2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Potato Creek State Park Campground and Tippecanoe River State Park Campground allow horses, though neither offers dedicated horse corrals based on available facility data. Both parks accommodate tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping options with standard amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and electric hookups. Campsites at Potato Creek provide sufficient space between sites, making them suitable for visitors with horses, though proximity to other campers varies by loop selection. The trails throughout both parks are well-maintained and wide, providing adequate space for horseback riding. Sites require reservations and typically fill quickly during peak seasons. Camping photos and user guides for Chesterton, Indiana are available on The Dyrt.
Trails at Potato Creek connect to multiple hiking and biking paths that can accommodate horse riders, with the paved trails particularly well-suited for beginning riders. The 25-minute drive from South Bend makes this location convenient for day trips or extended stays. Water access is available throughout both parks with Worster Lake at Potato Creek providing additional recreation opportunities. Tippecanoe River State Park features similar trail access with river proximity. Horse owners should bring their own containment systems as neither park provides horse-specific infrastructure. The campgrounds remain operational year-round with seasonal activities varying from summer water recreation to winter sledding and ice fishing. Both locations maintain clean shower facilities and restrooms, though maintenance quality can vary during busy periods.
"I feel this is one of the best state parks in Indiana. Come with your own water as they don’t have water hookups at your campsite but there are some nearby. The sites are very spacious and clean."
"Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust. Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $100 / night
"There was a horse camp available as well as youth tenting and cabins to rent. This is a great State Park with more things to offer in addition to the ones mentioned above."
"Trails and the river close by. Bathrooms are phenomenal!! Enjoy!"
Available this weekend
from $14 - $55 / night
RangerLots to do here. Swim, bike, trails, kids parks, good camp store. Towns near the park. You can rent bikes and canoes. Our site #55 was big but 3”dip drivers side and 12” dip back to front.
ScoutSwimming, boating, fishing…this was a perfect weekend. The campground and park were easy to navigate and the DNR staff was very helpful and friendly. Highly recommend.
LegendApril 19-21, 2026 Site 231 Level with gravel pad, large pad for ground mat. Good fire pit and 4 person picnic table. The park is greening up quickly and people were carrying bags of morels out of the woods. Our Apex Nano is 21’ long and fit well with our RAM 1500. One tree for partial shade, open end lots and you will feel the breeze. Would be a good spot with friends back to back at site 199. Cellular was 2 bars 5G with T-Mobile Electric was 20,30 and 50amp
GuideI've not camped here, just gone for hikes but the hikes are okay. They aren't really anything special and aren't really well marked either.
There is a firetower, which is fun for the kids and the hike to get there is short.
GuideI’ve not camped at this park, only hiked it. I’ve probably hiked it two dozen times at least and it’s got nice trails for the part of Indiana that it’s in. Most of them are relatively flat with some trails,like number two, having some hills and stairs in them. My favorite trail is probably number one, which is a 1 mile weird loop that has some neat scenery, especially in the summertime.
GuideWe arrived late, and the friendly park security directed us to the campground.
The vault toilets were acceptably clean. Spots were close to the river. The campground has cabins, trails for hiking and horseback riding.
As other reviews have stated….the mosquitoes are prolific and abundant! We left early.
GuideWe visited this park twice (once in Sept 2020 and again in June 2021). Both times we stayed in the cabin campground and both times had very good experiences. Each time we went mid-week so there was hardly anyone else there, and that was great. The cabins are small but perfectly fine for our group with two bunk beds, a small loft, and a small table inside. They have electricity so charging phones and devices is not a problem. Cabins 4 and 5 are up this small driveway and are slightly separated and I would recommend those if you can. We never had to go to "town" so not sure how far it is to any stores.
Each time we rented a canoe and did a paddle/float trip on the river that ended at the canoe rental location. Would not hesitate to stay here again.
LegendWe wanted to explore the “RV Capital of the World” and Notre Dame University while passing through. This park fit the bill. Arrived Thursday with the campground maybe 25% full. By Friday night it was full! Great spacing between sites and offers miles of hiking and biking trails. Verizon signal essentially nonexistent, but air TV reception not bad. Fresh water fill and dump stations were the best we’ve seen anywhere.
TravelerOur first time here with our pop-up. It's a beautiful park. So much nature to explore, so we'll have to come back again. Note that my four star rating is based on five stars being perfection, so I would still definitely recommend it.
Our site was purposely located close to a bathhouse, but was not too close to have any bothersome noises. The bathhouse was a bit dated, but pretty clean. Individual stall showers with inner and outer curtains. Curtains could have been a bit longer, because the inner one allowed lots of spray into the outer "dry" part of the stall.
Great playground on the east side of the first loop. Kids seem to play there for hours and enjoy riding bikes around the loops. Very well manicured grounds, including paths from the sites to the bathhouse.
Nice little store that had a little bit of everything attendants were friendly. Firewood available. Cheaper outside the park, but don't mind supporting the park. Was open till 9PM even on Sunday.
Beach was small, but seems adequate for the number of people there. Could use a little sand cleaning, but not bad. Swimming area roped off to keep boats out. Bathrooms have showers.
Already planning our next visit!
Potato Creek State Park Campground offers horse-friendly camping in a forested setting with dedicated trails for equestrian activities. Situated in north central Indiana, the park features mixed hardwood forests with seasonal mosquito activity from late spring through early fall. Worster Lake serves as a focal point for water recreation, with an electric-motor-only policy for boaters.
Hike diverse terrain: Potato Creek's trail system provides options ranging from flat wetland paths to moderately hilly terrain with stairs. "I've probably hiked it two dozen times at least and it's got nice trails for the part of Indiana that it's in. Most of them are relatively flat with some trails, like number two, having some hills and stairs in them," notes reviewer Kaley A. at Potato Creek State Park Campground.
Mountain biking for beginners: The Peppermint Hill mountain bike trail offers an accessible entry point for novice riders. "The Peppermint Hill mountain bike/hiking loop was really fun and not to be missed," shares Christy Y., highlighting one of the most popular recreational options at the park.
Star gazing events: Tippecanoe River State Park occasionally hosts organized astronomy events. According to Monica C., "Did participate in a star gazing event being held that weekend and it is still something my husband and I talk about regularly." This park offers darker skies due to its distance from major urban areas.
Spacious campsites: The electric campground at Tippecanoe River State Park features 112 sites with established shade trees. Luis M. notes, "Sites are spaced good," which allows for adequate privacy between camping groups, particularly important for those traveling with horses.
Quick access to outdoor recreation: The location provides convenient access to nearby attractions. "Close to out door range and not too far from Fort Knox paintball. This place is my goto for a quick getaway!" says Luis M. about Tippecanoe River State Park.
Natural wetland habitats: The parks showcase Indiana's natural ecosystems. "Natural wetlands abound, so definitely bring the mosquito spray," advises Frank M., highlighting the importance of proper preparation when visiting horse campgrounds near Chesterton, Indiana.
Cell service varies by carrier: Coverage can be spotty depending on your provider. At Tippecanoe River State Park Campground, Monica C. reports, "I have AT&T service and could not use my phone at all, my husband has Verizon and had no problems with cell service." This information is crucial for equestrians who may need emergency communications.
Water access points: Water stations are available at specific locations rather than at individual sites. "Get water before setting up at the water station after the small gatehouse," advises Cynthia K., who notes the practical layout of facilities at Tippecanoe River State Park.
Seasonal mosquito activity: Insect activity varies throughout the camping season. Rob H. succinctly warns, "Worst place for mosquitoes," while another camper suggests, "Spring and late fall would be a good time to visit" to avoid the worst of the insects, particularly relevant for horse owners camping in the area.
Playground-adjacent sites: Select sites with direct visibility to play areas when camping with children. At Potato Creek State Park, "Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust," advises Frank M., helping parents make informed site selections.
Electrical hookup planning: Pack extension cords when camping at electrified sites. "Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up," shares Frank M., noting the practical considerations for family camping with electrical needs.
Bathroom facilities vary: Comfort stations differ in quality and recent updates. Cynthia K. observes, "Station A looked like it had been totally rehabbed in the last 5 years. Everything looked nice and the showers could be turned to your preferred temperature. Cleaner than the last state park we were at for sure!"
Site selection for larger rigs: Back sites at Potato Creek provide more space for bigger setups. "We recommend securing a spot in the back sites 230-287 for larger lots and quieter atmosphere," suggests Frank M. at Potato Creek State Park Campground, information particularly useful for horse trailers with living quarters.
Campground exit timing: Factor in travel time within the park. "Takes 10-15 mins to drive out of campground, so keep this in mind," notes Frank M., highlighting a practical consideration for those planning day trips from their campsite.
Electric sites availability: Tippecanoe River features limited electric sites that book quickly. The park has "Only 112 campsites in the electric side," according to Cynthia K., making advance reservations essential for equestrian camping near Chesterton, Indiana, particularly during peak seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Chesterton, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Chesterton, IN is Potato Creek State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 51 reviews.
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