Tent campsites near North Liberty, Indiana primarily cluster along the southwestern Michigan border within 30 miles of town. This transitional zone between Indiana prairie and Michigan lake country features mixed hardwood forests interspersed with small lakes and ponds. Summer temperatures average 80-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons bring substantial temperature fluctuations requiring layered clothing.
What to do
Swimming and water sports: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday offers direct lake access for swimming and water activities. "Very close to Lake Michigan and the beach!" notes Katie S., who found this convenient for first-time campers.
Beach access: Sweet Cherry Resort positions campers just minutes from public beaches. "Best part is that it's a 3 minute drive to a public beach with great swimming and a beautiful sunset," says Alyssa, highlighting the proximity to Lake Michigan shoreline.
Family recreation: Structured activities keep children engaged at select campgrounds. "Lots of fun activities on the weekends for the kids and FREE! They have movie nights, we met Disney characters, did crafts, and enjoyed the barrel train & ice cream sundaes," reports Cassie B. about organized programming at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA.
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated play areas for younger children. Shady Point Campground "had playgrounds and basketball court and a small 'game' room" according to Nicole P., who spent four nights there with her family.
What campers like
Lake swimming: Campers consistently praise freshwater lake access at several sites. "It sits on Bair Lake and was great for swimming," notes Nicole P. about Shady Point Campground, where her family enjoyed water recreation.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers rank highly in camper satisfaction. At Campside Michigan, bathroom facilities receive regular cleaning with adequate hot water supplies throughout peak usage periods.
Compact campground layout: Smaller property footprints create safety benefits for families with children. "It was small enough for our kids to ride bikes around alone and they frequented the park, which we could see from our site," explains Cassie B., appreciating the secure environment.
Recreational amenities: Playgrounds, game rooms, and sports facilities provide on-site entertainment. "The jumping pillow & mini golf were also a hit," mentions Cassie B., highlighting additional recreation options beyond swimming.
What you should know
Seasonal camper concentration: Many campgrounds primarily serve long-term seasonal residents with limited availability for overnight campers. "Campground is all seasonal campers now. Owners were super nice and found room for us for one night layover," explains Noel L. about Lakeside Campground.
Site spacing variations: Expect significant differences in privacy between campgrounds and even within the same property. "Our site was horrid- a full hook up with a fire pit in the mud pond. We had mosquito soup for the rear of our very small campsite," reports Kim L. about an unfortunate placement at Coloma KOA.
Mud conditions: Spring and early summer camping often involves significant ground saturation. "The bathrooms are semi clean, but expect mud basically everywhere... Bring rain boots for mud!" advises Devina M., who experienced substantial rainfall during her stay.
Weekday availability: Midweek visits often result in greater availability and privacy. "I had the place to myself as it was Labor Day Monday night," notes Alyssa about her Sweet Cherry Resort experience, indicating substantial emptying after weekend crowds depart.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategy: Request specific sites when traveling with small children. "The actual spots aren't huge, but since the campground is smaller that wasn't a shock. It was small enough for our kids to ride bikes around alone and they frequented the park, which we could see from our site," shares Cassie B.
Pool accessibility considerations: Verify swimming area features before booking with non-swimmers. "My main gripe was the pool. No steps to walk in so it was very hard for our 2 smallest kids to use it. Not a problem for older kids who can swim, but disappointing for smaller kids," cautions Cassie B.
Accommodation flexibility: Consider cabin options for easier family transitions to camping. "We stayed in the deluxe cabin for one night and loved it! The cabin was so cute and well kept. It came with a fridge, stove, and bathroom. We had 6 people in it and we fit comfortably," shares Sarah P. about her family's stay at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA.
Mobility considerations: Several campgrounds provide accessible layouts for those with movement limitations. "My husband went with a broken leg and got around there just fine thanks to it being such a small park," notes Cassie B., indicating manageable terrain for those with mobility challenges.
Tips from RVers
Site conditions: Request information about recent weather impacts before arrival. "We were next to a run down full time rv, who wasn't there for the weekend. We used their fire pit, since ours was in mud and trees," explains Kim L. about adapting to challenging site conditions.
Store supplies: On-site stores offer convenience items at reasonable prices. "The store was nice and lots to offer and the prices were very reasonable," reports Katie S., noting the practicality of having essentials available at the campground.
Check-in procedures: Arrive with proper documentation ready for efficient processing. "Staff is very helpful and organized. Easy in and out," notes Kit S., highlighting the importance of preparation for smooth arrival experiences.
