[darstar]

Originally Posted by suydam

To clarify, Allegan is home to a large manufacturer of generic pharmaceutical products.

Better stated , however , Illegal Meth labs , are rampant. Take a drive thru the countryside , signs everywhere warning of the problem, which prospers more to the south and west. The town itself is nice, look for a decline however , as business moves elsewhere.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by suydam

State parks are alcohol-free ... that bothers some people, so I just lead with that in case you're envisioning a case of beer with your campfire.

I'd say Holland State Park would be a nice fit. It's not within walking distance of the town, but it's right on the beach, which is awfully nice:
Holland State Park Detail

Grand Haven State Park is also on the beach and within walking distance of downtown, so you might like that more... it depends on how you're camping. There is almost no shade at this park. Grand Haven State Park Detail

Thank you for the information. Holland park looks nice. Can you put a boat in at the smaller lake?

I am not fond of beach camping. It often turns out unpleasant. I prefer grass under my *&^ and trees over my head.

We want a quiet place where the campground is the main attraction. We want to explore some of the Western Cities a bit, but mostly want to camp, swim, rest and maybe do a little bit of tubing. We have a large family, and will probably bring some extras so we need a place that is not going to be swamped with people. We will have 20 - 30 people depending on how many extended family members and friends come along.

Alcohol is not a problem. although I enjoy a beer or three once in a while, no one else in my family drinks.

What we do nto want is some crammed in campground where the sites are three feet apart and there is no privacy. We will probably spend three days just doing camping things and three days exploring nearby towns. I need to have internet access within a reasonable drive. My work never leaves me alone.

thanks

[Debrajean]

Besides Mackinaw Island.

Saugatuck ...rent a boat; ride a ferry; eat a hot dog; ride a bike trail. Very small quaint town on the lake.

[darstar]

Originally Posted by Debrajean

Besides Mackinaw Island.

Saugatuck ...rent a boat; ride a ferry; eat a hot dog; ride a bike trail. Very small quaint town on the lake.

Saugatuck , is a very quaint town. Heads above the others , when it comes to summer people activities. Lots of shops , good food , and , discomforting prices on Real Estate. Just across the river , is Douglas , a better choice , in my opinion , for finding a place to live. The area south almost to South Haven , is a sleeper , the little village of Glenn always seemed like a perfect place to get away from the crowds . I made an offer on a place there several years ago , but , my offer was not excepted.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Thank you for the information. Holland park looks nice. Can you put a boat in at the smaller lake?

I am not fond of beach camping. It often turns out unpleasant. I prefer grass under my *&^ and trees over my head.

The "smaller" lake is Lake Macatawa... it's pretty big (6 miles long, 1.2 miles wide), so yeah, you can put a boat in it. I saw a 120' boat in there once... it was a little out of place.

You did make one mention of not liking a campground where sites are 3' apart from each other. I'm more of a backpacker, so maybe I'm off the mark, but every single car-camping place I've ever been felt this way (both within Michigan and out-of-state as well).

If you want a REALLY nice camping experience in the state, I will change my answer and say that you should visit the Platte River Walk-In Camp at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Cars park in a central lot, next to a bathhouse. Sites are 50' to 500 yards into the woods. They are seperated by at least 25' of forest on nearly all sites. The beach is a mile hike (which means it's never busy and always gorgoues) through forest. The quaint towns of Empire, Glen Arbor, Beulah are all within a 40 minutes drive, and you have Lake Michigan, Glen Lake, Crystal Lake and the Platte River (with Platte Lake) all accessible for your boat.

It's much further north, but if you want quiet camping, it's hands-down my favorite non-backpacking destination in the state.