The best waterside camping near Nappanee

Camping waterside in Nappanee puts you close to lakes, ponds, and quiet streams—ideal for fishing, spotting herons, or just listening to frogs at dusk. With over 820 campsites tailored to waterside stays, you won’t have trouble finding a spot that fits your style, whether you want simple ground cover or easy access to showers and toilets. Average rates hover around $48 a night, but you can snag a site for as little as $24. Travelling with your dog? Most sites welcome pets. Standouts include Mulln-Heim Vineyards (488 reviews), where you can camp near the vines and stroll down to the water, Walnut Valley Realm Campground (399 reviews) for its mix of woods and water, and The Once a Pond A Time Campsites (94 reviews) with peaceful pond views. Pack binoculars for wildlife-watching, bring your fishing pole, and if you’re here in winter, try some snow sports before warming up by the fire.

96% (1.9K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Nappanee

1. Lochloosa River Retreat

30mi from Nappanee · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Lochloosa River Retreat – Family Fun, River Adventures and Relaxing Stays on the Tippecanoe! Welcome to Lochloosa River Retreat—your home away from home along the beautiful Tippecanoe River! Nestled on 6 peaceful acres, our hobby farm offers primitive tent camping, dry RV sites, a River View RV lodging site (RV included) and a cozy cabin stay in the Zen Shed—perfect for families, paddlers, and nature lovers looking to unwind. At full capacity, we can host up to 60 people and also offer group hosting. Paddle, float, and explore! We offer kayak and tubing trips on a scenic stretch of the river—message us to get on the float schedule. Guest enjoy playing in the shallow creek that winds through the property, as well as relaxing at camp, listening to the sounds of running water and a fire, or playing and cooling off in our saltwater pool complete with a slide and diving board. Wildlife is abundant, so bring your binoculars for birdwatching or cast a line from the riverbank. Want more comfort? Book a stay in the Zen Shed, our rustic riverside cabin or the River View RV for the ultimate glamping comfort—both perfect for a peaceful, unplugged getaway with real beds and front-row views of nature. Located near Lake Maxinkuckee and the charming town of Culver, there’s plenty to explore just a short drive away. There are also a few nature preserves nearby as well as a new Bark Park! A nearby country store (2 miles) offers pizza, chicken, ice, and other essentials. 🚿 Clean indoor bathrooms and showers 🏕️ Tent, RV sites, cabin lodging (Zen Shed) or RV lodging (River view RV) 🛶 Family-friendly tubing and kayak trips 🐾 Pet-friendly (north of the creek only) 🔥 Campfires, sunsets and stargazing galore Please review site details before booking. Pets are welcome only at campsites north of the creek, as our farm animals live on the south side. Please make sure to enter pets at booking to make sure your preferred site is pet friendly. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. We can’t wait to welcome you to Lochloosa—where adventure meets relaxation and memories are made by the river!

2. Pondor Lake Southwest Michigan

46mi from Nappanee · 4 sites · Tents, RVs

This stylish home and property sets the stage for a one of a kind stay. The unique setting is quiet and comfortable, makes you believe that you are hours away from civilization but you're only a short drive from the city and in close proximity of US 131, Interstate 94, M60 and M66. Fishing and kayaking year round, unique decks and gardens overlooking a private eight acre pond encompass this back to nature lifestyle. We're located right on the Portage River that feeds into what locals call The Mighty St. Joe. Maybe you'd like to take a rural walk or run, listen to the frogs and the birds ~ yet minutes away from Portage or Kalamazoo and a short drive from major highways. A 20 minute nature walk around Pondor Lake will surly calm your soul and heart from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We can accommodate larger groups! Just let us know what you need and how we can make your stay memorable. Do you have a boat? No problem ~ public accesses to neighboring Portage and Fishers Lake, along with the St. Joseph River, are literally minutes away. Staying at Pondor Lake will be memorable and relaxing. Pondor Lake ~ a private place to ponder.

Electrical hookup

3. Harbor Country Cabins

44mi from Nappanee · 2 sites · Lodging

I become owner of this property in 2017. The cabins were built in the late 90's financed by the previous owner. The property was vacant for decades prior to that. In the 1950's, the property was a drive-in motel called the 'Harbert Motel'. We have an arial photo from this time period which showed a number of small bungalows for guests, each with its own carport. I love all the stories I hear from locals who have been around long enough to remember how things 'used to be'. Southwest Michigan has an interesting history and has been a 'destination' from city dwellers for close to 100 years. Even Al Capone and his goon's frequented the area as they moved illegal good during the days of prohibition. Learn more about this land: Breweries, Wineries, Berry Picking, Art Studios, Farmers Markets, hiking trails, biking trails, Lake Michigan boating, kayaking, fishing, canoeing.......all those things and more await you in Southwest Michigan. We have 6 'tiny house' style cabins on 1-acre property we call - Harbor Country Cabins. Harbor Country Cabins is located along the Lake Michigan Wine Trail. Our resort offers a unique lodging and gathering location in the center of Harbor Country, near Southwest Michigan’s premier destination for beaches, breweries, wineries, dining and summer fun. With 12 queen bunk and 4 twin bunk beds spaced across 6 cabins, our property can hold up to 28 people. Price in this listing is for rental of all 6 cabins.

Camping waterside in Nappanee puts you close to lakes, ponds, and quiet streams—ideal for fishing, spotting herons, or just listening to frogs at dusk. With over 820 campsites tailored to waterside stays, you won’t have trouble finding a spot that fits your style, whether you want simple ground cover or easy access to showers and toilets. Average rates hover around $48 a night, but you can snag a site for as little as $24. Travelling with your dog? Most sites welcome pets. Standouts include Mulln-Heim Vineyards (488 reviews), where you can camp near the vines and stroll down to the water, Walnut Valley Realm Campground (399 reviews) for its mix of woods and water, and The Once a Pond A Time Campsites (94 reviews) with peaceful pond views. Pack binoculars for wildlife-watching, bring your fishing pole, and if you’re here in winter, try some snow sports before warming up by the fire.

96% (1.9K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Nappanee

1. Lochloosa River Retreat

30mi from Nappanee · 10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Lochloosa River Retreat – Family Fun, River Adventures and Relaxing Stays on the Tippecanoe! Welcome to Lochloosa River Retreat—your home away from home along the beautiful Tippecanoe River! Nestled on 6 peaceful acres, our hobby farm offers primitive tent camping, dry RV sites, a River View RV lodging site (RV included) and a cozy cabin stay in the Zen Shed—perfect for families, paddlers, and nature lovers looking to unwind. At full capacity, we can host up to 60 people and also offer group hosting. Paddle, float, and explore! We offer kayak and tubing trips on a scenic stretch of the river—message us to get on the float schedule. Guest enjoy playing in the shallow creek that winds through the property, as well as relaxing at camp, listening to the sounds of running water and a fire, or playing and cooling off in our saltwater pool complete with a slide and diving board. Wildlife is abundant, so bring your binoculars for birdwatching or cast a line from the riverbank. Want more comfort? Book a stay in the Zen Shed, our rustic riverside cabin or the River View RV for the ultimate glamping comfort—both perfect for a peaceful, unplugged getaway with real beds and front-row views of nature. Located near Lake Maxinkuckee and the charming town of Culver, there’s plenty to explore just a short drive away. There are also a few nature preserves nearby as well as a new Bark Park! A nearby country store (2 miles) offers pizza, chicken, ice, and other essentials. 🚿 Clean indoor bathrooms and showers 🏕️ Tent, RV sites, cabin lodging (Zen Shed) or RV lodging (River view RV) 🛶 Family-friendly tubing and kayak trips 🐾 Pet-friendly (north of the creek only) 🔥 Campfires, sunsets and stargazing galore Please review site details before booking. Pets are welcome only at campsites north of the creek, as our farm animals live on the south side. Please make sure to enter pets at booking to make sure your preferred site is pet friendly. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. We can’t wait to welcome you to Lochloosa—where adventure meets relaxation and memories are made by the river!

2. Pondor Lake Southwest Michigan

46mi from Nappanee · 4 sites · Tents, RVs

This stylish home and property sets the stage for a one of a kind stay. The unique setting is quiet and comfortable, makes you believe that you are hours away from civilization but you're only a short drive from the city and in close proximity of US 131, Interstate 94, M60 and M66. Fishing and kayaking year round, unique decks and gardens overlooking a private eight acre pond encompass this back to nature lifestyle. We're located right on the Portage River that feeds into what locals call The Mighty St. Joe. Maybe you'd like to take a rural walk or run, listen to the frogs and the birds ~ yet minutes away from Portage or Kalamazoo and a short drive from major highways. A 20 minute nature walk around Pondor Lake will surly calm your soul and heart from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We can accommodate larger groups! Just let us know what you need and how we can make your stay memorable. Do you have a boat? No problem ~ public accesses to neighboring Portage and Fishers Lake, along with the St. Joseph River, are literally minutes away. Staying at Pondor Lake will be memorable and relaxing. Pondor Lake ~ a private place to ponder.

Electrical hookup

3. Harbor Country Cabins

44mi from Nappanee · 2 sites · Lodging

I become owner of this property in 2017. The cabins were built in the late 90's financed by the previous owner. The property was vacant for decades prior to that. In the 1950's, the property was a drive-in motel called the 'Harbert Motel'. We have an arial photo from this time period which showed a number of small bungalows for guests, each with its own carport. I love all the stories I hear from locals who have been around long enough to remember how things 'used to be'. Southwest Michigan has an interesting history and has been a 'destination' from city dwellers for close to 100 years. Even Al Capone and his goon's frequented the area as they moved illegal good during the days of prohibition. Learn more about this land: Breweries, Wineries, Berry Picking, Art Studios, Farmers Markets, hiking trails, biking trails, Lake Michigan boating, kayaking, fishing, canoeing.......all those things and more await you in Southwest Michigan. We have 6 'tiny house' style cabins on 1-acre property we call - Harbor Country Cabins. Harbor Country Cabins is located along the Lake Michigan Wine Trail. Our resort offers a unique lodging and gathering location in the center of Harbor Country, near Southwest Michigan’s premier destination for beaches, breweries, wineries, dining and summer fun. With 12 queen bunk and 4 twin bunk beds spaced across 6 cabins, our property can hold up to 28 people. Price in this listing is for rental of all 6 cabins.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Lochloosa River Retreat

R

Rachel

October 2025

25 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

Nicole and her husband were extremely inviting and accommodating. The property is beautiful and the wildlife abundant. Would definitely recommend!

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Lochloosa River Retreat

G

Genesis

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

My fiancée and I loved our weekend getaway at Nichole’s site. She was very welcoming & gave us a tour of the camp site. The area was very clean & was a perfect spot for us to disconnect from the city life. She even offered the river tubing ride which we also HIGHLY recommend. It was definitely the highlight of our trip. Nicole was also very quick on her responses and helped us with the questions we had. We will definitely visit again & we recommend this stay 👍🏼💚🌳

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Site # 2 is about half way down the pond from the main house. A dock, suitable for sunbathing, picnicking or fishing is just steps away from this site.

T

Tsali

October 2025

Tent

3 nights at Pondor Lake Southwest Michigan

I loved camping here. Robin is very welcoming and her property is very nice. Definitely recommend staying here.

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Lochloosa River Retreat

A

Amy

September 2025

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

Beautiful location. We really enjoyed the river and views. The hosts were great and easy to work with. We will definitely be back.

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Lochloosa River Retreat

J

JuliAnn

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

Friendly hosts, nice location! Would definitely return.

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Lochloosa River Retreat

M

Marise

September 2025

12 ft pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

The property was a pleasant surprise for being in a rural area. It was nice to have options of river access for kayaking or a salt water pool to reside in. It was clean. If you’re a tent camper your areas appeared nicely spaced out. If you have an RV you will be at the entrance just off the road (which was rarely traveled). Wide open places if you were to have a group you would have the front all to yourselves. Kayaking on the river was fun. It was a nice couple of days.

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Lochloosa River Retreat

E

Emily

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

I loved camping here! The site is clean and well cleared with an amazing view of the river. The hosts were so welcoming and helpful!

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Lochloosa River Retreat

M

Mikhail

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

One of the best Hipcamp experiences so far! Spacious camp spot with stunning views at the river. Feels really secluded, in the same time you are steps away from the facilities and swimming pool. Also, I didn’t have any issues with bugs and mosquitoes despite being among trees close to the river.

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Creek runs to the river on the edge of Lochloosa. Creekside tents sites available complete with soothing sounds of the babbling brook!

M

Megan

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

Fabulous hosts (friendly & helpful), well kept property with beautiful views. Bathrooms clean & well stocked. Pool was crystal-clear & perfect for relaxing & hanging out.

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Creek runs to the river on the edge of Lochloosa. Creekside tents sites available complete with soothing sounds of the babbling brook!

C

Christine

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

My girlfriend and I loved Nicole's place. It is beautiful, we had a stream running along side our camp site. She is on the river. She has chickens and goats.

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Lochloosa River Retreat

E

Emily

August 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

We loved our stay and didn’t want to leave! We stayed here for a weekend for a girls trip and did a float on Saturday. We stayed on the Firefly campsite and it was a perfect campsite for us, it was private and had a view of the river. The pool was amazing and so clean. Nicole was so kind and helpful with any questions we had before and during our stay. We will definitely be back!

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Lochloosa River Retreat

D

Danny

July 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

Nicole’s land was definitely a time to remember! They were very accommodating to me and my family. The pool was always cleaned everyday and bathrooms/showers were the best and also clean! Will definitely be back again!

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Lochloosa River Retreat

M

Marcy

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

One of my favorite places to stay! During this trip, I enjoyed kayaking. Nicole and her husband were very helpful. The kayaking experience was beautiful and relaxing. All the amenities were clean and well-maintained. The swimming pool is an added bonus at this campground. Nicole & her husband are friendly and kind.

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Lochloosa River Retreat

E

Ekta

July 2025

Tent

With kids

3 nights at Lochloosa River Retreat

Loved this place. I would highly recommend this place to everyone. Nicole the owner of the property is so nice and helpful for us.

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Lochloosa River Retreat

I

Isabella

July 2025

Tent

With pets

3 nights at Lochloosa River Retreat

This camp is absolutely amazing. We visited it on the 4th of July and we really enjoyed everything. The communication was very clear and prompt, the hosts are so friendly. All the territory is so functional, beautiful and clean. The swimming pool is really great with a slide, the water was warm. The river view is beautiful. My husband even caught a fish there on our last day in the morning. Our group enjoyed this camping so much, we will definitely be back. Thank you so much!

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Lochloosa River Retreat

A

Amber

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

We loved the space, the hospitality, and the river! Beautiful retreat!!

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Lochloosa River Retreat

M

Matthew

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

Nicole and her husband were super nice and helpful! Gave us a tour of the property, the fishing dock and the pool were really nice. The bathroom/shower was a plus also. Culver was super close that had great lake views and coffee! Would definitely stay again.

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Lochloosa River Retreat

Daniele

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

We loved our weekend camping trip at Lochloosa River Retreat! The entire experience was seamless from beginning to end. We stayed at the River View camp site and weren’t disappointed. Perfect view of the Tippecanoe River from atop a high hillside with a nice camp area that was mostly private. The weather was hot but we enjoyed the beautiful pool and hot tub which made it much more pleasant. We booked a kayak trip for the late morning and were driven to the starting point by both Nicole and her husband Jack. She gave us clear instructions about what to look for and approximately how long our trip would take. A recent storm may have caused some fallen trees that might have blocked our trip but luckily we had no issues. The wildlife was abundant and the serene landscape was just what we needed. We bought some firewood for our nightly campfires and enjoyed fresh eggs for breakfast cooked over an open fire. The goats and chickens were a treat for this former farm kid. If I had to make any suggestions it would be for a portable toilet near the wooded sites as it’s a bit of walk to the restrooms and showers, but otherwise everything was great! We hope to return again and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Thanks Nicole and Jack for being wonderful hosts!

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Pondor Lake Southwest Michigan

Alysia

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Pondor Lake Southwest Michigan

First time using Hipcamp and it did not disappoint…Robin was absolutely amazing…her property was very peaceful…it was my first time ever camping and was the most perfect and safest place to get started. She was extremely helpful and even shared some asparagus with me ❤️. I hope to return in the future

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Lochloosa River Retreat

P

Pamela

May 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Lochloosa River Retreat

We loved camping at Nicole and Jack’s campsite. The kayaks are always the best part, but Nicole and Jack make you feel at home. We will be back!

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Value Prop

Value Prop

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

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