Campgrounds near Watervliet sit within a generally flat terrain of southwestern Michigan, about 10-15 miles from Lake Michigan's eastern shoreline. The region experiences average summer temperatures between 75-85°F from June through August, with occasional thunderstorms. Most campgrounds in the area remain open from April through October, with water systems typically shut down after the first frost.
What to do
Biking the Kal-Haven Trail: From Kal-Haven Outpost, access the 33-mile trail that runs from South Haven to Kalamazoo. "It was so convenient to be able to bike ride, hike, or run on the trail that I hesitate to offer any critique... Check out the blue stairs beach at Lake Michigan (accessible in South Haven), Barden's Market for fresh baked goods and vegetables," notes one visitor.
Fishing on the St. Joseph River: Shamrock Park provides direct river access for anglers. "What impressed me most was that they have a building specifically for cleaning fish, with scales, cutting boards and sinks," reports a camper. The river offers multiple fishing spots within walking distance of campsites.
Visit historic House of David: Take a self-guided tour of this early 1900s religious community near Eden Springs Park Campground. "Some interesting architecture and several restored mansions for the 5 remaining members of the group," explains a camper. The grounds include remaining historic buildings with informational signage.
What campers like
Clean, accessible shower facilities: Many campgrounds receive high marks for bathroom maintenance. At Van Buren State Park Campground, "Bathrooms are very clean. The sites were clean and well kept when we arrived. The fire pit and the picnic table were in excellent condition," writes one visitor. Most shower facilities offer hot water at no additional cost.
Beach access: Within 15 minutes of most Watervliet campgrounds, Lake Michigan beaches provide swimming opportunities. "Short walk to beach. Nice Camp store Lake place to hang out on the beach on Lake Michigan," mentions one camper at Van Buren State Park. Most beaches include parking areas and basic facilities.
Local produce opportunities: Many campgrounds sit near U-pick farms and produce stands. 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!" reports an enthusiastic visitor.
What you should know
Limited beach space in high-water years: Lake Michigan water levels fluctuate annually, sometimes reducing beach size. One camper at Covert Park Beach & Campground noted: "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."
Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more separation between sites than others. "The sites were shady, grass and gravel, level and plenty of space in between you and your neighbors," reports a visitor at Eden Springs Park Campground, while others like Covert Park have "small sites" where it "would not be very comfortable."
Seasonal availability limitations: Most campgrounds close for winter. Operating seasons typically run from late April through October, with a few exceptions. Dune Lake Campground operates "April 28 to October 1," and Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday stays open "May 1 to October 12."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated children's activities: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday offers numerous structured programs. "They have movie nights, we met Disney characters, did crafts, and enjoyed the barrel train & ice cream sundaes. The actual spots aren't huge, but since the campground is smaller that wasn't a shock. It was small enough for our kids to ride bikes around alone," reports a family camper.
Consider swimming alternatives to Lake Michigan: Inland lakes and pools provide calmer swimming options. Dune Lake Campground offers "Nice swimming lake with a shallow area that's great for kids." Most KOA campgrounds in the area maintain pools that are typically open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Reserve early for holiday weekends: The best family-friendly sites fill quickly from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Black River Trails Campground often reaches capacity, with one visitor noting they "Stayed for two nights over Memorial Day weekend and loved being right on the Black River! Bathrooms and showers were some of the cleanest I've seen while camping."
Tips from RVers
Choose level sites: The region's terrain, while generally flat, can have uneven areas. "Our site was on a corner lot and couldn't have been more perfect for our stay," reports an RVer at Van Buren State Park, while at Eden Springs Park Campground, an experienced RVer noted "The sites are large, level and spaced far apart from each other. We pulled in with a 42' rig, pulling a 28' hybrid trailer (total 70') and easily pulled into our site without having to unhook."
Verify hookup locations before arrival: Some campgrounds have unusual utility configurations. Covert Park campers report "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."
Consider proximity to attractions: The best places to camp near Watervliet, Michigan often balance seclusion with convenience. Warren Dunes State Park provides a natural setting but requires awareness of location: "Seemed like it would be quiet and peaceful, but when we got out of the car, it was very clear we were not far from the highway."
