Camping sites near Union Pier, Michigan typically operate on sandy terrain with campsites ranging from heavily wooded to open areas with limited shade. Located in the southwestern corner of Michigan, this region has an average elevation of 620 feet above sea level and receives approximately 37 inches of annual rainfall. Most campgrounds in the area experience high humidity during summer months, with tent sites often requiring extra stakes for stability in the region's sandy soil.
What to do
Swimming and beach activities: At Warren Dunes State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy 3 miles of sandy shoreline with designated swimming areas. "Huge, beautiful dunes on the beach," notes Peter C., who also mentions that from the campground it's "about a 5 to 10 minute drive to the beach."
Hiking sandy trails: The dunes provide unique hiking terrain with moderate difficulty due to loose sand. "Mt. Randall is the high dune to climb but not for the faint of heart! And beware, the sand does get HOT midday," shares Heidi S. about her Warren Dunes experience.
Fishing in local waters: Shamrock Park provides excellent river fishing access with specialized facilities. "What impressed me most was that they have a building specifically for cleaning fish, with scales, cutting boards and sinks," reports Brian O., who appreciated the campground's fishing-friendly setup.
Biking on paved paths: Several campgrounds near Union Pier connect to regional bike trails. At Potato Creek State Park Campground, "Bike trails, hiking trails, fishing, beach fun for the whole family," according to Brad H., making it a good option for active campers.
What campers like
Direct lake access: Weko Beach Campground offers sites extremely close to Lake Michigan. "Really nice campground with a few cabins on Lake Michigan. Campsites are about 1/2 mile walk or less to the beach," Ryan L. explains. Another camper adds, "The entire campground is wooded with huge trees, which we loved. The best part, though, was having the beach 2 min from our doorstep."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities despite high usage. At Indiana Dunes State Park Campground, one visitor noted, "It was also the nicest showers that I've been to to date," despite giving the park a mid-range rating due to train noise.
Evening programs: Several parks offer structured activities after sunset. "The park sites were nice, most of them had grass and trees... They had one of the nicer programs that I have been to in the state," mentions Kaley A. about Indiana Dunes State Park.
Spacious sites: Some campgrounds provide more room between sites than others. At Michigan City Campground, campers enjoy premium spaces: "We stayed in the premium sites which were 90ft pull thought with 50A service, water and sewer, and the best wifi I have seen at a campsite," according to Craig C.
What you should know
No alcohol policy: Several state parks enforce strict alcohol bans. At Warren Dunes, "there is no alcohol allowed on the grounds," Amy G. warns, and another camper confirms: "Our neighbors got busted for it when we were there."
Sand management challenges: Tent camping on sandy sites requires preparation. At Indiana Dunes, sites "98 through 102 did have sand on them, which is kind of cool" according to one camper, but another notes "I will definitely go back to this campground. I just won't pick the tent site again. The sand is very dirty there."
Train noise disruption: Dunewood Campground and other sites near railroad tracks experience noise issues. "Could hear Trains throughout the night," reports Truly W., while another camper notes the "railroad and road noise but that's the trade off for being close to town with good cell service."
Weekend crowding: Many Lake Michigan beaches become extremely busy during summer weekends. "It gets busy, but beautiful park, often festivals (wine festival) and other activities, excellent beach on Lake Michigan," Margaret M. shares about Weko Beach.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for convenience with small children. At Weko Beach Campground, "There's also all sorts of activities for kids-ping pong, basketball, cornhole and more," according to Christina H., who stayed in one of the cabins.
Beach safety awareness: Lake Michigan can have dangerous swimming conditions. One visitor to Indiana Dunes cautions, "Be careful in the lake, because rip current often take young visitors out too far and into dangerous waters."
Shade considerations: Many beachfront sites lack adequate tree cover. "The beach parking lot costs $15 but completely worth it!" says Lee D. at Weko Beach, while another camper advises: "If you go to the beach, be aware there's very little shade."
Off-peak timing: For a quieter experience with children, consider weekday visits. At Fuller's Resort and Campground, Steve G. suggests: "Go during the week if you prefer less crowds," noting the "beautiful beach with crystal clear water."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require substantial equipment for leveling. At Weko Beach, one RVer warns: "The only challenge is that most of the camp spots are not level so bring your levelers!"
Hookup variations: Water and electric availability differs between sites. At Shamrock Park, "$35 gets you a level full hook up site with WiFi. Very clean and well maintained with friendly staff," according to Michael.
Site size limitations: Larger rigs may struggle at certain campgrounds. At Weko Beach, an RVer noted: "A majority of the RV sites here are occupied by locals who buy out the spot for the season and come in to enjoy it on the weekends."
Extension cord requirements: Some electric hookups are placed far from parking areas. At Potato Creek State Park, one camper advises: "Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up."
