Tent camping options near Kalamazoo, Michigan primarily occur within sandy soil regions with elevations ranging from 750 to 900 feet above sea level. The area features a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, with camping season typically running from May through October when temperatures average 60-80°F during daytime. Water tables in this region tend to be high, which can affect ground moisture at tent sites during rainy periods.
What to do
Swimming access: East Lake Camping offers a sandy beach area with designated swimming zones that campers can use throughout their stay. According to a visitor, "kids loved the beach and play area," making it ideal for families seeking water recreation opportunities during summer months.
Blueberry picking: Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday maintains blueberry fields throughout their property that campers can access seasonally. "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 a camper who visited during harvest season.
Biking trails: The Kal-Haven trail connects South Haven to Kalamazoo, providing tent campers with extensive riding options. One reviewer staying at Covert/South Haven KOA mentioned, "We rode 47 miles round trip from Bloomingdale to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo," demonstrating the trail's accessibility for camping cyclists.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday maintains well-kept bathroom and shower facilities that receive positive mentions. A camper noted, "The showers were very clean & had good pressure & hot water," which can be particularly important for tent campers without access to private facilities.
Diverse accommodation options: For tent campers who have friends or family preferring more comfort, several campgrounds offer cabin alternatives. One visitor to Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday mentioned, "We stayed in the deluxe cabin for one night and loved it! The cabin was so cute and well kept. It came with a fridge, stove, and bathroom."
Water recreation: Shady Point Campground provides direct lake access that enhances the tent camping experience. "It sits on Bair Lake and was great for swimming. The bathroom and showers were well maintained," noted a recent visitor, highlighting both the natural amenities and facility maintenance.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most tent campgrounds near Kalamazoo MI shut down during colder months, with specific operational calendars varying by location. Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday operates from "May 1 to October 12," while other campgrounds may close earlier or open later depending on weather conditions.
Site variability: Tent sites can differ significantly in size, privacy, and proximity to amenities. At Sandy Pines RV Resort and Campground, a camper observed, "they pack the seasonal lots in so tight-there is a large amount of people for a small lake," indicating potential crowding issues during peak season.
Amenity limitations: Some campgrounds prioritize RV camping over tent camping, affecting available services. Regarding Sandy Pines, one camper cautioned, "if you have a large camper, you can only get a spot in phase 3, which is really far away from all of the fun activities," which suggests tent campers might face similar location challenges.
Tips for camping with families
Activity schedules: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday offers programmed entertainment specifically for children. "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," shared one family who visited.
Beach facilities: When tent camping with children, access to swimming areas becomes particularly important. At East Lake Camping, families appreciate that "sites were clean, kids loved the beach and play area," providing natural entertainment options throughout the day.
Transportation considerations: Larger campgrounds may require additional planning for families with young children. At Sandy Pines, a camper noted, "You can rent a golf cart. We had our bikes and it wasn't bad, but it's almost too big of a campground," suggesting families should consider how they'll navigate larger properties.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: For tent campers considering mixed-use campgrounds, understanding site spacing helps with selection. A visitor to Lakeside Campground observed the property is now "all seasonal campers" but owners were "super nice and found room for us for one night layover," indicating flexibility for tent campers needing short stays.
Weather preparation: The sandy soil common in Kalamazoo area campgrounds affects both tent and RV setups. At Coloma/St. Joseph KOA, a camper warned, "Muddy! Wear Boots... Because it rained rather heavily, it makes it formed a huge collection of water... expect mud basically everywhere," highlighting the importance of appropriate footwear and site selection during wet periods.
Store supplies: Tent campers benefit from on-site stores when forgetting essentials. Shady Point Campground offers "a well stocked store with very reasonable prices," which can save campers from lengthy supply runs during their stay.
