Tent camping near Augusta, Michigan offers varied terrain across the Kalamazoo River watershed with elevations between 750-850 feet above sea level. The area experiences warm, humid summers with daytime temperatures averaging 80-85°F from June through August. Most campsites in this region feature sandy soil with mixed hardwood forest coverage, providing natural shade during peak summer months.
What to do
Blueberry picking: Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday features blueberry fields throughout the property where campers can pick fresh berries during summer months. According to Cindy B., "This KOA has blueberry fields everywhere on the property. For a period of time in summer and early fall, you can pick your own blueberries in the morning to have in your breakfast pancakes!"
Lake swimming: WaterTrail Ventures Paddle Respite offers a private beach area ideal for swimming away from crowds. One camper noted, "It was beautiful with solar lights at night and a private beach. Great swimming, in a very private area."
Wildlife viewing: The Kalamazoo River watershed provides excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. A visitor at WaterTrail Ventures shared, "We kayaked there from Allegan and was treated to more wildlife viewing opportunities than we could ask for."
Cycling adventures: The Kal-Haven bike trail connects South Haven to Kalamazoo, offering 33.5 miles of riding through rural Michigan. One reviewer at Covert/South Haven KOA mentioned, "We rode 47 miles round trip from Bloomingdale to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Shady Point Campground receives praise for well-maintained amenities. Nicole P. reported, "The bathroom and showers were well maintained. It sits on Bair Lake and was great for swimming."
Hot showers: East Lake Camping has bathroom facilities with reliable hot water. A recent camper shared, "The bathrooms were wonderful with great hot water and water pressure."
Family-friendly amenities: Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday offers numerous attractions for families. According to Melissa B., "There are a lot of lodging options, tons of kids activities, both free and for a small fee, great pool, cafe and store! Lots of sports equipment to loan as well."
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds feature fishing ponds or lake access. Kerry T. noted that Covert/South Haven KOA has "On site fishing ponds are catch and release with lots of active fish to enjoy."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most tent camping sites around Augusta operate from May through October. East Lake Camping specifically runs May 1 to October 1, closing during colder months.
Limited site availability: Many campgrounds have a high proportion of seasonal campers who occupy prime spots. At East Lake Camping, "Most people here are seasonal, occupying almost all the lakefront sites. We may have seen one lakefront available for renters."
Site spacing varies: Expect different privacy levels based on campground selection. East Lake Camping sites are "very small, not much privacy, but well kept. There are more spacious sites available on the upper grassy loop."
Beach access limitations: Not all campgrounds provide direct water access. Sandy Pines has limited waterfront for the number of campers, with one reviewer noting, "They pack the seasonal lots in so tight-there is a large amount of people for a small lake."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: For the best tent camping near Augusta, Michigan with children, look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. Shady Point Campground "had playgrounds and basketball court and a small 'game' room" according to a family who stayed four nights.
Swimming options: Sandy Pines RV Resort and Campground offers extensive water recreation for families. Julie T. simply stated, "I love sandy pines!"
Transportation considerations: Larger campgrounds may require additional planning. At Sandy Pines, "if you have a large camper, you can only get a spot in phase 3, which is really far away from all of the fun activities. You can rent a golf cart."
Food service availability: Some campgrounds offer food delivery service to your site. As one Covert/South Haven KOA visitor mentioned, "We ordered food from the store and they brought it right to our site."
Tips from RVers
Space constraints: Many tent camping areas near Augusta have limited room for larger RVs. At Lakeside Campground, availability for non-seasonal campers is extremely limited. A recent visitor noted, "Campground is all seasonal campers now. Owners were super nice and found room for us for one night layover."
Hookup availability: Electric service is available at several campgrounds. East Lake Camping provides electric hookups and water access for campers between May and October.
Weather preparedness: The Augusta area experiences occasional severe weather. Rodney D. shared a Covert/South Haven KOA experience: "A tornado passed within a mile or so of the campground and the employees were out within minutes to make sure everyone was o.k."
