Campgrounds near Covert, Michigan sit on sandy terrain formed by glacial deposits along Lake Michigan's eastern shore. The area averages 37 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush wooded campsites that contrast with the open dunes. Winter camping isn't recommended as temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through March, with lake-effect snow common in this region.
What to do
Hike the dunes: Van Buren State Park Campground offers direct access to Lake Michigan dunes with varying difficulty levels. "There's a huge sand dune to climb, and you can watch the sun set over the lake every night," notes reviewer Thomas B., who also mentions you can "take a flat, paved bike path that takes you to the quaint town of South Haven."
Try berry picking: Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday features on-site blueberry fields during summer months. "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!" shares Cindy B.
Fishing opportunities: Local campgrounds offer catch-and-release fishing ponds. "On site fishing ponds are catch and release with lots of active fish to enjoy," mentions Kerry T. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park. Most fishing spots are stocked seasonally and don't require a Michigan fishing license when on private campground property.
What campers like
Access to Lake Michigan beaches: Van Buren State Park Campground provides simple beach access. "Walkable access to Lake Michigan is unbeatable! Bathrooms are very clean," says Kaitlin R., though Thomas B. cautions that "the beach is pretty much non-existent... there is literally no more than five feet of sand."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention bathroom cleanliness. "New washhouse, rinse off after lake play," notes Melissa M. about Covert Park Beach & Campground, while Chris M. adds it has a "brand new bath house in the bigger loop" and "most sites were at least partially shaded."
Quiet atmosphere: Dune Lake Campground earns praise for its peaceful setting. "The campground is big, there is enough place for group camping. The site were far from each other so you canot hire the noise from other campers," states Meri S. The campground sits in a valley between dunes, blocking highway noise.
What you should know
Tent site locations vary significantly: Covert Park Beach & Campground has specific tent areas. "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," reports Jennifer O. Regular tent sites have different access points.
Cell service limitations: Coverage gaps exist throughout the area. Chris M. notes, "Cellular data was poor in the campground and on the beach - we needed a 5-minute drive to get good Verizon coverage." AT&T coverage tends to be slightly better but still spotty in wooded areas.
Beach conditions change year to year: Water levels vary significantly. "Beach is washing away, black sand for most of it, maybe due to storm. Still plenty when we went 7/2020 for kids to play," reports Melissa M. Lake Michigan water levels have fluctuated dramatically in recent years.
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with activities: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday offers many family options. "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," shares Cassie B.
Find lakeside swimming spots: Dune Lake Campground features a small lake. "Nice swimming lake with a shallow area that's great for kids. Quiet, family oriented and well maintained," explains Dan W. This provides a calmer alternative to Lake Michigan when waves are high.
Consider dog-friendly campgrounds near Covert: Warren Dunes State Park has designated dog areas. "The best part, dog friendly off leash beach! If you travel with dogs, it's a great campground!" recommends Amy G., though she notes "there is no alcohol allowed on the grounds."
Tips from RVers
Book early for preferred sites: Kal-Haven Outpost offers good RV accommodations. "All spots are pull through. And all spots are close to the bathrooms," notes Kit S. The campground tends to fill quickly during summer weekends.
Check for utilities placement: Site layouts can cause hookup challenges. "Most sites the electrical box and water hook up is on the wrong side of the site," reports Melissa M., who advises to "bring extra line... we have 50ft hose so we were fine there (line goes through the middle of the site) and 25ft electrical."
Consider seasonal weather impacts: Spring camping often means muddy conditions. "The sites and the roads in the campground are all dirt so while we were there it was exceptionally dusty. I could imagine that when they have a lot of rain, it is exceptionally muddy," observes Cindy B.
Legend
