Camping options in southwestern Michigan extend beyond Lake Michigan's shoreline, with several inland alternatives within a 30-mile radius of Dowagiac. The terrain transitions from flat farmland to gentle hills with mixed hardwood forests as you move closer to the St. Joseph River. RV and tent campers can access sites year-round at several facilities, though winter camping requires additional preparation as temperatures typically drop to the low 20s from December through February.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Access to the St. Joseph River provides excellent fishing conditions at Shamrock Park. "Village owned and operated campground, right on the St. Joseph River. Open all year. Many long term campers," notes Michael. The fishing area includes a dedicated fish cleaning station with "scales, cutting boards and sinks," according to Brian O.
Cave exploration: Learn about local geological formations at Thousand Trails Bear Cave. "There is actually a cave in the campground that you can take a tour of while you are here. The campground is on the banks of the St. Joseph River in southwest Michigan. There is also a waterfall right next to the cave," explains Jerry S. Note that some visitors have reported cave closures, so call ahead to confirm availability.
Blueberry picking: Harvest fresh fruit during summer months at Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday. "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!" says Cindy B. The campground is approximately 14 miles from South Haven's downtown shopping district.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Consistently maintained bathrooms and shower facilities rate highly across campgrounds. At Elkhart Campground, "Clean, with decent amenities. Laundry room, pool and bathrooms were very clean. Large dog park, but was far from our site," reports deb K. Most campgrounds in the region maintain bathroom facilities with daily cleaning schedules.
Historical attractions: Several campgrounds feature preserved historical elements. At Eden Springs Park Campground, "There's a lot of interesting history here. It was a cult at one time, there used to be a vegan restaurant and an ice cream parlor, and there was a hotel here at one point as well. What I liked about it was you could walk around the campgrounds and learn about it from the signage," explains Daniel B.
Recreational amenities: Family-friendly activities beyond basic camping are common. "Wonderful campground! Lots of shade and plenty of privacy between sites. The bathroom seemed newer with clean bathrooms and private shower stalls. We went when the campground was at full capacity and it still didn't feel overcrowded," notes Heidi S. about Warren Dunes State Park Campground. Many campgrounds offer dedicated recreational areas with volleyball courts, basketball hoops, and children's play equipment.
What you should know
Campground layouts: Site spacing varies significantly between facilities. "Although each one is fairly large, they set them up 'two together', at least in the part we were in. One site beside another without any buffer of bushes or trees, so potentially, you could be sharing an area with perfect strangers," notes Amy G. about Warren Dunes. Consider requesting specific site numbers when making reservations if privacy is a priority.
Weekend planning: Summer weekends require advance bookings, particularly at campgrounds with specialized amenities. "Several loops in this large campground, but it fills up on the weekend, so make a reservation. Small general store on site and firewood is available," advises Amy R. Most campgrounds accept reservations 6-12 months in advance, with holiday weekends booking earliest.
Alcohol policies: Rules regarding alcohol consumption vary between campgrounds. "It is alcohol free and they mean it. Really nice campground really nice bathrooms/showers but not enough when campground is full," warns Traci J. Check individual campground policies before packing beverages, as enforcement levels differ across facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Train rides: Several campgrounds offer miniature train experiences that children enjoy. At Thousand Trails Bear Cave, "There is a small train that takes you around the camp. It's very cute and a great side option to the overfilled beach campgrounds," says Shelby J. Weekend train operations typically run from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Water activities: Swimming areas provide cooling options during hot summer days. "The sites were spacious and loved the river that was always in view. Bathrooms were clean which is a huge plus. The one downfall was the geese droppings that were all over the river bank," explains Cecelia G. about her stay at Shamrock Park. Most swimming areas close after sunset, so plan daytime water activities accordingly.
Child-friendly programming: Scheduled activities offer structured entertainment for younger campers. At Spaulding Lake Campground, "Very nice and quiet. 3 fishing ponds that are well stocked. Most lots pull thru and many shaded. Kids playground is big with a basketball court," reports Erwin Y. Check activity calendars when making reservations, as programming varies seasonally.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many campgrounds offer varying levels of hookup options. "Not much external storage/pocket options, but they have other models online with that feature," notes Daniel B. Most RV sites include water and electrical hookups, with fewer offering full sewer connections.
Seasonal considerations: Some RV facilities have limited winter operations. "If you do not get a full hook up, you have to pay $15 to get pumped out," warns Dawn T. about Thousand Trails Bear Cave. Winterized water systems typically operate from November through March, requiring self-contained water supplies during cold weather camping.
Leveling requirements: Site grading varies across campgrounds. "Site needed leveling, had no shade at all and was close to major hwy. The front and side sites seemed nicer and had ample shade with some concrete sites," reports deb K. about Elkhart Campground. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended even for sites listed as level.
