CAMPING FOR HOLLAND TULIP TIME FESTIVAL
DUTCH TREAT CAMPGROUND

By Harold Merton

As you can imagine there are a lot of RVers who head for Holland, Michigan during the week-long annual Tulip Time Festival. There are not a lot of campgrounds in the area so advance reservations are a good idea especially if you plan to attend the big parade on the last Saturday of the event. We did some preliminary checking and found several campgrounds on the internet in the Holland area. Campground directories didn't shed much more light on the situation. There was a wide range in rates which left us undecided. We decided to make our selection once we could see what there was to offer. One campground we did pick was Dutch Treat Campgrounds just outside Holland
in Zeeland, Michigan.

This is a family operated campground offering reasonable accommodation at a reasonable price. There are adequate recreational facilities as well. Sherrill and Nelson Riemersma (owners) and their daughters Linda Veerema and Darlene Vloedman are the friendly faces that you see when you enter their tidy office at the front of the campground.

They offer paved roads, modern washrooms with showers, a laundry room, a rec room and a playground. You might also enjoy the fishing in their large pond, or using the paddleboats, horseshoes, swimming pool, volleyball and basketball or the golf driving net.

There's also an open field where kids play soccer and volleyball or just toss a frisbee around. They offer both 50 amp and 20/30 amp sites with water and sewer. There are also sites for tents and pop-ups with water and electric. Reservations are accepted with one night's deposit but they require a three night minimum for Tulip Time and other holidays. A phone call will give you further details.

Outside there are picnic tables, fire rings, vending machines and
telephone is offered on some lots. Their small store sells ice, firewood and a few other necessities. Dutch Treat Camping is open April 1st to November 1st. Rates start at $21 per night for tent sites to $28 for a 50 amp site with water and sewer. Pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash and picked up after.

The campground is located 2 1/4 miles east of Highway 31 on East/West Business I-196 in Zeeland or Exit 55 off I-196. We found the atmosphere friendly and facilities acceptable for our stay as most of the time we were in town at the Festival itself. The washrooms were clean and the sites level. That's all we needed for a good stay during the Tulip Time Festival.

Directions:
From the junction of Highway 31 and East/West Business I-196 go 2 2/10th miles east on Business I-196 then 1/4 mile east on Gordon at 104th.

From I-196 Exit 55 go 3 miles west.

Dutch Treat Camping
10300 Gordon Avenue
Zeeland, MI 49464
616.772.4303
www.dutchtreatcamping.com