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Established Camping

Thousand Trails Bear Cave

Thousand Trails Bear Cave, near Buchanan, Michigan, is a cozy campground that offers a friendly atmosphere and a range of amenities for a comfortable stay. With sites that come equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, it’s a great place to gather around the fire and enjoy the outdoors.

This campground features a heated pool and clean bathhouses, making it easy to unwind after a day of exploring. Campers have mentioned the friendly staff, with one visitor noting, “Yolanda the manager is amazing!” The campground also has a real bear cave that you can tour, adding a unique touch to your visit.

For those looking to venture out, Thousand Trails Bear Cave is close to the St. Joseph River, perfect for fishing and boating. You’re also just a short drive from attractions like Warren Dunes State Park, where you can hike and enjoy the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. While some sites can be a bit tight, the overall vibe is welcoming, making it a great choice for families and those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle.

Description

Thousand Trails

Bear Cave RV Resort is a wonderful place to experience the great outdoors, meet new people, relax, and be a part of history. We have the only naturally formed cave in Michigan. This cave has a lot of history, through its connection as a stop on the Underground Railroad and the silent film "The Great Train Robbery". Bear Cave RV Resort is a peaceful and fun park, focused on family fun in a friendly environment. Enjoy our many weekend scheduled activities or make new friends and create one of your own using our many onsite amenities. Stand near a Native American Conference Tree or watch wildlife trek through our campground. From this Southern Michigan RV campground you can fish in the St Joseph River or rent a row boat or kayak. The Bear Cave RV Resort staff is here to make your stay a pleasant and memorable experience! Southern Michigan RV campground is rich in history, adventure and natural beauty Whether you're planning a retreat for the whole family, a group of friends or a getaway for two, there's no shortage of unique activities to explore at Bear Cave RV Campground. Plan activities upon arrival or visit this page before your departure to plan ahead. Looking for more? Our friendly staff can fill you in on all of the great ways to make your stay a memorable experience.

Location

Thousand Trails Bear Cave is located in Michigan

Detail location of campground

Directions

From jct US 31 (exit 72) & US 12: Go 2 mi W on US 12, then 5-1/2 mi N on Red Bud Trail.

Address

4085 Bear Cave Rd
Buchanan, MI 49107

Coordinates

41.88256088 N
86.35784728 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Fair
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Group
  • Cabins
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups

Drive Time


Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

15 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 24, 2023

Beware big rigs

This is a smaller campground with about 20 FHU sites and a few dozen no sewer sites. Like mant TT parks, lots of seasonal residents but unlike many other parks, the full timers are not dismissive of the recreational and nomdic campers. This is a great place to get out of the cities and explore Michigan wine country or the South Bend/Elkhart areas. There are several low hanging branches and many tight sites. Call beforehand if you are 40' or bigger.

Site160
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jul. 29, 2022

Good location, mostly long term campers.

Easy registration, friendly staff. Older campground, areas could upgrades. Most campers seem to be long term. Campsite 42 has a great overlook on the river. Site had some trash that needed picking up. We really liked the site.
The pool looked nice. Some people were swimming in the river. The river is good for boats and pontoons.
There is a waterfall, maybe 12'-16' tall. Bear cave (if it was Bear cave) is locked up and not much to see. Overall this is a nice campground and we would return.

Site42
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Apr. 20, 2022

Amazing management

I can’t say enough good , waterfall , cave , on the river , great clean bathhouses , pool , so much more ! It’s our favorite ! Beautiful campground

Site126
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Thousand Trails Bear Cave by Candace  H., April 20, 2022
  • Review photo of Thousand Trails Bear Cave by Candace  H., April 20, 2022
  • Review photo of Thousand Trails Bear Cave by Candace  H., April 20, 2022
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Apr. 20, 2022

Best ever

Wow ! A must !!!! Yolanda the manager is amazing! Kim is the best ! The shower house is so so nice and clean ! Amazing amenities. Large sites that are level ! Our favorite campground

Site126
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Thousand Trails Bear Cave by Candace  H., April 20, 2022
  • Review photo of Thousand Trails Bear Cave by Candace  H., April 20, 2022
  • Review photo of Thousand Trails Bear Cave by Candace  H., April 20, 2022
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Nov. 18, 2021

Nice spot not far from Lake Michigan

We stayed here through Thousand Trails, so I don't know if it's normal operating procedure, but the sites were first come first serve. We were coming from a few hours away on a Friday afternoon, so we were sent to the left when we arrived. It wasn't clearly marked, so we got a little stuck and scraped up our rig. For better or worse, there was zero light in the area we were in, so it was hard to back into our spot. We ended up in an area where it seemed everyone was seasonal and not actually at the site, so it was very quiet. 

There were wifi repeaters all over the place (though it wasn't free) and once it was light out, we took a walk around the grounds. It's very pretty and the other side of the campground (to the right when you come in) was much more busy. That's where the playground was. We hit Warren Dunes State Park (20-25 minutes away?) and found a farm to do the pumpkin & corn maze stuff that happens in the rural Midwest in Autumn. The Bear Cave was closed and they weren't doing tours when we went, but we found it and could peak in. Looks like it would be cool to check out. No clue how big it is though.

I would stay here again, but would also consider alternatives when I go back to the area.

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2021

Bear cave

Very nice campground. They have a naturally formed cave that you can go down into for a small fee. A variety of things to do from fishing to the game room. Great family getaway

Site57
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Thousand Trails Bear Cave by Ryan H., August 22, 2021
  • Review photo of Thousand Trails Bear Cave by Ryan H., August 22, 2021
  • bear cave
    Play button icon
Reviewed Aug. 19, 2021

Great Campground

This is a nice, family friendly campground. Lots of very friendly other campers, a heated pool, playground for the kids, nice size lots with fire pits, picnic tables, electric& water (including at tent sites). Pool has an ADA lift chair. 2 shower/bath houses, camp store, a real bear cave you can tour in (free), a creek that meanders through it. The resort sits on the St. Joseph river & this park has a boat ramp & dock for fishing. There is a gate that campers need a code to get into so it keeps out unwanted’s. Nice staff. Yolanda is a great manager. Security, a ‘honey wagon’. Laundry center. Quiet hours are 10p-8a. It’s near Buchanan Michigan and the RED BUD Motor Cross track. Very friendly people, always stopping and talking.

Site55
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Thousand Trails Bear Cave by Gay G., August 19, 2021
  • Review photo of Thousand Trails Bear Cave by Gay G., August 19, 2021
  • Review photo of Thousand Trails Bear Cave by Gay G., August 19, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 28, 2021

Nice up and coming campground. New Manager making it a better park

We enjoyed our stay at Bear Cave RV Campground. This Park offers reservations however sites are assigned first come first serve. We had reservations and there were some concerns when we arrived if they had a site large enough to accommodate our rig. We ended up in the loop along the river which was shaded and level. The Park has a new manager, and you can tell she is putting money into this park to make it a nice campground. There are seasonal campers, but all seemed to welcome us transient campers. We would stay again. Although we did not use the Restrooms and Showers were clean. This Park offers many amenities including a pool, clubhouse, boat dock and launch. Interesting History within this park with the Bear Cave and the Tulip Tree. It is close to the Redbud Moto Cross track, Fernwood Botanical Gardens(which offers hiking), in the heart of West Michigan’s Wine Country, Warren Dunes(Lake Michigan), Silver Beach(St. Joseph) swimming, dining, and shopping.

Site45
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jul. 1, 2021

Nice and quiet with friendly staff

It's a very nice off the grid camping with no cell service but if you want wifi then its 5.95 per day or if your here for a week + then 34.95 for the month up to 4 devices is your best bet. This is a 1st come 1st serve choose your own camp site. Most of the full hookups are taken 1st by the annuals. Sucks really but they do have an onsite honeypot which will suck out your tanks for $10 each time around.

Siteelectric and water site
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Thousand Trails Bear Cave by jack , July 1, 2021
Reviewed Jun. 15, 2021

Nice campground

Bear Cave is a nice campground. There is actually a cave in the campground that you can take a tour of while you are here. The campground is on the banks of the St. Joseph River in southwest Michigan. There is also a waterfall right next to the cave. There is a boat launch and a few docks that can be used. The sites are a bit on the smaller side. The only sewer hook-ups are all taken by seasonal campers.

SiteD
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Thousand Trails Bear Cave by Jerry  S., June 15, 2021
  • Review photo of Thousand Trails Bear Cave by Jerry  S., June 15, 2021
  • Review photo of Thousand Trails Bear Cave by Jerry  S., June 15, 2021
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Jun. 11, 2020

We loved our stay.

Close to Warren Dunes, peaceful, nice walking areas, pool and rec room. Bathrooms could use some love but otherwise peaceful and relaxing.

Reviewed Aug. 17, 2019

Great place

Super clean camp. The whole place gets mowed every Wednesday morning, but the landscape crew is awesome. Brand new pool and a decent little gift shop for snacks and random odds and ends. There are quite a few seasonal goers at this campground, but overall it’s a super laid back, safe facility.

Reviewed Jul. 26, 2018

Secluded

No internet,pool needs repaired,no cell service.

If you do not get a full hook up,you have to pay $15 to get pumped out.

Nice river fishing,nice stream scenery,big rec center

Month of VisitJuly

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Thousand Trails Bear Cave have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Thousand Trails Bear Cave has water hookups and sewer hookups.

  • Are fires allowed at Thousand Trails Bear Cave?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Thousand Trails Bear Cave, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Thousand Trails Bear Cave?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is fair, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is unknown.