Jonathan M.
Scout
ScoutChain O' Lakes State Park Campground
Nice Fall Weekend
For our first fall, chilly camping weekend, it was a nice getaway. We got to enjoy the Halloween decorations and the quiet chilly mornings.
Equestrian Camping near Arcola, IN
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Limited horse camping opportunities exist near Arcola, Indiana. Based on current data, none of the campgrounds in the region feature dedicated horse corrals or specialized equestrian facilities. Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground offers the most developed camping experience with multiple accommodation options including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins, though without specific horse amenities. The park encompasses nine connected lakes with extensive trails that could potentially accommodate day rides, but visitors should contact park management regarding equestrian policies before planning a trip with horses.
The surrounding state parks and recreation areas like Ouabache State Park, Pokagon State Park, and Lost Bridge State Recreation Area similarly lack designated equestrian camping facilities. Salamonie River State Forest provides more primitive camping experiences with access to natural areas but does not list horse corrals or equestrian campsites among its features. Campers frequently mention the extensive trail systems throughout these parks, with Chain O' Lakes offering ten miles of connected waterways and multiple hiking trails that wind through wooded areas and around lakes. The campground can get busy during summer weekends and major holidays, affecting the overall experience.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Arcola (8)
1. Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground
"Chain O Lakes State Park, Albion Indiana. Northwest of Fort Wayne. 416 electric, nonelectric & primitive campsites. Water is available & 3 dumps.
This was our 3rd time camping here."
"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."
from $14 - $90 / night
Check Availability2. Pokagon State Park Campground
"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 Availability3. Ouabache State Park Campground
"The paved bike trail in the park starts near the campground, and connects with a bike trail along the Wabash River that goes into nearby Bluffton, and is an easy ride. "
"Plenty of trails to hike and a nice little lake to enjoy. Will definitely come back here"
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability4. Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area Campgrounds — Salamonie Lake
"We camped in a tent had a fire went hiking found little waterfalls and there is another part that allows horses!!"
"This is one of the best parks we have been to in Indiana. We Volunteer all over our the USA at State Parks and National Forest. So we know what to look for."
from $14 - $42 / night
Check Availability5. Salamonie River State Forest
"I return to Salamonie River State Forest year after year because it truly feels like Northeast Indiana’s best-kept secret."
"The trails can get extreme.. if you’re really into hiking this is a great place. Three waterfalls and lots of trails with horses walking around."
from $13 - $15 / night
Check Availability6. Lost Bridge West
"If you can get a lake view site enjoy. Some spot are far away from the shower houses but you can drive to them. Nice marina with a great store and boat rentals"
"There’s also an entire beach close by, the parking lot needs to be maintained at the beach. I saw DNR once a day. The boat launch is close if you have a boat. The restrooms are clean but primitive."
7. Elkhart County Fairgrounds
"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."
8. Kosciusko County Fairgrounds
from $5 - $10 / night
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Drive Time
- 13 min from Fort Wayne, IN
- 1 hr 18 min from Muncie, IN
- 1 hr 19 min from Elkhart, IN
- 1 hr 26 min from Kokomo, IN
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Arcola, IN
1 Photos of 8 Arcola Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Arcola, IN
156 Reviews of 8 Arcola Campgrounds
- Frank B.Scout
Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground
Relaxing September Evening at Chain O' Lakes State Park
I stayed one evening last Wednesday here, a first time for me. Just tent camping / sleeping in the car. There were other campers around enjoying the pleasant evening, mainly in RVs. Everyone was very quiet and respectful. The shower buildings are old fashioned with a common area to place clothes and a towel, and only a shower curtain for each individual shower. However, I was the only one showering at the time anyway. The shower area was state park clean, I guess. Before leaving, I viewed the one room schoolhouse on the grounds, just from the windows as it wasn't open at the time. Quaint and old school. Overall, I recommend camping at the park if you can live with the shower building or have an RV for added convenience.
Michael M.
GuidePokagon State Park Campground
Simple stop
We used Pokagon State Park as a two-night stopover on our way home from Northern Michigan, and overall, it was a good option for a short stay.
We stayed in Site 109, which was tucked away and felt fairly isolated from the rest of the campground. In early spring or late fall, I imagine the site would have a nice view of the lake, but in August the tree cover was too thick to see much of it.
The gravel pad was reasonably level, but we needed a couple inches of leveling blocks to get the RV sitting flat. There wasn’t really much of a grassy area at the site for the dogs, but we were able to walk them easily just down the road.
We brought our bicycles, which was a great way to explore the park. We rode around to the nature center, equestrian facility, and beach, and enjoyed being able to see more of the park without having to drive everywhere.
One thing that surprised us was the single dump station for the entire campground. Since none of the sites have full hookups, I would imagine the line could get ridiculously long after a busy weekend.
Overall, we’d stay here again, but probably only as a one- or two-night layover rather than a longer destination stay. Site 109 worked well for us because of its privacy and quiet location.
- Tom O.Guide
Pokagon State Park Campground
Lots to Do
A very large campground with lots to do. Spacious site. Charges a vehicle fee along with campground fee. Sites in loop 1 are gravel and mostly not level. Lots of noise from motor boats on the lake during the day.
- ttammy I.Scout
Pokagon State Park Campground
Stay away from loop 6
I love this state park. My kids wanted to Join us a week or to our. Site 507 and 509 were available. Do not stay there. The sewer smell was so bad we did not want to leave our trailer. If that was our first trip we would never returned
- AAngela B.Scout
Pokagon State Park Campground
Great site/ DNR presence too much
Great site, however, DNR drives by every five minutes. The primitive bathroom facilities are absolutely horrid, the newer ones up the road from site 238 are beautiful.
Cynthia K.
LegendChain O' Lakes State Park Campground
Nice State Park!
Chain O Lakes State Park, Albion Indiana. Northwest of Fort Wayne.
416 electric, nonelectric & primitive campsites. Water is available & 3 dumps.
This was our 3rd time camping here. We were in handicapped site 325 which was a pretty good site. We had good neighbors which helps. The campground is well established & shaded. Read the site descriptions carefully for inclines & site dimensions.
What is really interesting is they have 7 canoe campsites. They have their own pit toilets & a little dock. Site 3 is behind the pit toilet, but the rest looked ok. They're just off trail 4 as well.
Cabins are also available.
Hot showers& bathrooms. They were state park clean, but definitely need some upgrading.
This is a boating/fishing/hiking park.
There's 29 miles of fairly easy trails- all can be looped.
9 connecting glacial kettle lakes make for great kayaking & canoeing. Electric motor only makes for a peaceful lake experience. Fishing was pretty good according to my fisherguy.
There's a 1915 schoolhouse that's open on the weekends.
There's a small swimming beach with food for sale. There's also boat rental with canoes, kayaks & small boats.
Nice campground for a summer weekend!
Susan W.
TravelerSalamonie River State Forest
Small Gem, Big Shine!
I return to Salamonie River State Forest year after year because it truly feels like Northeast Indiana’s best-kept secret. This 21‑site primitive campground offers peaceful seclusion, 4 pit toilets, and two water sources—including a spring‑fed spigot with crisp, cold, delicious drinking water. I’ve stayed at several sites, with Site 18 and Site 20 as favorites. Tent‑friendly, small camper-friendly, pet‑friendly, and just $15/night, it sits beside horse trails, hiking routes, and great fishing. A small campground with big shine—highly recommended.
Kaley A.GuidePokagon State Park Campground
Nice park from what I could see
This is the second time I’ve been to this park. Neither time was I able to really see the park (kids), so that is the only reason I have it a 4.
I really liked our campsite. We were in the middle of a circle drive and had the whole inner circle to ourselves, which was nice for the kids to play. It was a HUGE campsite with a fairly long back in driveway. The site was slopped, especially close to the power source. It was a bit annoying for us as tent campers but not so much that I wouldn’t rent this site again.
We weren’t all that far from water, the bathhouse, and trash services as well as a natural water spring and a trail to hike.
Guide to Arcola
Camping opportunities near Arcola, Indiana include several state parks within a 45-mile radius. The area features a mix of deciduous forests and lake environments, with campground elevations generally between 800-1000 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder temperatures and fewer crowds.
What to do
Boating and paddling opportunities: Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground features ten connected lakes perfect for kayaking and canoeing. "There is so much to do. Between the hiking trails, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and biking. You won't ever get bored," notes Amanda J. Rental canoes are available at the park, though availability can be limited during peak season.
Bison viewing: Ouabache State Park Campground maintains a bison enclosure that visitors can observe. "The bison exhibit and ranger programs are great too," reports emily P. The park also features a 200-foot fire tower visitors can climb for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Trail exploration: Multiple hiking options exist throughout the region, ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. "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. There was so much to see," writes Caitlin W. about the 3 Falls Trail at Salamonie Lake. Most trails range from 1-5 miles in length and are well-marked.
What campers like
Lake views and water access: Campers appreciate waterfront sites, particularly at Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area. "If you can get a lake view site enjoy. Some spot are far away from the shower houses but you can drive to them. Nice marina with a great store and boat rentals," suggests Darrell B. Lake view sites typically book 3-6 months in advance.
Privacy between sites: Salamonie River State Forest offers more secluded camping experiences. "Cheap, 13$ self pay. No electric or showers but do have bathroom. Very secluded luv it here," reports amber P. The campground features primitive sites that provide more space and privacy than most developed campgrounds in the region.
Year-round camping options: Some area campgrounds remain open through winter. "Love this place for winter camping. The campground comfort stations are heated all winter long," notes Lisa N. about Ouabache State Park. Winter camping provides solitude and different recreational opportunities compared to peak season.
What you should know
Limited water and hookup access: Many campgrounds in the area have restrictions on services. "Only draw back is no water and sewer hook up at the campsite," mentions Steve C. about Ouabache State Park. Campers should arrive with filled water tanks or containers, especially at primitive sites.
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Facility quality differs between campgrounds and even within the same park. "The RV sites have better bathrooms I believe," notes Truly W. about Chain O' Lakes State Park, adding that "the pit toilets did not have doors" in the tent camping area during their stay.
Seasonal weather impacts: Salamonie River State Forest and other local campgrounds experience seasonal flooding that can affect site availability. "Each season offers a different kind of beauty," observes Whitley K. Spring camping especially may encounter muddy conditions after rain.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playground options: Family-friendly amenities make some parks more suitable for children. "There are 3 playgrounds. Visit Pirate's Cove Marina for supplies, wood, and boat rentals," recommends J C. about Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area. Playgrounds are typically located near comfort stations.
Beach access for swimming: Several parks offer swimming opportunities during summer months. "Kayaking and the beach was a huge hit with the kids," shares Jeremy C. about Chain O' Lakes State Park. Most beaches have designated swimming areas but no lifeguards on duty.
Nature programming: Pokagon State Park Campground offers educational opportunities through its nature center. "We spoke with the naturalist and volunteered our time she was absolutely fantastic," shares Julie B. Programs typically run weekends during summer and select weekends in spring and fall.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven sites that require preparation. "Sites are shorter and sometimes uneven," notes J C. about Pokagon State Park. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended, particularly for larger RVs.
Campsite selection strategy: Experienced campers recommend researching specific sites before booking. "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. Most campgrounds post site maps online that show relative size and location.
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have water quality issues that RVers should prepare for. "The potable water is brown and smelly. Be sure to bring your water filter!" warns emily P. about Ouabache State Park. Filling tanks before arrival or bringing bottled water for drinking is advised.
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Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Arcola, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Arcola, IN is Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 57 reviews.
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What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Arcola, IN?
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