Camping near Three Rivers, Michigan offers a mix of RV accommodations with modern amenities and rustic settings. Located in southwest Michigan near the Indiana border, this area typically experiences warm summers with average temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s°F and mild spring and fall seasons. The region's camping season generally runs from April through October, with some facilities remaining open year-round for winter camping enthusiasts.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Thousand Trails Bear Cave provides access to the St. Joseph River for anglers. "There is a boat launch and a few docks that can be used," mentions Jerry S., adding that the campground sits "on the banks of the St. Joseph River in southwest Michigan."
Cave exploration: Experience the natural cave at Thousand Trails Bear Cave. As Ryan H. notes, "They have a naturally formed cave that you can go down into for a small fee." The cave tour adds a unique element to standard camping activities in the region.
Amish country visits: The area surrounding Three Rivers provides opportunities to experience Amish culture. When staying at Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney, you're "Near Elkhart and the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum. Great place to visit, really interesting. Also, near Shipshewana," according to Kathy S.
Biking trails: The Shipshewana Trading Place RV Park provides access to local bike paths. Cindy B. recommends "two days of riding on the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail, the Krider Nurseries World's Fair Garden, the RV museum in Elkhart and Mooey's ice cream near Middlebury."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained amenities at area campgrounds. At Hidden Ridge RV Resort, Julie T. found that "All facilities were very clean. Nice place to walk around and get some exercise."
Family-friendly activities: Many campgrounds cater to families with various recreation options. At Camp Turkeyville RV Resort, campers enjoy "Spacious sites. Concrete patio at each site. Daily trash pickup at campsite. Very quiet and family friendly," according to David D.
Resort-style amenities: Several RV parks feature premium facilities. Melissa M. describes Hidden Ridge RV Resort as "Kid friendly! This park always finds away to having something fun for the kids to do. Pool, splash pad, arcade, bounce pad, playground, outdoor sports area, hayrides, crafts, store, pond for fishing, golf cart rental."
Seasonal themes: Campgrounds in the area often host special events. Greg N. mentions that at Hidden Ridge, "the Christmas in July decorations have been a lot of fun," while others note various weekend activities planned throughout the season.
What you should know
Cellular coverage varies: While not mentioned in reviews above, T-Mobile typically performs better than AT&T in this region.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds near Three Rivers operate seasonally. Thousand Trails Bear Cave is open "May 1 to October 31," while Hidden Ridge RV Resort runs from "Apr 1 - Oct 30."
Site selection considerations: Some campgrounds have limited availability for specific hookups. One camper at Thousand Trails Bear Cave noted "The only sewer hook-ups are all taken by seasonal campers," which affects planning for longer stays.
Reservation timing: Area campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Elkhart RV Resort, one camper shared, "Our plans changed mid afternoon, they had a spot for us. Reservations were easy and they were extremely welcoming and helpful."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities. Kelly L. notes that Twin Mills Camping Resort provides a "really fun for families, nice pool and bathrooms, putt putt, bring your bikes."
Playground equipment: Many campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney, Kathy S. reports that it has "lots of activities: pool, miniature golf, volley ball, fishing pond, big chess set, bike rental, mining area, playground, and rec. hall w/ video games, pool, ping pong, air hockey, and juke box."
Animal interactions: Some campgrounds include opportunities to interact with animals. Gay G. shares that Bear Cave has "a creek that meanders through it. The resort sits on the St. Joseph river & this park has a boat ramp & dock for fishing," creating natural wildlife viewing opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: RV campers should note the terrain at each park. At Thousand Trails Bear Cave, campers mention "a variety of sites" with varying degrees of levelness across the campground.
Hookup specifications: Most parks offer full hookups, but specifications vary. Hidden Ridge RV Resort provides concrete pads with full hookups that Kathleen D. describes as including "120/150 amp" service.
Year-round options: For winter RV camping, Camp Turkeyville RV Resort remains open "All year" while most other facilities close for the season.
Dump station access: Several campgrounds offer on-site waste disposal. Jack at Thousand Trails Bear Cave mentions "they do have an onsite honeypot which will suck out your tanks for $10 each time around" for sites without sewer hookups.