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Pokagon State Park Campground provides equestrian amenities within its extensive wooded setting near Angola, making it one of the top options for horse camping in the area. The park includes multiple campground loops with both electric and non-electric sites that accommodate various camping styles including tent, RV, and cabin options. While not featuring dedicated horse corrals, the park offers a saddle barn where visitors can arrange guided horseback rides on designated bridle trails. Each campground loop provides clean bathrooms with showers, potable water, and well-maintained sites. The camping areas include picnic tables and fire rings, with most sites situated among mature trees offering partial shade and privacy between some sites.
The trail system at Pokagon State Park connects riders to various natural features throughout the 1,260-acre property. Multiple trail options designated specifically for horseback riding wind through the forested terrain, with the saddle barn serving as the central access point for equestrians. Trails are well-marked with maps and signs to prevent riders from getting lost. The park remains open year-round, though horseback riding availability may be seasonal. The terrain is moderately rolling with some hills, making for varied riding experiences. Bathroom facilities throughout the park remain clean and heated during colder months. The $24 camping fee includes park access, with additional fees for guided horseback rides. Riders should note that personal horses are not permitted on trails; only horses from the park's stable may be used on the designated riding paths.
"Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric)."
"This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it."
from $20 - $480 / night
Check Availability"Met up with 18 other skoolies our first Indiana meet. Met great people had a fantastic time. Great park kids swam, showers are clean. Electric at sites but water isn’t but very close by."
"Chain is perfect for kayaking and canoeing with 9 connected lakes and 11 total. A couple lakes are perfect for boat fishing as long as you have an electric motor only."
from $14 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Overall Rating: 4 for access to the area, very clean facilities, and not too many campers thus time of year.
Price 2024: $35 for water/electric only.""A little close to your neighbors but the way the sites are angled you had plenty of room. Very friendly people. Easy in and out."
GuideEquestrian trails and campgrounds are popular here. Horse rides sold on site. There is a nice hotel that sometimes hosts events actually located in the park. Come tobagginging and ice fishing in the winter and then pamper yourself in the hotel, or visit in the summer and have a beach day or easy hike with the family. Great spot for Pokémon Go because of the available cell service.
TravelerPokagon State Park has an excellent state park campground. Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric). Many sites are flat (good for tent camping) while others are slightly rolling hills (helps breakup the sites a bit). There is a lot to do in the park including many trails, horse riding (horse stable on site), and lake swimming on a nicely improved beach. Only cons are no full hook up and the fire rings/grills could be improved.
TravelerThis is an extremely large campground. About seventy-five percent of the sites are electric. We stayed in Site 255, which was not electric (booked last minute). This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it. However, Site 269 (next to Site 277) afforded great privacy and was large; among the non-electric sites this was the best I saw. I did not survey the electric sites, but I’m sure the site matters a lot. Non-electric sites are $20.00, plus a $9.00 park entrance fee.
There are numerous walking trails, along with horse and bike trails. Additionally, there are boat rentals, horseback rides, pony rentals, swimming, nature center, and a restaurant at the inn.
This is a family oriented park. Extended family groupings are very common. Nevertheless, people and their children are well behaved.
I would recommend this campground for two days or more. A one day stay will mean you probably won’t see much of this wonderful park. The only reason I gave it a four was that even in mid-September it was packed.
LegendI have camped here a couple of times while visiting northern Indiana to have repairs done on my RV. Overall, I like this campground where for $30/night you can get a 50 amp full hook-up site or $23/night a 30 amp and water site. If you plan on staying longer weekly and monthly rates are really good. The campground sits in the middle of the county fairgrounds so there is usually something going on – either a fair, concert, horse event, or an RV rally. Depending on what time of year you are here and part of the week, the campground could be very crowded or very empty. The nice thing is the people in the office let you pick whatever site you want and don’t assign one to you. There are 275 full hook-up sites with 50 amp full hook-up and 30 amp water & electric only. There are no fires allowed and some sites don’t have picnic tables but you can request one and they will bring it to your site.
There is very little shade and during my last visit the late September fall temperatures climbed to nearly 90 degrees and was brutal. This campground is better suited for RVs than tents but you are permitted to tent camp. Bathrooms and showers are scattered about and I was amazed at always how clean they (and the grounds as a whole) are. They do offer WiFi which worked pretty well in non-peak hours like early morning but was not reliable and sometimes frustrating. Since many sites have a clear view of the sky, you most likely will get satellite television reception and a dozen or so antenna channels.
One of the things I like about this park is the vast expanse of grounds to wander about walking my dog. There is a trail system just outside of the park that allows you miles and miles of walking and biking trails. Downtown Goshen is less than two miles away and has some great restaurants (including Venturi Pizza, Maple Indian Cuisine – which has an awesome buffet, and Goshen Brewing Company). The Saturday farmers market is great with lots of produce, breads, meats, cheeses, and crafts.
The last time I visited coincided with the Mennonite Relief Fund which was a big fund raiser for their charity that packed the grounds with stuff for sale, food, and activities. It was fun to be there during the event but it meant the campground and grounds were packed.
Now for the bad about this campground. It is located right next to very busy train tracks that operate 24/7 and blow their horns quite often. They were really annoying in the middle of the night. Sites are close together so if it is crowded and you have a neighbor, you will be right on top of them. There is no shade which can be very miserable.
Pros:
· Price - $30/night for a 50 amp full hook-up site
· Nearby downtown stores and restaurants
· Sites are not assigned so you can pick where you want to camp
· Grassy patios
· Large grounds to meander around
· Nearby biking/walking trail
Cons:
· Very noisy from nearby trains operated at all hours
· Few trees for shade or privacy
· Some sites are very tight and close to your neighbor
· Can be very crowded
· WiFi provided but not reliable
TravelerMet up with 18 other skoolies our first Indiana meet. Met great people had a fantastic time. Great park kids swam, showers are clean. Electric at sites but water isn’t but very close by.
TravelerThere are trail, beaches, boats, horses... so many things to do
LegendThis state park was established in 1925, so almost 100 years old. The campground must be the original layout. There's a maze like quality to it. The roads are narrow & you may be driving off the road for a big rig.
Some sites are level, some aren't. Some can accommodate larger rigs, most can't. Check the site descriptions carefully & to be doubly sure, call the office & ask.
There's water stations that look very old. They have wooden, shingled roofs. There's 2 dump stations located in loops 3 & 4. IN THE CAMPGROUND! NEXT TO CAMPSITES!!!!
There's 5 loops to the main campground.
100 loop is small & closer to the lake than the other loops. It's the loop we chose this time.
The sites are on the small side. There's 3 campsites that are close to the lake. 115, which is a larger site. 117 & 119 which have clear views of the lake. 117 is more a tent or popup site & is small. 119 is the best of the bunch. A large pad & a large site. There's no privacy bushes. These sites have a view of the lake with trees & brush & are on a ridge overlooking the lake. They aren't ON the lake.
On either side of 117 & 119 are 2 trails that lead to the lake. There's benches & a dock to tie up your boat.
The rest of the sites are a mixed bag. Some are level, some have an incline. If you have a big rig, be aware that the road to the 100 campsites branches into one way. Leading into the campsites, the road is narrow & has a ravine on one side!
200 Loop is non electric
300 Loop is the biggest loop & seems like the best bet for larger rigs. As stated above, some sites are better than others. There's a uniformity here that's missing from the other loops.
Stay away from sites 393& 395!!! These sites are literally right on top of the dump station! As always watch for pit toilets near the sites.
400 loop is a smaller loop next to the 200 loop. There's only one shower house for both loops. Avoid site 444 & probably site 454. These sites are VERY close to the dump station.
500 loop is also smaller& has some nice sites tucked by themselves in the trees. There seems to be more privacy brush on this loop with SOME sites.
512 is close to the shower house. 511 & 513 were somewhat secluded.
If you have a boat you want to tie up at the dock, go for the 100 loop. If you can't get it, be aware there's no parking near the trails to the lake. You can park by the bathhouse & walk.
The shower & restrooms are atrocious!!! Worst looking buildings since Spring Mill SP! Dirty & need an entire overhaul. In fact, raze the buildings & build new ones! They're "cleaned" once a day. Suuuuuure they are. There was actual poop on the door of one of the women's toilet stalls the whole time I was there. Mold & spiders& dirt in the corners. Looks like the last upgrade was in the 50s.
ScoutWe visited for just one night on a fall weekday. Campground was not crowded. Our site #315 was spacious with a nice foliage buffer around it. Many nice sites, but also many small, not private at all sites. We enjoyed a hike on one of the nice hiking trails, saw many families enjoying the bicycle trails and paved park roads. There is an Inn and restaurant in the park. We talked about how nice it would be to meetup with non Camping family members at this location. There are horse stables and a winter toboggan run as well
TravelerI have stayed in the Inn and the camp site. I highly recommend it. There are so many activities that people of all ages can enjoy! I Particularly like the horse back riding trails, and in the winter there are toboggan rides!
Pokagon State Park Campground offers equestrian camping options near Angola, Indiana. Located in the glacial hills of northeastern Indiana, the park sits at an elevation of approximately 1,000 feet above sea level and encompasses 1,260 acres of woodland terrain. The campground provides facilities in an area known for its kettle lakes and moderate climate, with warm summers averaging 80°F and cold winters that can drop below 20°F.
Horseback riding at Chain O' Lakes State Park: The park provides guided trail rides through scenic forested paths. Rental horses are available for both experienced riders and beginners, with trails that wind through the nine connecting lakes system. As Amanda J. notes, "There is so much to do. Between the hiking trails, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and biking. You won't ever get bored."
Water recreation on Lake James: Multiple beaches within a 10-minute drive of Pokagon State Park Campground offer swimming and boating opportunities. Several boat rental options are available, though availability varies seasonally. According to Becky N., "There are trail, beaches, boats, horses... so many things to do."
Winter activities: The park's refrigerated toboggan run operates from late November through February, providing a unique winter experience for campers staying during colder months. The 1,780-foot slide reaches speeds up to 35-40 mph. During summer, the run serves as an interesting hiking destination with interpretive signs explaining its history.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness and upkeep of Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground. The bathrooms and shower facilities receive positive reviews for their condition and accessibility. Jeremy C. states, "Very clean state park. Reasonable prices. Kayaking and the beach was a huge hit with the kids."
Diverse camping options: Sites range from primitive tent-only areas to fully serviced RV hookups, with cabin rentals available for those seeking more comfort. Many sites accommodate both horse trailers and camping setups. As noted by Amy K., "There's 500+ sites, but all nicely separated and shaded. There's an inn, restaurant, cabins, boat rentals, horseback riding, bike trails, beach, toboggan run, etc."
Trail system connectivity: The extensive network of trails allows campers to explore different natural features without needing to drive between locations. Trails connect various campground loops, lakes, and natural areas. Rachel N. comments, "Peaceful place with lots of trails. Visited April 4, more people than I thought, but found a spot to be by myself."
Reservation requirements: During peak season (May through October), weekend sites at equestrian campgrounds fill quickly, often 3-6 months in advance. Holiday weekends require even earlier booking. Some primitive sites remain first-come, first-served.
Trail access limitations: Pokagon State Park restricts personal horses on trails. Only guided rides using the park's stable horses are permitted on designated bridle paths. Riders looking to bring their own horses should research alternative facilities.
Seasonal variations: Services and amenities change significantly between seasons. Anand notes about Pokagon, "We stopped here for a night on our cross-country trip, wish we had 2 nights because we had lots of thunderstorms. We camped in our teardrop on the primitive tent loop. Sites were nice and secluded where we were."
Campsite topography: Many sites feature uneven ground requiring leveling equipment. Karson G. mentions about Chain O' Lakes, "Nice quiet campground with lots of wildlife. Tent lots are flat and a good size. RR and showers nearby."
Activity planning: Schedule activities based on weather patterns typical for the season. Summer afternoons often reach 85-90°F, making morning trail rides and evening campfires more comfortable. Bradley P. shares about Pokagon State Park Campground, "Great place for family, lots of amenities."
Nature center programs: Both parks offer ranger-led educational programs specifically designed for children, including wildlife identification walks and conservation activities. Programs typically run weekends year-round and daily during summer months.
Campsite selection for families: Request sites closest to playgrounds and bathhouses when traveling with younger children. Sites numbered 75-125 at Chain O' Lakes provide the best balance of accessibility and privacy for families. According to Kimberly T., "So many people, kids and well behaved dogs. The quiet hours were quiet with exception of the couple loud drunk guys who ended up laying in the road near our sites."
Safety considerations: Inform children about identifying poison ivy along trails and review water safety rules before lake activities. Cell service remains inconsistent throughout more remote camping areas, so establish clear meeting points.
Site limitations: Many sites at Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground have length restrictions under 32 feet. J C. advises about Pokagon, "Sites are shorter and sometimes uneven. Bike trail, hiking trails, store, beach, inn, nature center."
Hookup availability: Electric sites (30/50 amp) are available at both parks, but full hookups are limited. Water fill and dump stations are centrally located rather than at individual sites. During peak summer weekends, expect wait times at dump stations.
Road conditions: Access roads to horse campgrounds near Angola feature some tight turns and moderate grades that can challenge larger rigs, particularly after rainfall. Most interior campground roads remain paved and well-maintained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Angola, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Angola, IN is Pokagon State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 52 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Angola, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Angola, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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