Warren Dunes State Park Campground offers glamping accommodations near Benton Harbor, Michigan, with rustic and modern camping loops in southwest Michigan's sandy landscape. The park sits along Lake Michigan's shoreline where summer temperatures average 80°F during the day and 60°F at night. Heavy rains can create muddy conditions at some nearby campgrounds, particularly in spring months, making elevated sites preferable for certain glamping options.
What to do
Beach access: Warren Dunes State Park features miles of dog-friendly beaches along Lake Michigan. "Warren Dunes State Park is great, I went here for the sole purpose of the dog beach. Miles and miles of it! It's a beautiful park with lots of trails, lots of dunes and beach on Lake Michigan," notes Amy G. about Warren Dunes State Park Campground.
Dune climbing: Tackle Mt. Randall at Warren Dunes, the highest dune in the park. "Mt. Randall is the high dune to climb but not for the faint of heart!!! And beware, the sand does get HOT midday," warns Heidi S. The steep climb rewards hikers with panoramic lake views.
Kayaking and fishing: Fish the St. Joseph River from riverfront sites at Shamrock Park. "Right on the river and two great playgrounds for kids!" mentions Melissa C. about Shamrock Park, which offers direct water access for kayaking and fishing enthusiasts.
Blueberry picking: Visit Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday during summer for on-site blueberry harvesting. "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!" explains Cindy B.
What campers like
Historic miniature train rides: Eden Springs Park Campground offers weekend train excursions through the historic grounds. "This campground has clean bathrooms and showers, a small play area for children and a small train that takes you around the camp. It's very cute and a great side option to the overfilled beach campgrounds," shares Shelby J. about Eden Springs Park Campground.
Private beach areas: Some campgrounds feature secluded beach access away from crowded public areas. "The site was stunning. We had no idea we would have our own private site and beach, I wish we couldve stayed a month," raves Jamie B. about Fuller's Resort and Campground.
Clean facilities: Kal-Haven Outpost maintains exceptionally clean restrooms and showers near South Haven. "The nicest bathrooms and showers I have ever seen at a campground," states a camper. The campground sits directly on the Kal-Haven Trail, providing direct access for hikers and cyclists.
Wildlife viewing: Dunewood Campground offers wooded campsites with ample wildlife. "The sites are decently private with good tent pads. Shower house was clean with good hot water. A camper sink for dishwashing was a nice bonus," notes Katherine T.
What you should know
Alcohol restrictions: Warren Dunes strictly prohibits alcohol throughout the park. "One setback was that you can't bring alcohol into the park. I wasn't planning on getting tanked or anything, but it would've been nice to drink a beer around the fire. And if you think the rangers don't enforce that rule, you're wrong," cautions Dave E.
Cell service limitations: Some campgrounds have poor connectivity. "Cellular data was poor in the campground and on the beach - we needed a 5-minute drive to get good Verizon coverage," reports Chris M. about Covert Park Beach & Campground.
Sand conditions: Beaches vary significantly in quality and sand consistency. "Alas, the beach showed heavy use with sand that was just a bit grittier than shores we visited in the northern mitten," mentions Richard E. about Covert Park Beach & Campground.
Noise factors: Be prepared for various noise sources, including trains, highways, and weekend crowds. "Seemed like it would be quiet and peaceful, but when we got out of the car, it was very clear we were not far from the highway," warns Amy G. about a campground experience.
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly pools: Several KOA campgrounds offer heated swimming pools with additional water features. "We camp here every year with our family since it is perfectly halfway between us, in Michigan, and my family in Chicago. The kids love the activities and the pool," shares Lisa P. about Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday.
Playground options: Look for campgrounds with multiple play areas. "There are multIple playgrounds for the kiddos. Great paths for walking or biking," reports Traci J. about Warren Dunes State Park. Many campgrounds feature age-appropriate equipment for different age groups.
Kid-friendly activities: KOA locations often schedule regular family entertainment. "Very clean and well-kept park. 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," explains Cassie B.
Beach safety considerations: Watch for hot sand during peak afternoon hours at dune beaches. One camper notes, "Plan on driving your stuff to the beach or taking bicycles. Mt. Randall is the high dune to climb but not for the faint of heart!!! And beware, the sand does get HOT midday."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose RV sites carefully based on hookup locations. "The actual campground was disappointing, the map was not true to date and most sites the electrical box and water hook up is on the wrong side of the site. Bring extra line... we have 50ft hose so we were fine there (line goes through the middle of the site) and 25ft electrical and had to re-adjust the camper a few times so it would reach," advises Melissa M.
Easy pull-through options: Eden Springs Park Campground offers spacious RV sites. "The sites are large, level and spaced far apart from each other. We pulled in with a 42' rig, pulling a 28' hybrid trailer (total 70') and easily pulled into our site without having to unhook," shares Bart S.
Dump station availability: Check whether full hookups include sewer connections or if a dump station is available. "The only sewer hook-ups are all taken by seasonal campers," notes Jerry S. about one campground, while others mention onsite "honeypot" services for a fee.
Seasonal booking trends: Book early for luxury glamping near Benton Harbor during peak summer months. Campers report that weekends fill quickly, especially at beachfront locations, while midweek stays offer more availability and quieter experiences.
