The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Elkhart, IN

614 Reviews

Public lands and state parks surrounding Elkhart, Indiana provide several tent camping options within a short drive. Pigeon River State Fish and Wildlife Area in Howe, Indiana offers primitive tent camping with walk-in sites approximately 25 miles east of Elkhart. Harper Lake Campground in Kimmell, Indiana provides tent-only camping about 35 miles southeast. For those willing to venture slightly farther, Shady Point Campground in Jones, Michigan (roughly 30 miles northeast) and Lakeside Campground in the same area offer tent camping with lake access.

Tent campsites at Pigeon River State Fish and Wildlife Area feature basic amenities with vault toilets but no drinking water or hookups. Campers should bring all necessary supplies including water and food. The sites are set on natural terrain with minimal grading, making them suitable for traditional tent setups. Fire rings are available at most locations, though firewood is not provided on-site. During heavy rain periods, some areas may become muddy, particularly in spring and fall. Most primitive tent camping areas enforce a 14-day stay limit and operate on a first-come, first-served basis rather than reservations.

Walk-in tent sites at Sweet Cherry Resort provide a dedicated tent camping area separate from other accommodation types. According to one visitor, "Tent sites are all in one cleared area that is a short walk from the parking spots" with clean bathroom facilities nearby. At Pigeon River, campers noted the area is better known for its water recreation than the campground itself, with one reviewer mentioning the "shuttle service is convenient and not overly expensive" for kayaking trips. Tent campers at Shady Point Campground benefit from well-maintained bathrooms and showers, with access to swimming in Bair Lake. The sandy soil common to Michigan campgrounds requires tent campers to bring ground mats or tarps for comfort, particularly after rainfall when sites can become muddy.

Map showing campgrounds near Elkhart, IndianaExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Elkhart, Indiana (15)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 15 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Elkhart Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Elkhart, IN

15 Photos of 15 Elkhart Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Elkhart, IN

614 Reviews of 15 Elkhart Campgrounds

  • Laura H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2020

    Twin Mills Camping Resort

    Beautiful Wooded Campground

    Twin Mills is a really beautiful and quiet RV Campground, with tall trees in Northern Indiana. We frequent this location when getting RV Repairs and visiting Elkhart, the birth place of most RVs.

    There are cabins and tent sites and a large lake access point with a beach area. The playgrounds seemed to be in good shape and the dumpsters were centrally located.

    The park has a gate entrance for security.

    There is a large pool area and basketball court.

    There are several sections in the park, some more wooded and narrow sites, some are more spread out.

    Cellular: T-Mobile had good signal strength and bandwidth, AT&T was not as good but still doable.

    Most of the sites are full hook up, some have 30amp and some have 50amp.

    Amenities: Pool Clubhouse Basketball Volleyball Picnic tables Fire rings Trash Playground Lake access Beach area Dock Cabins Tent sites

  • J
    Feb. 25, 2020

    Potato Creek State Park Campground

    Great Indiana State Park

    Great walking trails, great for families with youngsters. Park activities and lots of trail walking. 25 mins away from South Bend/Mishawaka and 40 mins away from Elkhart and there RV Hall of Fame. Only electric at sites but they are big and roomy. Quiet and full of wildlife.

  • B
    Jun. 11, 2023

    Covert Park Beach & Campground

    Great Lakeside Camp

    Great campground. Better cared for than a State Park and better accommodations, too. Newish shower house with 6 uni-sex showers (all with their own locking doors). Water mechanisms on several made hot water a little tricky… test before you undress haha. If 5+ showers are in use, don't count on much hot water.

    Very friendly operators and employees. Genuinely interested in how you're doing. Above average camp store and they even deliver your firewood order to your site for you ($7 for a 15"x15"ish bundle).

    Beach access is easy and the beach is nice. On the cooler week we were there, would only see one or two other people out if any, but when school gets out mid-June, sounds like it gets busier. Our Monday-Friday stay saw us as the only tent campers which was great. Our kids enjoyed the playground and we made use of the grills by the picnic shelter a few times.

    All tent sites (except for T12) are walk in (but most are only 100-300 feet).

    Tent Sites 1, 2, 3, 11 and 12 as well as the group site are on their own away from the main loops. They are served by a flush toilet with running (cold) water. Or you can make the slightly longer walk to the shower house.

    Tent 1 is 100 foot walk, small site, easily visible from T-2 and 3 as well as the group site.

    Tent 2 is medium sized, across from T-3 and visible from T-1 and T-3. 

    Tent 3 is large. Slightly overlooks the group site and can see T-1 and T-2.

    Tent 4 is large, but almost totally isolated. It's surrounded by hills (although T-5 is on one of those hills so could overlook it. Long walk to bathroom.

    Tent 5 overlooks 4 a little and is a medium sized site. Also long walk to bathroom.

    Tent 6 is elevated above everything so overlooks T-5, T-7 and the RV loop. It's a huge site with nothing but nature around and above you. Long walk to bathroom.

    Tent 7 shortest walk to car parking, but surrounded by other sites. Access to other sites runs through site as well.

    Tent 8 and 9 are basically one large site with two tables and fire rings. Requires a walk up several flights of stairs, but puts you on top of a bluff that, without trees, would give you a view of the lake. They charge a premium for these sites.

    Tent 11 is probably the longest walk… you walk past T-1,2,3, then up 70 steps to the top of a ridge. You cannot see or be seen and the picnic table is covered with a shelter. Not a ton of space, but a great site for a lite packer.

    Tent 12 is a drive in site right next to the bathroom and the main drive into the campground.

    We were pleasantly surprised and, outside of a cold shower or two, never disappointed in our stay.

  • Brian O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 12, 2020

    Shamrock Park

    Great for fishing

    We wanted to stay at Warren Dunes State Park, but I think this discovery was a better choice. A clean and friendly municipal campground on the St. Joseph River. The grounds are mostly open with little shade, but we had a tent site by the river and trees. What impressed me most was that they have a building specifically for cleaning fish, with scales, cutting boards and sinks. Another nice feature is the outdoor sink at the shower & restroom building for campers to wash dishes. As tent campers I wish more places had a set up like that. There’s a large stack of firewood, so it’s easy to get a bundle that’s good and dry. We did go to Warren Dunes for an afternoon. It’s busy and crowded. If you go to the beach, be aware there’s very little shade. North of there is Grand Mere State Park, which is better for hiking. In Berrien Springs, check out Zick’s specialty meats across the river from the camp.

  • Amy M.
    May. 14, 2017

    Warren Dunes State Park Campground

    TICKS

    We stayed in the semi modern sites, which was tents and no RVs nearby, which was good. That was about it. The Interstate was directly behind the sites, so the highway traffic noise took away from the feeling you want when camping, that off the grid feeling.

    The site was clean, picnic table and fire ring. There was a water spigot close by too. We did some short hiking to sand dunes which was really cool. Nice paths lead to beautiful sunset over dunes.

    Upon returning from the hike, we set up camp. That's when we found the ticks. We found probably 10 on our dog, several on us. The couple next to our site was struggling with ticks also, and they hadn't hiked, so makes me think they were from the campground. (We stayed ON the trail carefully while hiking). We've camped a lot and never dealt with this many ticks.

    We actually ended up bailing due to how many were on us all. Spent the next 24 hours picking them off everyone in our family at home. Not good. We know it's a fact of life, but this place was infested. Bummer of a trip.

  • Clay T.
    Dec. 26, 2024

    Chain O'lakes State Park Dispersed Campsite

    "Free, never heard of that app."

    Although it states in the app free dispersed camping. Doesn't always mean just that. The cheapest campsite at primitive camping is $12 bucks. (Tent sites) For more, you can get electric hookup sites galore that all include a fire ring picnic table and a pretty leveled out spot.

  • Gay G.
    Aug. 19, 2021

    Thousand Trails Bear Cave

    Great Campground

    This is a nice, family friendly campground. Lots of very friendly other campers, a heated pool, playground for the kids, nice size lots with fire pits, picnic tables, electric& water (including at tent sites). Pool has an ADA lift chair. 2 shower/bath houses, camp store, a real bear cave you can tour in (free), a creek that meanders through it. The resort sits on the St. Joseph river & this park has a boat ramp & dock for fishing. There is a gate that campers need a code to get into so it keeps out unwanted’s. Nice staff. Yolanda is a great manager. Security, a ‘honey wagon’. Laundry center. Quiet hours are 10p-8a. It’s near Buchanan Michigan and the RED BUD Motor Cross track. Very friendly people, always stopping and talking.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2019

    Warren Dunes State Park Campground

    Lake Michigan camping with dunes and trails

    I remember coming here when I was young but haven’t stayed here in decades. It was time to try it out again. We arrived around 5 or 6 and found lots of open sites on a Wednesday. They put us in a nicely wooded site with empty neighboring sites. We could see our neighbors and others walked by on the road so there were plenty of people in camp. There were water puddles in the road and some campsites. It rained during the night too. Our site is sandy with no grass which wasn’t as great with the wetness. However it’s camping at the dunes so it’s expected. The vault toilets are ok- one had standing water in the corner. Water is available a few sites down and a garbage bin is on the way out. We camped in the rustic loop- no electric or other hookups. There is a larger section with 2 loops that has these amenities. Showers are also located over there. It’s a longer walk or you can drive to the showers. 

    We tried hiking and found fallen trees blocking the path. There are other trails to choose from. Be sure to check out the beach and climb up the sand dunes. 

    This was a nice campground within a couple hours of Chicago.

  • Katelyn K.
    Aug. 30, 2017

    Warren Dunes State Park Campground

    Great for one night!

    I stopped here with my dog for the night. The semi-modern or tent sites have okay privacy. Some sites like 18 and 19 (where I stayed) share space so those sites would be great for groups. Could hear the traffic from the local highway but it wasn't too bad, I still slept well. The grounds were prettt empty but I was there on a Tuesday night before Labor Day.

    The dunes and dog beach were perfect for Clutch to expel energy after a long drive.

    These grounds would be perfect for a night or two or if you have a larger group.

    FYI: Vault toilets

Guide to Elkhart

Tent camping options near Elkhart, Indiana extend into both Indiana and southern Michigan with sites within a 30-50 mile radius. The region features glacial lakes, rolling woodlands, and river corridors at elevations between 750-900 feet. Campsites typically sit on sandy soil characteristic of this portion of the Midwest, requiring ground pads for comfortable sleeping during spring's typical 2-3 inches of monthly rainfall.

What to do

Water recreation access: The Pigeon River system provides paddling opportunities with equipment rentals and shuttle services. "Kayak through winding rivers and lakes in Northern Indiana. The shuttle service is convenient and not overly expensive," notes one visitor at Pigeon River State Fish and Wildlife Area.

Lake swimming: Several campgrounds offer lake access within short distances. At Shady Point Campground, "It sits on Bair Lake and was great for swimming. The bathroom and showers were well maintained," according to Nicole P.

Blueberry picking: During summer months, some campgrounds feature on-site produce. At Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday, "This KOA has blueberry fields everywhere on the property. For a period of time in summer and early fall, you can pick your own blueberries in the morning to have in your breakfast pancakes!"

What campers like

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and common areas. At Coloma/St. Joseph KOA, "First impression on entering the KOA was that it was very clean, organized and well maintained. The owners and staff do a great job of keeping the campground safe, clean and inviting."

Kid-friendly amenities: Family activities abound at established campgrounds. According to a Coloma/St. Joseph KOA visitor, "They had a hot tub and heated pool. Mini golf and bikes you could rent. The store was nice and lots to offer and the prices were very reasonable."

Beach proximity: Public beaches supplement on-site water access. A Sweet Cherry Resort camper reports, "Best part is that it's a 3 minute drive to a public beach with great swimming and a beautiful sunset."

What you should know

Seasonal population: Some campgrounds maintain long-term residents. "This is a campground that is mostly seasonal campers," mentions a Shady Point visitor. Similarly, Lakeside Campground is described as "all seasonal campers now. Owners were super nice and found room for us for one night layover."

Walk-in tent areas: Dedicated tent sections may require short hikes from parking. At Sweet Cherry Resort, "Tent sites are all in one cleared area that is a short walk from the parking spots."

Mud conditions: The region's sandy soil can become problematic after rain. One Coloma/St. Joseph visitor warns, "The bathrooms are semi clean, but expect mud basically everywhere. Bring rain boots for mud!"

Tips for camping with families

Activity scheduling: Many campgrounds offer structured entertainment. "They have movie nights, we met Disney characters, did crafts, and enjoyed the barrel train & ice cream sundaes," shares a Coloma/St. Joseph camper.

Campground size considerations: Smaller properties provide better supervision opportunities. "It was small enough for our kids to ride bikes around alone and they frequented the park, which we could see from our site," notes a family at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA.

Alternative lodging options: Non-tent accommodations serve less outdoorsy family members. A Circle B RV Park and Cabins visitor mentions the property is "very well maintained, lots to do, great atmosphere," making it suitable for mixed camping comfort levels.

Tips from RVers

Biking options: The Kal-Haven trail provides paved cycling routes. "We rode 47 miles round trip from Bloomingdale to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo," reports a Covert/South Haven KOA visitor.

Site leveling: RV spots vary in grade and preparation. "Our site was horrid- a full hook up with a fire pit in the mud pond," cautions one Coloma/St. Joseph KOA visitor, highlighting the importance of checking site conditions in advance.

Supply availability: On-site stores often provide essentials. "The store has everything you could need and if they don't, there is a gas station right outside of entrance," notes a Coloma/St. Joseph visitor, reducing the need to haul all supplies when tent camping near Elkhart, Indiana.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best tent camping spots within 3 hours of Elkhart?

Within a 3-hour drive of Elkhart, Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday stands out for tent campers with its family-friendly atmosphere. The campground offers numerous activities including a heated pool, mini-golf, weekend events for kids, and a jumping pillow. Sites provide good shade and reasonable space. Another excellent option is Sweet Cherry Resort, which features dedicated tent sites in a cleared area. It's just a 3-minute drive to a public beach with great swimming opportunities and beautiful sunsets, making it perfect for summer camping trips.

What amenities are available at tent campgrounds in Elkhart with showers?

Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday offers excellent amenities for tent campers including clean showers and bathrooms. The campground features a heated pool, splash pad, and jump park that are perfect for families. Additional conveniences include food and firewood delivery service, trash pickup, and surprisingly good WiFi reception. Another option near the Elkhart area is Pigeon River State Fish and Wildlife Area, which provides basic facilities while offering excellent kayaking opportunities through winding rivers and lakes.

Where can I find free tent camping near Elkhart, Indiana?

Free tent camping options near Elkhart are limited, but budget-conscious campers should consider Goff Lake Campground near Marcellus, which offers basic amenities including water and toilets at reasonable rates. While not free, it's an affordable alternative. For those willing to venture slightly farther, Harper Lake Campground near Kimmell provides economical camping with basic facilities. Always check with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for potential dispersed camping opportunities in state forests, which may offer free or low-cost options with minimal amenities.

Keep Exploring