“We’re really excited to be taking registrations now for stays and have our grand opening event of the Idema Explorers Camp.”
Since Ottawa County’s acquisition of the former sand mining site near Ferrysburg in 2018, director of the Parks and Recreation Commission Jason Shamblin says they’ve been working to improve and add to Ottawa Sands County Park. The culmination of that work is Idema Explorers Camp.
“We wanted to do restoration and enhancements here but then do thoughtful development that encouraged the public to interact with the property, improve access.”
To that end, the camp offers 10 tent sites, five yurts and three treehouses along with new restroom and shower facilities, all ADA compliant.
Shamblin says it was also important to the commission to connect the park to the Grand River Greenway.
“So, it provides a unique opportunity for people to come and stay, camp, spend the night, and then explore. So, this is part of the Grand River, but we also have over 2,000 acres of critical dunes here along Lake Michigan back from P.J. Hoffmaster down to the north channel.”
Shamblin says over 100 reservations have already been made over the past week. The campground is open year-round, and sites can be booked online.
