RV campgrounds near De Motte, Indiana provide convenient access to the Kankakee River watershed area, which features a mix of farmland and wooded areas at approximately 680 feet elevation. Most camping options in this region are open seasonally from April through October due to harsh Midwest winters, though Love's RV Stop-Demotte operates year-round. Water quality varies significantly between campgrounds with some locations reporting high mineral content.
What to do
Swimming opportunities: Oak Lake RV Resort features a pond with swimming and an obstacle course that keeps families entertained. "Pulled in as the sun was coming down after a looong day of driving. Our site was right next to the playground and my kids had a blast swinging, climbing, and jumping while we set up camp," notes Sadie H.
Fishing spots: Lake Alexander RV Park offers 120 acres along the Kankakee River with excellent fishing access. According to Rick W., "Nice quiet place and you can walk down to the Kankakee river."
Nature trails: Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park provides nature trails around Cedar Lake for hiking. Christopher G. mentions, "There was a nice big field for the dog to run. Nature trails and of course Cedar Lake. People seemed friendly."
What campers like
Security features: Love's RV Stop features key card gated access for added security. Steven C. notes, "Great stop for the night, It's new, gated and has basic amenities like a General store, Dog park and basketball court and tennis ball court for some activities if you have kids."
Family activities: Oak Lake RV Resort organizes regular events like movies and parades. "Pond swimming & obstacle course, movies on our inflatable screen, golf cart glow parades, s'mores, homemade campfire pizzas & endless family memories. The kids are still raving about it!" shares Nadiehsda B.
Helpful staff: Campground managers often provide personal assistance with setup. Preston H. states about Oak Lake, "Staff was extremely helpful as this was our first trip with the new camper. Was very quiet. Clean shower and bathroom."
What you should know
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds in the area have mineral-heavy water. One camper at Enchanted Shores RV Park noted, "The stinkest water we've ever smelled, horrible!!!" suggesting bringing bottled water for drinking.
Seasonal operation: Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park operates only from April 1 to October 21, typical for the region. Most campgrounds close during winter months, with few exceptions.
Traffic noise: Locations near major highways experience truck noise. Georgeann D. reports about Enchanted Shores, "Located right on US45-US52. Lots of truck traffic stopping at the intersection makes lots of noise at night."
Tips for camping with families
Basketball courts: Love's RV Stop-Demotte offers recreational courts for children to burn off energy. Steven C. mentions they have "basic amenities like a General store, Dog park and basketball court and tennis ball court for some activities if you have kids."
Playground access: Request sites near playground equipment for easier supervision. At Oak Lake, Sadie H. noted, "Our site was right next to the playground and my kids had a blast swinging, climbing, and jumping while we set up camp."
Recreational rentals: Some parks offer kayak and canoe rentals for family water activities. Holly S. reports that Cedar Lake Ministries includes "access to a small private beach on the lake, canoes and kayaks, life jackets, and a rec room when open."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Check for level concrete pads when making reservations. Steven C. experienced issues at Love's, reporting, "The only complaint I had is the site we were at showed a ground fault on the 50amp Circuit so I had to use the 30 amp circuit."
Pull-through considerations: Lost Acres RV Park has cement runners for RV parking, but Alan I. warns at a similar park, "Every spot has cemented runners which is a nice touch but you must back into them."
Electrical service reliability: Test hookups upon arrival as electrical issues have been reported. Mark S. notes about Love's RV Stop, "Clean full hookups, pull through and back in sites," but other reviewers mentioned occasional electrical problems.