Best Campgrounds near Watervliet, MI

Campgrounds near Watervliet in southwestern Michigan offer a range of accommodation styles within easy reach of Lake Michigan beaches. The area includes established campgrounds like Eden Springs Park Campground and Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday, with options for tent camping, RV sites with full hookups, and cabin rentals. Several facilities in the region feature amenities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities, particularly at the KOA locations in Coloma and Covert. Most campgrounds in the area are privately operated, with state parks like Van Buren and Warren Dunes located within a short drive.

Many campsites in the Watervliet area require reservations, especially during the peak summer season when Lake Michigan beaches draw visitors. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with limited year-round options. The region's generally flat terrain makes for easy access to most established campgrounds, with paved roads leading to most facilities. Weather conditions are typically mild during camping season, though spring and fall can bring cooler temperatures and increased rainfall. Cell service is generally strong throughout the area, and most developed campgrounds provide Wi-Fi service. One camper noted that "Bathrooms were clean, showers were warm. We enjoy this place."

Family-friendly amenities receive consistently positive mentions in camper reviews, with several campgrounds offering specialized activities for children. The Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday stands out with features like a jumping pillow, swimming pool, and nightly tractor-pull train rides that appeal to families with young children. Eden Springs Park Campground provides unique historical elements, including a miniature train and restored buildings from the early 1900s. Proximity to Lake Michigan beaches and local attractions like wineries and u-pick fruit farms adds to the appeal for many visitors. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, campers appreciate the well-maintained facilities and helpful staff at most campgrounds in the region. Sites with shade trees and level grounds are particularly valued, with one reviewer mentioning that "the sites were shady, grass and gravel, level and plenty of space in between you and your neighbors."

Best Camping Sites Near Watervliet, Michigan (110)

    1. Van Buren State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    Covert, MI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 637-2788

    "Not only is it a short distance from our home but it is a short walk to Lake Michigan! The campground has tree-lined lots and some of the loops are very wooded."

    "Walkable access to Lake Michigan is unbeatable! Bathrooms are very clean."

    2. Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday

    17 Reviews
    Covert, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 764-0818

    "Nice very busy pool and slide, play areas, walking trail, camp store with hot food. Not far from Lake Michigan and places to buy fresh fruit and veggies. Check it out you'll be happy you did."

    "This is a great place to camp with young children, as there are many activities around the camp. It is family owned and operated and you can tell- warm and friendly."

    3. Covert Park Beach & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Covert, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 764-1421

    $40 - $100 / night

    "Pros: Lake Michigan is right there! We walked down to sunset and it was a 5 min walk max."

    "Close to beach of Lake Michigan. Walk in primitive tent site is what I stayed at. Many other sites available. Quiet at night. Great staff"

    4. Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday

    14 Reviews
    Watervliet, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 849-3333

    $60 - $120 / night

    "Showers close by. All in all we had a great first experience and would recommend this campground. Very close to Lake Michigan and the beach!"

    "The store has everything you could need and if they don't, there is a gas station right outside of entrance. Close to the lake, will visit again!"

    5. Dune Lake Campground

    7 Reviews
    Covert, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 764-8941

    "Close to Lake Michigan and South Haven. Nice swimming lake with a shallow area that’s great for kids. Quiet, family oriented and well maintained."

    "This is a beautiful campsite with lots of good nature around. The primitive sites are the best in the area but the partial hookup sites are also beautiful."

    6. Warren Dunes State Park Campground

    67 Reviews
    Bridgman, MI
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 426-4013

    "Happened upon this Gem when driving the coast of Lake Michigan.  Watched the solar eclipse from the beach.   The DBR had a viewing area setup for adults and kids.  "

    "I’m 36 now, so it’s safe to say that I pretty much know the park like the back of my hand, and it truly has become a home away from home. Actually I prefer being there over my main home."

    7. Eden Springs Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Watervliet, MI
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 927-3302

    "Eden Springs Campground & RV Park in Benton Harbor, Michigan, run by camp manager Cindy, may well be one of our favorite small town parks! "

    "You can walk around the campground and check out the restoration on these early buildings (and a flower bed shaped like a battle ship), take a train ride with the kids around part of the grounds, and hang"

    8. Shamrock Park

    11 Reviews
    Berrien Springs, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 473-5691

    $10 - $50 / night

    "It’s also a quick walk to a grocery store and restaurants. There’s no grill on the fire pit, so plan accordingly."

    "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."

    9. Kal-Haven Outpost

    9 Reviews
    South Haven, MI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 206-0900

    $22 - $68 / night

    "This was a nice campground right on the Kal Haven Trail - about 4 miles from South Haven."

    "The RVS and campers circled around the bathroom house. All tent camping was south of the campground in their own little spot as well."

    10. Black River Trails Campground

    6 Reviews
    South Haven, MI
    14 miles
    Website

    $37 - $80 / night

    "This was a great little campground near South Haven, MI. We stayed in a small "RV Site" spot on the campground and that gave us our own electrical/water hookup."

    "It was great to see new friends Branden,Chrisand Nina via FaceTime and meet MaryJo..This place is close to the lake,town. Plenty to do in the area. If you’re close to south haven."

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Recent Reviews near Watervliet, MI

598 Reviews of 110 Watervliet Campgrounds


  • G
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Beach Campground — Holland State Park

    Entry policy needs revising

    Got to campground at 13:00, checked to see if my reserved site was vacant (it was vacant) then went to check in. Attendant told couldn’t check in until 15:00. Had to park in marina parking lot.  Went back to check in and there was a line out to the street (safety issue).  It then took us 1/2 hr to check in then had to wait another 1/2hr in line for water. Got to site at 16:15.  Something has to change. Was told this was a Holland State Park decision because other state parks don’t do this.  Horrible, horrible policy

  • v
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Markin Glen County Park

    Clean and near bike trails

    Great park. Well maintained. Very clean. Lots of bike trails, a beach area. Helpful staff!

  • Joel K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    MTB camp and bike (again)

    We camped and rode (again) at Fort Custer.  We've been here 2x before (once in a cabin and once in tents) and this has now officially become a favorite. 

    We loved our site (so don't book this one) as it's close to the trails for riding.  The campground was almost to capacity, but still some open sites.

    All in all this was a great trip, and we even visited Belle's brewery on our way home.

  • Jessica D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Covert Park Beach & Campground

    Small, lakeside, chill

    This was our first time staying at Covert Park Beach + Campground. We stayed in site 52 with our 21 ft travel trailer. The site is a good size. Tree placement made it a little tricky to back into, but nothing crazy. We stayed Sunday to Saturday, so we got to see it at its bustling weekend peak and the quiet, cozy weekday vibe. Family friendly, dog friendly and kid friendly. Dogs aren't allowed on the beach, but there's a beach a few minutes down the road (Hagar Beach) where you can bring leashed dogs. Sunset views were beautiful. Bathrooms were very clean and showers nice and hot. The two guys who were running the check-in and campground operations were super cool- they were the perfect mix of attentive and laid back. No sewer on campsites but there's a dump station when you enter/exit. Ice and firewood are abundantly available and can be delivered to your site. We loved our stay here. Tree cover is generous, and it really preserves the camping feel. Weekend crowd was fun, friendly and lots of locals. Would definitely stay again!

  • Linda C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Brookside City Park

    More expensive now

    Tents sites are now $20 and RV hookups (water and 20/30 amp) are $30. When I got to the police station they were closed for the week but a phone # was provided to call dispatcher and an officer responded promptly to help me get registered. Cash or check only.

  • Bob B.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    A return to my childhood

    I camped here countless times throughout my childhood. It was nice returning. I brought back great memories and it struck a balance of staying up with the times but still leaving most to nature.

    Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long.

    Sites are easy to get in and out of with RV/TT.

    Don’t miss out on the great finishing and hiking. A great plus is still seeing kids rise actual bikes!

  • H
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    Beautiful Woodsy Campground

    We’ve stayed at both sites listed. 161 you do have neighbors pretty close, but we just stayed at 51 and it is extremely secluded! We had an amazing time tent camping it was so quiet! We love it here already with only being here twice!

  • G
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Weko Beach Campground

    Wonderful site, easy beach access

    Campground was clean, with trails leading directly to Weko beach with gorgeous walking paths. Highly recommend, definitely a hidden gem.


Guide to Watervliet

Camping near Watervliet, Michigan, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review of Potato Creek State Park Campground stated, "The bathhouse was a bit dated, but pretty clean."
  • Friendly staff: Many visitors enjoy the helpfulness of campground hosts. A camper at Michigan City Campground said, "The staff is great. Very helpful and will work with you on taking care of your camp site."
  • Spacious sites: Campers often mention the generous spacing between sites. One review for Fort Custer Recreation Area highlighted, "Lots of privacy."

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes can be a problem: Be prepared for bugs, especially at Warren Dunes State Park Campground. A visitor warned, "Mosquitoes were awful even before the rain."
  • Noise levels vary: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or other campers. A review of Van Buren State Park Campground mentioned, "Nearby highway noise which I dislike."
  • Limited privacy: Many campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Grand Haven State Park Campground noted, "Sites are extremely tight and small."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Look for playgrounds: Some campgrounds, like Potato Creek State Park Campground, have great playgrounds. A reviewer said, "Kids seem to play there for hours."
  • Plan for activities: Choose campgrounds with nearby attractions. One family at Warren Dunes State Park Campground enjoyed, "Great walking paths, hiking and the beach."
  • Pack snacks: Having snacks on hand can make a big difference. A camper at Michigan City Campground mentioned, "The Pool full of children."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review of Lake Michigan Campground noted, "The spot we got was super hard to back our 33’ trailer into."
  • Look for electric hookups: Many campgrounds, like Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park, offer electric hookups. A visitor appreciated, "Sites are electric only, but there’s several water fills."
  • Be ready for tight spaces: Some campgrounds have limited space for RVs. A camper at Grand Haven State Park Campground said, "This is a parking lot on the beach - sites are extremely tight and small."

Camping near Watervliet, Michigan, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any state parks with camping facilities near Watervliet?

Yes, there are several state parks with camping facilities near Watervliet. Warren Dunes State Park Campground offers semi-modern sites in a more secluded tent area separate from RVs, featuring clean sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Van Buren State Park Campground is about a 10-minute walk to Lake Michigan with free hot showers, clean facilities, and a large sand dune to climb. A bit further but worth the drive is Holland State Park, which offers two campground options: Lake Macatawa Campground with typical Michigan state park amenities and Beach Campground with clean shower facilities and proximity to Lake Michigan.

What campgrounds are available in or near Watervliet?

Several campgrounds are available near Watervliet, Michigan. Covert Park Beach & Campground offers both RV sites with hookups and primitive tent sites within walking distance to Lake Michigan. Dutch Treat Camping & Recreation is a family-run campground featuring a fishing pond, swimming pool, and gagaball pit with both full hookups and rustic camping options. Other nearby options include Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday with amenities like a hot tub and heated pool, and Thousand Trails Bear Cave, a quiet campground with a clubhouse, pool, and walking trails.

Which is the most popular campground near Watervliet, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Watervliet, MI is Van Buren State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 36 reviews.