Silver Lake State Park has several campgrounds in the area, including one in the park itself. Many off-road enthusiasts come from all across the Midwest to enjoy the large off-road sand dune area at Silver Lake. This park, however has much more to offer outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy the park while burning some calories. All but one of the other campgrounds in the area are privately owned; they all cater to RVs and trailers and do not offer the same kind of outdoor opportunities as Silver Lake State Park or nearby Charles Mears State Park.
Amenities
Nearly all of the campgrounds in the area have basic modern amenities such as electricity, fire rings, access to running water and modern bathrooms.
Silver Lake State Park campground and the campground at Charles Mears State Park 7 miles to the north on Lake Michigan also have rustic group sites for tent camping. Both of these state parks have public boat launches, picnic areas, swimming beaches, hiking trails and wildlife viewing areas.
Nearly all of the other campgrounds in the area have many modern features, including full RV hookups, sanitation stations, and clubhouses. Many have pools, laundry rooms, cable TV, and Wi-Fi.
Distance from Silver Lake State Park
Of course, the park's own campground is the closest. It lies on the shore of Silver Lake and is a short distance from the Lake Michigan beach and the rest of the park. Seven other RV camps and resorts are located within just a few miles of the park in and around the town of Mears.
Charles Mears State Park is 7 miles up the coast in Pentwater. It is named for the same person as the town of Mears. John Gurney Municipal Park has a campground with similar amenities as the two state parks. It is nearby in the town of Hart, about 5 miles away. As many as 10 more campgrounds are within 10 miles of the park, many in Pentwater.
Activities
Most of the privately owned campgrounds have a fairly standard set of facilities allowing for basic outdoor activity including swimming, playgrounds for the kids and various other sports such as tennis, basketball, shuffleboard and volleyball.
Most of the private campgrounds lack the size and space afforded by the state parks, where campers can enjoy hiking, paddling in Silver and Pentwater lakes, fishing, hiking, long walks on miles of Lake Michigan beaches, wildlife viewing and mountain biking.
John Gurney Municipal Park in Hart has many outdoor sports facilities including basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, a playground and softball, baseball and soccer fields.
Fees and Reservations
Fees are reasonable at the state parks. As of 2010, camping at both starts at $16 per night outside peak seasons and is $27 per night during the peak times.
The privately owned RV parks and campgrounds in the area are universally more expensive. As of 2010, they start at $32 per night at Hideaway Campground and can go as high as $60 a day at some camps.
Rates at every camp vary with the time of year; check with different camps for the best combination of rates and amenities. Reservations are not required at the public parks, but are recommended. Many of the privately owned camps require reservations, especially during peak seasons and can booked in advance.
Other Considerations
The campground with the most to offer the outdoors enthusiast is Silver Lake State Park. You will have ready access to the large area the park covers with its varied terrain, trails, 4 miles of beach and the off-road dune area.
Silver Lake State Park also has the only concrete boat launch on Silver Lake open to the public. Many of its campsites are large enough to accommodate off-road vehicle trailers.
Silver Lake and Charles Mears State Parks are much more suited to tent camping, and both parks have large areas, activities and experiences not available at the RV camps and resorts.
Member Comments