Several RV campgrounds within 25 miles of Garrett, Indiana provide seasonal camping options with varying amenities. Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground offers outdoor recreation on interconnected lakes. The park features trails suitable for beginning hikers and families with young children. Twin Mills Camping Resort in Howe provides spacious wooded campsites from April through November with full hookup options.
What to do
Kayaking on connected lakes: Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground offers multiple small lakes ideal for paddling adventures. "Between the hiking trails, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and biking. You won't ever get bored," notes a visitor. The park features rentals for those without equipment.
Visit Amish country: Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney serves as a convenient base for exploring Amish communities. Located 10 minutes from Shipshewana, the campground provides easy access to cultural experiences. One camper shared, "We enjoyed our time at this KOA. The campground was quiet and the facilities were nice."
Disc golf and recreation: Happy Acres Campground features a 9-hole disc golf course with walking trails through wooded areas. A recent visitor mentioned, "Enjoyed the pool, pickleball and walking the trails. Has a 9hole disc golf. Very cool place and Angola has a lot to offer."
What campers like
Private, clean shower facilities: Shipshewana Trading Place RV Park receives consistent praise for its cleanliness. "The park was clean and quiet and next to some beautiful grazing fields with cattle and horses," noted one camper. Another mentioned the campground was "impeccably clean and quiet."
Lake access for swimming: Angola/Hogback Lake KOA Holiday features a beach area on Hogback Lake with water activities. "They have a new pool and lazy river which is fantastic. There's an inflatable obstacle course on the lake," shared one visitor. The campground also offers boat rentals and fishing opportunities.
Full hookup sites with seasonal limitations: Most RV parks near Garrett operate seasonally with limited winter availability. Twin Mills Camping Resort provides "full hook up sites with 30amp and some have 50amp" but only operates from mid-April through early November. Seasonal campers should plan accordingly.
What you should know
Road noise varies by campsite location: Some campgrounds have sites located near highways with noticeable traffic noise. At Angola/Hogback Lake KOA, a camper noted, "The only drawback is the traffic noise if you're staying in any of the sites near the front of the park."
Early check-in fees may apply: Some campgrounds charge extra for arriving before official check-in times. A visitor to Shipshewana Trading Place RV Park mentioned, "No complaints other than a $15 (plus tax) charge for 45 minutes early check-in. Given the park was 2/3 empty that seemed unnecessary."
Power reliability concerns: Electrical service quality can vary at RV parks near Garrett. One camper at Angola/Hogback Lake KOA reported, "Power went off and on 5-6 times in an hour. Surge suppressor was normal. No TV, plugs, microwave, etc."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with multiple play areas: Twin Mills Camping Resort offers various recreation options for children. "There are cabins and tent sites and a large lake access point with a beach area. The playgrounds seemed to be in good shape," reported one visitor. Another camper added it has "nice pool and bathrooms, putt putt, bring your bikes."
State parks offer nature programs: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides educational activities through their naturalist program. One camper shared, "We spoke with the naturalist and volunteered our time she was absolutely fantastic."
Consider less crowded swimming times: Public beaches at state parks can become congested during peak hours. A visitor to Chain O' Lakes observed, "The beach is often overcrowded with local partiers, drinking and smoking, and leaving trash everywhere. After peak hours these people clear out and usually aren't actually camping there."
Tips from RVers
Site selection affects awning and fire pit placement: Crooked Creek Campground and Cabins offers sites with varying layouts. At some campgrounds, visitors note potential conflicts between awnings and fire pits. One camper advised, "Watch out for some of the patio sites, some have a fire pit that would sit directly under an awning."
Request sites away from highways: RV campers concerned about noise should request specific sites. "Highway noise was terrible. So many open spaces and we're assigned a highway space," reported one visitor to an rv park near Garrett, Indiana.
Verify bathroom availability and hours: Some campground facilities have limited hours. A camper noted at one RV park, "Bathroom closed at 10am" which created inconvenience during their stay.
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