Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Sandy Shores Campground
Overview
Sandy Shores Campground is a long-standing favorite for travelers visiting the Silver Lake Sand Dunes area of West Michigan. Established in 1963, this family-owned campground provides a classic outdoor experience with a focus on hospitality and convenience. The park is nestled along the shores of Silver Lake, offering a welcoming atmosphere for those looking to explore the natural beauty of the Oceana County coastline. It serves as a comfortable home base for visitors wanting to balance high-energy dune adventures with relaxing lakeside evenings.
Location & Surroundings
Located in Mears, Michigan, the park enjoys a prime location directly across from the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. One of the most significant advantages of this location is the private beach access on the east side of Silver Lake, allowing guests to enjoy the water without the crowds of public access points. The surrounding landscape is characterized by towering sand mountains and the nearby expanse of Lake Michigan, providing a unique geographical backdrop that is rare in the Midwest.
Amenities & Park Features
The facility caters to modern RVers with a variety of site types and essential services. Guests can enjoy a large heated swimming pool, which serves as a central social hub during the summer months. The park is well-equipped with practical features including:
- Modern clean restrooms and shower facilities maintained throughout the day.
- An on-site camp store stocked with firewood, ice, and essential supplies.
- Recreational spaces including a playground, basketball court, and volleyball area for family entertainment.
- Full hookup sites that accommodate a range of RV sizes and configurations.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw for the area is the Silver Lake State Park ORV area, where visitors can drive their own vehicles or take guided tours across the sand. For a more relaxed pace, the Little Sable Point Lighthouse offers historic tours and stunning views of Lake Michigan. Boating and paddling on Silver Lake are popular activities, and many guests take advantage of the proximity to Mac Wood’s Dune Rides for a narrated tour of the environment. Local orchards and farm markets in Mears also offer a taste of Michigan’s agricultural bounty.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is an ideal fit for families seeking a traditional summer vacation where children can safely roam and play. It is particularly well-suited for off-road enthusiasts who want to be minutes away from the dune entry points. If you prefer a managed, community-focused environment over a remote boondocking site, this park provides the necessary structure and amenities. It is a top choice for travelers who value direct water access and a central location near the region's most famous natural landmarks.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Internet
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Rachel Corvington
We enjoyed our stay here at Sandy Shores. It was quiet, safe (love the 5mph speed limit!), and it a great location near all that the town has to offer. The sites were small but nice, with concrete pads and grass around it. Had had a picnic table and small fire ring. The bathrooms were very clean. My only complaint is that the showers had a nozzle in which you had to keep pushing it in for water flow, which only lasted about ten seconds. But at least the water was warm. All the staff we encountered were friendly and welcoming. There was a large playground that included swings, slides, climbing equipment, pickleball, and basketball courts. The heated pool was another nice amenity. Best of all was that everything was in walking distance or short driving distance from the campground.
Brandi Hills
The campsite itself was very nice — we loved that it had full hookups and was conveniently close to everything. My low rating isn’t about the campground itself but about the atmosphere created by many of the seasonal campers. Unfortunately, they behaved as if they ran the place. They yelled at my 6- and 9-year-old children just for riding their bikes and even for simply looking in their direction. My 17-year-old drove with me to the gas station and back, and a woman came out screaming at him for “speeding,” even though he absolutely was not. It was really heartbreaking — we planned this as a family vacation, but instead, that group of seasonal campers ended up yelling at multiple people and creating an un welcoming environment.
marcy lang
I would NOT recommend this place. Especially if you want to make memories and s'mores after 10. We were out at the fire with our children and were told to be quiet. We were NOT loud. No bike riding after dark, NO chairs available for the pool, NO floats at the pool, NO laughing, NO entrance after 11pm. NO, NO NO! We were also over charged for our children. I would look else where.
Brittany Lynch
We recently stayed at this campground after it was advertised as “family friendly,” but unfortunately, our experience didn’t live up to that claim. To start with the positives: the bathrooms are clean, and the playground was actually quite nice — our kids enjoyed it and it was one of the few genuinely family-friendly features. However, several things made our stay frustrating: The only handicap-accessible bathroom stall was locked, and you have to go to the office to request a key. This is not clearly communicated and is very inconvenient — especially for those who actually need accessible facilities. There is no family locker room or changing area, which makes showering and changing with young kids a real challenge. The pool has a long list of strict rules that seem aimed at eliminating fun: no pool noodles, no floating toys, no music, and there were no chairs at the pool to relax in. It felt more like a quiet adult swim area than a place where families could enjoy time together. A “park store” is advertised, but it’s really just the main office with no actual store to speak of. Don’t expect to grab any last-minute essentials or snacks — you'll need to leave the campground for anything like that. The campground is largely filled with seasonal guests, who take up most of the full hook-up sites. As short-term visitors, it felt like we were outsiders in a space primarily designed for long-term stays. The vibe wasn’t particularly welcoming. Overall, while the campground is clean and the playground is a plus, it falls short of being truly family-friendly or accessible. If you're traveling with kids or anyone with special needs, I’d recommend looking elsewhere.
Georgetta bohl
We have been camping at this campground for many years. We come yearly for a nice 9-10 day stay. Camp fires and being up until 1am or later with a great group of Jeep scrambler friends. Quiet hours really are nice. We can enjoy the fire, chatting and having fun without needing to be loud. The campground is very very well kept. Clean bathrooms and showers. Friendly staff and Owners. We appreciate all of Sandy shores staff for all their hard work into keeping the campground so beautiful, inviting & comfortable atmosphere! We love camping here:-)
