Northern Indiana's Goshen area offers numerous camping options within easy reach of Amish Country attractions. Situated in the Great Lakes region with an elevation around 800 feet, this area experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers and cold winters. RV parks around Goshen remain open primarily from April through October, with a few extending their seasons into November.
What to do
Explore Amish Country: Shipshewana Trading Place RV Park provides convenient access to cultural experiences. "This campground was very convenient to the town of Shipshewanna, Amish Country and the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail," reports one visitor who enjoyed cycling and visiting the Krider Nurseries World's Fair Garden.
Water activities: Thousand Trails Bear Cave offers fishing opportunities along the St. Joseph River. "The resort sits on the St. Joseph river & this park has a boat ramp & dock for fishing," notes a camper. The campground also features "a waterfall right next to the cave."
Kid-friendly recreation: Maple Ridge Campground organizes regular weekend activities for children. "Multiple activities on Saturday included tractor ride, kids bingo, and elephant ears," writes a visitor. The campground includes "a nice pool and playground" with sites "setup for two pull through side by side with shared yard in the middle."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Elkhart Campground maintains well-kept grounds and amenities. "The grounds are exceptionally clean, the pool relaxing and the hosts are more than willing to accommodate your needs," mentions a recent visitor. Another notes that "laundry room, pool and bathrooms were very clean."
Spacious sites: Shipshewana RV Park offers well-designed layouts for group camping. "The Park offers mainly alternating pull-through sites which means you will be facing your neighbor's door not their street side of the camper. This makes for great buddy sites," explains one RVer who appreciated the setup for traveling with friends.
Unique attractions: Twin Mills Camping Resort features unexpected amenities. "There is a small beach and pool available with lots of places to walk, ride and explore," shares a camper who visited during Memorial Day weekend. Another visitor describes it as "a really beautiful and quiet RV Campground, with tall trees in Northern Indiana."
What you should know
Train noise: Some rv parks near Goshen experience railroad disturbances. One camper at South Bend Elkhart North KOA reported: "There is an active railroad nearby this campground. 4 Trains woke us up during the night."
Seasonal limitations: Most facilities reduce operations or close entirely in winter. Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney operates from April through October, with varying amenities available throughout the season.
Site configurations: Some campgrounds offer tight spacing between units. At Elkhart Campground, a visitor noted their experience: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Look for organized activities: Maple Ridge Campground caters specifically to children with planned events. "Owner operator campground where the family knows how to cater to the kids," writes a visitor who appreciated the structured entertainment options.
Choose campgrounds with recreational facilities: Twin Mills offers multiple options for family fun. "There is a large pool area and basketball court," notes one camper. Another mentions "putty putt, bring your bikes" as recommendations for family activities at the resort.
Consider Wi-Fi availability: Internet access varies between parks. At Elkhart Campground, a visitor reported "WiFi was great, no cable, but good antenna reception," while another camper noted that at a different location, "The WiFi was very reliable if you have to work."
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions: Many rv parks in the Goshen area have specific layout considerations. One RVer at Bear Cave RV Campground cautioned that "The only sewer hook-ups are all taken by seasonal campers," which impacts planning for longer stays.
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds present access difficulties. A visitor to Shipshewana Trading Place RV Park observed: "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."
Off-peak benefits: Lower occupancy periods can provide better camping experiences. An RVer staying at Twin Mills during late season noted: "We stopped for one night a week prior to their closing for the season. Internet is through a paid campground service and was $5/day but was actually very good. Not too sure how service would be during peak season."
