Tent campsites near Covert, Michigan offer varying camping experiences from primitive riverside spots to family-oriented resorts with amenities. The region features typical sandy soil of western Michigan's shoreline areas, with most campgrounds situated within 15-20 minutes of Lake Michigan beaches. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with higher humidity, while spring and fall camping brings cooler temperatures and less crowded conditions.
What to do
Water activities at WaterTrail Ventures: Kayakers can paddle to this secluded riverside campground from Allegan. "We kayaked there from Allegan and was treated to more wildlife viewing opportunities than we could ask for," notes Jeremy K. The site includes a private beach area for swimming.
U-pick blueberries at Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday: This Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday features on-site blueberry fields for campers. "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," shares Cindy B.
Cycling on Kal-Haven Trail: Located near several Covert area campgrounds, this 33.5-mile trail runs from South Haven to Kalamazoo. "We rode 47 miles round trip from Bloomingdale to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo," reports a camper at Covert/South Haven KOA.
Fishing opportunities: Some campgrounds offer on-site fishing. At Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday, "On site fishing ponds are catch and release with lots of active fish to enjoy," according to Kerry T.
What campers like
Quick beach access: The proximity to Lake Michigan beaches is a major draw. At Sweet Cherry Resort, a camper notes that "it's a 3 minute drive to a public beach with great swimming and a beautiful sunset."
Family activities: WaterTrail Ventures Paddle Respite offers both solitude and recreation. "It was beautiful with solar lights at night and a private beach. Great swimming, in a very private area. It also has great trails for walking," shares Karlina L.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. At Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday, visitors appreciate that "the showers were very clean & had good pressure & hot water."
Privacy options: For those seeking more seclusion, smaller campgrounds provide quieter experiences. One camper at WaterTrail Ventures describes it as "close to the river but set back far enough so that during a downpour you won't be worrying."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the Covert area operate seasonally, typically May through October. Coloma/St. Joseph KOA operates "May 1 to October 12," while Covert/South Haven KOA runs "April 17 to October 18."
Site characteristics: Sweet Cherry Resort tent sites require a short walk from parking. "Tent sites are all in one cleared area that is a short walk from the parking spots," explains a camper.
Weather considerations: The area can experience heavy rainfall periods. At WaterTrail Ventures, a camper notes the sites are "close to the river but set back far enough so that during a downpour you won't be worrying."
Varied amenities: Sunflower Farm Camping offers just 4 primitive tent sites with basic facilities, while larger KOA campgrounds provide full services including pools, activities, and camp stores.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated children's activities: Families consistently rate the KOA campgrounds highly for kid-focused programming. At Shady Point Campground, one family noted it "had playgrounds and basketball court and a small 'game' room... It sits on Bair Lake and was great for swimming."
Consider cabins for mixed comfort levels: Some campgrounds offer cabin options for family members who prefer not to tent camp. "This is an amazing campground! The kids love the activities and the pool and my family who are not necessarily 'outdoorsy' love that they can sleep in an air conditioned cabin with cable," reports Lisa P. at Covert/South Haven KOA.
Check pool features: Not all pools accommodate young children. At Coloma/St. Joseph KOA, a camper noted: "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 size considerations: Campside Michigan has only 4 total sites, making it less suitable for larger RVs. At Coloma/St. Joseph KOA, one camper described sites as "not huge, but since the campground is smaller that wasn't a shock."
Seasonal RV options: Many campgrounds in the area have a mix of seasonal and transient campsites. At Shady Point Campground, a visitor noted "This is a campground that is mostly seasonal campers" but was still "extremely accommodating" to visiting RVers.
Weather preparedness: Sandy soil can become problematic after rain. One visitor at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA warned of muddy conditions: "Expect mud basically everywhere" and advised to "Bring rain boots for mud!"
