Tent camping near Niles, Michigan offers opportunities within a 30-mile radius, with most sites situated on sandy soil characteristic of southwestern Michigan's glacial landscape. The area experiences warm summers with temperatures averaging 80-85°F from June through August, while spring and fall camping seasons bring cooler temperatures with occasional rainfall. Tent sites typically range from primitive walk-in locations to established grounds with electrical hookups.
What to do
Blueberry picking season: During summer months, Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday offers a unique camping experience with 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!" notes camper Cindy B.
Lake swimming access: Many tent campsites provide proximity to swimming areas. At Sweet Cherry Resort, campers appreciate the convenient beach access. "Best part is that it's a 3 minute drive to a public beach with great swimming and a beautiful sunset," reports Alyssa.
Biking excursions: The Kal-Haven trail offers extensive biking opportunities from South Haven. "We rode 47 miles round trip from Bloomingdale to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo," shares a Covert/South Haven KOA camper.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds feature on-site fishing ponds for catch-and-release fishing. "On site fishing ponds are catch and release with lots of active fish to enjoy," mentions Kerry T. about their camping experience.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes National Park offers secluded tent camping. "The spot was clean. It's far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy. The walk to the beach was not too long," reports Don W.
Family-oriented activities: Many campgrounds cater specifically to families with children. "This campground never disappoints. Heated pool and lots of activities for kids. Camp with blueberries right outside your door!" shares Amy J.
Clean facilities: Tent campers frequently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. "Showers and bathrooms were clean. Pool looked nice," notes a Sweet Cherry Resort visitor.
Proximity to Lake Michigan: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday provides access to Lake Michigan beaches. "Very close to Lake Michigan and the beach!" mentions Katie S., highlighting the regional draw of lakeside access.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through October, with limited or no winter camping options due to Michigan's cold climate.
Varying alcohol policies: Policies differ between campgrounds. Alcohol is permitted at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday, Sweet Cherry Resort, and Shady Point Campground, but prohibited at Covert/South Haven KOA.
Fire restrictions: While most campgrounds allow campfires, Central Avenue Walk-in Sites prohibits fires entirely due to conservation concerns.
Ground conditions: The sandy soil can impact tent stability. "Muddy! Wear Boots. The campground itself is lovely and the couples that live there during the open season are extraordinarily kind... Bring rain boots for mud!" advises Devina M.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Choose campgrounds with structured children's programming. "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. from Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday.
Campground size considerations: Smaller campgrounds provide more independence for children. "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 KOA visitor.
Alternate accommodations: Sunflower Farm Camping offers a more intimate camping experience with only four designated tent sites, creating a quieter atmosphere for families seeking less crowded conditions.
Swimming options: Verify pool access and features. "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," cautions one reviewer about pool design.
Tips from RVers
Campsite surface conditions: Weather significantly impacts site quality at some locations. "Our site was horrid - a full hook up with a fire pit in the mud pond. We had mosquito soup for the rear of our very small campsite," warns Kim L. about one experience during wet weather.
Seasonal occupancy: Lakeside Campground primarily serves seasonal campers now but may accommodate short stays. "Campground is all seasonal campers now. Owners were super nice and found room for us for one night layover," notes Noel L., indicating limited availability for temporary campers.
Site spacing considerations: RV campers note the proximity of sites impacts privacy. "Small sites, lots of people. Camp hosts were fantastic as were camp store employees. Nice store and pizza shop. Just too crowded for our tastes," shares Lori S. about their experience.