Tent camping near Vicksburg, Michigan offers several options within southwestern Michigan's agricultural landscape, where summer highs typically reach 80-85°F with moderate humidity. The region's terrain features gentle hills with elevation changes rarely exceeding 100 feet, creating accessible camping environments for most equipment. Several campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October, with peak occupancy during July and August weekends.
What to do
Water activities: Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday, located about 30 miles west of Vicksburg, provides access to South Haven's beaches. "The beaches of Lake Michigan are within 15 minutes or so. Be sure to visit the 'shoe tree.' We will definitely be back!!!" notes Rodney D.
Blueberry picking: Seasonal berry picking adds unique charm to camping trips in the region. At Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday, "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!" explains Cindy B.
Biking adventures: The Kal-Haven Trail connects to regional attractions. "We rode 47 miles round trip from Bloomingdale to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo," shares a camper at Covert/South Haven KOA, highlighting the accessible cycling routes.
Kayaking trips: Pigeon River State Fish and Wildlife Area offers affordable water recreation options. "Kayak through winding rivers and lakes in Northern Indiana. The shuttle service is convenient and not overly expensive," notes Whitley K., who visited for day trips rather than overnight camping.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality matters significantly to tent campers. At Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday, "The showers were very clean & had good pressure & hot water," reports Cassie B.
Lake swimming access: Direct water access ranks highly among camper preferences. According to Nicole P., Shady Point Campground "sits on Bair Lake and was great for swimming. The bathroom and showers were well maintained."
Campground size: Smaller campgrounds provide advantages for families. "It was small enough for our kids to ride bikes around alone and they frequented the park, which we could see from our site," notes a camper at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday.
Reasonable pricing: Several campers mention affordability as a deciding factor. At Shady Point Campground, Nicole P. appreciated that "There was also a well stocked store with very reasonable prices."
What you should know
Seasonal population: Many campgrounds near Vicksburg maintain predominantly seasonal campers. At Lakeside Campground, Noel L. observed the "Campground is all seasonal campers now. Owners were super nice and found room for us for one night layover."
Site conditions: Weather impacts can affect campsite quality. One visitor at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday warned about potential drainage issues: "The bathrooms are semi clean, but expect mud basically everywhere... Bring rain boots for mud!"
Campground layouts: Sites vary considerably in size and privacy. "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," reported Kim L. about her experience at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA.
Reservation requirements: Weekend availability can be limited during peak season. Several campgrounds fill quickly for summer weekends, with most accepting reservations 3-6 months in advance.
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday offers extensive children's programming. "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," reports Cassie B.
Pool considerations: Evaluate swimming options for specific age groups. "My main gripe was the pool. No steps to walk in so it was very hard for our 2 smallest kids to use it. Not a problem for older kids who can swim, but disappointing for smaller kids," notes a Coloma/St. Joseph KOA visitor.
Cabin options: Alternative accommodations provide family-friendly convenience. "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," writes Sarah P. about Coloma/St. Joseph KOA.
Tips from RVers
Site access: Most campgrounds accommodate medium-sized RVs, though tight turns can present challenges. At Spring Lake Resort - American Campgrounds and several other locations, big-rig accessibility is limited.
Hookup availability: Electric, water and sewer connections vary between locations. "Was in a pull behind. Everything was easy and calm. Kids loves it. No problems," reports Sharlyn O. about her stay at Shady Point Campground.
Dump stations: Several campgrounds offer sanitary dumps for non-sewer sites. Green Acres Campground provides both full hookup sites and a dump station for those without sewer connections.
