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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
