Camping areas around Stevensville, Michigan offer diverse experiences with sites ranging from rustic tent camping to full-hookup RV facilities. Most campgrounds sit within 20 miles of Stevensville along the St. Joseph River and Lake Michigan shoreline, providing both inland water recreation and Great Lakes beach access. Lake Michigan water temperatures typically reach the mid-70s during July and August, making these months peak season for water recreation.
What to do
Beach exploration at Warren Dunes State Park: The 1,952-acre park features massive sand dunes, including Mt. Randall which requires significant effort to climb. "The dunes themselves were cool. If you go, definitely hike up to the top," notes a visitor at Warren Dunes State Park Campground. Sand temperatures rise significantly midday, so morning or evening climbing is recommended.
Kayaking on St. Joseph River: The river provides calm waters ideal for beginners with multiple access points. Shamrock Park offers direct river access for personal watercraft. "A clean and friendly municipal campground on the St. Joseph River. What impressed me most was that they have a building specifically for cleaning fish, with scales, cutting boards and sinks," mentions one visitor.
Miniature train rides at Eden Springs: This historical site offers weekend train rides on a restored miniature train. "There is also a waterfall right next to the cave. There is a boat launch and a few docks that can be used," explains a camper. The train operates primarily on summer weekends, making this a seasonal activity dependent on timing.
What campers like
Beach sunsets: Lake Michigan's eastern shore provides unobstructed sunset views over water. "The sunset on the beach was beautiful!" shares a camper at Fuller's Resort and Campground, which features direct access to Clear Lake. Most west-facing beaches offer optimal sunset viewing around 9:00-9:30pm during summer months.
Proximity to wineries: The Stevensville area has multiple wineries within a 15-minute drive. "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," suggests a visitor to Eden Springs Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: The St. Joseph River provides productive fishing spots with multiple species available. At Shamrock Park, "Fishing the river was fun and easy to access," reports one camper. The dedicated fish cleaning station makes processing catches convenient, with running water and proper disposal facilities.
What you should know
Water level fluctuations: Lake Michigan shorelines change dramatically year to year. "Beach is washing away, black sand for most of it, maybe due to storm. Still plenty when we went 7/2020 for kids to play," notes a camper at Covert Park Beach & Campground. Beaches may be significantly narrower during high-water years.
Cell service variability: Coverage can be spotty at campgrounds further from Interstate 94. "Cellular data was poor in the campground and on the beach - we needed a 5-minute drive to get good Verizon coverage," mentions a visitor to Covert Park. Some campgrounds offer wifi, but connection quality varies considerably.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. "The sites are a bit on the smaller side. The only sewer hook-ups are all taken by seasonal campers," shares one visitor about Bear Cave campground. Reservations should be made 3-6 months in advance for summer weekends, especially for sites near water access points.
Tips for camping with families
Jumping pillow activities: Some private campgrounds offer unique play features. "Jumping pillow & mini golf were also a hit. The showers were very clean & had good pressure & hot water. My main gripe was the pool. No steps to walk in so it was very hard for our 2 smallest kids to use it," reports a camper at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday.
Clean bathrooms accessibility: Family-friendly facilities make a significant difference with young children. "The bathroom was a very short walk and very clean. Fishing the river was fun and easy to access. They have big playgrounds that the kids enjoyed," explains a visitor to Shamrock Park.
Bug protection necessities: Mosquitoes can be particularly aggressive in wooded areas. "The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening," warns a camper at Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park. Bug spray with DEET is essential for evening activities, especially near inland water sources.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require significant leveling due to dune terrain. "Most sites have water. All have electric. The downside is there is no sewer hookups," explains an RVer about Weko Beach Campground. Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended for areas with sandy or sloped terrain.
Hookup configuration variations: Some campgrounds place utilities in unusual locations. "The map was not true to date and most sites the electrical box and water hook up is on the wrong side of the site. Bring extra line... we have 50ft hose so we were fine there (line goes through the middle of the site) and 25ft electrical and had to re-adjust the camper a few times so it would reach," advises an RVer at Covert Park.
Dump station availability: Full-hookup sites are limited and often occupied by seasonal campers. "We stayed in the deluxe cabin for one night and loved it! The cabin was so cute and well kept. It came with a fridge, stove, and bathroom," shares a visitor to Coloma/St. Joseph KOA, highlighting alternatives to traditional RV camping for those preferring more amenities.
