Dog-Friendly Camping near St. Joseph, MI

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    Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday campground features designated pet-friendly sites and cabin options for visitors traveling with dogs near St. Joseph, Michigan. The campground provides multiple pet waste stations throughout the property to help maintain cleanliness, and pets must remain leashed when outside the accommodation. All tent sites, RV spots, and select cabins accommodate pets with advance notification. The staff maintains exceptionally clean grounds with regular landscaping and trash collection, making walks with dogs pleasant throughout the wooded property. Warren Dunes State Park, Weko Beach Campground, and Van Buren State Park also welcome pets at their campsites, offering additional options for camping with dogs in the area.

    Extensive walking paths around Eden Springs Park Campground provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with the campground featuring multiple dog waste stations throughout the grounds. Leashed pets can accompany their owners on the miniature train rides offered on weekends at Eden Springs. Most campgrounds in the region require pets to be leashed at all times, with a maximum leash length of six feet. During summer months, early morning or evening walks prove most comfortable for pets due to hot sand along Lake Michigan beaches. The nearby town of St. Joseph offers veterinary services and pet supply stores for emergency needs. Many campers appreciate the shaded sites at Weko Beach Campground when camping with dogs, as the mature trees provide natural cooling during hot summer days.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near St. Joseph (72)

      1. Mount Randall Campground — Warren Dunes State Park

      4.0(63)14mi from St. JosephRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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.  "

      "The walk to the beach access is a beautiful one, and the beach is astounding! Pet friendly!"

      2. Weko Beach Campground

      4.2(20)12mi from St. JosephRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Couple minute walk to the beautiful Lake Michigan beach. Waist deep most areas, waves can get big tho."

      "Our site was in the RV section next to the beach. The sites were open and dirt/sand--ours was up on a bit of a hill. Worked great for exploring the area."

      from $50 - $30 / night

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      3. Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday

      4.4(14)9mi from St. JosephTents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      4. Van Buren State Park Campground

      4.0(36)19mi from St. JosephRVs, Tents

      "The beach and local walks are great. The pier is beautiful, lots of Fisher man. Very cute town. Camping was great, we were pretty close to the people next to us. It was all good though."

      "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."

      5. Covert Park Beach & Campground

      4.2(19)17mi from St. JosephRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      6. Shamrock Park

      4.6(11)13mi from St. JosephRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      7. Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday

      4.7(17)17mi from St. Joseph97 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

      4.2(16)16mi from St. JosephRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      "It is close to the Redbud Moto Cross track, Fernwood Botanical Gardens(which offers hiking), in the heart of West Michigan’s Wine Country, Warren Dunes(Lake Michigan), Silver Beach(**St. **"

      9. Eden Springs Park Campground

      4.5(6)9mi from St. JosephRVs, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      10. Dune Lake Campground

      4.7(7)14mi from St. JosephRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near St. Joseph, MI

    732 Reviews of 72 St. Joseph Campgrounds


    • B
      Aug. 26, 2018

      Eden Springs Park Campground

      Pleasant, friendly, small town camp with large pull through spots

      Eden Springs Campground & RV Park in Benton Harbor, Michigan, run by camp manager Cindy, may well be one of our favorite small town parks! We are spending the month of August 2018 here and have found the venue quiet, well maintained, friendly and inexpensive ($375 for a month). I do not expect the prices to stay this low now that it has been “discovered”. They are working on adding an updated restroom, dog park and other facilities. The sites are large, level and spaced far apart from each other. We pulled in with a 42’ rig, pulling a 28’ hybrid trailer (total 70’) and easily pulled into our site without having to unhook. We had enough space to park a jeep in front of and and in back of the attached rig. 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 and their awning/entry sides facing the opposing side. Each site has a gravel space between them that could be traveled through, though campers all set up picnic tables, chairs and campfires there so practically there is no egress, thus privacy. This camp has the best WiFi of any camp we have ever stayed at. Some spots offer OTA TV and satellite reception. Ours did not as we chose to have a full tree canopy. Most of the sites offer Full Hookups with 30/50 amp service. The camp manager, Cindy, provides fire rings and picnic tables as requested, so, if you need either, just let her know when you call. The tables were clean and in good shape. The fire rings can be placed anywhere you want. As an aside, when a camper leaves, Cindy and her crew comes and removes the rings, cleaning up the residue so there is no mess left! The campground grass is cut routinely and “weed-whacked” as needed. Cindy has been one of the nicest hosts we have met on our travels. She is always pleasant, available as needed for emergencies and even delivered our mail one afternoon. She is a font of knowledge about the area and willing to share. Probably in keeping with her personality, the majority of the visitors here have been friendly, chatty and willing to help each other. The RV resort is about 10 minutes from St. Joseph, MI and multiple rural wineries in the area (a favorite pastime for my wife Audrey). St. Joseph’s is a small town located on Lake Michigan with excellent food, event venues and a lovely white sand beach. Be sure to stop at the Chocolate store in town & Silver Lake Pizza for a desert/dinner well worth the time. The town of Benton Harbor itself once was booming city/community, which has come into hard times, but we did not have any problems traveling around that area. This area also has a non-defunct amusement park attached to the campground which is being slowly renovated by a group of volunteers. They have restored several of the buildings, a fountain and a miniature train which takes visitors on a 1/4 mile ride on Saturday/Sunday. Additionally, the camp is home to it’s own 1800’s era baseball team which plays home and away games in the old bare handed style! Behind the camp is a now mostly abandoned religious enclave called the House of David which was started in the late 1800’s/ early 1900’s (Google it!). Some interesting architecture and several restored mansions for the 5 remaining members of the group. I recommend this park for someone wanting a quiet, clean stay.

    • J
      Jun. 15, 2021

      Thousand Trails Bear Cave

      Nice campground

      Bear Cave is a nice campground. There is actually a cave in the campground that you can take a tour of while you are here. The campground is on the banks of the 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. The only sewer hook-ups are all taken by seasonal campers.

    • M
      Sep. 17, 2021

      Shamrock Park

      Great stay

      Village owned and operated campground, right on the 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.

    • A
      Jul. 28, 2021

      Thousand Trails Bear Cave

      Nice up and coming campground. New Manager making it a better park

      We enjoyed our stay at Bear Cave RV Campground. This Park offers reservations however sites are assigned first come first serve. We had reservations and there were some concerns when we arrived if they had a site large enough to accommodate our rig. We ended up in the loop along the river which was shaded and level. The Park has a new manager, and you can tell she is putting money into this park to make it a nice campground. There are seasonal campers, but all seemed to welcome us transient campers. We would stay again. Although we did not use the Restrooms and Showers were clean. This Park offers many amenities including a pool, clubhouse, boat dock and launch. Interesting History within this park with the Bear Cave and the Tulip Tree. It is close to the Redbud Moto Cross track, Fernwood Botanical Gardens(which offers hiking), in the heart of West Michigan’s Wine Country, Warren Dunes(Lake Michigan), Silver Beach(St. Joseph) swimming, dining, and shopping.

    • 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.

    • Tim S.
      Oct. 26, 2020

      Mini Mountain Campground

      Poorly run, poorly maintained

      Place is still attempting improvements. Staff still having turnovers, and St Joseph County Police are periodic responders to problems, since the year round camping invites less than desirable clientele. Amenities (fishing, playground, mini golf) are pitiful. Some lots/campers make the place look like a run down trailer park. Some electric meters not working due to “budget constraints”- which may or may not originate with the main office in Indianapolis.

    • deb K.
      Jun. 26, 2022

      Elkhart Campground

      3 1/2 star campground

      It is a very large older CG with a few upgrades. Clean, with decent amenities. We were placed in the rear section, which was just ok. Site needed leveling, had no shade at all and was close to major hwy. The front and side sites seemed nicer and had ample shade with some concrete sites. Laundry room, pool and bathrooms were very clean. Large dog park, but was far from our site. Was only 25 min from Notre Dame and about an hour from lake Michigan WiFi was great, no cable, but good antenna reception

    • 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.

    • DThe Dyrt PRO User
      Apr. 11, 2023

      Elkhart Campground

      Elkhart, IN….Nice campground

      We stayed here to pick up a new RV. It’s a huge campground with lots of space. Some sites are cement ours was gravel. Very clean, nice sized dog park, quiet and close to restaurants. If had an occasion to stay here again…we definitely would!


    Guide to St. Joseph

    Campsites near St. Joseph, Michigan sit along Lake Michigan's eastern shore at elevations between 580-650 feet above sea level. The region experiences humid continental climate with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and lake effect snow in winter months. Many campgrounds maintain open meadow-style sites with pockets of maple and oak forest offering partial shade coverage during summer camping seasons.

    What to do

    Beach access points: Warren Dunes State Park Campground offers direct beach access with varied hiking options. According to Amy G., "Warren Dunes has tons of trails, dunes and beaches. The best part, dog friendly off leash beach! If you travel with dogs, it's a great campground!" The park features multiple trail heads with access from campsite areas.

    Fishing opportunities: Shamrock Park provides river fishing access with specialized amenities. Brian O. notes, "What impressed me most was that they have a building specifically for cleaning fish, with scales, cutting boards and sinks." The park sits directly on the St. Joseph River with boat launch facilities.

    Blueberry picking: Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday features on-site blueberry fields during summer months. Cindy B. shares, "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!"

    What campers like

    Private beach access: Campers appreciate Weko Beach Campground's proximity to Lake Michigan. Kelsey G. explains, "The beach: Weko is a lovely local beach. Sand is soft and the water is shallow far out into the surf. A food and sundries shop is on premise. SUP and kayak rentals are also on the beach."

    Shaded sites: Van Buren State Park Campground provides tree cover for natural cooling. According to a camper, "Good size lots, clean bathrooms, we always like to go there" with another noting "Campground and all facilities were clean and well cared for. There is also a beach to do some swimming!" Sites range from partial to full shade.

    Recreational activities: Warren Dunes State Park keeps families entertained with natural features. Heidi S. reports, "Wonderful campground! Lots of shade and plenty of privacy between sites. The bathroom seemed newer (South modern loop) with clean bathrooms (cleaned at least twice a day). Mt. Randall is the high dune to climb but not for the faint of heart!!!"

    What you should know

    Alcohol regulations: Several dog friendly campgrounds near St. Joseph have specific alcohol policies. At Warren Dunes State Park, Dave E. points out, "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."

    Beach conditions: Water levels affect beach size at several locations. Thomas B. notes at Van Buren State Park, "The down side of the campground is that the beach is pretty much non-existent. 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."

    Site spacing concerns: Covert Park Beach & Campground presents challenges with site proximity. Jennifer O. explains, "The sites are surprisingly large, but the rules are insanely strict - this is definitely a site catering to RV campers not tent campers. We were admonished for having 3 medium tents on a site that easily could have facilitated 5."

    Tips for camping with families

    Train rides for children: Eden Springs Park Campground offers unique attractions. Shelby J. shares, "This campground has clean bathrooms and showers, a small play area for children and a small train that takes you around the camp. It's very cute and a great side option to the overfilled beach campgrounds."

    Swimming options: Dune Lake Campground provides lake swimming appropriate for children. Dan W. notes, "Nice swimming lake with a shallow area that's great for kids. Quiet, family oriented and well maintained." The lake features graduated entry points with designated swimming areas.

    Weekend activities: Campgrounds schedule organized events for families. At Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday, Cassie B. shares, "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."

    Tips from RVers

    Site layout considerations: RVers should note the arrangement at pet-friendly campgrounds near St. Joseph. At Eden Springs Park Campground, Bart S. explains, "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 and their awning/entry sides facing the opposing side."

    Leveling requirements: Dune Lake Campground offers mixed terrain sites. According to Landon C., "The only annoying thing was that my reservation and the map itself said my campsite had water and electricity hookups, but when I got here I realized that there is a single electric post shared by 4 campsites and the water spigot was across the road."

    Dump station access: Several campgrounds offer dump services instead of full hookups. Regarding Bear Cave Campground, a reviewer notes, "Sucks really but they do have an onsite honeypot which will suck out your tanks for $10 each time around." Most campgrounds maintain central dump stations with some offering mobile services.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near St. Joseph, MI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near St. Joseph, MI is Mount Randall Campground — Warren Dunes State Park with a 4-star rating from 63 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near St. Joseph, MI?

    TheDyrt.com has all 72 dog-friendly camping locations near St. Joseph, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.