Tent camping near St. Joseph, Michigan offers access to the southeastern shores of Lake Michigan where sandy beaches meet fruit orchards. The camping season typically runs from May through mid-October with average summer temperatures between 75-85°F during the day and 55-65°F at night. Most tent campgrounds in this region sit on relatively flat terrain within 15 miles of Lake Michigan's shoreline.
What to do
Beach access: At Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday, visitors can enjoy Lake Michigan beaches within a short drive. "Very close to Lake Michigan and the beach!" notes Katie S., who found this location convenient for water activities.
Blueberry picking: 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!" shares Cindy B.
Paddling opportunities: Kayaking along local rivers provides excellent wildlife viewing. Jeremy K. from WaterTrail Ventures notes, "We kayaked there from Allegan and was treated to more wildlife viewing opportunities than we could ask for."
Fishing access: Local campgrounds often provide fishing opportunities. Kerry T. found "On site fishing ponds are catch and release with lots of active fish to enjoy" at Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday.
Biking: The Kal-Haven bike trail offers excellent cycling opportunities. Cindy B. reports, "We rode 47 miles round trip from Bloomingdale to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo."
What campers like
Swimming options: WaterTrail Ventures Paddle Respite offers water access beyond just Lake Michigan. Karlina L. shared her experience: "It was beautiful with solar lights at night and a private beach. Great swimming, in a very private area."
Privacy between sites: Some tent sites provide good separation from neighbors. Don W. at Central Avenue Walk-in Sites commented, "It's far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy."
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and shower facilities at many campgrounds receive positive reviews. Nicole P. noted at Shady Point Campground: "The bathroom and showers were well maintained."
Reasonable pricing: Tent camping near St. Joseph is generally affordable. Alyssa mentioned Sweet Cherry Resort offers tent sites for "$20 per tent site."
Evening ambiance: Some campgrounds create a pleasant nighttime atmosphere. Karlina L. appreciated that WaterTrail Ventures had "solar lights at night" enhancing the evening experience.
What you should know
Campsite location: Some tent sites require walking from parking areas. Alyssa notes that at Sweet Cherry Resort, "Tent sites are all in one cleared area that is a short walk from the parking spots."
Seasonal occupancy: Many campgrounds in the area serve primarily seasonal campers. Nicole P. observed at Shady Point Campground: "This is a campground that is mostly seasonal campers."
Bug considerations: Natural bug repellents may be available at some locations. At WaterTrail Ventures, Jeremy K. noted their firewood "happened to be sassafras which smells heavenly when burned and keeps the mosquitoes at bay."
Weather impacts: Heavy rains can affect camping experiences. Kayla C. appreciated that WaterTrail Ventures is "close to the river but set back far enough so that during a downpour you won't be worrying."
Varied site conditions: Site quality can vary significantly within campgrounds. Kim L. at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA found "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."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Shady Point Campground offers family-friendly recreation areas. Nicole P. shared, "It had playgrounds and basketball court and a small 'game' room."
Kid-specific programming: Some campgrounds organize special activities for children. Jennifer W. at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA noted: "The kids loved the jumping pillow, pool, and nightly tractor-pull train."
Family site selection: Request specific sites when camping with friends or family. Jennifer W. appreciated that Coloma/St. Joseph KOA was "Very accommodating when we requested a site near friends."
Pool amenities: Swimming pools are important features for families with children. Lori S. observed Coloma/St. Joseph KOA had a "Nice pool, hot tub, movie for kids, train ride for kids."
Non-camping alternatives: For families with members who prefer not to tent camp, some locations offer cabins. Lisa P. appreciated at Covert/South Haven KOA that "my family who are not necessarily 'outdoorsy' love that they can sleep in an air conditioned cabin with cable!"
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Lakeside Campground and other area campgrounds may have limited space for larger rigs. Noel L. noted that "Campground is all seasonal campers now. Owners were super nice and found room for us for one night layover."
Convenience factors: RV campers appreciate well-organized campgrounds with easy access. Kit S. found Coloma/St. Joseph KOA offered "Easy in and out."
Hookup details: Some sites provide full hookups but terrain may affect usability. Monitor weather conditions as Kim L. discovered at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA with "a full hook up with a fire pit in the mud pond."
Store access: On-site stores with reasonable pricing benefit RVers. Nicole P. appreciated that Shady Point Campground had "a well stocked store with very reasonable prices."
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds accommodate visitors with mobility issues. Cassie B. at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA shared that "my husband went with a broken leg and got around there just fine thanks to it being such a small park."
