Van Buren State Park Campground operates year-round with over 200 sites spread across forested terrain near Lake Michigan's eastern shore. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages this established campground that provides full hookups for RVs along with tent sites accessible by both drive-in and walk-in options.
Sites sit close together with limited privacy between neighbors, though some areas offer more spacing than others. "Our site was very level and well treed, it was also huge," reports Steven S., noting that site 111 accommodated a fifth wheel, two tents, and three cars with room to spare. Most sites require leveling blocks for RVs, and campers should expect a mix of tent and RV users throughout the campground.
The beach sits about a 10-minute walk through the campground via a central path that cuts between sites. Lake Michigan's shoreline here features high sand dunes but limited actual beach space due to water levels. Shane S. advises campers to "bring water shoes" since the rocky bottom makes barefoot walking difficult. A paved bike path connects to South Haven five miles north, with bike rentals available for $10 per day including tandems.
Two bathroom buildings serve the entire campground, which can mean longer walks from certain sites. Recent renovations have updated shower facilities to individual locking units that accommodate families. The campground fills quickly during peak season, and reservations are strongly recommended. Staff conduct regular patrols day and night to maintain quiet hours.
Campers seeking additional options can explore camping spots outside Covert or nearby Covert Park Beach & Campground for different lakefront experiences along this stretch of Michigan's coast.
Description
Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, Van Buren Campground has one mile of sandy beach and high dune formations. It’s the perfect place to lounge on the beach, walk through woodland trails and enjoy a picnic lunch. Located three miles south of South Haven, the campground is only minutes away from local shops and restaurants.
Van Buren State Park is set along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The park is home to high dune formations, a modern campground, 1 mile of sandy beach, woodland trails and a day-use area.
The day-use area offers picnic tables and grills, a picnic shelter and two modern restroom buildings. Lake Michigan provides a great area for swimming and a beautiful beach for sunbathing.
From the park, visitors can access the Van Buren State Park Spur Trail, which offers a scenic, 4-mile paved route into the City of South Haven. Along the way, visitors can access Van Buren Trail State Park (gravel surface) near 16th Avenue and continue on an additional 12 miles (south) to the City of Hartford. The Kal-Haven Trail State Park connects in South Haven and provides 33.5 miles of additional trail.
The modern campground is divided into five loops. Most sites are generous in size with a mix of shaded and sunny sites. Campers can reach the day-use area, set along the Lake Michigan shoreline, via a walking path that’s centrally located in the campground. There are two modern restroom/shower buildings and a children’s play area.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsVan Buren State Park Campground is located in Michigan near Covert
Address
23960 Ruggles Rd
South Haven, MI 49090
Coordinates
42.32918836012948 N
86.30354444305065 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/20/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 5/20/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 5/20/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/20/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 7 usersLast on 5/20/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 5/20/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 39 min from Niles, MI
- 46 min from South Bend, IN
- 48 min from Kalamazoo, MI
- 1 hr from Elkhart, IN




















































