An Epic Summer RV Trip to Michigan: Part One (Holland State Park and Beyond)

What this episode covers

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 sta...