Equestrian Camping near Goshen, IN

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    Potato Creek State Park Campground offers equestrian facilities approximately 30 miles southwest of Goshen, Indiana. The park's horse-friendly camping area accommodates tent and RV campers with horses. Bathrooms and shower facilities remain clean throughout the camping season. Well-maintained trails provide excellent riding conditions with options for riders of all experience levels. Park staff maintains trails year-round, with some seasonal closures during wet weather. Sites are spacious with room for horse trailers, though water hookups are not available at individual campsites. The campground's proximity to South Bend provides convenient access to additional supplies and services when needed.

    Direct access to multiple trail systems makes Potato Creek State Park ideal for equestrian campers. The park features both paved paths and unpaved mountain bike trails that permit horseback riding with proper etiquette. Riders should bring adequate water supplies for horses, as drinking water stations are limited to main campground areas. The prairie sections offer open riding areas while wooded trails provide shade during summer months. Electric hookups are available for RVs in the equestrian camping area. Winter camping operates on a walk-in basis only, while advance reservations are strongly recommended during peak season from spring through fall. Trail rides can last from short loops to full-day excursions depending on the chosen route. Morning rides typically offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities.

    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Goshen (5)

      1. Elkhart County Fairgrounds

      3.5(8)2mi from GoshenRVs, Tents

      "We followed our RV Trip Wizard GPS directions straight to the fairgrounds, and since we had stayed here before, we knew to use the second entrance."

      "Overall Rating: 4 for access to the area, very clean facilities, and not too many campers thus time of year.
      Price 2024: $35 for water/electric only."

      2. Potato Creek State Park Campground

      4.5(50)27mi from Goshen365 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "I feel this is one of the best state parks in Indiana. Come with your own water as they don’t have water hookups at your campsite but there are some nearby. The sites are very spacious and clean."

      "Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust. Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up."

      from $20 - $90 / night

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      3. Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground

      4.3(54)30mi from Goshen430 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Met up with 18 other skoolies our first Indiana meet. Met great people had a fantastic time. Great park kids swam, showers are clean. Electric at sites but water isn’t but very close by."

      "Chain is perfect for kayaking and canoeing with 9 connected lakes and 11 total. A couple lakes are perfect for boat fishing as long as you have an electric motor only."

      from $14 - $80 / night

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      4. Pokagon State Park Campground

      4.5(52)43mi from Goshen267 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric)."

      "This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it."

      from $20 - $480 / night

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      5. Kosciusko County Fairgrounds

      2.0(1)24mi from GoshenRVs, Tents

      from $5 - $10 / night

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    Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Goshen, IN

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Goshen, IN

    165 Reviews of 5 Goshen Campgrounds


    • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 23, 2017

      Elkhart County Fairgrounds

      Typical Fairgrounds Camping Experience

      I have camped here a couple of times while visiting northern Indiana to have repairs done on my RV. Overall, I like this campground where for $30/night you can get a 50 amp full hook-up site or $23/night a 30 amp and water site. If you plan on staying longer weekly and monthly rates are really good. The campground sits in the middle of the county fairgrounds so there is usually something going on – either a fair, concert, horse event, or an RV rally. Depending on what time of year you are here and part of the week, the campground could be very crowded or very empty. The nice thing is the people in the office let you pick whatever site you want and don’t assign one to you. There are 275 full hook-up sites with 50 amp full hook-up and 30 amp water & electric only. There are no fires allowed and some sites don’t have picnic tables but you can request one and they will bring it to your site.

      There is very little shade and during my last visit the late September fall temperatures climbed to nearly 90 degrees and was brutal. This campground is better suited for RVs than tents but you are permitted to tent camp. Bathrooms and showers are scattered about and I was amazed at always how clean they (and the grounds as a whole) are. They do offer WiFi which worked pretty well in non-peak hours like early morning but was not reliable and sometimes frustrating. Since many sites have a clear view of the sky, you most likely will get satellite television reception and a dozen or so antenna channels.

      One of the things I like about this park is the vast expanse of grounds to wander about walking my dog. There is a trail system just outside of the park that allows you miles and miles of walking and biking trails. Downtown Goshen is less than two miles away and has some great restaurants (including Venturi Pizza, Maple Indian Cuisine – which has an awesome buffet, and Goshen Brewing Company). The Saturday farmers market is great with lots of produce, breads, meats, cheeses, and crafts.

      The last time I visited coincided with the Mennonite Relief Fund which was a big fund raiser for their charity that packed the grounds with stuff for sale, food, and activities. It was fun to be there during the event but it meant the campground and grounds were packed.

      Now for the bad about this campground. It is located right next to very busy train tracks that operate 24/7 and blow their horns quite often. They were really annoying in the middle of the night. Sites are close together so if it is crowded and you have a neighbor, you will be right on top of them. There is no shade which can be very miserable.

      Pros:

      · Price - $30/night for a 50 amp full hook-up site

      · Nearby downtown stores and restaurants

      · Sites are not assigned so you can pick where you want to camp

      · Grassy patios

      · Large grounds to meander around

      · Nearby biking/walking trail

      Cons:

      · Very noisy from nearby trains operated at all hours

      · Few trees for shade or privacy

      · Some sites are very tight and close to your neighbor

      · Can be very crowded

      · WiFi provided but not reliable

    • Whitley K.
      Mar. 29, 2022

      Pokagon State Park Campground

      Visit in Winter for Tobagganing

      Equestrian trails and campgrounds are popular here. Horse rides sold on site. There is a nice hotel that sometimes hosts events actually located in the park. Come tobagginging and ice fishing in the winter and then pamper yourself in the hotel, or visit in the summer and have a beach day or easy hike with the family. Great spot for Pokémon Go because of the available cell service.

    • Jessica L.
      Jul. 28, 2016

      Potato Creek State Park Campground

      Activities for all seasons...

      ...although you probably wouldn't want to camp in the Indiana winter. I grew up coming here mostly to sled on the hills! But, there is a lot more to do. It surrounds Worster Lake and there are cabins, RV sites, and tent sites along with horse trails and bike trails. In the winter, there's sledding hills and ice fishing. The campgrounds are pretty standard, nothing special. If you live in the area, it's a fine little getaway.

    • D
      Apr. 25, 2019

      Potato Creek State Park Campground

      A wonderful state campground

      I feel this is one of the best state parks in Indiana. Come with your own water as they don’t have water hookups at your campsite but there are some nearby. The sites are very spacious and clean. Bath houses are always clean! Playground areas for the kids throughout the park lots of bike and walking trails. No pools but a beautiful man made lake for swimming and fishing. Lots of wildlife throughout the park. A great nature center is a must to see for the little ones. My family has camped here for many years. There is also a separate campground for horse lovers.

    • D
      Jul. 5, 2016

      Pokagon State Park Campground

      Pokagon State Park

      Pokagon State Park has an excellent state park campground. Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric). Many sites are flat (good for tent camping) while others are slightly rolling hills (helps breakup the sites a bit). There is a lot to do in the park including many trails, horse riding (horse stable on site), and lake swimming on a nicely improved beach. Only cons are no full hook up and the fire rings/grills could be improved.

    • T S.
      Sep. 19, 2021

      Pokagon State Park Campground

      Extensive Campground

      This is an extremely large campground. About seventy-five percent of the sites are electric. We stayed in Site 255, which was not electric (booked last minute). This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it. However, Site 269 (next to Site 277) afforded great privacy and was large; among the non-electric sites this was the best I saw. I did not survey the electric sites, but I’m sure the site matters a lot. Non-electric sites are $20.00, plus a $9.00 park entrance fee.

      There are numerous walking trails, along with horse and bike trails. Additionally, there are boat rentals, horseback rides, pony rentals, swimming, nature center, and a restaurant at the inn.

      This is a family oriented park. Extended family groupings are very common. Nevertheless, people and their children are well behaved.

      I would recommend this campground for two days or more. A one day stay will mean you probably won’t see much of this wonderful park. The only reason I gave it a four was that even in mid-September it was packed.

    • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 8, 2019

      Potato Creek State Park Campground

      Campground=4 stars; check-in=2 stars

      Campground= 4 stars; check-in= 2 stars. Very large campground with close to 300 sites plus a horse camp and about 20 cabins. We picked this park solely because it was convenient to our next destination, so we were not concerned with amenities. We did not make a reservation because I really do not want to pay the extra fee if it is not necessary. Upon arrival, we paid the $9 entrance fee ($7 for Indiana residents) and drove the 3 miles to the campground office. Somewhat surprised to find both staffed at 6 pm on a Thursday after Labor Day. We were told to drive around and pick several desired sites as they could not tell us which ones still had people due to arrive that night who had reserved. Huh?? So, we drove around two of the five loops and picked half a dozen sites that would be suitable. But that’s where the fun began- not! There seemed to be some computer glitch in that every site we asked about showed as not available, even though more than half the sites were empty. Eventually, we were told to just go to one of the sites we picked and set up and that a security guard would come and collect our money. Eventually, at just before 9 pm, the security guard did come and told us the glitch had been fixed and asked that we come to the office and register. The glitch was not fixed! But we paid our fee and were able to stay the night and the staff was very apologetic. 

      There is no differentiation between RV and tent sites (the only one that is separate is the horse camp). The E Loop seemed to be the most crowded, mostly with RVs. The sites in the D Loop were spaced a decent amount of distance apart but other than that, there was no real privacy between them. This was not a problem because the loop had many empty sites and we were able to easily find one that had an empty one on either side of us. There are paths to the beach accessible from the D and E loops but note the beach is only open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There is no longer a dog beach at Potato Creek. There is a general store(open until 8 pm) and bike rentals which, if we were going to stay longer, we might have taken advantage of. There are boat rentals in season. Several trails and playgrounds so I imagine that in the summer, this is a nice family campground (even the name is Family campground). 

      The mosquitos were vicious, likely worse due to the amount of rain the area has had this year. Bathrooms were very clean and there was hot water, a nice luxury but you have to be careful not to bump your head on the shelf over the sink when washing your face. Didn’t use them but there were also showers. 

      The check-in process notwithstanding, our stay was fine for the night.

    • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jan. 31, 2026

      Elkhart County Fairgrounds

      Better Stay than the Last

      We followed our RV Trip Wizard GPS directions straight to the fairgrounds, and since we had stayed here before, we knew to use the second entrance. Because it was a Sunday, our welcome packet was waiting outside the 4-H office where check-in normally takes place. After entering through the gate, we took a right and then another right at the end of the road to reach the Northwest campground (CG), where we backed into recommended site 450 with full hookups. The campground can also be accessed by turning right on the gravel road just before the 4-H office. We tested the fairgrounds’ Wi-Fi, which is unsecured with no password, and at 11.9 Mbps download the connection was usable for basic email and web browsing. We instead used our T-Mobile Home Internet and saw download speeds around 180 Mbps. The Northwest campground area is wide open, so satellite internet would not be an issue. In front of the restroom and shower building there is a fenced horseshoe area along with a basketball court. Train tracks run near the fairgrounds, and trains operate day and night, though the noise level was tolerable for us. Take a short drive to Shipshewana and stop at Yoder’s Meat& Cheese Co., then wander next door to Yoder’s Red Barn Shoppes. Head upstairs to the Red Bud Gift Shop& Coffee Tea Cafe, home of the Super Pretzel Sandwich. The sandwich is pressed inside a warm, soft pretzel and loaded with ham, turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. One sandwich is easily enough for two people and worth the stop. Customer service with reservations and cleanliness were big improvements. We’ve stayed in Elkhart and Goshen many times, and this campground is one of the better options in the area.

    • N
      Aug. 2, 2019

      Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground

      Great time with skoolies

      Met up with 18 other skoolies our first Indiana meet. Met great people had a fantastic time. Great park kids swam, showers are clean. Electric at sites but water isn’t but very close by.


    Guide to Goshen

    Potato Creek State Park Campground offers family-centered camping with diverse recreational options 30 miles southwest of Goshen, Indiana. The park encompasses over 3,800 acres of natural terrain featuring wetlands, prairie restoration areas, and mature woodlands. Sites in the 200 series (230-287) provide larger, quieter camping spaces while front sites near the playground attract families with young children.

    What to do

    Mountain biking trails: The park features beginner-friendly mountain bike trails alongside paved bike paths for cyclists of varying skill levels. "We have been blown away by the efforts put into Indiana's state parks and Potato Creek is no exception. The Peppermint Hill mountain bike/hiking loop was really fun and not to be missed," notes Christy Y. about Potato Creek State Park Campground.

    Hiking options: Trails range from short loops to extended routes through diverse ecosystems. "My favorite trail is probably number one, which is a 1 mile weird loop that has some neat scenery, especially in the summertime," shares Kaley A. Most trails remain relatively flat with some moderate elevation changes, making them accessible for most ability levels.

    Water activities: Beyond equestrian options, Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground provides connected waterways for paddlers. "My family and I go to Chain O Lakes for short hikes, kayaking and camping. There are a handful of paddle up camping spots that are very hard to reserve," mentions Whitley K. The chain of small lakes allows for multi-lake exploration during a single outing.

    What campers like

    Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the well-maintained grounds and ample space between sites at established campgrounds. "Took my son on a father son camping trip! Sites were smooth and level and well taken care of. Lots of nice walking and biking trails and a big electric motor only fishing lake and nice beach," reports Brandon E. about his experience at Potato Creek.

    Wildlife viewing: Morning rides or hikes provide optimal wildlife observation opportunities. At Pokagon State Park Campground, "Sites were nice and secluded where we were, but you could hear a few late night partiers nearby. Tons of things to do (playgrounds, lake, beach, hiking, horseback and pony rides etc)," shares Anand.

    Natural surroundings: The varied landscapes near Goshen offer diverse camping environments. "Nice quiet campground with lots of wildlife. Tent lots are flat and a good size. RR and showers nearby," reports Karson G. about Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground. Many sites provide shade coverage during summer months, though availability varies by location.

    What you should know

    Mosquito preparation: Wetland areas common to this region require proper insect protection. "Natural wetlands abound, so definitely bring the mosquito spray. Typical Indiana Campground with basic amenities, older comfort stations and spotty WIFI," advises Frank M. about camping at Potato Creek.

    Seasonal considerations: Several horse campgrounds near Goshen, Indiana operate with limited services during winter months. Pokagon remains open year-round but with reduced amenities from November through March.

    Reservation requirements: Advance bookings are essential during peak season (May through September). "Seems like a very popular place, even in the off season, so you're best bet is to make a reservation or call ahead to make sure they can accommodate you," suggests Christy Y. about Potato Creek State Park.

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground proximity: Sites closer to playgrounds provide convenient access for children but come with increased noise levels. "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," advises Frank M.

    Beach areas: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming areas with varying amenities. "Very clean state park. Reasonable prices. Kayaking and the beach was a huge hit with the kids," reports Jeremy C. about his stay at Chain O' Lakes State Park.

    Multiple activities: Parks offering diverse recreational options keep children engaged throughout longer stays. "I have stayed at this state park many times since I was little. There is so much to do. Between the hiking trails, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and biking. You won't ever get bored," shares Amanda J. about Chain O' Lakes.

    Tips from RVers

    Hookup planning: Electric connections sometimes require extended cords at certain sites. "Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up. Takes 10-15 mins to drive out of campground, so keep this in mind," cautions Frank M. about Potato Creek State Park.

    Site selection considerations: Equestrian campsites at horse campgrounds near Goshen typically accommodate larger rigs but may have specific requirements. "Sites are shorter and sometimes uneven. Bike trail, hiking trails, store, beach, inn, nature center," notes J C. about staying at Pokagon State Park.

    Supply access: Proximity to towns provides convenient access for provisions. "Not too far from South Bend for city amenities, restaurants and supplies," mentions Frank M., highlighting the convenient location of Potato Creek State Park Campground despite its natural setting.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Goshen, IN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Goshen, IN is Elkhart County Fairgrounds with a 3.5-star rating from 8 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Goshen, IN?

    TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Goshen, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.