Campgrounds near Elkhart, Indiana range from small family-owned parks to larger state-operated facilities within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 800 feet above sea level in northern Indiana's lake country, with camping conditions varying dramatically between seasons. Winters bring temperatures frequently below freezing, while summer highs reach the mid-80s with moderate humidity.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Ebys Pines Campground features both a fishing pond and river access. As one visitor noted, "Tent sites looked nice. Wifi is very slow. Verizon 2 bars."
Biking trails: Potato Creek State Park Campground offers both paved paths and mountain biking options. One camper mentioned, "With dog friendly beaches, beginner MTB trails and paved bike paths, this checks all our boxes. Natural wetlands abound, so definitely bring the mosquito spray."
Visit Amish Country: Explore the nearby Amish communities from Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney. A visitor shared, "Great campground in the heart of Amish country. Near Elkhart and the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum. Great place to visit, really interesting. Also, near Shipshewana."
Recreation centers: Some campgrounds offer entertainment facilities beyond typical outdoor activities. As one camper at Ebys Pines noted, "Roller skating, mini bowling, laser tag, and an arcade at the fun center. There was a corn hole tournament, a golf cart parade, a wagon ride, and a live band."
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Many campsites near Elkhart maintain clean grounds and amenities. A visitor to Elkhart Campground shared, "The grounds are exceptionally clean, the pool relaxing and the hosts are more than willing to accommodate your needs."
Family-oriented activities: Multiple campgrounds organize regular events. According to one Ebys Pines camper, "Tons of stuff to do for campers of all ages. Roller skating, mini bowling, laser tag, and an arcade at the fun center. There was a corn hole tournament, a golf cart parade, a wagon ride, and a live band."
Spacious sites: Some locations offer roomier accommodations than others. A camper at Warren Dunes State Park Campground noted, "Very wooded and the sites were relatively large. There were trashcans all over the place near the bathrooms/pit toilets."
Privacy options: Certain campgrounds provide more secluded options. One visitor to Potato Creek State Park Campground advised, "We recommend securing a spot in the back sites 230-287 for larger lots and quieter atmosphere. Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust."
What you should know
Train noise: Railroad tracks near several campgrounds create noise issues. At Elkhart County Fairgrounds, one camper observed, "You use Gate 2 to get to the registration office. Check-in was quick and we proceeded to back-in site 444 with FHUs... If you are allergic to train noise, this is not your place as trains run all day, all night, at regular intervals."
Utility locations: Hookup placement varies between campgrounds. At Elkhart County Fairgrounds, "The utilities are at the far end of the sites. In most areas, the sites back up to each other and share a utility post(separate outlets for each site) and share the water spigot."
Seasonal closures: Most camping facilities operate from spring through fall. Potato Creek State Park Campground remains open year-round, while Elkhart Campground operates from "Apr 1 to Nov 25" and Ebys Pines from "Apr 1 - Nov 1."
Extension cord requirements: Some sites need longer connections. A Potato Creek visitor advised, "Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: At Potato Creek State Park, "Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust."
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds maintain pools for children. One Elkhart Campground visitor mentioned, "We had a nice big pull through site. Lots of things for the kids to do: swimming, volleyball, mini golf..."
Off-peak visits: Weekdays typically offer quieter experiences. A camper at Spaulding Lake Campground commented, "Very nice and quiet. 3 fishing ponds that are well stocked. Most lots pull thru and many shaded. Kids playground is big with a basketball court."
Beach access considerations: When choosing beach-adjacent sites, note travel time. A Warren Dunes camper advised, "Plan on driving your stuff to the beach or taking bicycles. Mt. Randall is the high dune to climb but not for the faint of heart!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Different areas within campgrounds offer varied experiences. At Elkhart Campground, one RVer noted, "We were placed in the rear section, which was just ok. Site needed leveling, had no shade at all and was close to major hwy. The front and side sites seemed nicer and had ample shade with some concrete sites."
Length of stay considerations: Different campgrounds suit different visit durations. A visitor to Elkhart County Fairgrounds shared, "As this CG was near the Brinkley Service Center and they had to come back out to us to finish repairs, this place worked for us. We would stay here again if we come back for service center work."
Leveling requirements: Terrain varies within campgrounds. One camper noted about their site at South Bend Elkhart North KOA, "The site was only $35 for a back in water/electric. Grateful for it but wouldn't have booked this otherwise. Site was unlevel and ran into a hill on the back end."
Cellular connectivity: Reception varies by location and carrier. A camper at Ebys Pines mentioned, "Wifi is very slow. Verizon 2 bars."
