Does any body know if there is a campground on Spring lake by Grand haven? I have a wedding to go to over there in Aug so I thought a small fishing vacation might just fit in.
This is a list of the camp grounds around the area. Personally I would go to the Muskegon state park and fish there. Fishing is way better on Muskegon than on Spring lake/Grand River and its only 15miles away.
http://www.michigan.org/Places-to-Stay/Campgrounds/Default.aspx?city=G3568 (http://www.michigan.org/Places-to-Stay/Campgrounds/Default.aspx?city=G3568)
agree. reserve your spot early at muskegon tho.
There are a couple of campgrounds on the Grand river near Spring lake if you have to be in that area.
Another vote for Muskegon. It's only 15 minutes up the road from Spring Lake.
Grand Haven State Park is a loud, busy, party place - lots of nice scenary. I've never stayed there. I have stayed at 3 different campgrounds in the past there. They each have some disadvantages from the last times I've stayed there. I'm not sure if they are all open still and what might have changed in the several years since I've stayed there. They were all getting pricey (not deservedly so - none of them are gems but okay) and the campground I used to choose seemed to be less boater-friendly.
I most recently stayed at River Pines down near Eastmanville because it was close to Riverside Park and more friendly of late - a ways out of town (don't break the 5mph speed limit and bring bug spray!):
RIVER PINES RV PARK & CG
8275 WARNER
ALLENDALE MI 49401
616-895-6601
In Grand Haven, there was an okay campground I stayed at a couple times to be in Grand Haven - well, just on the South edge of town. That guy was thinking about selling too because his land is real valuable to developers. I think he was holding out for the really big money. Not sure if he is still there but he is closest to Spring Lake and what town has to offer. He was expensive at the time too.
CAMPERS PARADISE
616-846-1460
My old campground was okay way back but seemed to be not liking boaters much anymore, raised the price and the showers were never awesome. Used to be able to launch there but not since the water went down and the hill down to the ramp is something else. It is across the river from Riverside Park so it takes a while to drive around over the Eastmanville bridge, or back into town. Last I knew (2006) the new owners had raised the price to $40 per night and said they didn't want boats. Don't know what happened because the previous owners treated me like family? They might have sold by now and things changed though so it is a possible back up plan:
CONESTOGA CAMPGROUND
9720 ORIOLE DR
COOPERSVILLE MI 49404
616-837-6323
I like the variety on the Grand River but I don't fish it very often. In the past, I've either done very good there or very bad.
Looks like Campers Paradise is still going. They have a new website even. One thing I forgot to mention is that the traffic noise from nearby US-31 is pretty loud there all night. If you are used to quiet, you won't like it. They are pretty strict too but I don't see that as a problem for you.
CAMPERS PARADISE
800 ROBBINS RD
GRAND HAVEN MI 49417
616-846-1460
campgroundmgr@aol.com
www.camperparadiseinc.com
There is a Yogi Bear campground about 10 minutes South of Grand Haven down US-31. I've never stayed there and don't know much about it. Mixed reviews. One thing about campgrounds in this area is they tend to be stressed by young, party-type campers so they are touchy but I generally had few problems. At least until Conestoga went anti-boat for some reason. They actually use radar guns at Campers Paradise and will definitely holler at the other parks if they see you. I don't mind. There's usually tons of kids at all these campgrounds and you know kids don't pay attention when they're playing.
There is also PJ Hoffmaster State Park between Spring Lake and Muskegon right on Lake Michigan. Very family friendly and have stayed there many times. Short drive to either lake.
ive stayed at em all bill muskegon state park was like hanging out on a beach lol..fishermans landing is the best id say. the people who run it also stay there so its a pretty quiet place unless your staying w me lol.. but very friendly. i think the one that dan mention was the one i stayed at once right across from riverside park on the grand nice but cramped for boat parking if i member right
Thanks everyone for all the info. I'm sure I will be able to find somewhere now. Guess if I stay at Muskegon state park and the fish aren't biting I can do some sight seeing at the beach ;D ;D ;D
QuoteGrand Haven State Park is a loud, busy, party place - lots of nice scenary. I've never stayed there.
I'm not sure what you meant by party place but that could be taken the wrong way. To be clear, it's probably one of the most tightly controlled campgrounds. Alcohol is prohibited in the park and strictly enforced.
If you are looking for a secluded camping site, this is certainly not your pick - think of it as a giant asphalt island of campsites on the beach.
Still a fun and lively place to camp in the center of Grand Haven.
Loud and festive might be a better description maybe? Kind of like lively. I never tried to stay there because of the activity and distractions, and it was always full in the past when I thought about trying it.
They are strict about the alcohol but it still seems every time I went through or by things were hopping. I was thinking stackenem might want something a little more gentile. I could be wrong?
Though it sounds like he might want to take a drive by if the day is hot and the fish aren't biting. Just don't run into the guy in front of you who will also not be paying attention to his driving! ;D
I figured that it would also not quiet down much even late because of traffic. I don't know if it is as traffic loud as Campers Paradise but I wondered about that. Campers Paradise is really loud! Vehicles can't go by quite as fast but they seem very numerous day and night. Maybe it is different there in the wee hours? Stackenem, it might make you feel younger to stay there?
Hoffmaster is a very nice park. Kind of in between. I stayed there a couple times a long time ago probably to fish Mona? Don't recall...
Thanks everyone for all the input. I will problay see about staying at fishermans landing I think it might be a bit quieter. Dan you are right on the money about the drive by and be sured I will keep my foot off the hot foot and close to the brake, oopppsss I forgot bassboats don't have a brake pedal somebody told me a story about driving up on a dock once because they forgot there was no brake. Also I don't think I could handle being any younger remembering everything I did when I was. I'll settle just to be who I am and go fishing.
That's what I thought when I attempted to personalize my response ;D
so theres hot women up there lol... very nicely played dan lol heck we all need a bit eye candy???if i could ever get more than 10lbs in a marina up there id never leave...shush dont tell the wives .. good choice bill. let me know when u gonna b up there. have lot tourneys up there this year maybe we can hook up and fish a day
I live 5 minutes from Fisherman's. I'd be up for a day on the lake if you want to.