Van Buren State Park is located 10 minutes south of South Haven, Michigan. With over a mile of sandy dune shoreline, close to major tourist cities, and miles of hiking trails, this state park is an ideal place for a summer camping trip.
The Van Buren State Park Modern Campground is an excellent choice for solo campers and families. It offers two restroom buildings with showers, electricity sites, electricity, and sewage sites, a large playground for kids, and is a short walk from Lake Michigan.
There are 220 campsites to choose from. Some are heavily shaded and isolated while others are in full sun and right in the middle of all the action. We stayed at site 137 due to limited choices. This site had a perfect mix of sun and shade.
In addition to the campground, Van Buren State Park has access to two beautiful trail systems. The Van Buren Spur Trail is 4 miles in length and the Van Buren Trail State Park is 14 miles, including paved sections, and goes into South Haven.
What We Liked
The restrooms were very incredibly clean and very modern.
The beach was a short walk away, making it easy for a day of fun in the water or to enjoy the sunset.
There is plenty to do in the area, no matter what your hobbies are.
What We Didn’t Like
Some of the sites were small and the firepit was in a weird spot. We were able to fit a small tent, hammock, and screen room but it was a little cramped and we weren’t able to start a fire because the pit was too close to a tent. However, there were other sites that were much larger and fit large RVs as well as multiple tents.
There weren’t enough showers to accommodate the number of people at the park. There were frequently long lines. Plan on taking a shower at an odd time or expect a long wait.
More Information
For more information or to make a reservation, visit Van Buren State Park.