Camping sites near Hartford, Michigan cater to diverse outdoor experiences within a 20-mile radius of Lake Michigan's eastern shore. The region features sandy soil conditions that create natural drainage during rainfall, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited winter options available at state parks like Van Buren.
What to do
Biking on Kal-Haven Trail: Access this 33-mile former railroad path directly from Kal-Haven Outpost campground, which sits right along the trail. "We usually tent camp but tried a cabin here this year. It was the perfect option as the campground is right off the trail. They provide linens and have basic supplies right at the general store," explains one visitor who bikes from Kalamazoo to South Haven annually.
Blueberry picking: Visit Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday during summer months for their on-site blueberry fields. "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 a camper who appreciated this unique regional activity.
Fishing ponds: Try catch-and-release fishing at the stocked ponds at Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday. "On site fishing ponds are catch and release with lots of active fish to enjoy," notes a visitor who found the fishing amenity especially appealing.
Train rides and historical exploration: Weekends at Eden Springs Park Campground feature a restored miniature train that takes visitors on tours of the historic grounds. "There is a small path that leads to the beach. Best of all, warm showers everyday!" says one family who stayed at a nearby campground. The campground occupies the grounds of the former House of David religious colony, with buildings dating back to the early 1900s.
What campers like
Lake access variety: Many campgrounds offer different ways to enjoy Lake Michigan. At Warren Dunes State Park Campground, "You can hike or about a 5 to 10 minute drive to the beach. Huge, beautiful dunes on the beach," explains one visitor. The park features both hiking trails through wooded areas and beach access points.
Clean, updated facilities: Campers consistently mention newly renovated bathrooms and shower facilities. "Bathrooms were very clean and showers nice and hot. The two guys who were running the check-in and campground operations were super cool- they were the perfect mix of attentive and laid back," mentions a visitor to Covert Park Beach & Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds in the area provide kid-centered activities. "We had the best time at this campground. The site was clean and well kept when we arrived. The fire pit and the picnic table were in excellent condition. This is a very family friendly campground with a playground and swings," notes a family who stayed at Van Buren State Park Campground.
Private wooded sites: Campers appreciate the balance of forest shade and beach access. "This was our first time staying at Covert Park Beach + Campground. Tree cover is generous, and it really preserves the camping feel. Weekend crowd was fun, friendly and lots of locals," shares a recent visitor who enjoyed the shaded campsites.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Prime sites fill quickly during summer months, especially at state parks. "We wanted to camp, and be close to the local beaches and this was a perfect location to camp at night then drive to South Haven Beach (maybe 10 min drive if that)," explains a visitor to Black River Trails Campground.
Alcohol restrictions: Several campgrounds prohibit alcohol consumption. "Gave Warren Dunes a try a few years back. The dunes themselves were cool. If you go, definitely hike up to the top. One setback was that you can't bring alcohol into the park. I wasn't planning on getting tanked or anything, but it would've been nice to drink a beer around the fire. And if you think the rangers don't enforce that rule, you're wrong," warns one camper.
Cell service limitations: Coverage can be spotty, particularly in campgrounds nestled between dunes. "Cellular data was poor in the campground and on the beach - we needed a 5-minute drive to get good Verizon coverage," notes a visitor to Covert Park Beach & Campground.
Site layouts vary significantly: Some campgrounds feature pull-through sites while others have more traditional back-in arrangements. "All spots are pull through. And all spots are close to the bathrooms," explains a camper at Kal-Haven Outpost, highlighting the convenience of the layout for those with limited mobility.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming alternatives: Lake Michigan can be rough for young swimmers, but several campgrounds offer alternatives. "Nice swimming lake with a shallow area that's great for kids. Quiet, family oriented and well maintained," notes a visitor to Dune Lake Campground, which features a smaller inland lake with designated children's swimming areas.
Activity packages: Some campgrounds bundle child-friendly amenities. "There are a lot of lodging options, tons of kids activities, both free and for a small fee, great pool, cafe and store! Lots of sports equipment to loan as well," shares a family who visited Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday.
Campground size considerations: Smaller campgrounds can provide peace of mind for parents. "It was small enough for our kids to ride bikes around alone and they frequented the park, which we could see from our site. Jumping pillow & mini golf were also a hit," explains a family at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday.
Beach proximity: When beach days are the priority, consider how far you'll need to travel. "There are two separate paths to the lake, one stair case (several steps) and other was a flat path 100 yards or so then maybe 10 steps down to beach," details a visitor to Covert Park Beach & Campground, noting accessibility options for families with strollers or beach gear.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have notoriously uneven sites, particularly in dune areas. "The campground allows anyone to buy daily passes for the beach so the beach can get crowded. Lots of traffic in and out," shares an RVer at Covert Park Beach & Campground, noting how campground traffic patterns affect the camping experience.
Hookup configurations: Pay attention to utility placement when booking. "The map was not true to date and most sites the electrical box and water hook up is on the wrong side of the site. Bring extra line... we have 50ft hose so we were fine there (line goes through the middle of the site) and 25ft electrical and had to re adjust the camper a few times so it would reach," advises an RVer at Covert Park Beach & Campground.
Seasonal considerations: The camping experience varies dramatically by season. "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," notes a camper at Kal-Haven Outpost, highlighting how weather impacts site conditions.
