Best Tent Camping near Galien, MI

Tent camping options near Galien, Michigan include established campgrounds with various amenities and several walk-in tent sites. Notable locations include Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday and Sweet Cherry Resort, both offering dedicated tent sites with access to nearby Lake Michigan beaches. Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes National Park provides a more secluded tent camping experience approximately 30 miles west of Galien.

Most tent campsites in the Galien area feature flat, cleared areas with a mix of sandy and grassy surfaces typical of southwestern Michigan's terrain. Walk-in tent sites at Sweet Cherry Resort require campers to park and carry gear a short distance to cleared camping areas. A camper noted, "Tent sites are all in one cleared area that is a short walk from the parking spots." Many campgrounds offer basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Restroom and shower facilities are available at most established campgrounds, with Central Avenue Walk-in Sites offering only basic toilet facilities.

Tent camping in this region provides good access to Lake Michigan beaches and local attractions. Sites at Central Avenue Walk-in Sites offer more privacy and a natural setting, with one reviewer mentioning, "The spot was clean. It's far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy." Most tent campgrounds in the area are operational from May through October, with peak season occurring during summer months. Several locations, including Sweet Cherry Resort, provide tent sites that are separate from RV areas, offering a quieter experience for tent campers. The terrain throughout the region is generally flat with some wooded areas providing shade at select campgrounds. Tent campers should note that southwestern Michigan experiences typical Midwest seasonal changes, with hot, sometimes humid summers and cooler fall camping conditions.

Best Tent Sites Near Galien, Michigan (10)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Galien, MI

699 Reviews of 10 Galien Campgrounds


  • H
    May. 26, 2022

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Great stay, come ready

    We stayed two nights in mid-May, at site number 72. Area was gorgeous, well maintained, shady and quiet. Tons of hiking trails in very close proximity to the campground! There is electricity on site, but no water or sewage at each site. However there is a water fill station and a dump station. So just come prepared. Also, they have a very strict no alcohol policy. Not that that stopped people, but don't go walking around with a beer bottle! We would definitely return.

  • Elizabeth G.
    Oct. 5, 2021

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Pleasant and quiet

    Stayed in site 43 of the Douglas loop. Douglas loop is all non electric.

    Our site was big enough for our tents, a picnic table and fire ring. The bathrooms/showers are really close by which is nice but you do get the lights from the bathroom facing site 43. Not a big deal but if you’re looking for more darkness then definitely choose one of the other sites around 43.

    All parking sites are paved for camper vans/trailers but no water or power hookups. All sites have nice huge tent pads that are nice and level. Only noise we heard was the train every now and then.

    The showers are individual rooms separate from the bathrooms. And there’s a gas station and liquor store near the entrance of the campground for fire wood and beer.

    I didn’t get to stay in the walk in campsites but they are very nice and close-ish to the showers.

  • Olivia S.
    Jul. 20, 2020

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp Resort-South Haven, MI

    This is my top pick for South Haven

    Although this campground has great amenities, a pool, clean showers, and good sites/cabins, it is hard to book. If you know you are going to come to this area and camp, you need to book it a while in advance. I have used a pop-up and there was good space between campers. When I tent camped, we had a great spot near the cafe, the showers are amazing over there, they are more secluded. Our tent spot had electric, water, picnic table and fire ring. We camped on the grass and there is gravel to park your car. This campground is a perfect place to stay when visiting surrounding towns and going to the beach.

    Don’t forget to go to Sherman’s!!

    There was a forecast or rain, don’t mind the tarp

  • Chris M.
    Nov. 26, 2020

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Clean & Spacious

    We pulled in around 4:30 in the evening. The sight was spacious with plenty of room in between sites. Since the weather was cooler , it was pretty sparse with other campers. We stayed 2 nights over the weekend. You are within walking distance to the beach within the park. The buildings have great architecture. The sight had 50 amp electric hook ups but no water or sewer connections, and we knew that going in. We had a back in sight #69. There was plenty of space on all sides. We have a 37’ motorhome and pulled a Jeep behind it. There was plenty of room to maneuver around. The sight also had a wood picnic table and fire ring for a wood fire pit. We will definitely be back! I wish I had taken more photos from the beach and beach pavilion.

  • B
    Jun. 11, 2023

    Covert Park Beach & Campground

    Great Lakeside Camp

    Great campground. Better cared for than a State Park and better accommodations, too. Newish shower house with 6 uni-sex showers (all with their own locking doors). Water mechanisms on several made hot water a little tricky… test before you undress haha. If 5+ showers are in use, don't count on much hot water.

    Very friendly operators and employees. Genuinely interested in how you're doing. Above average camp store and they even deliver your firewood order to your site for you ($7 for a 15"x15"ish bundle).

    Beach access is easy and the beach is nice. On the cooler week we were there, would only see one or two other people out if any, but when school gets out mid-June, sounds like it gets busier. Our Monday-Friday stay saw us as the only tent campers which was great. Our kids enjoyed the playground and we made use of the grills by the picnic shelter a few times.

    All tent sites (except for T12) are walk in (but most are only 100-300 feet).

    Tent Sites 1, 2, 3, 11 and 12 as well as the group site are on their own away from the main loops. They are served by a flush toilet with running (cold) water. Or you can make the slightly longer walk to the shower house.

    Tent 1 is 100 foot walk, small site, easily visible from T-2 and 3 as well as the group site.

    Tent 2 is medium sized, across from T-3 and visible from T-1 and T-3. 

    Tent 3 is large. Slightly overlooks the group site and can see T-1 and T-2.

    Tent 4 is large, but almost totally isolated. It's surrounded by hills (although T-5 is on one of those hills so could overlook it. Long walk to bathroom.

    Tent 5 overlooks 4 a little and is a medium sized site. Also long walk to bathroom.

    Tent 6 is elevated above everything so overlooks T-5, T-7 and the RV loop. It's a huge site with nothing but nature around and above you. Long walk to bathroom.

    Tent 7 shortest walk to car parking, but surrounded by other sites. Access to other sites runs through site as well.

    Tent 8 and 9 are basically one large site with two tables and fire rings. Requires a walk up several flights of stairs, but puts you on top of a bluff that, without trees, would give you a view of the lake. They charge a premium for these sites.

    Tent 11 is probably the longest walk… you walk past T-1,2,3, then up 70 steps to the top of a ridge. You cannot see or be seen and the picnic table is covered with a shelter. Not a ton of space, but a great site for a lite packer.

    Tent 12 is a drive in site right next to the bathroom and the main drive into the campground.

    We were pleasantly surprised and, outside of a cold shower or two, never disappointed in our stay.

  • Gay G.
    Aug. 19, 2021

    Thousand Trails Bear Cave

    Great Campground

    This 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 (including at tent sites). Pool has an ADA lift chair. 2 shower/bath houses, camp store, a real bear cave you can tour in (free), a creek that meanders through it. The resort sits on the St. Joseph river & this park has a boat ramp & dock for fishing. There is a gate that campers need a code to get into so it keeps out unwanted’s. Nice staff. Yolanda is a great manager. Security, a ‘honey wagon’. Laundry center. Quiet hours are 10p-8a. It’s near Buchanan Michigan and the RED BUD Motor Cross track. Very friendly people, always stopping and talking.

  • Brian O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 12, 2020

    Shamrock Park

    Great for fishing

    We wanted to stay at Warren Dunes State Park, but I think this discovery was a better choice. A clean and friendly municipal campground on the St. Joseph River. The grounds are mostly open with little shade, but we had a tent site by the river and trees. What impressed me most was that they have a building specifically for cleaning fish, with scales, cutting boards and sinks. Another nice feature is the outdoor sink at the shower & restroom building for campers to wash dishes. As tent campers I wish more places had a set up like that. There’s a large stack of firewood, so it’s easy to get a bundle that’s good and dry. We did go to Warren Dunes for an afternoon. It’s busy and crowded. If you go to the beach, be aware there’s very little shade. North of there is Grand Mere State Park, which is better for hiking. In Berrien Springs, check out Zick’s specialty meats across the river from the camp.

  • Amy M.
    May. 14, 2017

    Warren Dunes State Park Campground

    TICKS

    We stayed in the semi modern sites, which was tents and no RVs nearby, which was good. That was about it. The Interstate was directly behind the sites, so the highway traffic noise took away from the feeling you want when camping, that off the grid feeling.

    The site was clean, picnic table and fire ring. There was a water spigot close by too. We did some short hiking to sand dunes which was really cool. Nice paths lead to beautiful sunset over dunes.

    Upon returning from the hike, we set up camp. That's when we found the ticks. We found probably 10 on our dog, several on us. The couple next to our site was struggling with ticks also, and they hadn't hiked, so makes me think they were from the campground. (We stayed ON the trail carefully while hiking). We've camped a lot and never dealt with this many ticks.

    We actually ended up bailing due to how many were on us all. Spent the next 24 hours picking them off everyone in our family at home. Not good. We know it's a fact of life, but this place was infested. Bummer of a trip.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2022

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Outer Circle

    We reserved a spot in the outer circle. We like having woods on one side. Nice campground camping….parking pad, fire ring, picnic table. Good amount of space between spots. Nice bathrooms & showers. We have a rooftop tent and we’re very happy. Loved the hike over “Mt. Tom” to the gorgeous beach and warmish lake for a swim. We choose the State Park vs. National Park so we could hike to the beach.


Guide to Galien

Tent camping near Galien, Michigan offers options ranging from walk-in tent sites to established campgrounds with designated tent areas. The region features predominantly sandy soil typical of southwestern Michigan's coastal influence, with elevation changes of less than 100 feet throughout the area. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October with average summer temperatures reaching 80-85°F during peak camping season.

What to do

Lake swimming access: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to swimming. At Shady Point Campground, "It sits on Bair Lake and was great for swimming," according to Nicole P., making it ideal for cooling off during summer camping trips.

Blueberry picking: At Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday, campers can enjoy a unique agricultural experience. "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.

Biking opportunities: The area connects to regional trails for cycling enthusiasts. "We rode 47 miles round trip from Bloomingdale to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo," reports one camper at Covert/South Haven KOA, referencing the Kal-Haven bike trail accessibility from nearby South Haven.

What campers like

Family-focused amenities: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday earns praise for its kid-friendly environment. "Very clean and well-kept park. 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," writes Cassie B.

Affordable tent sites: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value at some locations. Alyssa notes about Sweet Cherry Resort, "Tent sites are all in one cleared area that is a short walk from the parking spots... $20 per tent site."

Beach proximity: Many campgrounds offer quick access to Lake Michigan. Sweet Cherry Resort provides "a 3 minute drive to a public beach with great swimming and a beautiful sunset," according to Alyssa, making it convenient for day trips to the lakeshore.

What you should know

Weather considerations: The region experiences typical midwestern summer storms. At Central Avenue Walk-in Sites in nearby Indiana Dunes National Park, campsites are positioned "far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy," notes Don W., offering some protection from elements.

Site layout variations: Tent areas are organized differently across campgrounds. Sweet Cherry Resort features a communal tent area separate from RVs, while other locations integrate tent sites throughout the property.

Reservation requirements: During peak summer months, advance booking becomes essential. Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday operates from "May 1 to October 12," with July and August weekends filling quickly, particularly for tent sites.

Tips for camping with families

Facilities for children: Sunflower Farm Camping offers designated tent sites in a farm setting with outdoor activities for children. Covert/South Haven KOA features "a heated pool and lots of activities for kids," with Amy J. adding they "go every year!"

Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds accommodate mobility challenges. "My husband went with a broken leg and got around there just fine thanks to it being such a small park," shares Cassie B. about Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday.

Entertainment options: Family-focused campgrounds provide structured activities. "Lots of sports equipment to loan as well. Not too big, very clean and well taken care of," reports Melissa B. about Covert/South Haven KOA, noting their variety of recreational equipment available for camper use.

Tips from RVers

Site conditions: Expect variable terrain even within the same campground. One camper at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA described their site as "a full hook up with a fire pit in the mud pond," highlighting the importance of requesting specific site information when booking.

Local facilities: Most tent-friendly campgrounds near Galien maintain clean restroom facilities. "The bathrooms and showers were well maintained," notes Nicole P. about Shady Point Campground, an important consideration for tent campers without private facilities.

Seasonal availability: The best tent camping near Galien, Michigan typically runs from spring through fall. Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday operates "Apr 17 to Oct 18," providing a typical operating window for planning purposes in this region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Galien, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Galien, MI is Campside Michigan with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Galien, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Galien, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.