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Michigan
223

Michigan State Parks

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USA Parks
Michigan
Southwest Region
Van Buren State Park
Van Buren State Park © Wasrts / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sand dunes on Lake Michigan, Van Buren State Park, Michigan USA, winter
Van Buren State Park © Dwp49423 at English Wikipedia / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Palisades Nuclear Plant as viewed from Van Buren State Park-located immediately north of Palisades.
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VAN BUREN STATE PARK
VAN BUREN STATE PARK
23960 Ruggles Road
South Haven, Michigan   49090
(lat:42.3346 lon:-86.3006) map location

Phone: 269-637-2788
Reservations: 800-447-2757
Van Buren State Park offers approximately 400 acres of land located along the Lake Michigan shoreline in northern Van Buren County. The focal points of the park are its high dune formations and one mile of sandy beach. Van Buren became a state park in May of 1965 when the original 167-acre plot was purchased from the Harry LaBar Drake family. Since then two other land purchases have been made to make up the current park.
Passes
The Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. Details and information on how to obtain your Michigan Recreation Passport can be found by visiting the MICHIGAN RECREATION PASSPORT web page.
Camping
Van Buren-Group Use Area(269) 637-2788 2 site(s), Contact the parkGroup Use Area, Rustic Site

Van Buren-Modern(800) 447-2757 220 site(s)Campsites with 50 amp Service, Electrical Service, Modern Restrooms
Swimming
The shore of Lake Michigan provides a great area for swimming and a beautiful beach for sun bathing.


Location
Van Buren State Park is located near Benton Harbor, South Haven

Picnicking
The day use area has a picnic area with picnic tables and grills, a picnic shelter and two modern toilet buildings. Picnic shelter is on a first come first serve basis unless reserved. Reservations may be made by contacting the park. Playscape area in the main day use area is now ADA compliant.
Nature Programs
Michigan State Park Explorer ProgramLearn more about the natural features and resources located in this park with the Outdoor Explorer Program.
Area Attractions
South Haven is a wonderful year round area. Various festivals are held throughout the year such as the National Blueberry Fest, Harbor Fest, July 4th Arts Fair, Labor Day All Crafts Fair and the February Ice breaker. South Haven also has one of the finest Maritime Museums on the Great Lakes. The country side has many small farm markets and antique stores to browse through. Those who are interested in boating or fishing will find public boat launch facilities, charter boat fishing and marinas. There are many public golf courses in the area.

For those who enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling, the 14-mile long Van Buren Trail and the Kal-Haven Trail start in the nearby city of South Haven. The Kal-Haven Trail is a 33 mile former railroad bed and has a limestone/slag surface. The trail links the city of South Haven to the city of Kalamazoo. The trail user will pass through small towns and villages, cross over bridges, pass points of historical interest and go through some of Michigan's beautiful countryside. Both trails are opened in the winter and snowmobiling is allowed.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
August 26 Great Park
park review stars; one to five We really enjoyed our stay at Van Buren State Park. One of the nicest state parks we have stayed at. Beautiful campground, great shower and restrooms. Clean, quiet and enjoyable. Nice access to Lake Michigan.
June 28 Great camping and swimming by Tracy
park review stars; one to five We love this campground. Perfect for our big family. Beach is so close and the best sunsets ever. Bathrooms and showers are good and the sites are great. Reserving a campsite at Michigan State Parks is so easy and their discriptions help. We travel 3 hours to get there and it is just a perfect beach getaway.
August 25 Very clean and quiet
park review stars; one to five Very clean, well-maintained restrooms and shower facilities for campers. Quiet evenings, no rowdiness ever in this park: nice for children. A great place to camp to enjoy the wonderful beaches of Lake Michigan...and close to South Haven. Include me as another fan of the Thirsty Perch...best perch on the Great Lakes !!
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Area Campgrounds
Hidden Ponds RV Resort
73030 12th Avenue
South Haven, MI
269-204-5500
Coloma/St. Joe/South Haven KOA
3527 Coloma Road
Riverside, MI
269-849-3333
Warner Camp
60 55th Street
Grand Junction, MI
269-434-6844
South Haven Family Campground
03403 64th Street
South Haven, MI
Sunnybrook RV Resort
68300 CR 388
South Haven, MI
Covert/South Haven KOA
39397 M-140 Highway
Covert, MI
269-764-0818
Coloma / St. Joseph KOA Holiday
3527 Coloma Road
Benton Harbor, MI
269-849-3333
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
From I-96 take Exit 13 W. 1/2 mile, N. on Old Blue Star Hwy. For 4 miles. Left on Cr 380, then left on Ruggles Rd.

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Michigan
223

Michigan State Parks

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