Tent camping near Three Rivers, Michigan ranges from rustic to full-service options within a 30-mile radius. The area features sandy soil common throughout southern Michigan's glacial plain, with elevations ranging from 800-900 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F with evening lows in the 60s, creating favorable conditions for outdoor recreation from late spring through early fall.
What to do
Water activities on Bair Lake: At Shady Point Campground, campers have direct access to swimming in Bair Lake. "It sits on Bair Lake and was great for swimming," notes Nicole P., who spent four nights at the campground.
Blueberry picking opportunities: The Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday features blueberry fields throughout the property. "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!" reports Cindy B.
Kayaking excursions: Pigeon River State Fish and Wildlife Area offers river access with shuttle services. "Kayak through winding rivers and lakes in Northern Indiana. The shuttle service is convenient and not overly expensive," explains Whitley K., adding that while the campground itself is basic, the paddling opportunities are worthwhile.
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention facility upkeep as a highlight at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday. "First impression on entering the KOA was that it was very clean, organized and well maintained. The owners and staff do a great job of keeping the campground safe, clean and inviting," writes Monica R.
Reasonable campstore prices: Several campers appreciate the value at local campgrounds. At Coloma/St. Joseph KOA, Katie S. notes: "The store was nice and lots to offer and the prices were very reasonable."
Seasonal camper atmosphere: While many campgrounds cater to visitors, some primarily host seasonal campers. "This is a campground that is mostly seasonal campers," observes Nicole P. about Shady Point Campground. Similarly, at Lakeside Campground, Noel L. reports: "Campground is all seasonal campers now. Owners were super nice and found room for us for one night layover."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: The best tent camping near Three Rivers, Michigan generally runs from May through mid-October. Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday operates "Apr 17 to Oct 18" according to their listing, while Coloma/St. Joseph KOA is open "May 1 to October 12."
Rain considerations: Some campgrounds may have drainage issues during wet periods. At Coloma/St. Joseph KOA, Devina M. advises: "Because it rained rather heavily, it formed a huge collection of water. The bathrooms are semi clean, but expect mud basically everywhere... Bring rain boots for mud!"
Proximity to Lake Michigan: For campers interested in beach access, several options provide convenient day trips. "Very close to Lake Michigan and the beach!" mentions Katie S. about Coloma/St. Joseph KOA. Hannah S. adds that Covert/South Haven KOA offers "Nice shady, sandy spots not far from South Haven" with "only a 20 min drive from South Haven's beautiful beaches!"
Tips for camping with families
Recreation options for kids: Families camping at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA find numerous activities to keep children entertained. "They had a hot tub and heated pool. Mini golf and bikes you could rent," notes Katie S., while Jennifer W. adds: "The kids loved the jumping pillow, pool, and nightly tractor-pull train."
Budget-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer complimentary 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," shares Cassie B. about her Coloma/St. Joseph KOA stay.
Compact layout advantages: Smaller campgrounds can provide peace of mind for parents. Cassie B. appreciated that Coloma/St. Joseph KOA "was small enough for our kids to ride bikes around alone and they frequented the park, which we could see from our site."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through site availability: At Shady Point Campground, RVers find easy access sites. Sharlyn O. reports: "Was in a pull behind. Everything was easy and calm. Kids loves it. No problems."
Full hookup options: Most established campgrounds near Three Rivers offer water, electric, and sewer connections. Circle B RV Park receives positive feedback on maintenance, with Jeffrey Y. noting it's a "Great campground, very well maintained, lots to do, great atmosphere."
Wi-Fi reliability: Internet connectivity can be important for some campers. Rodney D. highlights this benefit at Covert/South Haven KOA: "The campground is clean, the wi-fi is great. The pool and playground area is nicely laid out."
