Cat L.
Scout
ScoutPotato Creek State Park Campground
Great mid spring camping
Swimming, boating, fishing…this was a perfect weekend. The campground and park were easy to navigate and the DNR staff was very helpful and friendly. Highly recommend.
Best Campgrounds near St. Joseph, MI
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.
Campground Showdown near St. Joseph, MI
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Best Camping Sites Near St. Joseph, Michigan (94)
1. Mount Randall Campground — Warren Dunes State Park
63 ReviewsBridgman, MI14 milesWebsite"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."
2. Weko Beach Campground
20 ReviewsBridgman, MI12 milesWebsite+1 (269) 465-3406$50 - $30 / night
"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."
3. Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday
14 ReviewsWatervliet, MI9 milesWebsite+1 (269) 849-3333$60 - $120 / night
"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!"
4. Van Buren State Park Campground
36 ReviewsCovert, MI19 milesWebsite+1 (269) 637-2788"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."
5. Covert Park Beach & Campground
19 ReviewsCovert, MI17 milesWebsite+1 (269) 764-1421$40 - $100 / night
"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"
6. Shamrock Park
11 ReviewsBerrien Springs, MI13 milesWebsite+1 (269) 473-5691$10 - $50 / night
"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."
7. Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday
17 ReviewsCovert, MI17 milesWebsite+1 (269) 764-0818"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."
8. Thousand Trails Bear Cave
16 ReviewsBuchanan, MI16 milesWebsite+1 (888) 707-1477"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."
9. Eden Springs Park Campground
6 ReviewsWatervliet, MI9 milesWebsite+1 (269) 927-3302$53 - $59 / night
"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"
10. Dune Lake Campground
7 ReviewsCovert, MI14 milesWebsite+1 (269) 764-8941"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."
"This is a beautiful campsite with lots of good nature around. The primitive sites are the best in the area but the partial hookup sites are also beautiful."
Recent Camping Photos near St. Joseph, MI
221 Photos of 94 St. Joseph Campgrounds
Cassie B.
Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday
Alyssa
Sweet Cherry Resort
Kara H.
Weko Beach Campground
Cecelia G.
Shamrock Park
Ray C.
Hildebrandt Campground — Warren Dunes State Park
Michelle M.
Mount Randall Campground — Warren Dunes State Park
Marcelo M.
Dune Lake Campground
Mandi B.
Campside Michigan
The Dyrt
Thousand Trails Bear Cave
Chris M.
Covert Park Beach & Campground
Rodney D.
Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday
Melissa B.
Fuller's Resort and Campground
Recent Reviews near St. Joseph, MI
731 Reviews of 94 St. Joseph Campgrounds
Stacey W.ScoutJudy's Motel & Campground
Great Experience
We got in late, grabbed an empty lot and after realizing I ran off and forgot my plug adapter, we called it a night. Generator powered lights and that was enough. The owner and campers around us were very friendly!
Gary G.
GuideOutdoor Adventures Kalamazoo Resort
Membership? No thanks
Roads are seem to be dirt/gravel here (but most is really just crumbling asphalt), so even though most vehicles respect the 5mph speed limit (which is nice), you can still expect some dust everywhere. Oh, and some golf carts often seem to think 5mph doesn't apply to them.
Kalamazoo Speedway is only 2.5 miles away, so if there's racing at night, you're going to hear it. It's not terrible, but...
Many golf carts here, some with thumping music or ooh-gah horns going by in the evening. While before official "quiet time", it's still really annoying at 9 or 10pm. Be nice if they adopted a "your noise/music should stay on your site" idea like other places. ESPECIALLY the loud, music-blasting golf carts.
Calling this a "resort" is kind of a stretch. The "lakes" (more like ponds) are in need of weed control. Sites along the main lake are often muddy, sinking campers into it. There's one playground there. A small beach, pool (was freezing on the Mem Day weekend), a mini-golf that needs some TLC and a somewhat pricey camp store. Not much different than your average, most basic KOA, except KOA doesn't require a $17K lifetime membership.
They say there's trails you can walk, but I didn't see a single sign or map indicating where these were. Pointless without that.
Stayed Memorial Day weekend. Roads could really, really use a grading or repaving. Lots of bumps, holes and dips. Makes it somewhat dangerous for evening bike rides. The idiots staying in site 158 with their kids singing (bad) karaoke was super annoying. Staffsecurity should have told them to turn it down no matter the time. (two nights, from about 8:30pm until 10:45pm.). I thought they had a rule about this? Their security car went by at least twice during this unwanted show, so why didn't they say something? I tried to call about it, but got no answer.
The mini golf is a nice touch... it'd just be nice to see it maintained a lot better. It's pretty rough.
This is a membership-only place. We had a promotional stay, but I have to say, I really didn't see enough value to want to buy in. Even if it was just a regular campground, we weren't all that impressed enough that we'd make a special trip just to stay here. I'd rate it as "ok", but there was no real "wow factor" here for us.
I have to say the woman they assigned to us for the tour and sales meeting was very nice, pleasant, and no annoying hard sell. But then they send in the closer, and there's where the flurries of offers and discounts start, but once you get the discounts, you lose other options that you'd probably want. Is Outdoor Adventures worth it? Not to us, sorry to say. We like to camp all over, not just at a handful of specific campgrounds under the Outdoor Adventures umbrella.
To Outdoor Adventures... you should really arrange it so campers can try out two or three of your campgrounds FIRST before trying to sell them. No way we'd join after only seeing/staying in one. Especially just Kalamazoo.
BTW, their rental cabins (especially the largest ones) were really nice. I'll give them that.
That's my honest review of the place as we found it.
- aadrienne T.Guide
Mount Randall Campground — Warren Dunes State Park
Quick overnite site 73
Nice and quiet. Spots close together. We didn't have the time to explore at all, arrived late just stayed the night and left after we made morning coffee. Not gates or codes to get in. You do need a michigan "passport" but can buy it online. Bathrooms were nearby and very clean. Individual showers with locking doors seemed nice. No water at site 73 but it wasn't too far. There was electricity tho. Overall great stay-much better than a rest area!
- SSawyer S.
TravelerHildebrandt Campground — Warren Dunes State Park
Expensive and loud
Some of the sites are close together. The highway is very loud but the bathrooms and showers are nice. Also encountered a lot of raccoons.
Beth D.GuideIndiana Dunes State Park Campground
Dry nice place
They’re busy for early May. We found out that we could not add an extra day and the likelihood of being able to take advantage of a cancellation with slim due to the fact that you pre-pay and there’s no refunds without at least 24 hours notice. The campsites are a decent size and the facilities are quite nice.
- vvalerieTraveler
Lake Macatawa Campground — Holland State Park
Nice park. Lots are fairly spacious
Lots of great biking in the area. Beach is nearby. Hiking trails as well.
Derek J.TravelerBeach Campground — Holland State Park
Good clean and accessible
Campground is good clean and accessible. The sites are like diagonal parking spots. So we suggest you jump out real quick and oriente yourself with your spot before pulling in. There are spots with sewer and water for $60 and spots with just electric for $45 as of May 2026. Bathhouse and restrooms were clean and accessible with baby changing stations in both men's and women's bathrooms. You do have to check in at the first campground. So make sure to listen and follow directions to that campground first. The sign isn't huge, so keep your eyes peeled.
JeremyScoutSpaulding Lake Campground
Peaceful Camping
I've stayed here before and the owners are really chill and keep the place nice and clean. It's very peaceful and good fishing. I even saw the salmon swimming upstream when I was there. The pond was crystalline clear and maintained. There are walking trails as well and overall a really good place to camp. Highly recommend!!
Guide to St. Joseph
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does camping cost in St. Joseph, Michigan?
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?
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?
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?
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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