Best Tent Camping near Niles, MI

Tent campsites near Niles, Michigan provide a mix of established campgrounds and walk-in tent locations within a short drive of Lake Michigan. Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday offers tent camping with amenities including drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables, while Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday provides both drive-in and walk-in tent sites. For a more secluded experience, Sunflower Farm Camping features walk-in tent sites approximately 30 miles northwest of Niles.

Most tent campgrounds in the Niles area feature dirt or sand surfaces due to the region's natural terrain. The Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes National Park offer hike-in tent camping with basic amenities including toilets and water hookups, though fires are not permitted. Sweet Cherry Resort provides dedicated tent sites with picnic tables, fire rings and access to showers and toilets. Sites at Lakeside Campground include electric hookups and picnic tables, though they primarily serve seasonal campers now. Campers should note that alcohol policies vary between campgrounds, with some properties prohibiting it entirely.

Walk-in tent sites offer a more immersive natural experience compared to drive-in locations. Sunflower Farm Camping provides small, intimate tent camping with only four designated sites, creating a quieter atmosphere. The proximity to Lake Michigan beaches is a significant draw for tent campers in the region, with several campgrounds located within a short drive of public swimming areas. At Sweet Cherry Resort, tent sites are grouped in a cleared area separate from other accommodation types, providing additional privacy. According to one visitor, "Tent sites are all in one cleared area that is a short walk from the parking spots. Showers and bathrooms were clean. Best part is that it's a 3 minute drive to a public beach with great swimming."

Best Tent Sites Near Niles, Michigan (13)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 13 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Niles, MI

695 Reviews of 13 Niles Campgrounds


  • H
    May. 26, 2022

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Great stay, come ready

    We stayed two nights in mid-May, at site number 72. Area was gorgeous, well maintained, shady and quiet. Tons of hiking trails in very close proximity to the campground! There is electricity on site, but no water or sewage at each site. However there is a water fill station and a dump station. So just come prepared. Also, they have a very strict no alcohol policy. Not that that stopped people, but don't go walking around with a beer bottle! We would definitely return.

  • Elizabeth G.
    Oct. 5, 2021

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Pleasant and quiet

    Stayed in site 43 of the Douglas loop. Douglas loop is all non electric.

    Our site was big enough for our tents, a picnic table and fire ring. The bathrooms/showers are really close by which is nice but you do get the lights from the bathroom facing site 43. Not a big deal but if you’re looking for more darkness then definitely choose one of the other sites around 43.

    All parking sites are paved for camper vans/trailers but no water or power hookups. All sites have nice huge tent pads that are nice and level. Only noise we heard was the train every now and then.

    The showers are individual rooms separate from the bathrooms. And there’s a gas station and liquor store near the entrance of the campground for fire wood and beer.

    I didn’t get to stay in the walk in campsites but they are very nice and close-ish to the showers.

  • T
    Apr. 15, 2021

    Ely Lake Campground

    Keyword: RUSTIC

    This is our "home base" campground. It's familiar. We've been coming here for decades. Comfortable, and quiet(for the most part).

    Caveat: no electric, no running water, no sewer/septic, no dump, no fill... Can run your generator(inverter type is best). Solar is a negative due to tree cover.

    Vault toilets only, and pitcher pumps for water. There is a dumpster available in the busier parts of the season but this campground is open year round.

    No playground. Just the beach and the trails.

    Sites range from small tent sites to fairly large, but the "roads" inside the campground are tight so think twice before bringing the longer 5th wheels.

    In short, if you want a quiet getaway from your usual then this is a great place to go. If you're expecting a pool, arcade, and dining hall... Look elsewhere.

  • Olivia S.
    Jul. 20, 2020

    Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp Resort-South Haven, MI

    This is my top pick for South Haven

    Although this campground has great amenities, a pool, clean showers, and good sites/cabins, it is hard to book. If you know you are going to come to this area and camp, you need to book it a while in advance. I have used a pop-up and there was good space between campers. When I tent camped, we had a great spot near the cafe, the showers are amazing over there, they are more secluded. Our tent spot had electric, water, picnic table and fire ring. We camped on the grass and there is gravel to park your car. This campground is a perfect place to stay when visiting surrounding towns and going to the beach.

    Don’t forget to go to Sherman’s!!

    There was a forecast or rain, don’t mind the tarp

  • Chris M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2020

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Clean & Spacious

    We pulled in around 4:30 in the evening. The sight was spacious with plenty of room in between sites. Since the weather was cooler , it was pretty sparse with other campers. We stayed 2 nights over the weekend. You are within walking distance to the beach within the park. The buildings have great architecture. The sight had 50 amp electric hook ups but no water or sewer connections, and we knew that going in. We had a back in sight #69. There was plenty of space on all sides. We have a 37’ motorhome and pulled a Jeep behind it. There was plenty of room to maneuver around. The sight also had a wood picnic table and fire ring for a wood fire pit. We will definitely be back! I wish I had taken more photos from the beach and beach pavilion.

  • B
    Jun. 11, 2023

    Covert Park Beach & Campground

    Great Lakeside Camp

    Great campground. Better cared for than a State Park and better accommodations, too. Newish shower house with 6 uni-sex showers (all with their own locking doors). Water mechanisms on several made hot water a little tricky… test before you undress haha. If 5+ showers are in use, don't count on much hot water.

    Very friendly operators and employees. Genuinely interested in how you're doing. Above average camp store and they even deliver your firewood order to your site for you ($7 for a 15"x15"ish bundle).

    Beach access is easy and the beach is nice. On the cooler week we were there, would only see one or two other people out if any, but when school gets out mid-June, sounds like it gets busier. Our Monday-Friday stay saw us as the only tent campers which was great. Our kids enjoyed the playground and we made use of the grills by the picnic shelter a few times.

    All tent sites (except for T12) are walk in (but most are only 100-300 feet).

    Tent Sites 1, 2, 3, 11 and 12 as well as the group site are on their own away from the main loops. They are served by a flush toilet with running (cold) water. Or you can make the slightly longer walk to the shower house.

    Tent 1 is 100 foot walk, small site, easily visible from T-2 and 3 as well as the group site.

    Tent 2 is medium sized, across from T-3 and visible from T-1 and T-3. 

    Tent 3 is large. Slightly overlooks the group site and can see T-1 and T-2.

    Tent 4 is large, but almost totally isolated. It's surrounded by hills (although T-5 is on one of those hills so could overlook it. Long walk to bathroom.

    Tent 5 overlooks 4 a little and is a medium sized site. Also long walk to bathroom.

    Tent 6 is elevated above everything so overlooks T-5, T-7 and the RV loop. It's a huge site with nothing but nature around and above you. Long walk to bathroom.

    Tent 7 shortest walk to car parking, but surrounded by other sites. Access to other sites runs through site as well.

    Tent 8 and 9 are basically one large site with two tables and fire rings. Requires a walk up several flights of stairs, but puts you on top of a bluff that, without trees, would give you a view of the lake. They charge a premium for these sites.

    Tent 11 is probably the longest walk… you walk past T-1,2,3, then up 70 steps to the top of a ridge. You cannot see or be seen and the picnic table is covered with a shelter. Not a ton of space, but a great site for a lite packer.

    Tent 12 is a drive in site right next to the bathroom and the main drive into the campground.

    We were pleasantly surprised and, outside of a cold shower or two, never disappointed in our stay.

  • Gay G.
    Aug. 19, 2021

    Thousand Trails Bear Cave

    Great Campground

    This is a nice, family friendly campground. Lots of very friendly other campers, a heated pool, playground for the kids, nice size lots with fire pits, picnic tables, electric& water (including at tent sites). Pool has an ADA lift chair. 2 shower/bath houses, camp store, a real bear cave you can tour in (free), a creek that meanders through it. The resort sits on the St. Joseph river & this park has a boat ramp & dock for fishing. There is a gate that campers need a code to get into so it keeps out unwanted’s. Nice staff. Yolanda is a great manager. Security, a ‘honey wagon’. Laundry center. Quiet hours are 10p-8a. It’s near Buchanan Michigan and the RED BUD Motor Cross track. Very friendly people, always stopping and talking.

  • Laura H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2020

    Twin Mills Camping Resort

    Beautiful Wooded Campground

    Twin Mills is a really beautiful and quiet RV Campground, with tall trees in Northern Indiana. We frequent this location when getting RV Repairs and visiting Elkhart, the birth place of most RVs.

    There are cabins and tent sites and a large lake access point with a beach area. The playgrounds seemed to be in good shape and the dumpsters were centrally located.

    The park has a gate entrance for security.

    There is a large pool area and basketball court.

    There are several sections in the park, some more wooded and narrow sites, some are more spread out.

    Cellular: T-Mobile had good signal strength and bandwidth, AT&T was not as good but still doable.

    Most of the sites are full hook up, some have 30amp and some have 50amp.

    Amenities: Pool Clubhouse Basketball Volleyball Picnic tables Fire rings Trash Playground Lake access Beach area Dock Cabins Tent sites

  • Brian O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 12, 2020

    Shamrock Park

    Great for fishing

    We wanted to stay at Warren Dunes State Park, but I think this discovery was a better choice. A clean and friendly municipal campground on the St. Joseph River. The grounds are mostly open with little shade, but we had a tent site by the river and trees. What impressed me most was that they have a building specifically for cleaning fish, with scales, cutting boards and sinks. Another nice feature is the outdoor sink at the shower & restroom building for campers to wash dishes. As tent campers I wish more places had a set up like that. There’s a large stack of firewood, so it’s easy to get a bundle that’s good and dry. We did go to Warren Dunes for an afternoon. It’s busy and crowded. If you go to the beach, be aware there’s very little shade. North of there is Grand Mere State Park, which is better for hiking. In Berrien Springs, check out Zick’s specialty meats across the river from the camp.


Guide to Niles

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Niles, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Niles, MI is Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday with a 4.4-star rating from 14 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Niles, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Niles, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.