Tent campsites near Mattawan, Michigan offer access to southwest Michigan's inland lakes and deciduous forest areas typical of the region's glacial topography. Most campsites sit on gently rolling terrain with varying soil types, though sandy conditions predominate across the area. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during camping season with occasional thunderstorms common in July and August.
What to do
Blueberry picking at the campsite: During summer months, Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday features accessible blueberry patches throughout the grounds. "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 stayed there.
Fishing ponds for beginners: Several campgrounds maintain stocked fishing areas that don't require a Michigan fishing license. "On site fishing ponds are catch and release with lots of active fish to enjoy," explains a visitor to Covert/South Haven KOA about their well-maintained fishing amenities.
Kalamazoo River paddling: WaterTrail Ventures Paddle Respite offers tent sites accessible both by road and by water for paddlers. A kayaker who stayed there notes: "We kayaked there from Allegan and was treated to more wildlife viewing opportunities than we could ask for." The campground serves as a convenient stop for multi-day paddling trips.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Tent campers particularly value well-maintained facilities at East Lake Camping, which has earned praise for its amenities. A recent visitor noted "The bathrooms were wonderful with great hot water and water pressure," making it convenient for tent campers without RV facilities.
Private swimming areas: Several campgrounds feature dedicated swimming beaches on small inland lakes. Watertrail Ventures gets high marks for its "private beach. Great swimming, in a very private area. It also has great trails for walking," according to a recent tent camper.
Kid-friendly activities: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday offers structured entertainment for families with young children. One visitor shared: "They have movie nights, we met Disney characters, did crafts, and enjoyed the barrel train & ice cream sundaes. The actual spots aren't huge, but since the campground is smaller that wasn't a shock."
What you should know
Seasonal campers dominate waterfront sites: Many lakeside campgrounds in the region allocate prime waterfront sites to seasonal campers. At East Lake Camping, a visitor observed "Most people here are seasonal, occupying almost all the lakefront sites. We may have seen one lakefront available for renters."
Sandy soil affects tent setup: The region's sandy soil can make tent stake placement challenging. Packing longer and wider tent stakes helps secure tents in the loose soil common throughout southwest Michigan's camping areas.
Variable cell service: Reception varies widely across the Mattawan region's campgrounds, with better connectivity at larger established campgrounds and spotty service at more primitive sites. Most KOAs offer WiFi as an amenity.
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Shady Point Campground offers family-friendly facilities including playgrounds and recreational areas. A family who stayed four nights noted: "It had playgrounds and basketball court and a small 'game' room. There was also a well stocked store with very reasonable prices. It sits on Bair Lake and was great for swimming."
Swimming beach options: Several campgrounds within 30 minutes of Mattawan feature swimming beaches on inland lakes with gradual entry areas. However, some pool facilities lack child-friendly features. At Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday, one parent mentioned: "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."
Weather preparedness: The region experiences frequent summer afternoon thunderstorms. Campground staff at several locations actively monitor weather conditions for safety. One camper at Covert/South Haven KOA recalled: "A tornado passed within a mile or so of the campground and the employees were out within minutes to make sure everyone was o.k."
Tips from RVers
Layover accommodations: Lakeside Campground in Jones can accommodate overnight stops for travelers passing through the area. "Campground is all seasonal campers now. Owners were super nice and found room for us for one night layover," reported an RV camper seeking a brief stay.
Off-peak advantages: Camping during weekdays or shoulder seasons (May/September) provides better site selection and quieter conditions at most campgrounds near Mattawan. Sites that accommodate both tents and RVs tend to have more availability Sunday through Thursday.
Campground size considerations: Many campers note that smaller campgrounds offer better experiences for families. One visitor to Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday explained: "It was small enough for our kids to ride bikes around alone and they frequented the park, which we could see from our site."
