Fremont, Indiana, a small town in Steuben County, sits amid the rolling landscape of northeast Indiana's lake country at 1,050 feet elevation. The region features more than 100 natural lakes within a 10-mile radius, creating abundant waterfront camping opportunities. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, while spring and fall camping seasons see cooler nights requiring proper gear.
What to do
Fishing at Fish Lake: Fish Lake Family Resort offers direct lake access for anglers. "The lake is amazing to do some fishing," notes Haley S., who appreciated the peaceful setting.
Trail exploration: Pokagon State Park Campground features extensive trail systems for hikers of all skill levels. "There are trail, beaches, boats, horses... so many things to do," mentions Becky N., highlighting the variety of outdoor activities.
Water recreation: Several lakes offer swimming and boating opportunities. At Manapogo Park, "Boat ramp for easy access. Lots of stuff for kids to do: sandy beach with swim area," according to Chotsie S., who enjoyed the family-friendly facilities.
Disc golf: Happy Acres Campground includes a 9-hole disc golf course among its recreational offerings. "Enjoyed the pool, pickleball and walking the trails. Has a 9hole disc golf," shares Joni C., who stayed in the "skybox" section of the campground.
Music and entertainment: Buck Lake Ranch has a storied history as a performance venue. "So many legends have been on the stage at Buck Lake Ranch including Dolly Parton!" explains adrienn S., who enjoyed camping during a music festival.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Angola/Hogback Lake KOA Holiday receives praise for its maintenance. "Entire campground was clean and well maintained," notes Andrew M., who appreciated the amenities during his stay.
Private sites: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced sites for privacy. "Sites are nicely separated and shaded," reports Amy K. about Pokagon State Park, noting there are 500+ sites that maintain good separation.
Swimming options: Multiple water features are available at many campgrounds. "5 pools! water slides cost extra," J C. mentions about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Barton Lake, which offers extensive water recreation.
Historical elements: Some campgrounds feature unique historical aspects. "Buck Lake Ranch is full of history dating back to 1947. Hank Williams, Buddy Holly, Loretta Lynn, Waylon, Willie, Alabama, Charlie Daniels to name a few," shares Ron W., highlighting the venue's musical legacy.
Seasonal activities: Winter visitors can enjoy Pokagon's famous toboggan run, while summer visitors appreciate water recreation. "There's an inn, restaurant, cabins, boat rentals, horseback riding, bike trails, beach, toboggan run, etc.," lists Amy K., noting the year-round appeal.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds require advance planning. "If you are planning a summer weekend you have to book wayyyyy in advance due to demand," advises Tiffany H. about Jellystone Park's popularity.
Traffic noise: Some campgrounds are located near highways. At Buck Lake Ranch, Randall K. notes, "It's just the buildings were kind of run down and bathrooms were dirty," though he also mentions the "pretty grounds" and "cool photo spots."
Pet policies: Most campgrounds around Fremont are pet-friendly but have specific rules. At Angola/Hogback Lake KOA Holiday, Charlie M. mentions, "There is a dog park for walking the dog but with so much driveway I just walk the dog around the park. They have several dog bag stations around the park to make clean up easy."
Seasonal availability: Operating seasons vary by campground. E-Z Camp operates "April 1 to November 1," while some facilities like Angola/Hogback Lake KOA Holiday remain "Open All Year" for pet-friendly camping near Fremont, Indiana during winter months.
Site selection: Consider location within the campground. "The transient sites are near the US-20 road, to the north and easily accessible. I do not consider this to be a extremely loud road but there is large truck traffic day/night," explains Charlie M. about KOA Holiday.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Camp Sack In offers numerous recreational options. "They have so many activities for families with their swimming pond, hiking trails, basketball court, baseball diamond, horseshoe pits and playgrounds," reports Iris A., highlighting the family-friendly amenities.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Fish Lake Family Resort, Haley S. notes "They have an amazing playground. It is just a nice home away from home to get away to!"
Weekend activities: Scheduled events enhance the camping experience. At Manapogo Park, Chotsie S. mentions "planned entertainment during the summer on the weekends," making it "a great campground for families."
Safety features: Look for campgrounds with safety measures. Chotsie S. notes that "Campground is gated and there are strict 5mph speed limits which is great for safety" at Manapogo Park.
Multiple sleeping options: For families not ready for tent camping, cabins provide alternatives. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers "glamping" options while Pokagon has traditional campsites. "Great place for family, lots of amenities," Bradley P. says simply about Pokagon State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup quality: Check what utilities are available at your site. The Angola/Hogback Lake KOA Holiday provides "water, electric, sewer, cable TV all worked great," according to Kevin A., who stayed during the off-season.
Campground layout: Consider site location when booking. "Only downside is nightly rented camp spots are far from the shower house and play areas," mentions Chotsie S. about Manapogo Park's layout.
Late arrival procedures: For those arriving after office hours, some campgrounds have systems in place. Marshall T. appreciated that at Angola/Hogback Lake KOA, "we arrived late to find an envelope with our name on it with all of our info inside."
Site amenities: Some sites include extras beyond the basics. "The site was perfect...even for primitive sites the bathroom facilities were great!! Very clean!" reports Stacy Z. about Buck Lake Ranch's facilities.
RV size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. For pet-friendly camping near Fremont with larger RVs, Tina G. notes Happy Acres Campground "are also big rig friendly. We will stop back here again."
