Campgrounds near Buchanan, Michigan operate from April through November, with most parks closing for winter due to harsh regional weather conditions. The St. Joseph River flows through this area, providing riverfront camping opportunities at several locations. Many campgrounds in this region feature both wooded sites and open areas, offering campers options for shade or sun exposure depending on seasonal preferences.
What to do
Cave exploration: At Thousand Trails Bear Cave, visitors can tour a natural cave formation, though recent reviews note "the cave was closed with no plan to reopen in 2025." The campground also features "a little walking trail near the waterfall" for nature exploration.
Fishing opportunities: Riverside camping provides excellent access to fishing spots. "There is a boat launch and a few docks that can be used" at Thousand Trails Bear Cave, while Maple Ridge Campground receives praise as a "great quiet place to get away from town" with fishing access.
Amish country tours: Located near Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney, campers can experience authentic Amish culture. "This clean, well kept campground is really close to grand design" manufacturing facilities. One visitor noted the "beautiful up close Amish experience" and mentioned being "only about 10 minutes drive to Shipshewana with very kind Amish community folks."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Maple Ridge Campground receives consistent praise for cleanliness, with one camper noting "the shower and bathroom was the best I ever saw at a campground." Similarly, Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney maintains "spotless" bathrooms according to reviews.
Recreation amenities: Many campgrounds offer activities beyond hiking. At Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday, "on site fishing ponds are catch and release with lots of active fish to enjoy." The KOA also features "blueberry fields everywhere on the property" where "you can pick your own blueberries in the morning to have in your breakfast pancakes."
Pool areas: Most campgrounds maintain seasonal pools for summer use. Twin Mills Camping Resort offers "a large pool area and basketball court" while another visitor at Covert/South Haven KOA mentioned their "heated pool and lots of activities for kids."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Twin Mills Camping Resort, "T-Mobile had good signal strength and bandwidth, AT&T was not as good but still doable." Meanwhile, Thousand Trails Bear Cave is described as "a very nice off the grid camping with no cell service" though paid WiFi is available for $5.95 per day.
Sewer access considerations: Full hookup availability is limited at some parks. At Thousand Trails Bear Cave, "most of the full hookups are taken first by the annuals" and "if you do not get a full hook up, you have to pay $15 to get pumped out."
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience railroad disruption. At South Bend Elkhart North KOA, a reviewer reported "4 Trains woke us up during the night" and stated "I won't stay here again" due to the noise level.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Most family-oriented campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. Thousand Trails Bear Cave provides "a playground, pool and little walking trail" while Twin Mills Camping Resort is "set up for a family camping" with "a small beach and pool available."
Scheduled activities: Warren Dunes State Park Campground offers extensive outdoor recreation options. One visitor appreciated that "there is a path to the beach for walking but it is a long walk" and advised families to "plan on driving your stuff to the beach or taking bicycles." The park features "Mt. Randall is the high dune to climb but not for the faint of heart."
Safety features: Secure campgrounds provide peace of mind for parents. Thousand Trails Bear Cave has "a gate that campers need a code to get into so it keeps out unwanteds" while Warren Dunes maintains an "alcohol free" environment where "they mean it."
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: RV parks in Buchanan, Michigan vary in site density. At South Bend Elkhart North KOA, "the sites are tight, but it didn't feel cramped" while Warren Dunes offers "lots of shade and plenty of privacy between sites."
Pump service availability: For longer stays without sewer connections, on-site pumping services save time. Thousand Trails Bear Cave offers "an onsite honeypot which will suck out your tanks for $10 each time around."
Site selection strategy: When booking RV parks near Buchanan, Michigan, some locations require planning. At Twin Mills, "there are several sections in the park, some more wooded and narrow sites, some are more spread out" allowing campers to choose based on their rig size and preference for shade.