Tent camping near Fennville, Michigan offers diverse experiences across Allegan County's 826 square miles of woodland terrain. The area's sandy loam soil creates well-draining campsites, particularly beneficial during Michigan's frequent summer thunderstorms. Most campsites sit at elevations between 700-800 feet above sea level, providing moderate temperatures that typically range from 70-85°F during peak camping season.
What to do
Kayaking the Kalamazoo River: Launch from Allegan and paddle to WaterTrail Ventures Paddle Respite for wildlife viewing opportunities. According to Jeremy K., "We kayaked there from Allegan and was treated to more wildlife viewing opportunities than we could ask for."
Blueberry picking: Visit Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday during summer months to pick fresh blueberries right at the campground. "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!" notes Cindy B.
Cycling the Kal-Haven Trail: Access this 33.5-mile former railroad bed trail connecting South Haven to Kalamazoo. Cindy B. shares, "We rode 47 miles round trip from Bloomingdale to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo."
What campers like
Private swimming areas: Smaller campgrounds offer more secluded water access. Karlina L. from WaterTrail Ventures says, "It was beautiful with solar lights at night and a private beach. Great swimming, in a very private area."
Stargazing opportunities: Allendale-West Grand Rapids KOA provides wooded sites perfect for night sky viewing. "Sites are fairly wooded (lots of pine trees) and not too crowded," reports Deb M., while other campers mention the pine trees create "a nice wooded area to just sit and look at the stars at night."
Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds in the region offer various activities beyond basic camping. Lisa P. notes, "We love this little KOA and camp here often with family who stay in the cabins. It is woody but doesn't feel too buggy...the activities are super fun and the pool is a nice size for the kids."
What you should know
Tent pad surfaces: Most sites feature sand or grass pads with minimal improvements. Sites at East Lake Camping are "very small, not much privacy, but well kept. There are more spacious sites available on the upper grassy loop," according to Wailym C.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the Fennville area operate from May through October. Gina K. shares, "Have been coming here for years and going down hill as there prices go up," highlighting the importance of checking current rates.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between locations. "The bathrooms were wonderful with great hot water and water pressure," reports Wailym C. about East Lake Camping, while other primitive sites offer only vault toilets.
Early arrival fees: Some campgrounds charge for early check-in. "Make sure you do not arrive before 2:00PM, as they require a $10 early registration fee," warns Dan K. about one local KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with dedicated activities: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday offers structured entertainment for children. "Lots of fun activities on the weekends for the kids and FREE! They have movie nights, we met Disney characters, did crafts, and enjoyed the barrel train & ice cream sundaes," reports Cassie B.
Consider cabin options for mixed camping experiences: Several sites offer cabins for family members who prefer more comfort. "We camp here every year with our family... my family who are not necessarily 'outdoorsy' love that they can sleep in an air conditioned cabin with cable!" notes one camper.
Check swimming accessibility: Pool designs matter for families with small children. Cassie B. cautions, "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
Limited lakefront availability: At most campgrounds, premium waterfront sites are occupied by seasonal campers. Wailym C. explains at Sunflower Farm Camping, "Most people here are seasonal, occupying almost all the lakefront sites. We may have seen one lakefront available for renters."
Size restrictions apply: Larger RVs are limited to specific areas. Regarding Sandy Pines, one reviewer notes, "The main thing that I didn't like about sandy pines is that if you have a large camper, you can only get a spot in phase 3, which is really far away from all of the fun activities."
Beach access considerations: Many campers appreciate locations with easy beach access. "Clean facilities and only a 20 min drive from South Haven's beautiful beaches!" notes Hannah S. about the Covert/South Haven KOA.
