There’s a special kind of magic to RVing along the coast of Lake Michigan. The landscape transforms into a world of towering sand dunes, charming beach towns, and sunsets that will take your breath away. When you’re looping around the Great Lakes and you find yourself near Holland, Michigan, you’ll want a place to handle your RV chores that matches the relaxed, vacation-like vibe of the area. Drew’s Campground is exactly that place. This isn’t a highway-side pit stop; it’s a peaceful, leafy campground that offers a private and serene setting to empty your holding tanks. In a town that can get absolutely packed with tourists, especially during the famous Tulip Time festival, having a quiet place to retreat to is a blessing. Drew’s provides a clean, laid-back atmosphere where the chore of sanitation doesn’t feel like a chore at all.
Holland is, of course, famous for its Dutch heritage, complete with windmills and millions of tulips in the spring. But if you’re visiting in the summer, the real star of the show is the lake. Places like Holland State Park, with its iconic “Big Red” lighthouse, and the beautiful Tunnel Park offer vast stretches of golden sand and freshwater so clear it rivals the Caribbean. It’s a paradise for swimming, paddleboarding, or just sitting and watching the sun dip below the horizon. The city itself is vibrant, with excellent breweries, a bustling farmers market, and an extensive network of bike paths. Drew’s Campground serves as a perfect home base for exploring all of it. You can spend your day at the beach, getting sand in everything, and then come back to a quiet spot to clean up, relax, and get ready for the next day’s adventure. It’s strategically located to give you that classic Michigan summer experience.
Dumping your tanks at a private campground like Drew’s is a much more personal and relaxed experience. First, you’ll need to check in at the office. While they welcome non-guests to use their dump station for a fee, their registered campers always get priority. The good news is that, unlike a busy state park on a Sunday morning, there’s rarely a long line. The traffic is moderate, and the whole process feels more civilized. The staff are often incredibly friendly, sometimes greeting you on a golf cart and happy to answer any questions you might have about the hookups or the local area. It feels less like a transaction and more like you’re a temporary guest in their community.
The amenities are what you’d expect from a well-run private campground, and they make life on the road so much easier. Of course, there’s potable water right there, and if you decide to stay for a night or two, their sites offer standard 30/50-amp electrical hookups and fresh water. One of the best features for anyone who has spent time at the beach is the on-site laundry. Being able to wash all those sandy towels and clothes right away is a huge convenience. For those of us who travel with our four-legged family members, the fenced-in dog run is a fantastic perk. It gives your pup a safe place to run off some energy while you’re busy with the tanks. You will need to carry your trash to a central dumpster, as there aren’t separate bins right at the dump pad. The main things you won’t find here are fuel and propane, or a repair shop. You’ll need to plan ahead and take care of those needs in the town of Holland before you get settled in at the campground.
In terms of cost, you can expect to pay around ten to fifteen dollars to use the dump station as a non-guest, which is a fair price given the clean facilities and the prime location near the lake. The real value, however, comes if you decide to stay overnight. The dump fee is typically included in your campsite rate, which can easily justify turning a quick stop into a mini-vacation. A few tips for a great visit: if you’re traveling anywhere near Holland during Tulip Time in early May, call way in advance. The whole town, including every campground, gets booked solid. Also, embrace the beach life but be prepared for it. Sand-proof floor mats for your RV are a lifesaver. To avoid the checkout rush, try to plan your dump for a mid-week morning. And finally, this is Michigan in the summer, near the water. The lake breezes are wonderful, but when they die down at dusk, the bugs come out to play, so make sure you have some insect repellent. Drew’s Campground offers a wonderful, quiet alternative to the potential chaos of larger, public parks. It’s a perfect fit for the RVer who wants to slow down and savor the beauty of Lake Michigan.