Join the fun near Portland. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Portland, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Portland, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$20 - $23 / night
"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"
$20 - $25 / night
"Very large camping spots with huge lawns away from lake; This spot was #53. lakeside camping a little more packed in but more shade. Reserve early!"
"Many of the campsites are right near the water with lake view. Fishing is fun too with a dock within short walking distance of most campsites."
"friendly staff, very clean restrooms, playground, could not swim in the water due to contamination which they have spent millions to repair and is slowly on the up and up, not too far from town, surrounded"
"Great location of pull through sites for families with kids because of proximity to playground. This will be a regular spot for us in the coming years."
"This was our second stay here…campground is surrounded by corn fields but park itself is quite picturesque with mature trees, a lake, and very well-manicured grounds."
$24 - $1100 / night
"Very relaxing as it is a drive off the highway which allowed nature to unfold all around campers."
$20 - $60 / night
$45 - $100 / night
"Nice lake, you can bring golf carts nice size camping lots. We will go back again great experience beautiful place."
"Fishing, pond swimming, trails"
GuideIts an ok park. The water is shared with your neighbor, so be sure to have a lo g hose. The showers were sketchy. I wouldn't use them personally. Wecsaw a couple of unattended fires smoldering in empty campsites. And we paid for an overnight reservation. Came in around 5pm. They charged us $7 for day use. I dont think you should have to pay for day use ANYWHERE that you've paid an overnight reservation. We are through travelers and its just plain irritating to me.
RangerForest settings, electricity for only $15/night. Lots of traffic in and out. A lot of older rigs.
RangerNo lake view, but nice site. Electric for $15. Lots of traffic in and out though.
ScoutWonderful facility! Pool, pool table, games for kids and adults. The grounds are beautiful and the staff is super friendly and helpful! Oh and in the laundry room they even have a sink for washing dishes! Great for tent campers ar those with small units that don't have kitchens.
RangerAlthough we only spent one night here during the week, the campground seemed very peaceful and quiet, even though there were quite a few campers. Sites 1 through 74 seem to be a lot more level and larger, but they were in a sort of an open area with very little shade. The rest of the sites were fairly unlevel, but were in shaded areas. I would think a rig more than 31 or 32 feet long would have difficulty maneuvering around the curve at the end of the second loop. We are a 30ft. Fifth wheel and it was pretty tight for us. Lots of trees. The showers were your typical camp showers not great but not horrible. There was a large lake that one could enjoy fishing on. Also some great hiking trails in the area.
GuideFirst the good: the campground is big and spacious. Some areas were like RV parking lots- no trees, no shade, but there was a grassy area in the middle with nice big trees and shade. There is a nice pool and splash pad. Weirdly, the pool closed from 4 to 5, leaving us with nowhere to go on a 90+ degree day.
Now, the not-so-good: we stayed in a camper cabin and it was very shabby and dirty. It had bunkbeds, a full size fridge, and a folding table and folding chairs, which was nice (and rare in Ohio state park camper cabins). The bathrooms were average. Not new, not especially sparkling clean, but fine. Not gross, at least.
Now, the terrible: the entire lake stinks of pig poop. All the air smells like poo. You feel like you are breathing feces when you approach the water. We were right on the water so we couldn't escape the smell.
This lake is notorious for having algae blooms that prohibit swimming. So I did a google search before our trip and the Ohio Department of Health reports that the bacteria level in this lake is dangerously high, and no one should swim in this lake. However, when we walked to the campground beach, there was no sign or warning or anything indicating the bacteria in the water- and people were letting their children and dogs swim in it!!
We opted to not kayak or paddleboard in the lake because it was clear that it was full of poop. So we had nothing to do at the park except go to the pool (it was too hot to do anything else). We ended up driving around the country roads and seeing the sights so we could escape the smelly lake and hot poo fumes. Neil Armstrong was born in nearby Wapakoneta so there are some sights to see there, and the towns of Celina and ? one other are cute too.
Overall, I will not return to this lake or this part of the state. If you can't get in the water, paddle board or kayak, the only thing left to do is ride around in a boat and hope the water doesn't get anywhere near your mouth or your skin. No thanks.
TravelerWe stayed 3 nights. Our site was a dirt pads. There are mostly full-time residents. There is the smell of a massive Chicken coup at our site. THERE ARE A TON OF FLIES!!!!! We had flies for days!. We kill 3 and 5 more would pop-up in our trailer. I was so happy to leave this fly infested site.
It's very hard for me to give them less than 5 stairs because, everyone was so nice. We had them filled up our propane tanks and they actually brought them to us and hooked them up while we were gone. Someone even brought us wood planks for stabilizing our trailer. However, truth be told…. our spot was horrible-right next to the laundry room in direct sun and it stunk! The women's shower was gross too. ( I ended up, not using their shower room.)
We never used their pool.
GuideThe campground is almost in the middle of Fort Wayne. Most of the sites are very close and no vegetation to allow any privacy. On the positive side, the bathrooms were very nice and clean. The staff was also very helpful.
ScoutThe staff is extremely friendly, and try to accomadate with anything you could need. The campesites are fairly large with gravel pads. They offer water and electric hook-up for 30&50 amps. There is not a sewer hook up but they do offer a weekly pump out for a small fee and a dump station on the way out. The pool, ponds, playground and pavillion are all within walking distance from almost any site.
Camping near Portland, Indiana, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.
Camping in Portland, IN, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Portland, Indiana campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Portland, Indiana offer a range of amenities to enhance your camping experience. Camp Timber Lake provides clean facilities, pet-friendly policies (though pets aren't allowed in the water), and is conveniently located near Fort Wayne. Kilsoquah Camp offers pit toilets, electric and non-electric sites, and lake access, though the lake is some distance from the camping area. Most state parks in the region feature electric hookups, water access points, shower houses, and hiking trails. Timberline Family Campground provides spacious sites with fire rings and picnic tables, though the layout may place vehicles between tents and amenities. Many campgrounds also offer recreational facilities like beaches, boat ramps, and educational programs during peak season.
What are the best campgrounds near Portland, Indiana for families?
Families camping near Portland, Indiana have several excellent options. Summit Lake State Park Campground offers spacious camping spots with large lawns, a family-friendly beach that allows dogs (though not on the sand), and educational park programs. Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area at Salamonie Lake is highly rated by families for its friendly staff, affordable rates, and plenty of activities. For families seeking water recreation, Fox Lake Campground provides drive-in access with reservable sites. These campgrounds offer a mix of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and the amenities families need for a comfortable outdoor experience.
How much do campsites around Portland, Indiana typically cost?
Campsite costs around Portland, Indiana vary based on amenities and location. At Mounds State Park Campground, sites with electric hookups are reasonably priced, typically ranging from $20-30 per night. Westwood Park offers affordable camping with clean facilities around a clear, motor-free lake. For budget-conscious campers, state parks in the area generally charge $20-35 for basic sites, while private campgrounds may range from $30-50 for standard sites. Premium sites with full hookups at places like Paradise Pointe RV Resort can exceed $50 per night. Most campgrounds offer discounts for extended stays or off-season camping. Reservation fees typically add $5-10 to the total cost.
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