Salamonie Lake offers opportunities for pet friendly camping near Andrews, Indiana throughout the year. The terrain includes wooded ravines and rolling hills with elevations between 700-850 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures can drop to single digits, while summer brings 80-90°F days with moderate humidity.
What to do
Lake access for fishing: At Kilsoquah Camp, visitors can enjoy fishing from dedicated areas. According to Matthew F., "We found a cozy camp site along the back ring near the river. We didn't have a view but there was an area to go walk over to that had a very picturesque."
Mountain biking trails: Explore nearby trail systems with variable terrain. "The park has great trails for hiking and biking. The bison exhibit and ranger programs are great too," notes emily P. about Ouabache State Park Campground.
Seasonal boating: Bring kayaks and canoes during warmer months. "Always nice. Quiet. Clean. Tons of fun if you like the water," shares J. David M. about Mississinewa Lake Campground. Water levels can fluctuate significantly based on dam operations and seasonal rainfall.
Eagle watching: Winter months provide opportunities to spot bald eagles around area lakes. "Regular campground with pit toilets. Electric and primitive sites available. Good bird watching spot. Lots of eagles," according to Erica A. about Kil-So-Quah.
What campers like
Affordable primitive camping: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the basic amenities at reasonable prices. "Cheap, 13$ self pay. No electric or showers but do have bathroom. Very secluded luv it here," says amber P. about Salamonie River State Forest.
Waterfall hikes: Several small waterfalls provide scenic destinations for day hikes. "Fun trails, small waterfalls, good fishing. As far as Indiana parks goes, this is a hidden gem. We have camped here many times," writes Whitley K. about Salamonie River State Forest.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear nights away from urban light pollution offer excellent celestial viewing. "Clean sites, definitely seemed geared towards rv/campers but we fit in with our tent. Amazing spot for stargazing. Local trails are abundant and vary in difficulty," notes Lauren Z. about Mississinewa Lake Campground.
Wildlife observation: The forests and wetlands around the campgrounds host diverse animal species. "Winter camping so no showers/bathrooms. Great area, lots of wildlife. They have wifi (bye the water tower) nice lake, some trails," reports kim K. about Mississinewa Lake Campground.
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Bring filtration systems for drinking water at some campgrounds. "The potable water is brown and smelly.. be sure to bring your water filter! But we did enjoy our weekend here," warns emily P. about Ouabache State Park.
Limited cell service: Prepare for spotty connectivity at most campgrounds. "Internet rarely worked and Verizon coverage was extremely minimal," mentions Josh about Mississinewa Lake Campground.
Weekend crowds: Holiday weekends draw significant crowds, especially during summer. "During the weekends it gets packed. Only 60 sites so show up early if you want one. No reservations so first come gets it," advises Darrell B. about Kil-So-Quah.
Shooting range noise: Some campgrounds experience periodic noise from nearby ranges. "There is gunfire noise from the range across the lake. Not bad though," mentions Erica A. about Kil-So-Quah campground.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground offers several play areas for children. "Very clean state park. Reasonable prices. Kayaking and the beach was a huge hit with the kids," shares Jeremy C.
Beach access: Several campgrounds feature swimming beaches during summer months. "The beach was clean and fun. Not very busy when we were there, which was nice," notes Burns G. about Lost Bridge State Recreation Area.
Kid-friendly trails: Short, accessible trails work well for families with young children. "This is one of my first trails I went on that started my love for hiking. It's so short and simple but we loved it," mentions Caitlin W. about the 3 Falls Trail.
Educational programs: Ranger-led activities provide learning opportunities. "The bison exhibit and ranger programs are great too," notes emily P. about Ouabache State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Choose carefully based on your specific needs and rig size. "Typical state run campground. Some sites are very close together, while some offer a little more room. Sites 221-243, 202-204 offer lake views," advises Cynthia K. about Lost Bridge State Recreation Area.
Limited full hookup availability: Camp Timber Lake offers full hookups but with some tradeoffs. "The camp ground is small and clean. There is pull through full hook up sites. But they are full sun and small sites. So no privacy," notes Tina H.
Dump station congestion: Plan accordingly for peak checkout times. "One thing we didn't like was the lack of DNR presence. Occasionally, during the day they drove by. They didn't prevent people from parking anywhere they wanted," mentions Cynthia K. about Lost Bridge State Recreation Area.
Winter camping options: Some campgrounds maintain limited facilities year-round. "Love this place for winter camping. The campground comfort stations are heated all winter long," says Lisa N. about Ouabache State Park.