Campgrounds near Covert, Michigan offer year-round camping opportunities beyond the beachfront focus, with inland options providing different experiences from Lake Michigan's shoreline. The area contains several small inland lakes and river access points, creating alternatives when lake winds intensify or during cooler months. Tent camping options range from walk-in sites in forested settings to more developed facilities with electrical hookups and access to hiking trails.
What to do
Biking the Kal-Haven Trail: The 33-mile Kal-Haven Trail connects South Haven to Kalamazoo, offering a paved path accessible from multiple campgrounds. Kal-Haven Outpost provides direct trail access: "This was a nice campground right on the Kal Haven Trail - about 4 miles from South Haven. It was so convenient to be able to bike ride, hike, or run on the trail."
Blueberry picking: Several campgrounds incorporate blueberry fields as a unique regional activity. Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday features on-site picking opportunities: "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!"
Explore local history: The Eden Springs area contains restored historic buildings from the late 1800s. "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."
Fishing in inland waters: Several campgrounds offer fishing ponds with catch-and-release options, providing an alternative to Lake Michigan recreation. "On site fishing ponds are catch and release with lots of active fish to enjoy."
What campers like
Walk-in tent sites: More secluded camping options exist beyond the standard RV spots. "We did pass by the hike-in rustic sites and they looked great. Situated at the top of one of the dune hills, very forested and removed from the nonsense RV campers bring."
New bathroom facilities: Covert Park Beach & Campground has recently upgraded amenities: "They have a brand new bath house in the bigger loop, that will be open as soon as the stay at home order is over, and it looks very nice!" Another camper noted, "New wash house, rinse off after lake play."
Quiet weekday camping: For those seeking less crowded experiences, scheduling affects the experience significantly. "We stayed Sunday to Saturday, so we got to see it at its bustling weekend peak and the quiet, cozy weekday vibe."
Small inland lakes: Some campgrounds offer lake access without Lake Michigan crowds. Dune Lake Campground features "a nice swimming lake with a shallow area that's great for kids." This provides water recreation with less wind exposure than Lake Michigan beaches.
What you should know
Cell coverage limitations: Several campgrounds have limited connectivity. "Cellular data was poor in the campground and on the beach - we needed a 5-minute drive to get good Verizon coverage." Another camper noted, "Overall I recommend this place but be prepared for zero cell service unless you go up the road!"
Shower facilities vary widely: Campground bathrooms receive mixed reviews across locations. "The bathrooms were convenient but a little humid with the high temps they had for the week of July 4th." At another location: "The small loop (sites 1-19) are flat and great for larger parties, the bigger loop (30-64) have some crazy un-level sites mixed in."
Site selection matters: Van Buren State Park Campground has layout considerations: "When you select your campsite, be aware that there's a path through the middle of the campground and some sites are right next to it, meaning very little privacy."
Limited beach size: Water levels affect beach availability at many locations. "Small campsites, outlet on site, clean bathrooms, great walking paths and short walk to the lake. Very family friendly with lots of kids."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-focused amenities: Family campgrounds offer structured activities beyond beach access. "There are a lot of lodging options, tons of kids activities, both free and for a small fee, great pool, cafe and store! Lots of sports equipment to loan as well."
Weekday visits for quieter stays: For a more relaxed family experience, timing matters. "The campground stays nice and clean, the resident campers are so welcoming and the visitors we're very respectful."
Playgrounds and recreation: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday offers family-specific amenities: "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."
Consider inland options for smaller kids: Families with young children might prefer inland lake swimming. "Nice swimming lake with a shallow area that's great for kids." These areas typically have calmer water than Lake Michigan, which can have strong waves and undertows.
Tips from RVers
Site positioning challenges: Black River Trails Campground provides RV-specific tips: "We stayed in a small 'RV Site' spot on the campground and that gave us our own electrical/water hookup. Each site comes with a picnic table, fire pit, and ample enough space. We weren't 'on top' of the people next to us."
Utility placement: Be prepared for hookup positions that may require extra equipment. "The actual campground was disappointing, the map was not true to date and most sites the electrical box and water hook up is on the wrong side of the site. Bring extra line... we have 50ft hose so we were fine there (line goes through the middle of the site) and 25ft electrical and had to re adjust the camper a few times so it would reach."
Pull-through availability: Some campgrounds offer easier access sites. "Awesome campground! Very friendly staff. Super clean and updated bathrooms. On the kal-haven trail. All spots are pull through. And all spots are close to the bathrooms."
Leveling preparation: Be ready for uneven sites at some locations. "The site is a good size. Tree placement made it a little tricky to back into, but nothing crazy."
