Tent camping near Marcellus, Michigan provides access to freshwater lakes, rolling farmlands, and sandy terrain typical of southwest Michigan's landscape. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 800-900 feet above sea level and experience hot summers with temperatures regularly reaching the mid-80s during peak camping season. While established campgrounds are most common, primitive sites can be found along waterways for paddlers seeking more solitude.
What to do
Water activities on Bair Lake: Shady Point Campground in Jones offers direct lake access with swimming opportunities. "It sits on Bair Lake and was great for swimming," notes Nicole P., who appreciated the well-maintained facilities during a family stay.
Blueberry 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.
Biking the Kal-Haven Trail: Located 14 miles from Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday, the Kal-Haven bike trail connects South Haven to Kalamazoo. "We rode 47 miles round trip from Bloomingdale to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo," reports one camper who used the trail system.
What campers like
Small, private campgrounds: WaterTrail Ventures Paddle Respite offers just three tent sites with an intimate camping experience. "This little campground is definitely off the beaten path. We kayaked there from Allegan and was treated to more wildlife viewing opportunities than we could ask for," writes Jeremy K.
Wildlife viewing: Many campers report excellent wildlife sightings, especially along waterways. "It's close to the river but set back far enough so that during a downpour you won't be worrying and the drive to get to the site is quaint and peaceful," explains Kayla C. about her experience at WaterTrail Ventures.
Beach access: Sweet Cherry Resort provides tent campers with quick access to Lake Michigan beaches. "Best part is that it's a 3 minute drive to a public beach with great swimming and a beautiful sunset," reports Alyssa, who enjoyed having the campground almost to herself during off-peak times.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the Marcellus area operate from May through October, with Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday specifically open April 17 to October 18. Plan accordingly as off-season camping options are limited.
Tent site layouts: At Sweet Cherry Resort, "Tent sites are all in one cleared area that is a short walk from the parking spots," which means gear must be carried in rather than driving directly to your site.
Reservation needs: Many smaller campgrounds have limited tent sites. Lakeside Campground in Jones has converted primarily to seasonal campers. One visitor noted, "Campground is all seasonal campers now. Owners were super nice and found room for us for one night layover."
Weather considerations: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday visitors mention potential for muddy conditions after rain. "The bathrooms are semi clean, but expect mud basically everywhere. Bring rain boots for mud!" advises Devina M.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday offers extensive family programming. "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," reports Cassie B.
Campground size consideration: Smaller campgrounds provide better supervision options. "It was small enough for our kids to ride bikes around alone and they frequented the park, which we could see from our site," notes a family who stayed at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA.
Swimming options: Pool designs vary between campgrounds. Cassie B. points out a limitation at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA: "No steps to walk in so it was very hard for our 2 smallest kids to use it. Not a problem for older kids who can swim, but disappointing for smaller kids."
Tips from RVers
Site size variations: Shady Point Campground accommodates various RV sizes. "Was in a pull behind. Everything was easy and calm. Kids loves it. No problems," reports Sharlyn O., indicating the campground can handle smaller trailers comfortably.
Store and supply access: Shady Point Campground offers convenient on-site shopping. "There was also a well stocked store with very reasonable prices," notes Nicole P., making it unnecessary to leave the grounds for basic supplies.
Site layout considerations: Many campgrounds in the area provide limited privacy between sites. "Small sites, lots of people... Just too crowded for our tastes," mentions Lori S. about her experience, suggesting tent campers seeking solitude should research site spacing carefully before booking.
