95 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several good camping options surround Saint Joseph, Michigan. Warren Dunes State Park Campground has beach access and hiking trails that many campers enjoy. Potato Creek State Park Campground sits nearby with private sites and plenty of trails for hiking and biking. Michigan City Campground maintains clean facilities with staff who know the area well. These campgrounds range from beachfront areas to wooded sites depending on what you prefer. Mosquitoes can be bad in summer, so bring repellent. Check on current fire rules before lighting a campfire as restrictions change seasonally. You should book ahead, especially from June through August when sites fill quickly. Most places accommodate both tents and RVs with varying levels of hookups. Lake Michigan is close enough for fishing trips and kayaking from many of these sites. Some campgrounds sit near highways, which means road noise might be an issue at night. Saint Joseph has camping that works for quiet getaways or family trips with kids. Pack for changing weather and take time to check out the natural areas around the lake.
"Happened upon this Gem when driving the coast of Lake Michigan. Watched the solar eclipse from the beach. The DBR had a viewing area setup for adults and kids. "
"I’m 36 now, so it’s safe to say that I pretty much know the park like the back of my hand, and it truly has become a home away from home. Actually I prefer being there over my main home."
from $45 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Great camp ground just a stones throw away from Lake Michigan. Sites are on the smaller side but we’re tent campers so it worked for us! Nice bathroom facilities."
"Really nice campground with a few cabins on Lake Michigan. Campsites are about 1/2 mile walk or less to the beach. Nice facilities, and overall kept up very well."
from $50 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Showers close by. All in all we had a great first experience and would recommend this campground. Very close to Lake Michigan and the beach!"
"The store has everything you could need and if they don't, there is a gas station right outside of entrance. Close to the lake, will visit again!"
from $60 - $120 / night
Check Availability"Not only is it a short distance from our home but it is a short walk to Lake Michigan! The campground has tree-lined lots and some of the loops are very wooded."
"Walkable access to Lake Michigan is unbeatable! Bathrooms are very clean."
from $41 - $46 / night
Check Availability"St. Joseph River. Open all year. Many long term campers. $35 gets you a level full hook up site with WiFi. Very clean and well maintained with friendly staff."
"St. Joseph River. The grounds are mostly open with little shade, but we had a tent site by the river and trees."
from $10 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Pros: Lake Michigan is right there! We walked down to sunset and it was a 5 min walk max."
"Close to beach of Lake Michigan. Walk in primitive tent site is what I stayed at. Many other sites available. Quiet at night. Great staff"
from $40 - $100 / night
Check Availability"St. Joseph River in southwest Michigan. There is also a waterfall right next to the cave. There is a boat launch and a few docks that can be used. The sites are a bit on the smaller side."
"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."
"Nice very busy pool and slide, play areas, walking trail, camp store with hot food. Not far from Lake Michigan and places to buy fresh fruit and veggies. Check it out you'll be happy you did."
"This is a great place to camp with young children, as there are many activities around the camp. It is family owned and operated and you can tell- warm and friendly."
"Eden Springs Campground & RV Park in Benton Harbor, Michigan, run by camp manager Cindy, may well be one of our favorite small town parks! "
"You can walk around the campground and check out the restoration on these early buildings (and a flower bed shaped like a battle ship), take a train ride with the kids around part of the grounds, and hang"
from $53 - $59 / night
Check Availability"Close to Lake Michigan and South Haven. Nice swimming lake with a shallow area that’s great for kids. Quiet, family oriented and well maintained."
"Lots of wooded lots, little lake for kiddos to play in and a small playground. most sites are easy to pull into, the tall trees stop most of the wind."
GuideThis campground has lots of spaces, but fills up quickly so plan ahead. It has clean restrooms, dump and water, but no electricity. Mosquitoes and gnats were very bad and it was very humid, so nights were challenging. Had to leave windows shut and quiet hours, so no generator. Reasonably priced and campground hosts to their jobs very seriously.
ScoutHas a lake very wooded and private wooded trails
LegendWe have camped every summer here for years for an annual rally that is hosted here
It’s great that we have the air conditioned rally room that our group rents for all our events and space to spend with group if it’s rainy or hot
There is a differnt experience in park depending on where you stay - if your in full sun open area in summer it’s miserable but if your in the wooded area it’s much nicer
The bathrooms are not the best - they are outdated but have hot water and work great - I prefer the bathhouse by the wooded area over the one in the big building - showers are nicer
The lots are clean and hook ups all work great
Pool is showing it’s age but still clean and kids love to swim in it
ScoutEveryone here was helpful and very welcoming
TravelerGreat rates! Lots of stuff to keep our 2 year old granddaughter busy and entertained. Everyone is friendly. They have a little cafe and ice cream shop with yummy treats! Showers and bathrooms are kept very clean, and the pool is nice. Our granddaughters favorite is the bounce pad and the petting zoo.
TravelerI stayed here for one night solo tent camping. Overall the campground was in really good shape, lots of sand, and the vault toilets are clean. However, the campground is really close to the highway. Other reviews mentioned this, but I’m a heavy sleeper so I thought I would be ok. I was not. Bring noise canceling headphones or ear plugs if you’re tent camping here.
Also, I stayed in 208, and there is space for a hammock!. It was quite close to the campsite 207, so if you’re planning a group trip and you are all tent camping. 206, 207, and 208 would be great for a big group.
ScoutLots of wooded lots, little lake for kiddos to play in and a small playground. most sites are easy to pull into, the tall trees stop most of the wind. Mosquitos can be bad at times recommended a bug tent. Small Lake Michigan beach within a quick drive about 5-10 min. U- pick them blueberry patch’s are around when in season. Overall great stay and a good place just to relax and unwind.
ScoutBobbie and Tony thank u so much guys are amazing! If ur planning on camping everyone's so welcoming u can tell they really care about the grounds eveything is kept very clean with friendly camp ground neighbors my bf and I were traveling with our dog and found this camp ground randomly and we are so glad we found it we will absolutely be back
LegendPremium sites worth it. Old camp sites are crowded and very tight. Not sure it’s be the same experience.Clean, nice staff, nice camp store, great pool and hot tub, clean and updated bathrooms and showers. Much less crowded and cleaner facilities than state park near by, but more expensive.
Camping sites near St. Joseph, Michigan tend to fill quickly during peak season due to their location on Lake Michigan's eastern shore, where summer temperatures average 75-85°F. Most campgrounds sit on sandy soil formed from ancient dune systems, creating natural drainage that minimizes standing water even after heavy rainfall. Vehicle access can be challenging at several locations when pulling larger trailers or RVs through wooded areas.
Beach hiking trails: 10-15 minutes from Warren Dunes State Park Campground features multiple trail difficulty levels with signage directing hikers to shoreline access points. "Mt. Randall is the high dune to climb but not for the faint of heart!!! And beware, the sand does get HOT midday," warns Heidi S. Remember that climbing the dunes requires proper footwear during summer afternoons.
Fishing access: 5 minutes from Bear Cave RV Campground offers river fishing on the St. Joseph River with multiple dock locations. "The park sits on the St. Joseph river & this park has a boat ramp & dock for fishing," notes Gay G. Seasonal campers report catching bass and pan fish regularly through summer months.
Blueberry picking: On-site at Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday allows morning harvest 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. Fields typically open for picking by 9am through mid-August.
Private beach access: Weko Beach Campground sits steps from Lake Michigan shoreline with fewer crowds than public beaches. "Really nice campground with a few cabins on Lake Michigan. Campsites are about 1/2 mile walk or less to the beach," explains Ryan L T. Beach access remains open to campers after public hours, allowing late evening stargazing opportunities.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness varies significantly between campgrounds, with newer facilities available at certain locations. "The bathroom seemed newer (South modern loop) with clean bathrooms (cleaned at least twice a day) and private shower stalls," notes Heidi S. about Warren Dunes State Park. Most campgrounds clean facilities twice daily during peak season.
Historical exploration: Eden Springs Park Campground contains restored historical buildings from the early 1900s. "There's a lot of interesting history here. It was a cult at one time, there used to be a vegan restaurant and an ice cream parlor, and there was a hotel here at one point as well," explains Daniel B. Weekend train rides circle the property showcasing restoration projects.
Alcohol policies: Several state park campgrounds prohibit alcohol completely with regular enforcement. "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," reports Dave E. about Warren Dunes State Park.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by carrier across the area. "Cellular data was poor in the campground and on the beach - we needed a 5-minute drive to get good Verizon coverage," explains Chris M. about Weko Beach Campground. Most campgrounds offer WiFi near office buildings but not throughout camping areas.
Water levels fluctuate: Beach sizes change annually based on Lake Michigan water levels. "You walk down through the pretty dunes, but there is literally no more than five feet of sand, and even less if the wind is blowing waves in off the lake," describes Thomas B. about Van Buren State Park. Check current conditions before planning beach activities.
Multiple playgrounds: Shamrock Park offers spacious play areas visible from many campsites. "They have big playgrounds that the kids enjoyed. Along with horseshoes, basketball, and volley ball courts," shares Erik O. Equipment for yard games can often be borrowed from campground offices.
Weekend activities: Scheduled events occur primarily Friday-Sunday at most campgrounds. "They have movie nights, we met Disney characters, did crafts, and enjoyed the barrel train & ice cream sundaes," shares Cassie B. about Coloma/St. Joseph KOA. Activity schedules typically post Thursday afternoons at campground offices.
Swimming options: Lakes beyond Michigan provide swimming alternatives with fewer waves. "Nice swimming lake with a shallow area that's great for kids," Dan W. notes about Dune Lake Campground. Many inland lakes maintain warmer water temperatures than Lake Michigan by 5-10 degrees throughout summer.
Site leveling challenges: Sandy soil creates uneven surfaces at several campgrounds. "Because it rained rather heavily, it makes it formed a huge collection of water," warns Devina M. about Eden Springs Park. Bring extra leveling blocks as many sites require 3-4 inches of adjustment.
RV size limitations: Several campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. "The sites are designed so that no camper or RV faces a sewer connection. All of the hook ups are centrally located between two sites, with each rig having their driver side towards the hookups," explains Bart S. Trailers over 35 feet need to call ahead for appropriate site assignments.
Honey wagon services: When sewer connections aren't available, pump-out services operate at most campgrounds. "This is a 1st come 1st serve choose your own camp site. Most of the full hookups are taken 1st by the annuals. Sucks really but they do have an onsite honeypot which will suck out your tanks for $10 each time around," advises Jack about Bear Cave RV Campground. Schedule pump services early morning for same-day completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does camping cost in St. Joseph, Michigan?
Camping costs in St. Joseph area vary by amenities and location. Shamrock Park offers full hookup sites for $35 per night, making it an affordable option with WiFi included. For budget-conscious campers seeking monthly rates, Eden Springs Park Campground in nearby Benton Harbor provides excellent value at approximately $375 for a full month. Prices typically increase for premium locations and amenities, with state parks in the region generally charging $25-45 per night depending on the season and hookup options. Most campgrounds offer discounts for extended stays and may have different rates for tent sites versus RV sites with full hookups.
Where are the best campgrounds in St. Joseph, Michigan?
The St. Joseph area offers several exceptional camping options. Thousand Trails Bear Cave stands out with its unique attraction of an actual cave you can tour, beautiful waterfall, and location on the banks of the St. Joseph River. It features a heated pool, playground, and spacious sites with fire pits and picnic tables. For those seeking a premium experience, Michigan City Campground just a short drive away offers beautifully maintained grounds with 90-foot pull-through sites, 50A service, cement patios, and exceptional WiFi. Other highly-rated options include Warren Dunes State Park for beach access and Covert Park for its proximity to Lake Michigan. The best choice depends on your priorities: riverside relaxation, family activities, or beach access.
Is beach camping available near Silver Beach in St. Joseph?
While direct camping on Silver Beach itself isn't permitted, several nearby options provide beach access. Covert Park Beach & Campground offers camping with beach access, though you'll want to bring extra utility lines as hookups are sometimes positioned awkwardly. For a true beach camping experience, Weko Beach Campground in Bridgman provides sites close to Lake Michigan's shoreline. Silver Beach visitors typically stay at campgrounds within a short drive and make day trips to the beach. For those prioritizing Lake Michigan views, Holland State Park campgrounds and Warren Dunes State Park also offer beach proximity within a reasonable drive from St. Joseph. Reserve early for summer weekends as these lakeside sites fill quickly.
What are the camping options for long-term stays in St. Joseph?
St. Joseph offers several excellent long-term camping options. Eden Springs Park Campground in nearby Benton Harbor is particularly well-suited for extended stays, offering monthly rates around $375 with well-maintained facilities and a quiet atmosphere. Local favorite Shamrock Park accommodates many long-term campers with full hookup sites at reasonable rates, operating year-round on the St. Joseph River. When considering extended stays, ask about monthly rate discounts, winter availability (some parks remain open year-round), and specific long-term amenities like mail service and laundry facilities. Be aware that some campgrounds may have waiting lists for extended stays during peak season, so advance planning is essential. Most long-term options provide full hookups and are RV-oriented.
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