Best Campgrounds near Buchanan, MI

Camping areas around Buchanan, Michigan include several established campgrounds with a range of accommodation options. Thousand Trails Bear Cave in Buchanan offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals from May through October, featuring amenities like a heated pool, playground, and access to the St. Joseph River. Fuller's Resort and Campground on Clear Lake provides similar options with lakefront access. The surrounding region extends to Lake Michigan beaches within a 30-minute drive, where Warren Dunes State Park and Weko Beach Campground offer additional camping experiences with direct beach access.

Most campgrounds in the Buchanan area operate seasonally, typically from April through October, with limited winter availability. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months, particularly for weekend stays and holidays. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching the 80s, while spring and fall offer milder conditions ideal for camping. Many campgrounds provide full hookups for RVs, though tent campers will find designated areas at most facilities. As one visitor noted about Thousand Trails Bear Cave, "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)."

Proximity to water features prominently in camper reviews of the Buchanan area. Lake Michigan access receives particular attention, with several visitors highlighting beach proximity as a primary reason for choosing campgrounds in the region. Campgrounds with swimming pools and lake access tend to be especially popular with families. While some sites offer more privacy than others, the social atmosphere at many campgrounds is frequently mentioned positively in reviews. A camper at Weko Beach Campground wrote, "Great campground with a few cabins on Lake Michigan. Campsites are about 1/2 mile walk or less to the beach. Nice facilities, and overall kept up very well." Local attractions including wineries, the Red Bud Motocross track, and nearby South Haven provide additional activities for campers exploring beyond their campground.

Best Camping Sites Near Buchanan, Michigan (100)

    1. Warren Dunes State Park Campground

    68 Reviews
    Bridgman, MI
    13 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.  "

    "I’m 36 now, so it’s safe to say that I pretty much know the park like the back of my hand, and it truly has become a home away from home. Actually I prefer being there over my main home."

    2. Thousand Trails Bear Cave

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

    "It’s near Buchanan Michigan and the RED BUD Motor Cross track. Very friendly people, always stopping and talking."

    "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."

    3. Potato Creek State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    North Liberty, IN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (574) 656-8186

    $20 - $100 / night

    "There is a nice prairie area to walk around in, and an easy to ride pave bike trail. We watched the osprey nest one year for several hours."

    "Great walking trails, great for families with youngsters. Park activities and lots of trail walking. 25 mins away from South Bend/Mishawaka and 40 mins away from Elkhart and there RV Hall of Fame."

    4. Weko Beach Campground

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

    $50 - $30 / night

    "Great camp ground just a stones throw away from Lake Michigan. Sites are on the smaller side but we’re tent campers so it worked for us! Nice bathroom facilities."

    "Really nice campground with a few cabins on Lake Michigan. Campsites are about 1/2 mile walk or less to the beach. Nice facilities, and overall kept up very well."

    5. Shamrock Park

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

    $10 - $50 / night

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

    "The bathroom was a very short walk and very clean. Fishing the river was fun and easy to access. They have big playgrounds that the kids enjoyed."

    6. Fuller's Resort and Campground

    8 Reviews
    Buchanan, MI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 695-3785

    "The acres has lots of sites tucked away in the woods and many out in the open sun too! Rental trailers and cabins right on the lake too. Great ice cream too. We will be back!"

    "There are showers, laundry, and better restroom facilities as short walk away. Mask wearing was very hit or miss.  Maybe 75% of out interactions with staff they wore a mask. "

    7. Spaulding Lake Campground

    6 Reviews
    Niles, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 684-1393

    "The surrounding area seems like the camp is in a bad location, but the bushes that surround the place block out all the noise."

    8. Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    127 Reviews
    Beverly Shores, IN
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 395-1882

    $25 / night

    "You walk down steps or a ramp to your area, tent pad with a picnic table and firepit. So beautiful when the sun comes up. Showers and toilets regularly cleaned and modern."

    "You walk down steps or a ramp to your area, tent pad with a picnic table and firepit. So beautiful when the sun comes up. Showers and toilets regularly cleaned and modern."

    9. Fullers Resort and Campground on Clear Lake

    2 Reviews
    Buchanan, MI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 695-3785

    "It's set on a beautiful man made lake. There is no big waves to worry about on clear lake. Kiddos can catch minnows in calf deep water at the beach. The campsites are beautiful."

    "Beautiful Beach access to Clear lake!! Mark and Kirstin are awesome owners, tons of activities for kids!! Has quickly became a every year tradition!"

    10. Mini Mountain Campground

    7 Reviews
    New Carlisle, IN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (574) 654-3307

    "There are ample hiking trails and activities for all ages. The swimming pool is awesome and a great plus when camping with kids. The woods are very thick and filled with amazing trees."

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Recent Reviews near Buchanan, MI

681 Reviews of 100 Buchanan Campgrounds


  • Katrin M.
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Campground Indiana Dunes

    We camped here on our way to Minnesota. The campsite had the typical amenities like a picnic table and a fire pit. The campground was clean and it was quiet. The bathroom was a bit outdated, but clean. The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening. Overall, it was a nice campground with spacious sites. It was not a long car ride at all to Lake Michigan.

  • Therese S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Warren Dunes State Park Campground

    Nice Campground But Spendy

    Nice campground with easy access to dunes and lake, but the nightly fee for a motorhome with electric only (no water) was $60 a night. Quite a bit higher than we would typically go for, but other campgrounds in the area were shut down for the season. The spaces are small but it wasn’t too crowded, bathrooms and showers were very clean.

  • Jessica D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Covert Park Beach & Campground

    Small, lakeside, chill

    This was our first time staying at Covert Park Beach + Campground. We stayed in site 52 with our 21 ft travel trailer. The site is a good size. Tree placement made it a little tricky to back into, but nothing crazy. We stayed Sunday to Saturday, so we got to see it at its bustling weekend peak and the quiet, cozy weekday vibe. Family friendly, dog friendly and kid friendly. Dogs aren't allowed on the beach, but there's a beach a few minutes down the road (Hagar Beach) where you can bring leashed dogs. Sunset views were beautiful. Bathrooms were very clean and showers nice and hot. The two guys who were running the check-in and campground operations were super cool- they were the perfect mix of attentive and laid back. No sewer on campsites but there's a dump station when you enter/exit. Ice and firewood are abundantly available and can be delivered to your site. We loved our stay here. Tree cover is generous, and it really preserves the camping feel. Weekend crowd was fun, friendly and lots of locals. Would definitely stay again!

  • SkipperAllen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Shipshewana Campground South Park

    Nice stay

    Bathrooms clean Campground well maintained. Showers clean. Push button operation not temperature control little on the cold side for me.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Michigan City Campground

    66$ for a good overnight!

    Staying here started off as a last minute thing as we’re driving through and made no arrangements for overnight lodging. With our rooftop tent, staying here was no problem! There was water hookups and electricity if desired, although we didn’t use them.

    The shower/Bathroom situation is actually fairly nice for a campground! The water pressure was great, and the hot water was amazing.

    I do recommend this place, however, few things to know: the campground space is tight. You will be pretty close to people around you, many with kids. It seems kind of like a family retreat type of location and honestly? It’s a whole vibe and if that’s for you, then this place is too!

    #GoAnyway

  • G
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Weko Beach Campground

    Wonderful site, easy beach access

    Campground was clean, with trails leading directly to Weko beach with gorgeous walking paths. Highly recommend, definitely a hidden gem.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Warren Dunes State Park Campground

    Clean and quiet

    The grounds were well kept and clean. Even though it was pretty booked when we were there it didn’t feel crowded. Overall pleasant experience.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Thousand Trails Bear Cave

    Cute, quiet campground

    We love this quaint little campground. Great clubhouse with library, air hockey, beautiful views, but most of the coin operated games were out of order. The cave was closed with no plan to reopen in 2025. 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. Great for a few nights and the weather was perfect!

  • Noel L.
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Lakeside Campground

    Awesome campground

    Awesome campground. Campground is all seasonal campers now. Owners were super nice and found room for us for one night layover.


Guide to Buchanan

Camping spots near Buchanan, Michigan range from riverside accommodations to lakefront options with varying levels of amenities and privacy. The area sits at the junction of the St. Joseph River watershed and Lake Michigan's eastern shore, creating diverse water recreation opportunities. Summer temperatures in this region typically average 75-85°F during the day with cooler evenings that can drop to the mid-60s.

What to do

River fishing access: Thousand Trails Bear Cave provides fishing opportunities on the St. Joseph River. As one visitor noted, "There is a boat launch and a few docks that can be used. The campground is on the banks of the St. Joseph River in southwest Michigan."

Dune climbing: At Warren Dunes State Park Campground, the large dunes are a major draw. "Mt. Randall is the high dune to climb but not for the faint of heart. And beware, the sand does get HOT midday," mentions one visitor who experienced the challenging terrain firsthand.

Kayaking on Clear Lake: The calm waters at Fuller's Resort and Campground provide ideal conditions for paddling. A camper shares, "The beach is very nice and it's a great lake. Water is warm and the lake is big enough to have boats on it. You can rent canoes & paddle boards."

What campers like

Multiple fishing ponds: Spaulding Lake Campground maintains several well-stocked fishing areas. One visitor reported, "Very nice and quiet. 3 fishing ponds that are well stocked. Most lots pull thru and many shaded."

Riverside camping: Shamrock Park gets high marks for its waterfront setting. A camper praised the facilities, noting "The grounds are mostly open with little shade, but we had a tent site by the river and trees. What impressed me most was that they have a building specifically for cleaning fish, with scales, cutting boards and sinks."

Organized activities: Thousand Trails Bear Cave offers regular social events. A visitor mentioned, "Karaoke every Saturday in the barn is fun for everyone. They also have hay rides!"

What you should know

Alcohol policies: Warren Dunes State Park enforces a strict no-alcohol policy. One camper warns, "One setback was that you can't bring alcohol into the park. And if you think the rangers don't enforce that rule, you're wrong. Our neighbors got busted for it when we were there."

Varying shower facilities: Campground bathroom quality varies widely in the region. At Dunewood Campground, a camper observed, "Restrooms and showers are nice, but not as clean as state park and other camping restrooms in the area."

Site selection considerations: At Fuller's Resort, choose your site carefully. A camper advised, "The tenting and trailer sites are a bit cramped, but there is a selection of either open grassy or wooded areas to choose from."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Look for campgrounds with multiple play areas. At Shamrock Park, a visitor highlighted, "There's WiFi, electricity, showers and bathrooms. The campground is right on the water-perfect for kayaking or fishing. There's also all sorts of activities for kids-ping pong, basketball, cornhole and more."

Beach alternatives: Potato Creek State Park Campground offers various outdoor activities beyond swimming. As one camper noted, "Bike trails, parks, lake; this place had all the amenities we needed. Unfortunately, the lake was a little on the undesirable side...blue-green algae warnings made us not want to put more than our feet in the water. The beach area is nice, though."

Kid-friendly lodging: Weko Beach Campground offers cabins for families wanting more comfort. A visitor shared, "I stayed in a cabin here that was cozy and comfortable. Loved that the small store and bathrooms were close and that it was a smaller campground."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling: Be prepared with proper equipment at Fuller's. A camper noted, "The campground is not paved since it is in and amongst the dunes. Therefore, the soil is sandy and often soft. We got our airstream stuck using our 2 wheel drive truck and needed the help of a 4x4 to get us out. Some sites are flat while others are on a hill."

Electrical service: Check whether your preferred site has appropriate hookups. At Thousand Trails Bear Cave, a visitor mentioned, "This is a 1st come 1st serve choose your own camp site. Most of the full hookups are taken 1st by the annuals. They do have an onsite honeypot which will suck out your tanks for $10 each time around."

Site selection for RVs: At Potato Creek State Park, location matters for larger rigs. One camper advised, "We recommend securing a spot in the back sites 230-287 for larger lots and quieter atmosphere. Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust."

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Buchanan, MI campgrounds?

Campgrounds around Buchanan offer varying levels of amenities. Michigan City Campground provides premium sites with 50A service, water, sewer, exceptional WiFi, and large cement patios. It's also gated for security. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground features clean facilities with good site spacing for privacy despite being in a busy area. Most campgrounds in the region offer fire pits, picnic tables, and water hookups. Many have modern restroom facilities with showers that are regularly cleaned. Family-oriented amenities are common, with facilities like heated pools, playgrounds, game rooms, and camp stores. Several campgrounds offer accessibility features, including ADA pool lifts. RV-specific amenities vary by location, with some offering pull-through sites up to 90 feet long, while others may have hookups positioned awkwardly.

What activities and attractions are available near Buchanan camping areas?

The Buchanan area offers diverse recreational opportunities for campers. Lake Michigan beaches are a major draw, with Warren Dunes State Park Campground and Weko Beach Campground providing direct beach access. Hiking trails abound, especially at Indiana Dunes National Park where sandy terrain creates a unique challenge with rewarding lake views. Water activities are popular on local lakes and rivers, including swimming, fishing, and boating. Mountain biking enthusiasts can visit Imagination Glen Park in nearby Portage. The region also features wineries, breweries, and charming small towns to explore. Nature lovers will appreciate the diverse ecosystems from dunes to forests, while history buffs can explore local historical sites including the actual bear cave at Thousand Trails.

Where are the campgrounds located in Buchanan, Michigan?

Buchanan, Michigan offers several camping options within a short drive. Thousand Trails Bear Cave is located directly in Buchanan, offering a family-friendly environment with a historical bear cave on the property. Fuller's Resort and Campground is another local option situated on Clear Lake near Buchanan. Within a 30-minute drive, you'll find additional campgrounds in neighboring communities like Berrien Springs (Shamrock Park), Niles (Spaulding Lake Campground), and various Lake Michigan shore options. The area's geographic position makes it convenient for accessing both Michigan and Indiana camping destinations, with several state parks and private campgrounds within easy driving distance.