Warren Dunes State Park Campground sits along Lake Michigan's eastern shore at 617 feet above sea level. The region's sandy soil and moderate summer temperatures create ideal conditions for camping from May through October. Water levels in Lake Michigan fluctuate seasonally, affecting beach size and shoreline access at many campgrounds in the area.
What to do
Dune climbing at Warren Dunes: The massive sand formations reach up to 240 feet high with Mt. Randall being the tallest. "Mt. Randall is the high dune to climb but not for the faint of heart!!! And beware, the sand does get HOT midday," advises a visitor to Warren Dunes State Park Campground.
Train rides at Eden Springs: History enthusiasts can experience the restored miniature train that operates weekends. "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," notes a camper at Eden Springs Park Campground.
Kayaking the St. Joseph River: The river offers calm waters for paddling with multiple access points. "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," shares a reviewer from Shamrock Park.
Blueberry picking: Several campgrounds in the area feature U-pick opportunities 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!" mentions a camper at Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Most campgrounds maintain well-kept facilities despite heavy summer use. "The bathroom was a very short walk and very clean. Fishing the river was fun and easy to access," notes a reviewer from Shamrock Park.
Accessibility to Lake Michigan: Multiple campgrounds offer direct or nearby access to beaches. "Covert Park is an above average municipal park with two small loops. The short walk to the beautiful beach makes this campground worth it," shares a visitor to Covert Park Beach & Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Many locations offer dedicated children's activities. "Very clean and well-kept park. 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," mentions a camper from Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday.
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more spacious layouts than others. "We actually love a few miles from this gem. The campground was very well maintained, especially the bathrooms. Staff was very friendly and informative," notes a visitor to Warren Dunes State Park Campground.
What you should know
Alcohol restrictions: Some parks strictly enforce no-alcohol policies. "There are water pumps and outhouse restrooms on the rustic sites. There is also a general store on the grounds should you need anything you forgot. Also, there is no alcohol allowed on the grounds," points out a reviewer from Warren Dunes State Park Campground.
Peak season crowds: Reservations are essential during summer weekends and holidays. "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," shares a visitor about Shamrock Park.
Limited cell service: Several campgrounds have spotty connectivity. "No internet, pool needs repaired, no cell service. If you do not get a full hook up, you have to pay $15 to get pumped out," mentions a camper from Thousand Trails Bear Cave.
Beach conditions vary: Lake Michigan water levels impact shoreline quality. "The campgrounds were well-maintained, and pretty mellow compared to some of the other campgrounds in the area. Its a short walk to a beautiful and clean beach with incredible sunsets," notes a reviewer about Covert Park Beach & Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Consider alternative glamping options close to Stevensville, Michigan: Several campgrounds offer cabin accommodations for those seeking upscale outdoor experiences. "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. We had 6 people in it and we fit comfortably," shares a visitor from Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday.
Choose sites strategically: Some loops are better for families than others. "We wanted to stay at Warren Dunes State Park, but I think this discovery was a better choice. They have a large stack of firewood, so it's easy to get a bundle that's good and dry," mentions a camper from Shamrock Park.
Pack extra water shoes: The sandy terrain can get extremely hot during summer days. "And beware, the sand does get HOT midday," warns a visitor to Warren Dunes State Park Campground.
Check for special events: Many campgrounds host weekend activities specifically for children. "Great staff and a very clean location to camp," notes a visitor to Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park.
Tips from RVers
Prepare for hookup placement issues: Some campgrounds have unusual utility arrangements. "Cons: The actual campground was disappointing, 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 from Covert Park Beach & Campground.
Consider premium glamping accommodations near Stevensville, Michigan: Cabin options range from rustic to deluxe. "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)," shares a reviewer at Eden Springs Park Campground.
Check site leveling before booking: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain. "Site 61 under some nice shade trees and the lot was very level. Park staff was very helpful after a storm blew through cleaning up limbs and litter," notes a visitor from Eden Springs Park Campground.
