In 2020 we did a big road trip from Indiana to the Michigan Upper Peninsula. Our first stop was Holland, Michigan, because it was about halfway there. It took longer than expected to reach it so we didn’t get to do much, but I want to share the lovely little evening and campsite we had.
About Holland, Michigan
Holland, Michigan is a cute little town beside Lake Michigan with lots of preserved Dutch heritage. It is known for having the only authentic Dutch windmill operating in the USA, tulip fields and a tulip festival, other Dutch related activities, and some beaches.
We stayed overnight in Holland because it was about halfway and I knew there is a Eurovan mechanic there (“Eurotech”) in case anything happened. Also, the campground had a regular dirt campground, versus the big cement parking lot by the beach campground just north in Grand Haven. I was also hoping to see some of the Dutch attractions but in the end we didn’t have time.
Where To Stay
Holland State Park Lake Macatawa Campground
We camped at the Holland State Park, the Lake Macatawa campground. There are two campgrounds, one by the beach with a big cement parking lot for campsites, and this one by the lake with regular dirt camping. They are both by the lake and a bit away from downtown. We chose the Lake Macatawa campgrounds because we wanted the dirt and the shade, but it was also near the beach and a few activities within walking distance. It was $41 a night (in 2020) and had very clean facilities (thanks covid!). The spots were very tightly packed and many were quite close together, which looked cozy if you have several families camping together, but also looked inconvenient for the tent campers stuck next to motorhomes. We had site #44 right near the bathrooms and playground, on a corner so it was a little larger spot, which was great. There was a restaurant on the other side of the fence, but it was pretty hidden by bushes and we had no noise or smells from it. The weather was great and it was shaded enough we didn’t even use the awning. Overall we really liked this campgrounds because it was close to some good things to do! But I’m not sure I’d camp here very long because there wasn’t much privacy, and it would be a bit of a walk to the beach on Lake Michigan, but if you want a nice one night stop it was great.
First we cooked an early dinner. Then we explored around a little bit!
What To Do With Little Kids Near Holland State Park, Michigan
Mt. Pisgah Dune Climb & Boardwalk
The trailhead is right near the campground, you can walk through the campground or alongside the road to get there. First it’s flat cement, then dirt, then lots of stairs up, then pretty views! This climb is excellent for wearing kids out, and our 2 and 4 year old walked the whole way themselves, about a half mile there! At the top there’s a fun railed boardwalk through the trees that the kids loved, it eventually goes to trails back to the campgrounds (I wish we’d had time for that) but we came back down the stairs instead to stop by the beach for sunset.
I highlighted the walk we took on this map from the Holland State Park – Shoreline Visitors Guide:
All the stairs up:
The view at the top:
The cool boardwalk at the top:
Dune Dogz & Treats
At the bottom of the Mt. Pisgah Dune Climb is a cute ice cream shop that I wish we’d known about! If we’d had more time (and it hadn’t been so close to bedtime) we would have fit it in after the climb for sure!
Ottawa Beach
Right across from our campground entrance was this little beach on Lake Macatawa. It was small with a nice reflection of the sunset. The boys of course loved to play in the sand.
Ottawa Beach Inn Restaurant
We did not actually go here but I wish we did! It’s not too often we find a restaurant within walking distance of the campsite! It was very close and gets mostly good reviews. We would have tried it but had food with us to cook. I just wanted to point it out in case you’re interested!
Runners Up
Here are some of the most popular things to do in Holland, MI, that I wish we’d had time to do:
- Windmill Island Gardens – home to the de Zwaan windmill, the 251 year old only operating Dutch windmill in the US, which grinds locally grown grain into flour for visitors and local businesses. The gardens also has tulips in May.
- Nelis’ Dutch Village – looks like fun, with architecture from different provinces in the Netherlands, a carousel, a train, souvenirs, Dutch treats, and tulips in May
- Bowerman’s Real Blueberries – this blueberry farm has U-Pick blueberries mid-July through mid-Sept, and lots of other blueberry and farm products
- DeBoer Bakery – a popular Dutch restaurant
- Breweries – Big Lake Brewing, New Holland Brewing Company, and a few others.
- Farmers Market Downtown
The next day we drove from Holland, MI to Sleeping Bear Dunes – click here for the post!
