Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Benton Harbor, MI

Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday permits pets at all accommodation types with spacious pull-through sites suitable for RVs up to 80 feet. Designated pet waste stations throughout the grounds help maintain the exceptionally clean environment that reviewers consistently praise. Eden Springs Park Campground offers pet-friendly tent sites, RV spaces, and cabin options with a $5 pet fee per stay. Both campgrounds maintain strict leash policies, requiring dogs to be attended at all times. The staff at Coloma KOA delivers personalized service, even bringing firewood directly to campsites upon request. Dogs can exercise in designated areas, though neither facility offers off-leash dog parks or beaches.

The shoreline of Lake Michigan sits just 10-15 minutes from these pet-friendly campgrounds, with several beaches allowing leashed dogs during morning and evening hours. Pet owners appreciate the dog waste stations strategically placed throughout the Eden Springs grounds, making cleanup convenient during walks around the historical buildings and train ride area. Local veterinary services are available in both St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, with emergency care within 20 minutes of either campground. Summer temperatures can reach uncomfortable levels for pets, making the shaded sites at Eden Springs particularly valuable for dog owners. Dune Lake Campground, another pet-friendly option, features spacious sites with considerable distance between neighbors, providing privacy when dogs vocalize during wildlife encounters.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Benton Harbor, Michigan (75)

    1. Warren Dunes State Park Campground

    68 Reviews
    Bridgman, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 426-4013

    "Happened upon this Gem when driving the coast of Lake Michigan.  Watched the solar eclipse from the beach.   The DBR had a viewing area setup for adults and kids.  "

    "The walk to the beach access is a beautiful one, and the beach is astounding! Pet friendly!"

    2. Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday

    14 Reviews
    Watervliet, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 849-3333

    $60 - $120 / night

    "Showers close by. All in all we had a great first experience and would recommend this campground. Very close to Lake Michigan and the beach!"

    "The store has everything you could need and if they don't, there is a gas station right outside of entrance. Close to the lake, will visit again!"

    3. Van Buren State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    Covert, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 637-2788

    "The beach and local walks are great. The pier is beautiful, lots of Fisher man. Very cute town. Camping was great, we were pretty close to the people next to us. It was all good though."

    "Not only is it a short distance from our home but it is a short walk to Lake Michigan! The campground has tree-lined lots and some of the loops are very wooded."

    4. Weko Beach Campground

    20 Reviews
    Bridgman, MI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 465-3406

    $50 - $30 / night

    "Couple minute walk to the beautiful Lake Michigan beach. Waist deep most areas, waves can get big tho."

    "Our site was in the RV section next to the beach. The sites were open and dirt/sand--ours was up on a bit of a hill. Worked great for exploring the area."

    5. Covert Park Beach & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Covert, MI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 764-1421

    $40 - $100 / night

    "Pros: Lake Michigan is right there! We walked down to sunset and it was a 5 min walk max."

    "Close to beach of Lake Michigan. Walk in primitive tent site is what I stayed at. Many other sites available. Quiet at night. Great staff"

    6. Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday

    17 Reviews
    Covert, MI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 764-0818

    "Nice very busy pool and slide, play areas, walking trail, camp store with hot food. Not far from Lake Michigan and places to buy fresh fruit and veggies. Check it out you'll be happy you did."

    "This is a great place to camp with young children, as there are many activities around the camp. It is family owned and operated and you can tell- warm and friendly."

    7. Eden Springs Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Watervliet, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 927-3302

    "Eden Springs Campground & RV Park in Benton Harbor, Michigan, run by camp manager Cindy, may well be one of our favorite small town parks! "

    "Our kids ride around the circle on their bikes, they love the train rides, its always fun to walk around the grounds and learn about the history. Nice short trip in to St. Joe or Benton Harbor."

    8. Shamrock Park

    11 Reviews
    Berrien Springs, MI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 473-5691

    $10 - $50 / night

    "Level site, fire ring and pets welcome."

    "It’s also a quick walk to a grocery store and restaurants. There’s no grill on the fire pit, so plan accordingly."

    9. Thousand Trails Bear Cave

    16 Reviews
    Buchanan, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "But even without the cave there was still a playground, pool and little walking trail near the waterfall. Close to nearby Lake Michigan and beaches."

    "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."

    10. Dune Lake Campground

    7 Reviews
    Covert, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 764-8941

    "Close to Lake Michigan and South Haven. Nice swimming lake with a shallow area that’s great for kids. Quiet, family oriented and well maintained."

    "This is a beautiful campsite with lots of good nature around. The primitive sites are the best in the area but the partial hookup sites are also beautiful."

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Showing results 1-10 of 75 campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Benton Harbor, MI

724 Reviews of 75 Benton Harbor Campgrounds


  • B
    Aug. 26, 2018

    Eden Springs Park Campground

    Pleasant, friendly, small town camp with large pull through spots

    Eden Springs Campground & RV Park in Benton Harbor, Michigan, run by camp manager Cindy, may well be one of our favorite small town parks! We are spending the month of August 2018 here and have found the venue quiet, well maintained, friendly and inexpensive ($375 for a month). I do not expect the prices to stay this low now that it has been “discovered”. They are working on adding an updated restroom, dog park and other facilities. 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. We had enough space to park a jeep in front of and and in back of the attached rig. The sites are designed so that no camper or RV faces a sewer connection. All of the hook ups are centrally located between two sites, with each rig having their driver side towards the hookups and their awning/entry sides facing the opposing side. Each site has a gravel space between them that could be traveled through, though campers all set up picnic tables, chairs and campfires there so practically there is no egress, thus privacy. This camp has the best WiFi of any camp we have ever stayed at. Some spots offer OTA TV and satellite reception. Ours did not as we chose to have a full tree canopy. Most of the sites offer Full Hookups with 30/50 amp service. The camp manager, Cindy, provides fire rings and picnic tables as requested, so, if you need either, just let her know when you call. The tables were clean and in good shape. The fire rings can be placed anywhere you want. As an aside, when a camper leaves, Cindy and her crew comes and removes the rings, cleaning up the residue so there is no mess left! The campground grass is cut routinely and “weed-whacked” as needed. Cindy has been one of the nicest hosts we have met on our travels. She is always pleasant, available as needed for emergencies and even delivered our mail one afternoon. She is a font of knowledge about the area and willing to share. Probably in keeping with her personality, the majority of the visitors here have been friendly, chatty and willing to help each other. The RV resort is about 10 minutes from St. Joseph, MI and multiple rural wineries in the area (a favorite pastime for my wife Audrey). St. Joseph’s is a small town located on Lake Michigan with excellent food, event venues and a lovely white sand beach. Be sure to stop at the Chocolate store in town & Silver Lake Pizza for a desert/dinner well worth the time. The town of Benton Harbor itself once was booming city/community, which has come into hard times, but we did not have any problems traveling around that area. This area also has a non-defunct amusement park attached to the campground which is being slowly renovated by a group of volunteers. They have restored several of the buildings, a fountain and a miniature train which takes visitors on a 1/4 mile ride on Saturday/Sunday. Additionally, the camp is home to it’s own 1800’s era baseball team which plays home and away games in the old bare handed style! Behind the camp is a now mostly abandoned religious enclave called the House of David which was started in the late 1800’s/ early 1900’s (Google it!). Some interesting architecture and several restored mansions for the 5 remaining members of the group. I recommend this park for someone wanting a quiet, clean stay.

  • D
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Eden Springs Park Campground

    Great Family Camp Ground

    We have only stayed in the tent sites but love it. Our kids ride around the circle on their bikes, they love the train rides, its always fun to walk around the grounds and learn about the history. Nice short trip in to St. Joe or Benton Harbor. We got take and bake pizza from Silver Beach Pizza and cooked it over the fire. 

    Bathrooms are clean, showers are warm. We enjoy this place.

  • deb K.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Elkhart Campground

    3 1/2 star campground

    It is a very large older CG with a few upgrades. Clean, with decent amenities. We were placed in the rear section, which was just ok. Site needed leveling, had no shade at all and was close to major hwy. The front and side sites seemed nicer and had ample shade with some concrete sites. Laundry room, pool and bathrooms were very clean. Large dog park, but was far from our site. Was only 25 min from Notre Dame and about an hour from lake Michigan WiFi was great, no cable, but good antenna reception

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 11, 2023

    Elkhart Campground

    Elkhart, IN….Nice campground

    We stayed here to pick up a new RV. It’s a huge campground with lots of space. Some sites are cement ours was gravel. Very clean, nice sized dog park, quiet and close to restaurants. If had an occasion to stay here again…we definitely would!

  • jamie S.
    Jul. 27, 2021

    Michigan City Campground

    Great campground

    We stayed in the off season in a site close to the laundry facility and office. Great campground for families. Our site was smaller however, no one was around us so it seemed bigger. They do have nice premium sites in the front. Loved that it is gated and and key card access after hours. Has a dog park and a playground for the kids.

  • R
    Sep. 15, 2020

    Ebys Pines

    Very nice and friendly

    Stayed for a weekend. The campground was clean sites were all very nice and pool was really clean. The dog park was a nice added bonus. It could very possibly become our new weekend getaway

  • Sky
    Sep. 20, 2021

    Kal-Haven Outpost

    Good location and friendly staff

    Clean and nice little park with a cool "trading post" with nice merchandise, snacks and food. They have a dog park and trails on the property with a longer bike trail that runs alongside the campground. They had a band one night and an ice cream truck come through the next. Would recommend!

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2017

    Beach Campground — Holland State Park

    Great Proximity to the Beach

    Holland State Park is popular for its expansive sandy beach along Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa where swimming, sun bathing, fishing, and boating are popular activities. Holland SP has two campgrounds – the Lake Macatawa Unit and the Beach Campground (which is where we stayed and the focus of this review). The Beach Campground is essentially a parking lot as the sites, patios and roads are paved with little grass among them. It is nestled between dunes which adds to the scenic value and blocks the strong winds coming off of Lake Michigan. The Lake Unit campground is much larger (211 campsites) than the Beach Campground and has more of a state park feel with trees, grass, and fire pits. 

    Site description:

    The Beach Campground has 98 RV sites of which 31 are 50 amp full hook-up and two camper cabins.  Some sites towards the northern section of the park have great views of Lake Michigan but be warned that strong winds can come off the lake and really shake your RV.  When we were there in early May the winds were very strong with blowing sand which made us really glad we were not near the water.

    Campsites are plenty wide to fit your RV with slide outs and car next to it without feeling cramped. Utilities are at the very back of the site so you may need an extension for your sewer hose. All sites were level. Every site has a picnic table. There are no fire pits at individual sites but community ones are located near the beach and you are permitted to use your own fire pit if you have one. 

    We were able to get nearly two dozen television stations with our antenna and had no problem locking into a satellite with our roof-mounted dish. Verizon phone and hotspot worked well. 

    So is this park big rig-friendly? In general, yes. Our site was certainly long (and wide) enough to fit our RV and the tow car next to it. However, we did have the back five feet overhanging the sand at the back of the site. This was no problem for us because our stabilizing jacks are in between our back tires. We were also there at a time when the park was fairly empty so backing in and pulling out was no problem. The sites are all set at an angle to the main road which makes backing easier. 

    Campground amenities:

    By far the beach is the biggest draw to the campground. The wide beach lures sunbathers out in warm weather and is popular for a walk at sunset.  There is a playground, picnic area, community fire pits, dump station, boat launch and concession stand. There is one restroom/shower house that was very clean but no laundry facilities.

    What we liked:

    We loved that fact that this campground was so close to water and the nice paved path for walking and hiking trails in the main part of the campground. Within 50 yards from our site we could be walking along Lake Macatawa or along the sandy shores of Lake Michigan. The beach is wide and expansive and is the place to be for awesome sunsets. When we were there the beach was not crowded because it was cold and windy but it would be a great place to enjoy a good book under an umbrella. Definitely liked the fact that this was a full hook-up state park with level sites.

    What we didn’t like:

    The park is essentially a parking lot with little grass and trees. What really surprised us was how many cars drove through the campground that were not staying there. There apparently are no restrictions on who drives through the park so many day-use visitors came by just for a look resulting in unnecessary traffic.

    Be advised there is a “no alcohol” policy in the park and campground and you have to sign a piece of paper saying you will abide by that rule. The rule states that “Possessing or consuming alcohol is prohibited in all areas of the park throughout the entire year” even inside your RV. 

    In order to enter the state park you must have a Michigan Recreation Passport which costs $32 for an annual non-resident OR you have to pay $11/day to enter the park even if you are camped there. 

    Pet:

    There are plenty of places to walk dogs here and access points to water if your dog likes to swim. Unfortunately, they are not allowed on the beach but there is a long walking path and within the main part of the park are miles of hiking trails and a nice overlook.  This park does not have an unleashed dog park; however, there is one within five miles at the fairgrounds.

  • Derek N.
    Jun. 22, 2022

    Michigan City Campground

    Not my favorite, but not horrible

    Pros - playground, pool, well kept grounds, helpful staff, gated/swipe card access, ponds, close to area attractions, decent campground WiFi, small fire ring, small dog park

    Cons - tight spaces, BYO grill, bad showers, dirty/tight bathroom area

    The mens room is just gross. Water in the stalls because showers don’t drain. Water in the shower never gets hot. Missing shower heads with pressure that almost tears your skin. Can barely squeeze into the tiny stall. Toilets are gross.


Guide to Benton Harbor

Warren Dunes State Park Campground spans over 1,900 acres along Lake Michigan's eastern shore, with campsites nestled among forested dunes reaching up to 240 feet. The park's distinctive sand dunes and beach trails provide a different pet-friendly experience than inland campgrounds, with summer temperatures routinely reaching the mid-80s and cooling lake breezes moderating the climate during peak camping season.

What to do

Beach access with dogs: Warren Dunes State Park Campground permits leashed dogs on portions of the beach during specific hours. "The best part, dog friendly off leash beach! If you travel with dogs, it's a great campground!" notes Amy G., highlighting areas where pets can enjoy water access.

Train rides for families: Eden Springs Park Campground offers historic miniature train rides on weekends. David mentions, "Our kids ride around the circle on their bikes, they love the train rides, its always fun to walk around the grounds and learn about the history."

Water recreation: Many campgrounds in the area offer fishing and water sports access. At Shamrock Park, Brian O. appreciated the fishing amenities: "What impressed me most was that they have a building specifically for cleaning fish, with scales, cutting boards and sinks."

Historical exploration: The House of David historical buildings adjacent to Eden Springs provide unique walking opportunities. "There's a lot of interesting history here. It was a cult at one time, there used to be a vegan restaurant and an ice cream parlor, and there was a hotel here at one point as well," reports Daniel B.

What campers like

Quiet, wooded sites: Van Buren State Park Campground offers secluded camping with easy lake access. Thomas B. notes, "You walk down through the pretty dunes, but there is literally no more than five feet of sand, and even less if the wind is blowing waves in off the lake."

Clean facilities: Many campers praise the well-maintained bathrooms at Weko Beach Campground. Gabriel H. reports, "Campground was clean, with trails leading directly to Weko beach with gorgeous walking paths. Highly recommend, definitely a hidden gem."

Family activities: Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday offers extensive programming for children. "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," says Melissa B.

Dog-friendly amenities: Beyond the pet-friendly policies, many campgrounds offer specific pet amenities. At Dune Lake Campground, large sites provide space between neighbors which is appreciated when dogs are vocal. The campground is described as "big, there is enough place for group camping. The site were far from each other so you canot hire the noise from other campers."

What you should know

Alcohol policies vary: Some parks strictly prohibit alcohol. At Warren Dunes State Park Campground, Dave E. warns, "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."

Site levels and terrain: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. At Weko Beach Campground, Lee D. advises, "The only challenge is that most of the camp spots are not level so bring your levelers! Other than that there's lots of shade trees."

Water levels affect beaches: Lake Michigan's water levels change yearly, impacting beach access. Heather V. at Van Buren State Park Campground notes, "There isn't much of a beach this year, but in town there are two bigger ones."

Seasonal variations: Many campgrounds operate seasonally, and some are busiest on weekends. Jessica D. observed at Covert Park Beach & Campground, "We stayed Sunday to Saturday, so we got to see it at its bustling weekend peak and the quiet, cozy weekday vibe."

Tips for camping with families

Choose campgrounds with planned activities: Several campgrounds offer scheduled family entertainment. At Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday, Amy J. recommends, "This campground is made for families. It has a pool and lots of activities for kids."

Consider bath facilities: Clean, well-maintained bathrooms make family camping easier. Kaitlin R. appreciated Van Buren State Park Campground's "well cared for Campground with spacious lots and a good amount of tree cover. Walkable access to Lake Michigan is unbeatable! Bathrooms are very clean."

Look for dedicated play areas: Shamrock Park has extensive recreational options for children. Erik O. notes, "They have big playgrounds that the kids enjoyed. Along with horseshoes, basketball, and volley ball courts."

Check swimming options for various ages: Not all pools accommodate small children. Regarding Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday, one family noted, "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."

Tips from RVers

Site selection matters: At Bear Cave RV Campground, Jack cautions about hookup availability: "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."

Pull-through site availability: Several campgrounds offer convenient pull-through sites for larger rigs. Bart S. at Eden Springs Park Campground was impressed: "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."

Site spacing considerations: Pet-friendly camping near Benton Harbor offers varying degrees of privacy. At Weko Beach Campground, Kelsey G. explains, "A majority of the RV sites here are occupied by locals who buy out the spot for the season and come in to enjoy it on the weekends."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Benton Harbor, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Benton Harbor, MI is Warren Dunes State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 68 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Benton Harbor, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 75 dog-friendly camping locations near Benton Harbor, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.