Searching for a place to camp with your dog near Bluffton? Finding a place to camp with your dog in Indiana has never been easier. Each pet-friendly campsite offers quick access to one or more of Bluffton's most popular destinations.
Nine connecting lakes will be the center of your adventures at Chain O’Lakes. This is lake country and a small boater’s paradise. Paddle through the chain of serene kettle lakes, hike the 23 miles of forested trails, fish the electric-motors-only lakes, stay overnight in a forested hillside family cabin, visit the park's historic one-room Stanley Schoolhouse, or explore the Nature Center. Other facilities available for visitors to enjoy include Chain O' Lakes Campground, beach and picnic shelters.
$20 - $25 / night
This recreation area is part of J. Edward Roush Lake
$12 - $15 / night
$20 - $25 / night
Legend
Little four site camping area on the shore of Rivir Lake (not a typo). It can be accessed either by parking and walking in on the wide, well tended trail (#4 on maps) or by boating. The nearest boat launch is Miller lake, a mile west. Sites 3 & 4 are right on the lake with the best access, Sites 1& 2 are across the trail which is along a raised berm with a bridge over the passage to Mud Lake. I'd give this a higher review, but most people wouldn't appreciate the primitiveness of the sites. It's distance from most amenities could be a turn off, but also could be perfect for others
Traveler
They have the best bathrooms that I have ever seen in the campgrounds.You can even look out at the skylight at the sky.Why you take a shower and while you go to the bathroom is well.It's a beautiful bathroom very well kept.Thank you so much to the campgrounds....
LegendLittle four site camping area on the shore of Rivir Lake (not a typo). It can be accessed either by parking and walking in on the wide, well tended trail (#4 on maps) of by boating. The nearest boat launch is Miller lake, a mile west. Sites 3 & 4 are right on the lake with the best access, Sites 1 & 2 are across the trail which is along a raised berm with a bridge over the passage to Mud Lake.
I'd give this a higher review, but most people wouldn't appreciate the primitiveness of the sites. It's distance from most amenities could be a turn off, but also could be perfect for others
LegendWe were a bit surprised that despite having a paid reservation , we still had to pay a $20 Day usage fee to enter the park, but no matter. This is a sprawling and sometimes confusing campground to find your way in. But the sites are generally shady if a bit close together. There are five facilities with showers and running water and six pit toilets. drinking water is accessible throughout the park.
The majority of sites have six person tables, though some, especially in the new 385-416 loop have little four person tables. These are also the least shaded.
Campground and facilities are clean and well maintained.
The General Store is one of the most impressively well stocked I have ever seen. Equipment, toys, tools, food souvenirs, you name it. Good dry firewood is $6.50 a bundle in the store, $7 on the honor system after hours. It burns fast, so you might want to buy more than you think. The store is open until 9:00 Friday & Saturday, but only 2;PM on Sunday and never on Monday. Keep that in mind if you're doing a 3-day weekend as we did. When checking out, look up to see the beautiful wooden canoe with wildlife inlaid wood.
Fire pits are mostly round iron with non-adjustable swing-away grills. Booking is through Indiana DNR/ Reserve America so you can see photos of the site you pick.
This was our second experience with an Indiana state park, and like our first (Pokagon, in the winter) we were impressed with the clear marking of the hiking trails (and canoe trail for that matter) there was a map and guidepost at every junction.
There's a beach, concession stand and boat rentals on Sand lake, the Park's largest. Lastly, there's a fish cleaning shed with running water outside the campground entrance that anyone in the park can use, something I wish more parks would provide.
Scout
Blue Lake Resort is a hidden gem for campers! The serene atmosphere and beautiful lake views make it a perfect getaway. The amenities are well-maintained, and the staff is friendly and accommodating. I particularly enjoyed the fishing opportunities and the peaceful nature trails nearby. I actually recently wrote an essay about the natural beauty of Indiana for my geography class, and it was really great to have the helpfull resource https://stateofwriting.com/uk/geography-writing-service. They have some great guides and tips for geography essays.
Definitely a place I’d recommend for families and nature lovers!
Legend
We were just passing through for one night and we’d been there before but this is a new site to us. It had a decent level pad and plenty deep enough for our camper and tow vehicle. The site has a large side and backyard with a great view of the lake. The shower house was just a short walk. Check in was easy and so was finding our site.
ScoutSince my experience here growing up and having family get-a-ways, it’s always been my dream to live here!!
Guide
Small campground. 13$. No reservations, but sites seem readily available, even on weekends in the summer. Spacious sites. Fairly wooded. Firewood only available Mon - Friday 8-3.
Travelerjust being here for an one night stop. Restrooms are very clean and comfortable. Nice place and very friendly camp hosts
Scout
It was overly crowded, the lake was murky (worse than normal), and we weren't even allowed to bring our floating island on to the lake.
GuideOur site was 21 inches unloved from front to back and 7 inches down on the passenger side! With poison oak all over the back of our site so bring a lot of leveling block and no kids! Other that that it was a decent park with lots of activities but a very hard campsite to navigate and a busy weekend forget about dumping lol your gonna be there a while. Also no Verizon signal but our friend had T-Mobile and he was ok signal.
Scout
Great little campground but it is no longer open.
Guide
This was a nice park. Had a blast here. Very clean and nice staff. Will be back.
ScoutThe shower are unisex, and there is a train that blows its horn all night long
TravelerIt had the facilities, but we were unimpressed with the service when booking, price quoted at reservation and online was different to price charged and we were placed right by the dump ground
TravelerWe stay mid-week as we are retired. Full hookup site were $30 a night. Sites seem large and well maintained. All the staff that we interacted with were very friendly. We kayaked the reservoir, used the beach and fished. Finally, we hauled our bikes to the reservoir overlook and then rode them over the dam. A very relaxing trip. T- mobile cell service was 1 bar, however we had our T-mobile internet tower and got 3 bars. Slow speeds but we could still stream tv.
LegendLet me start out by qualifying my 5-star review by saying it is site specific. Our site was one of the more private which earned the 5-stars. But, even in a different site it’s a great place to stay for a few nights as you explore the area. Easy in and out, good electric service, water at the site, good Verizon signal, easy dump station access, and friendly camp hosts. Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) burial site is next to this county park. And he is celebrated each Fall within the park with a festival.
Guide
WORST CAMPGROUND WE'VE VISITED.
To start with, the gate staff was curt, indifferent, and almost mute. We got the impression they couldn't care less if we stayed there or not.
After checking in, our guide took us to our site. As soon as we got into the park, it was evident that this campground catered mostly to seasonal "campers", with most sites occupied with permanent campers and RVs set up with sheds, porches, and other permanent buildings. The streets were exceptionally narrow, with tree limbs scraping the sides and top of our coach.
When we arrived at our site, we were unable to make the turn into our site, as the site next to us had a white picket fence right on the "property" line. Our guide was able to get us moved to another site, with more narrow streets and tree limb scrapes. Even then we had to cut across the grass to get into our site. The site itself was very uneven, but we were able to finally get the coach level.
Our grandkids tried the playground equipment, but most of it was rusted and semi-operational. The jump pad appeared to be functional, but an older guy in a site next to the jump pad was chasing and yelling at kids, so our grandkids quickly left.
Stay here only if no other options are available. In fact, just skip it, you're better off going right on by.
Scout
The papers were friendly ans helpful. Friendly patrons throughout the park. Clean saltwater pool, a park and a clean pond with a swimming beach. Catch and release fishing allowed. Bingo on Saturday evening! We all enjoyed our stay.
Traveler
Camp sites are tiny. We had site 88 and it was supposed to be full shade. It was full sun and they have it set up so the camp side of the trailer faces the road. The fire pit is also three feet from the road. Who wants to have a fire next to the road?
Scout
Took my hubby there for his birthday. Primitive tent camping is more then affordable, and the fishing was AWESOME!! He had an amazing time. We've been back 5 times since then. It's a hidden gem for sure!
ScoutCampground was nice. Site was clean and level. People were friendly l. Downside was the bathrooms. The women's bathrooms had overflowing toilets the whole time we were there. They couldn't seem to figure out how to fix the problem. Unfortunately, the plumbing in my camper wasn't working either, so it wasn't great. The men's bathroom plumbing was also had issues with the sink faucets. The shower temp was impossible to regulate. Also, dogs aren't allowed on the beach. I understand that not everyone wants to be swimming with my dogs though.
GuideThey have a tremendous pet park with a well maintained yard. The only problem so far has been the water distribution. But the price is very affordable. My site was 30 dollars a night. Bath house and bathrooms are very nicely kept clean. And there is a river right beside it.
GuideWe stayed here for one night on our way to a further destination. It was nice and quiet even though it’s in the middle of town. We would’ve enjoyed it more if the hosts hadn’t moved us to a front location by then. The back area sites 2-8 were so peaceful looking and walking back to that area and through it was like walking into a completely different place. The key lock entry bathroom/shower house was the nicest cleanest we’ve used. We would stay here again if we could be guaranteed sites 2-8.
ScoutAwesome campground and amazing cabins !! Looking for an awesome place to spend some time with your kids and families ??!! Yogi bear campground is the place !!! You will not be bored ! Plenty of things for the children and adults to do !!! Come enjoy yourself ❤️
GuideWe enjoyed our stay here. The park has great trails for hiking and biking. The bison exhibit and ranger programs are great too. The campsites are variable, size and privacy definitely depends on the site you book. The potable water is brown and smelly.. be sure to bring your water filter! But we did enjoy our weekend here.
TravelerSpecious sites a bit on the awkward side regarding lay-out. The vehicle separated the tent from the picnic table and fire ring. Less than ideal. I’m told that they’ve planted additional trees. They are relatively non existent at this point. Hence, a lack of privacy . Combined with awkward site layout we seemed to be right on top of our neighbors. No place to hang hammocks, tree swings or clothesline. Just sort of a open Praire. We were visiting by staff shortly after getting settled and told to put my highly trained border-jack on a leash even though she was at the time laying on my bed inside the tent which was zipped closed. The restrooms are kept up twice per day and are extremely clean and well cared for. The fishing was great! Lots of areas to explore even just to fish off shore or bridge. Everything was a good distended away from the campground so unfortunately my grandson could not bike alone to the lake to fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bluffton, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bluffton, IN is Ouabache State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Bluffton, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 49 dog-friendly camping locations near Bluffton, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
