Most RV sites near Kalamazoo, Michigan sit on relatively flat terrain in the southwestern Michigan region, where elevations range between 700-900 feet above sea level. The area experiences humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, making late spring through early fall the primary camping season with average summer temperatures in the mid-80s°F. Several campgrounds near Kalamazoo offer waterfront options along rivers, streams, and small lakes.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Thousand Trails Bear Cave in Buchanan provides access to the St. Joseph River with boat launch and dock facilities. According to Jerry S., "Bear Cave is a nice campground... on the banks of the St. Joseph River in southwest Michigan. There is a boat launch and a few docks that can be used."
Swimming and water activities: Camp Michawana offers a swimming beach with complimentary water equipment. Bailey C. notes, "They have a lake/beach for swimming, kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes to use at the lake. They also have a massive slip 'n slide, zip lining, and a rock climbing wall."
Cave exploration: While camping at Thousand Trails Bear Cave, visitors can tour the actual bear cave formation. Ryan H. explains, "They have a naturally formed cave that you can go down into for a small fee. A variety of things to do from fishing to the game room."
Family recreation: Woodchip Campground features numerous activities for children. Andrea B. shares, "We love the jumping pillow and sand too! The bathrooms are clean, the pool is great, and they always have fun activities for the kids!"
What campers like
Clean facilities: Hidden Ridge RV Resort maintains well-kept grounds and amenities. One visitor, Michael J., appreciated the "Quiet, beautiful, clean and gated" environment, adding it's a "Great place to stay. Nice folks, wide spaces, store and laundry."
Family-friendly entertainment: The organized activities at many campgrounds receive positive reviews. At Woodchip Campground, Cassondra P. recalled, "We came here for a fall camping weekend. Kids loved going on wagon ride to find the pumpkins and then decorating them. They really enjoyed the glow wagon ride."
Recreational amenities: Camp Turkeyville RV Resort offers various amenities for campers. According to Lydia T., "Family campground with restaurant, gift shop, camp store, ice cream parlor, and heated pool... There is a volleyball pit, playground, and horseshoes."
Spacious sites: Many Kalamazoo area campgrounds provide comfortable site dimensions. Eric C. noted about Camp Turkeyville, "Nice park with friendly staff and good size lots. Could use a few more trees. Quite active during the day but very quiet at night on our visit."
What you should know
Cell service challenges: Some campgrounds have limited connectivity. At Bear Cave, Jack mentions, "It's a very nice off the grid camping with no cell service but if you want wifi then its 5.95 per day or if your here for a week + then 34.95 for the month."
Limited sewer hookups: Not all sites offer full hookups. Jerry S. notes about Bear Cave, "The only sewer hook-ups are all taken by seasonal campers," which means temporary visitors may need to use pump-out services.
Seasonal operation: Most RV sites near Kalamazoo operate from spring to fall. Crooked Lake Campground is typical of the area's seasonal patterns, with most facilities closing by late October.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be abundant, especially near water. Melissa B. warns about Crooked Lake: "Voices and noise carry quite a bit and there are lots of mosquitos right now."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's activities: Woodchip Campground specializes in family entertainment. Jeff & Justin H. confirm, "Great for families. We stayed here for 2 weekday nights. Campground was totally full. Spots are tight. Great trees surrounding the property. Tons of kids - great activities for them!"
Consider camps with free equipment rentals: Some campgrounds provide complimentary recreational items. At Camp Michawana, Rich explains, "Boats and kayaks are free to use if the lifeguard is on duty. There is also fishing rods to use for free."
Explore waterfront options: Waterfront sites offer added entertainment value. Angie H. enjoyed Crooked Lake: "Our campsite was huge and mostly private. The vault toilets were as clean as one could be. I would love to camp here again."
Book early for holiday weekends: Family-oriented RV sites near Kalamazoo fill quickly during peak season. At Woodchip Campground, Andrea notes, "There are lots of kids activities, and all activities are included with stay. But the lots are small."
Tips from RVers
Consider site layout when booking: RV parking arrangements vary significantly between campgrounds. Beth H. observed at Hidden Ridge: "We had a great time camping at Hidden Ridge. Amenities were great, everything well kept and clean. This park is very big."
Check trash disposal options: Some campgrounds have limited trash facilities. Beth H. continues about Hidden Ridge: "I found it odd the there isn't trash pickup at the site. And the only trash bin we could find was at the entrance of the grounds (which was quite a distance from 241 our site)."
Prepare for limited site size: Many RV parks prioritize amenities over spaciousness. Lydia T. mentioned about Camp Turkeyville: "The only negative is the campground is basically in a field with very little trees and the sites are close together."
Verify bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between campgrounds. Rich warns about Camp Michawana: "I only dock one star because the bathrooms and showers are HORRID. At least the men's bathrooms are, smells so strongly of urine and they do not clean it regularly."