About Van Buren State Park
Van Buren State Park sits just south of South Haven, with a mile of sandy Lake Michigan beach backed by towering dunes and lush woodland trails. It's a smaller, quieter alternative to South Haven's busier public beaches, with a 220-site modern campground and two rustic youth group-use sites tucked into the dune-and-forest terrain.
All modern sites offer electric hookups, with 50-amp service on select sites. A buoyed swim area with accessible facilities sits at the base of the dunes, and seasonal naturalists run nature programs throughout the summer.
Things to Do
The dune trails are the park's main draw — short, steep climbs reward you with sweeping Lake Michigan views before dropping back down to the beach. The Van Buren Spur Trail is a 4-mile paved route connecting the park to downtown South Haven, and it links up with the 33.5-mile Kal-Haven Trail for longer rides. Paddlesport rentals are available seasonally for exploring the shoreline, and the park's pavilion and picnic areas can be reserved for group gatherings.
Best Time to Visit
Summer is peak beach season, with South Haven's restaurants and shops just a short bike ride away via the Van Buren Spur Trail. Fall brings quieter dune hikes and fall color along the wooded trails.
Reservation Tips
Van Buren sees less pressure than South Haven's in-town campgrounds, but summer weekends near the dune trailheads still go first. Book through MiDNRReservations.com as the 6-month window opens for the best site selection.
Getting There
The park is about 2 hours from Chicago and just over 2 hours from Detroit, making it a popular weekend destination for both metro areas along the I-196 corridor.