Sandy Pines

Out here, the draw isn't a single street or downtown—it's 813 wooded acres anchored by a 262-acre lake, making this the state's largest privately owned campground, a sprawling resort where families plant seasonal trailers alongside weekend RV campers who rotate through year-round. The property hums with activity from Memorial Day through Labor Day: music bingo, golf tournaments, chapel services, a waterpark, indoor and outdoor pools, mini golf, two ice cream shops, a pizza place, and a breakfast cafe scattered across the grounds—over 70 events keep the calendar full. Golf cart rentals are essential here; the place is too big to walk, and Phase 3, reserved for larger RVs, sits deliberately far from the main action. Located between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo in southwest Salem township, the area surrounding the campground is quieter, defined by wooded lots and homes tucked back on acreage—many back up to Monterey Pines Golf Course or sit among the pines for genuine seclusion. The community attracts both seasonal campers who stake their spots for extended stretches and transient guests, all watched over by 24-hour security. Founded in 1975, it remains a private operation with its own rhythms and rules, drawing more than 2,000 site holders who know exactly what they're signing