holland is home to several charter fishing tour operators that promise adventure out on Lake Michigan and offer everything you need to grab huge fish. Bachelor One Fishing Charter out of Holland is a well-reviewed operator, as is SuFISHent Charters. For more info on fishing in Holland and a complete list of fishing charters available, visit the Holland tourism website.
Biking is a favorite pastime for locals in Michigan, and the Holland area has invested in an excellent bike trail to make the most of the beautiful Lake Michigan coastline. The Ottawa County Bike Trail runs 25 miles down the shore, including a stretch right through Holland State Park. That gives cycling enthusiasts direct access to all 25 miles of paved roads and easy rides that the trail offers.
If you didn’t bring your bike, that’s okay! There are plenty of outfitters in the Holland area ready to rent you a bike so you can experience the trail for yourself. Check out 42 North, Beachside Bike Rentals, or Rock ‘N’ Road Cycle for a rental, and don’t miss the weekly rides organized by bike shops in the area. For a complete list of bike shops, rentals, and organized bike rides on Ottawa County Bike Trail as well as the 150 miles of other bike trails in Holland, check out this helpful brochure.
There’s so much to do outside of Holland State Park in the picturesque town of Holland, Michigan, it’s difficult to even list the reasons why Holland is an excellent vacation destination for the entire family. The town is famous for its strong Dutch heritage, which is on display at attractions like Nelis’ Dutch Village, a historic recreation of a Dutch town during a festival, where kids can enjoy rides and families can enjoy a step across the ocean and back in time.
There are also several Dutch tulip gardens, like Windmill Island Gardens and Veldheer Tulip Gardens. For a look at the Dutch art of wooden shoemaking, visit the DeKlomp Wooden Shoe and Delft Factory. The Holland Museum offers a look at the rich history of the Holland area, and seasonal events like the Tulip Time Festival in the spring and Dutch WinterFest during the holiday season transform the town every year. For a complete list of Dutch attractions and events in Holland, check out this page on the Holland website.
The first of two campgrounds within Holland State Park, Beach Modern Campground puts visitors right near the beach for a convenient and cozy stay. They offer 98 RV-friendly sites, with options ranging from 20-30-amp sites, 50-amp sites, and some sites that offer full RV hookups. Click here for more info and to reserve.
Closer to the inland Lake Macatawa, the aptly named Lake Macatawa Campground is the larger of the two Holland State Park options with 211 sites perfect for your rented RV. Much like Beach Modern, Lake Macatawa Campground has electric sites from 20-30 amps up to 50 amps, plus full hookup sites available. Reserve your site here.
Just a few miles away from Holland in the beautiful resort town of Grand Haven, Michigan, Eastpointe RV Resort is one of the top-rated parks in all of Michigan. Many of the full-hookup RV sites butt right up against the river, where guests can also enjoy access to a boat launch and plenty of great fishing spots. Eastpointe also offers bike rentals—a great way to complete your active outdoor vacation in the Holland area.
Hungry Horse Campground in Dorr, Michigan is a popular Good Sam Club RV resort with fantastic amenities and full hookup RV campsites. Enjoy seasonal events, a pool, hayrides through the campground, and shady campsites with full RV hookups. Guests also love the well-stocked camp store filled with all the souvenirs and supplies you’ll need for a great camping getaway.
If you want to stay right in Holland but outside of the park itself, Oak Grove Resort is your best bet. With more than 100 spots and 65 available for vacationing guests, Oak Grove offers well-shaded, full-hookup RV camping under their mature oak trees. Guests enjoy the pool and hot tub and the free Wi-Fi, available throughout the entire campground.
Holland State Park has a beach house right on Lake Michigan that’s open seasonally. Inside, The Beach Place serves as a gift shop selling beach items and souvenirs, plus a full-service snack bar. Expect hot food items like hot dogs and nachos, plus ice cream treats to cool down in the sun.
One of the most popular restaurants in Holland is New Holland Brewing Company Restaurant & Pub, where guests can sample flights of the brewery’s beers and enjoy a carefully curated menu designed to play well with the brews. Crust 54 South is a popular pizza joint offering thin crust pizzas and a taste of Chicago in their behemoth deep dish pies. For a sweet treat, check out Mackinac’s famous Kilwin’s Fudge in downtown Holland.
For a more complete list of excellent dining options in Holland, Michigan, visit the dining page on the city’s tourism website.