Camping options near Arcola, Indiana center around several lakes within a 30-mile radius of Fort Wayne. The area sits at approximately 850 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Fall temperatures drop to 50-65°F, making late September through mid-October a prime window for camping with reduced crowds and cooler nights.
What to do
Kayaking on connected waterways: Chain O' Lakes State Park offers a unique system of eight interconnected lakes for paddling. A camper noted, "Between the hiking trails, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and biking. You won't ever get bored. The facility is clean and very safe."
Bird watching opportunities: Kil-So-Quah - J. Edward Roush Lake provides excellent wildlife observation areas. "Good bird watching spot. Lots of eagles. Nice place, there is gunfire noise from the range across the lake. Not bad though," reports a visitor.
Hiking accessible trails: A one-mile loop trail at the end of the primitive sites at Kilsoquah Camp offers a quick nature walk. For more extensive trails, Chain O' Lakes provides multiple options, though a camper suggests they "improve their trails and have better directional signs as to which path is which."
What campers like
Privacy in wooded sites: Camp Timber Lake features lakefront primitive sites with natural surroundings. "All of the primitive spots are right on the lake or very close to it," notes one camper, though they caution that "a few of them are a little too close together."
Urban camping convenience: Johnny Appleseed Campground provides unexpected isolation despite its city location. A reviewer explained, "The park is connected to the river greenway which is a beautiful walk along the river!" Another mentioned, "This is a great little campground if you are wanting to explore Fort Wayne or are local and want to campout."
Budget-friendly options: Sites at Kil-So-Quah are particularly affordable. A camper shared, "Electric sites are small and not private. The outhouses are very clean," highlighting the value despite limited amenities.
What you should know
Bathhouse availability varies: Blue Lake Campground provides clean, spacious bathroom facilities. A visitor noted, "The bathrooms are huge and clean. Wifi is good at our lot." In contrast, Kil-So-Quah and similar recreation areas typically offer only pit toilets, which campers report are "very clean" but lack shower facilities.
Water access limitations: Some campgrounds advertise lake proximity but have restrictions. At Kilsoquah Camp, "Access to the lake is quite a distance from the actual campground." Similarly, Chain O' Lakes State Park features paddle-up camping spots, but they're "very hard to reserve."
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience unexpected noise sources. At Kil-So-Quah, "there is a shooting range across the lake so there is gunfire most of the day." Urban campgrounds like Johnny Appleseed have ambient light from surrounding businesses and may never get completely dark.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation: Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground offers multiple playgrounds and organized activities. "Kayaking and the beach was a huge hit with the kids," one parent shared, while another mentioned that "Very clean state park. Reasonable prices."
Beach quality: Blue Lake Campground provides swimming access that families appreciate. According to a visitor: "The lake is clean and has a decent beach. You can rent kayaks for cheap. Has a pretty decent grocery store on site."
Space for activities: Kilsoquah Camp features "plenty of play spots for kids, electric and primitive, the sites come with picnic tables and fire rings with cooktops," making it suitable for family cooking and outdoor activities.
Tips from RVers
Site sizing and access: Kilsoquah Camp accommodates various RV sizes despite being a more rustic option. "Sites affordable, and most will accommodate a 20 foot RV, with several large enough for the largest class A," reports an experienced camper.
Electric options: When seeking hookups, be aware of amp variations. Johnny Appleseed Campground provides 50-amp service, while other parks may only offer 30-amp connections, requiring adapters.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October. For year-round options, Chain O' Lakes State Park and Kil-So-Quah maintain availability during winter months, though with reduced amenities and services.
