J
Jodie C.
Traveler
TravelerFort Custer Recreation Area
Family campground
Large campground, many nice paved sites, about half 50 amp, no rustic sites. Most all sites are pretty secluded with growth between them. Bring your mosquito spray!
Camping near Vandalia, MI
156 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Campgrounds surrounding Vandalia, Michigan provide a mix of lakeside and woodland camping experiences within southwest Michigan's rural setting. Several campgrounds, including Camelot Campground and Shady Point Campground near Jones (approximately 5 miles from Vandalia), offer both tent and RV sites with varying levels of amenities. Cranberry Lake Campground in Marcellus features tent camping, RV hookups, and cabin rentals, giving visitors multiple accommodation options. Most facilities in the area are privately operated established campgrounds rather than public lands, with several positioned on or near lakes for water recreation.
The camping season in this region typically runs from April through October, with most campgrounds closing for winter. "Family spent 4 nights here and the staff was extremely accommodating. This is a campground that is mostly seasonal campers. It had playgrounds and basketball court and a small 'game' room," noted one visitor about Shady Point Campground. Access to campgrounds is straightforward via paved roads, making most sites accessible without high-clearance vehicles. Water levels in local lakes can impact shoreline camping, particularly during spring and early summer when levels tend to be higher. Many campgrounds require reservations during peak summer weekends, though midweek availability is often better even during high season.
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw in the Vandalia area, with several campgrounds offering lake access for swimming, fishing, and boating. As one camper mentioned about Camelot Campground, "It was a great spot to camp while it was really hot, in the 90s for several days, because you could just walk right over to the beach and take a dip in the lake." Local campgrounds frequently feature a mix of overnight sites and seasonal campers, creating established communities particularly at Lakeside Campground and Shady Point. Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, basketball courts, and swimming areas are common at larger facilities. Most campgrounds provide at least basic amenities including restrooms, with varying levels of additional services such as showers, camp stores, and electrical hookups depending on the specific location.
Best Campgrounds near Vandalia (156)
1. Elkhart Campground
"Elkhart Campground is great Clean , easy access, lots of pull through sites with full hook up - pool, Close to big lake too!!!"
"Very clean, nice sized dog park, quiet and close to restaurants. If had an occasion to stay here again…we definitely would!"
2. Ebys Pines
"Trails lead to a local County park - Bonneyville Mill. There’s a roller skating rink and laser tag across the street."
3. Shady Point Campground
"Was in a pull behind . Everything was easy and calm . Kids loves it . No problems"
"It sits on Bair Lake and was great for swimming. The bathroom and showers were well maintained."
4. Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney
"They have trails that are a nice walk for the dogs and a pond to catch and release fish."
"This clean, well kept campground is really close to grand design. We stayed here to go tour the manufacturers process."
5. Melville 7 Lakes
"Access to several lakes including all sports"
"Lake for boating and fishing. Has a small swimming area, playground."
from $25 / night
6. Camelot Campground
"Accessed water for washing dishes and such behind the second set of bathouse when office was closed. Not suitable for drinking."
7. Lakeside Campground
8. Elkhart RV Resort
"This campground is close to home so we spent a couple days here so the kids could play while I worked. All staff was extremely helpful and friendly from the minute we pulled in."
"The sites were set with nice gravel onto a cement patio surrounded by large trees. So it had the nice feel of outside with no mud and dirt tracked into our pull through RV site."
from $39 - $47 / night
Check Availability9. Cranberry Lake Campground
"The kids and dog really enjoyed the playground, swimming in the lake and jumping off the floating pad. There were little cabins and trailers for rent but we had our own camper."
"Park near store and get great WiFi....I spent 14 days streaming, gaming and watching movies. This is campground is definitely a diamond in the sand."
10. Spaulding Lake Campground
"The surrounding area seems like the camp is in a bad location, but the bushes that surround the place block out all the noise."
"There are walking trails as well and overall a really good place to camp. Highly recommend!!"
Drive Time
- 21 min from Elkhart, IN
- 22 min from Niles, MI
- 40 min from South Bend, IN
- 44 min from Kalamazoo, MI
Recent Camping Photos near Vandalia, MI
236 Photos of 156 Vandalia Campgrounds
Nicole P.
Shady Point Campground
Dave E.
Cranberry Lake Campground
Sam M.
Forest Haven
Sean H.
Ebys Pines
RJourney R.
Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney
Jackie F.
KOA Campground Middlebury
Melissa M.
Blooming Bus Farms
Cecelia G.
Shamrock Park
The Dyrt
Thousand Trails Bear Cave
Nancy W.
Elkhart County Fairgrounds
Joshua B.
Shipshewana Trading Place RV Park
Mike N.
Oak Shores Resort Campground
Recent Reviews near Vandalia, MI
751 Reviews of 156 Vandalia Campgrounds
- EEd D.
ScoutShipshewana Campground South Park
no power and no refund
I stayed for a week at this park and they lost power due to a storm. Not their fault, I stayed the 1st night afterwards with no power but on the 2nd night they could not tell me when/if power would be restored and I am disabled and need power so I left. The refused to refund the unused days, even when I explained that I paid for a full hookup site and they could not provide power. The campground is decent, the showers are like "prison showers" where you have to push a button every 30 seconds and there is no hot/cold control. I would give it a 3-star if the customer service was not so lacking.
Rachel T.
GuideOff Map
Charming Glamping with Thoughtful Touches
We stayed at Off Map over Memorial Day weekend in a Safari King Tent and absolutely loved it. The tent was private, comfortable, clean, and such a fun setup for a glamping weekend.
The property itself was so charming, with string lights, cool little paths throughout, and a beautiful, well-maintained setting. There were so many great touches: the group fireplace area, live music, s’mores in the evening, and a pop-up wood-burning sauna and cold plunge.
Breakfast was served in the main building with great options like hard-boiled eggs, fruit, oatmeal, and coffee. It got a little chilly at night, so we really appreciated the wood-burning stove inside the tent. It made the space feel cozy and would be especially great for shoulder season camping.
The bathrooms and showers were also fantastic. Everything was super clean, easy to access, and honestly much nicer than expected for a glamping property. Overall, this was such a fun, easy, and memorable weekend getaway. We’d definitely come back and highly recommend the Safari King Tent.
- SScott B.Guide
Potato Creek State Park Campground
Nice park
Lots to do here. Swim, bike, trails, kids parks, good camp store. Towns near the park. You can rent bikes and canoes. Our site #55 was big but 3”dip drivers side and 12” dip back to front.
- SSherri B.Traveler
Markin Glen County Park
Nice Park
Nice county park with paved roads, campsites, and walking paths. Very dog friendly. Plenty of trees for natural setting and sound buffering. Quiet and peaceful overnight stay.
Ula W.ScoutShamrock Park
Shamrock Rv park
Very nice place , very clean. Good for family
Mary D.TravelerShipshewana Campground South Park
Narrow lots
The campground itself is beautiful—very clean, well‑kept, and surrounded by lovely green spaces. Unfortunately, the site layout is the real issue. The sites are long enough for larger rigs, but they’re packed in with almost no space between them. Each site has a fire ring, but using it would not be recommended. With our slides out, I could nearly touch both my camper and the one next to us at the same time. We couldn’t put our awning out without it hitting the neighbor’s rig. Because the neighboring unit was so large, sitting outside meant staring directly at their wall—and sitting right next to their sewage drain. When we asked for a different spot, we were told none were available because a group was coming in, yet there were easily 50 empty sites all weekend. Very disappointing, because otherwise it truly is a beautiful place. (See pictures) Side note: the power was off Friday until Sunday morning due to a storm on Thursday night. Would have been nice if we received a discount for not having electricity. The CG saved during this time period.
Lea K.TravelerElkhart Campground
First hand discrimination
I have seen a lot of discrimination on TV and people talk about discrimination a lot never did I think I would actually see it in my lifetime against myself. The owner of the campground is very disrespectful even when you're being very polite and I'm confrontational he doesn't like to be asked questions he doesn't like to answer questions. All they asked was the year of my camper asked that a bunch of times insinuating that I was lying to him about that age of my camper. He talked down to me he made it very apparent that the problem was not my camper and that it was my family and that my family wasn't good enough to be in his five-star campground that we would bring down his aesthetic when I took plenty of pictures of what his aesthetic is his home looks like it was built by hillbillies there's trash everywhere a bunch of Ford camper that look like trash it has the nerve to charge $1,200 a mouth to keep ppl like us off his property. When obviously we had the money to pay. I am a well educated woman I had finished college and I'm actually working on my second degree in psychology a bachelor's degree. I have ran billion dollar businesses at one point in my life I ran the number one Taco Bell in the nation in cedar falls Iowa. I was the GM of an Arby's I actually signed paychecks controlled accounts had more money moved to my hands than that man will ever see in his sorry life. I have never felt more sorry for a person I think he probably should go back to his own country if he wants to talk to people like that and I get f***** up he's lucky I changed my life and found Jesus but I hope it's five stars they find bury that full very thoughtful since there's no customer service. He claims people have been going to live campground for 30 years but when I went around and talk to the people most of them there was their first time being there they were from other places so stop the cap and I made sure to let everybody know the type of man he was. He had the audacity to act as though I was begging him to stay in his horrible campground when I was not when I was just simply asking him what the problem was with my camper and why he was telling me I could not stay he has every right to refuse my service but he does not have the right to discriminate against me or my family it is against the law and I actually got it underestimate in me and assume I was just an ignorant person who didn't know how to do anything all right doesn't have plenty of money but I think everything is a little lesson in life and he will definitely learn his definitely when he receives the papers in the mail.
- GGlen B.
RangerCampout at Hostel SoHa
Back in the saddle
Nice concept... still finding they're legs. Staff member didn't seem to want to help with the much too laborious and personal check-in process. Fees have gone up. And there are showers.
Guide to Vandalia
Campgrounds near Vandalia, Michigan include both privately-owned facilities and smaller operations within 25 miles of town. The terrain features rolling farmland with elevations ranging between 800-900 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s, with winter lows often below freezing. Several campgrounds operate year-round, though most local facilities limit their operations to April through October.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: **Thousand Trails Bear Cave offers fishing access on the St. Joseph River with a boat launch and dock. "The campground is on the banks of the St. 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," notes a camper about Bear Cave RV Campground.
Water recreation: Multiple lakes near Vandalia offer swimming and boating options. At Cranberry Lake Campground, guests can enjoy water activities just steps from their site. One visitor reported, "The kids and dog really enjoyed the playground, swimming in the lake and jumping off the floating pad. There were also canoes and things to rent but we did not partake-fairly priced."
Cave exploration: Unique geological features provide educational opportunities. "Bear Cave 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. A real bear cave you can tour in (free), a creek that meanders through it," reported a guest at Thousand Trails Bear Cave.
What campers like
Beach access: Lakefront swimming areas offer relief during hot weather at several campsites near Vandalia, Michigan. A primitive tent camper at Camelot Campground enjoyed the convenience: "I camped at the primitive/rustic sites along the beach. It was a great spot to camp while it was really hot, in the 90s for several days, because you could just walk right over to the beach and take a dip in the lake."
Game facilities: Elkhart RV Resort provides entertainment options beyond outdoor recreation. According to a visitor, "We have a small off leash dog run, and free ping pong, air hockey, foose ball, and all the classic camping games to check out. Everyone on staff that we spoke with was also very friendly!"
Quiet atmosphere: Some campgrounds focus on a peaceful setting rather than activities. Lakeside Campground primarily hosts seasonal campers, creating a more established community. As one visitor noted, "Awesome campground. Campground is all seasonal campers now. Owners were super nice and found room for us for one night layover."
What you should know
Wi-Fi variability: Internet access differs significantly between campgrounds. At Bear Cave, a camper advised, "It's a very nice off the grid camping with no cell service but if you want wifi then its 5.95 per day or if your here for a week + then 34.95 for the month up to 4 devices is your best bet."
Seasonal limitations: Operating schedules restrict camping options, especially in winter. Ebys Pines Campground operates from April 1 to November 1, with some amenities closing earlier in fall. One visitor noted, "Stayed here 3 nights in October campground has most of the attractions (pool etc) closed as expected but still charged visitors $5 per person per day. And charged $5 per device per day for WiFi."
Site variations: Quality and size of campsites vary widely, even within the same facility. At Ebys Pines, a camper reported, "RV Sites are stacked on each other. We chose 306 and it was ok by the pond. No misquitos. Our friends had 310 and there was barely room to put their awning out. The tent sites looked nice."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Elkhart Campground offers multiple recreational facilities for children. "Lots of things for the kids to do: swimming, volleyball, mini golf..." notes a visitor who appreciated the family-friendly amenities.
Animal encounters: Some campgrounds feature small animal areas that appeal to children. At Elkhart RV Resort, a camper mentioned, "There is a donkey to pet. The game room building had some games in but the building smelled too old for me."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds maintain playground equipment for younger visitors. A visitor to Bear Cave observed, "There is actually a cave in the campground that you can take a tour of while you are here. There is also a waterfall right next to the cave. Nice, family friendly campground with a playground for the kids."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose your site carefully based on your needs and equipment. At Ebys Pines, one RVer advised, "Lot sizes do vary, pull through lots are a good size. If you like tent camping this place has a great tent/pop up only section on the river."
Utilities considerations: Not all sites offer full hookups, and availability varies by campground. A Bear Cave RVer noted, "The only sewer hook-ups are all taken by seasonal campers," while another mentioned, "They do have an onsite honeypot which will suck out your tanks for $10 each time around."
Spacing concerns: Many campgrounds near Vandalia place RV sites close together. An Elkhart Campground visitor reported, "We came to Elkhart for a week to have servicing done on our 5th wheel. The regular sites are very close together in this CG. The deluxe sites give you a cement pad and better spacing but are still fairly close together."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best outdoor recreation activities near Vandalia, Michigan?
What are the best outdoor recreation activities near Vandalia, Michigan?
The Vandalia area offers diverse outdoor recreation opportunities. At Thousand Trails Bear Cave, visitors enjoy hiking trails, swimming in the pool, and playground facilities. The campground previously featured cave exploration, though availability may vary. For beach enthusiasts, the Lake Michigan shoreline provides opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and dune climbing. Outdoor activities in the region also include fishing in local lakes, boating, kayaking, and seasonal hunting in designated areas. State parks in the vicinity offer well-maintained hiking trails through wooded areas, perfect for nature photography and wildlife viewing.
Are there any campgrounds or camping areas in Vandalia, Michigan?
Are there any campgrounds or camping areas in Vandalia, Michigan?
Yes, Vandalia has several camping options nearby. Cranberry Lake Campground offers family-friendly amenities including a lake for swimming, a floating pad, playground, and friendly owners who maintain a well-stocked gift shop. The campground accommodates both RVs and offers cabin rentals. Shady Point Campground near Jones is another option with water access and facilities that accommodate larger RVs. For those willing to drive a bit further, Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday provides additional amenities like a heated pool, hot tub, mini-golf, and bike rentals with reasonable store prices.
What are the nearby lakes or water recreation options in Vandalia, Michigan?
What are the nearby lakes or water recreation options in Vandalia, Michigan?
Vandalia offers excellent water recreation opportunities. Covert Park Beach & Campground provides direct access to Lake Michigan with swimming and beach activities. It features both improved campsites and primitive tent sites within walking distance to the shoreline. Weko Beach Campground is another option just a stone's throw from Lake Michigan with clean facilities. For inland water recreation, the area has several smaller lakes perfect for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Van Buren State Park Campground offers access to Lake Michigan's shores with impressive sand dunes, approximately a 10-minute walk from the campground to the water.
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