Tonya S.
Traveler
TravelerThousand Trails Bear Cave
Nice clean campground
The sites were easy to park, the staff were friendly and helpful. Loved the mushrooms we found in May. We plan to go back some day. Nice town area close by for shopping.
Camping near Howe, IN
136 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Northern Indiana's lake country surrounding Howe features a mix of state parks, private resorts, and family-oriented campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Twin Mills Camping Resort in Howe provides wooded sites with tall trees and lake access, while nearby Grandview Bend Family Campground offers a quieter alternative with electric hookups. The region encompasses several water-oriented camping destinations including Pokagon State Park near Angola and Chain O' Lakes State Park in Albion, both offering year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Most campgrounds in this area maintain proximity to lakes, making water recreation a central feature.
Reservations are essential during the peak season from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with many campgrounds operating on a limited schedule from April through October. As one camper noted, "Twin Mills is a really beautiful and quiet RV Campground with tall trees in Northern Indiana." Highway noise can be a concern at some locations, particularly at primitive sites near major roads. Cell service varies throughout the region with T-Mobile generally providing better coverage than AT&T. Mosquitoes can be problematic in summer months, especially near wetland areas. Most state parks charge an entrance fee ($7-20) in addition to camping fees, and many campgrounds require advance booking through the Indiana DNR reservation system.
Water recreation dominates the camping experience in this region, with fishing, kayaking, and swimming opportunities widely available. Chain O' Lakes State Park is particularly noted for its interconnected waterways, with one visitor commenting it's "perfect for kayaking and canoeing with 9 connected lakes and 11 total." Family amenities are common, including playgrounds, beaches, and hiking trails. Site privacy varies considerably, with state parks generally offering more spacious sites than private campgrounds. Bathroom and shower facilities are typically clean but may be dated at older state parks. Campers seeking quieter experiences should request sites away from playgrounds and main camping loops, as family groups are common throughout the summer season.
Best Campgrounds near Howe (136)
1. Pokagon State Park Campground
"There's 2 dump stations located in loops 3 & 4. IN THE CAMPGROUND! NEXT TO CAMPSITES!!!!"
"Pokagon (po KAY gun) has everything from a toboggan run to a lodge to lakes all around...you cannot be bored here. Open year round (limited campgrounds and services in winter)."
from $20 - $480 / night
Check Availability2. Twin Mills Camping Resort
"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."
"We had another couple that we camped with and were able to get two sites next to each other."
3. Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney
"They have trails that are a nice walk for the dogs and a pond to catch and release fish."
"This clean, well kept campground is really close to grand design. We stayed here to go tour the manufacturers process."
4. Shipshewana Trading Place RV Park
"Easy access to the Shipshewana Flea Market and E&S Sales (greatest bulk food shopping EVER!) Campground was impeccably clean and quiet."
"The park was clean and quiet and next to some beautiful grazing fields with cattle and horses."
5. Cade Lake County Park & Campground
"Cade Lake can be seen from most campsites which adds to the scenery. Biking or walking trails, with frisbee golf course. We have been here twice and will probably go here once every year at least"
"This place is a nice cozy campground with a large frisbee golf course, a fishing and kayak lake, and a nice store. For the price, it’s a must camp!"
from $30 - $40 / night
Check Availability6. Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground
"Chain O Lakes State Park, Albion Indiana. Northwest of Fort Wayne. 416 electric, nonelectric & primitive campsites. Water is available & 3 dumps.
This was our 3rd time camping here."
"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."
from $14 - $90 / night
Check Availability7. Ebys Pines
"Trails lead to a local County park - Bonneyville Mill. There’s a roller skating rink and laser tag across the street."
8. Trading Post Outfitters
"If the park wasn't nearly empty I would've never gotten out as it was it took me 30 minutes to get out. With that said the park is beautiful and the people that work there were polite and helpful."
from $34 - $140 / night
Check Availability9. Grandview Bend Family Campground
"That said, the dump station location is not great. It’s a the back of the park and a very tight squeeze for bigger rigs. The staff is super friendly and accommodating."
from $30 - $500 / night
Check Availability10. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ at Barton Lake
"You might just step out of your camper and look straight at your neighbors. Starting to think all Jellystones are like this. 5 pools! water slides cost extra. Food prices are reasonable."
"We brought down 2 30’ campers and we had 4 adults 3 children and two dogs and stay right next to the craft barn. It is a really nice camp ground with lots and lots for the kids to do."
Drive Time
- 32 min from Elkhart, IN
- 57 min from Niles, MI
- 57 min from Battle Creek, MI
- 59 min from Kalamazoo, MI
Recent Camping Photos near Howe, IN
137 Photos of 136 Howe Campgrounds
Laura H.
Twin Mills Camping Resort
Liz K.
Trading Post Outfitters
Joshua B.
Shipshewana Trading Place RV Park
fred F.
Crooked Creek Campground and Cabins
Ken W.
Indian Lakes Campground
Jackie F.
KOA Campground Middlebury
RJourney R.
Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney
Ray R.
Gordons Campground
Derrick P.
Ebys Pines
Doug A.
Angola/Hogback Lake KOA Holiday
Derrick P.
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ at Barton Lake
adrienn S.
Buck Lake Ranch
Recent Reviews near Howe, IN
531 Reviews of 136 Howe Campgrounds
- MMolly P.Traveler
Wonder Woods Campground of the Sister Lakes
Hidden Gem in SW Michigan!
We booked a last minute spot and are so glad we did! The campground wonderfully maintained by perhaps the nicest hosts we have met! We pulled in early Friday evening and were greeted by Ken and Chris, who helped us pull into our site (which was VERY appreciated since the sites are pretty tight!). There are a lot of seasonal sites, four cabins, and a guest house that is tucked behind a privacy fence. Bathrooms were extremely clean and looked newly renovated. They even had a basket of toiletries and a stack of clean towels. Though we didn’t use it, there was a cool open air “game barn” that had a pool table, foosball, seating area, etc…it would be a great hangout for older kids or teenagers. Probably the best part was the walkability. There is lake access directly across the street down a set of concrete stairs. It’s a grassy area, not a “beach” and a lot of goose poop so we brought our chairs down. You can enter the lake to cool off, which was great because it was a hot day. Also walkable are two restaurant/breweries. “The Strand” is literally next door to the campground with a great outdoor seating area with a view of the lake. About a 5 minute walk is Sister Lakes Brewing Company. Both places had excellent cocktails and cool lake vibes. Full hookups at all sites. We look forward to coming back!!!
- AAngela B.
ScoutPokagon State Park Campground
Great site/ DNR presence too much
Great site, however, DNR drives by every five minutes. The primitive bathroom facilities are absolutely horrid, the newer ones up the road from site 238 are beautiful.
Helen C.TravelerShamrock Park
Simple camping
Stayed here over the 4th of July. Very small campground, about 124 sites. Well cared for and friendly staff. Not too many amenities; basketball court, ping pong, and volleyball. No pool and no camp store. Sites were a bit close but it was a very peaceful campground. Would visit again.
- Helen C.Traveler
Happy Acres Campground
Loved this Campground
Small, quaint, peaceful, and beautiful campground. Lots of amnesties, nice clean pool and very friendly staff. The lots here are very spacious and the site we were at was a FHU with a concrete pad, picnic table, and fire ring. We will definitely be visiting again.
- Helen C.Traveler
Hoffman Lake Campground INC.
Good campground
Visited Hoffman campground at the end of June. Smaller campground, fairly peaceful, lots of activities, and a nice pool. Sites are level but they are tight. Nice can store with very friendly staff.
Cynthia K.
LegendChain O' Lakes State Park Campground
Nice State Park!
Chain O Lakes State Park, Albion Indiana. Northwest of Fort Wayne.
416 electric, nonelectric & primitive campsites. Water is available & 3 dumps.
This was our 3rd time camping here. We were in handicapped site 325 which was a pretty good site. We had good neighbors which helps. The campground is well established & shaded. Read the site descriptions carefully for inclines & site dimensions.
What is really interesting is they have 7 canoe campsites. They have their own pit toilets & a little dock. Site 3 is behind the pit toilet, but the rest looked ok. They're just off trail 4 as well.
Cabins are also available.
Hot showers& bathrooms. They were state park clean, but definitely need some upgrading.
This is a boating/fishing/hiking park.
There's 29 miles of fairly easy trails- all can be looped.
9 connecting glacial kettle lakes make for great kayaking & canoeing. Electric motor only makes for a peaceful lake experience. Fishing was pretty good according to my fisherguy.
There's a 1915 schoolhouse that's open on the weekends.
There's a small swimming beach with food for sale. There's also boat rental with canoes, kayaks & small boats.
Nice campground for a summer weekend!
- HHeather B.Traveler
Thousand Trails Bear Cave
Great location
Although the sites are a bit close, this campground is a great spot if you have a car. I’ve taken day trips to Grand Rapids, Chicago and Indiana Dunes National Park from here.
- Saydee A.
GuideHoffman Lake Campground INC.
Loved this place!
We just stayed in a tent here with our kids & absolutely loved it. The people were great, the store was adorable with a little ice cream shop & the pool & playground were awesome!
Guide to Howe
Northern Indiana's camping near Howe sits at a modest elevation of 815-900 feet across gently rolling terrain. The region's continental climate brings hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 85°F from June through August, while spring and fall camping offers milder conditions with daytime highs between 55-75°F. Several campgrounds offer electrical service options ranging from 30-50 amp connections, with site sizes and privacy levels varying considerably across the area.
What to do
Toboggan run access: Pokagon State Park Campground provides year-round recreational options, including a unique winter attraction. "There's an inn, restaurant, cabins, boat rentals, horseback riding, bike trails, beach, toboggan run, etc. Tons of picnic areas and pavilions; would be a great spot for a family reunion," notes Amy K. about Pokagon State Park Campground.
Frisbee golf courses: Cade Lake County Park & Campground offers recreational activities beyond standard camping. "This place is a nice cozy campground with a large frisbee golf course, a fishing and kayak lake, and a nice store. For the price, it's a must camp!" writes Eric M. about Cade Lake County Park & Campground.
Amish country exploration: Elkhart RV Resort provides excellent access to cultural experiences. "Definitely loved this campground in the middle of beautiful Amish country. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Pool is well kept," shares Dusti H. about Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney.
What campers like
Privacy in wooded sites: Many campsites near Howe feature mature tree cover for shade and separation. "We stayed one night in a non-electrical spot. The park is beautifully maintained. The bathroom and shower facilities were clean and updated," notes Mary H. about Pokagon State Park.
Spacious campsites: Grandview Bend Family Campground receives praise for its generous site dimensions. "Sites are grass but decently level and very spacious. No sewer hookups, but they have a dump station," writes Susan & Kevin W. about Grandview Bend Family Campground, adding it has "countryside charm."
Riverside camping: Trading Post Outfitters provides waterfront sites with river access. "This is one of my favorite spots for a quick trip from Chicago. The owners and staff are all fabulous. They are all helpful and friendly. It's a smaller campground but clean and well maintained," says Anne L. about Trading Post Outfitters.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Mobile coverage varies significantly across the region. "Cellular: T-Mobile had good signal strength and bandwidth, AT&T was not as good but still doable," reports Laura H. about Twin Mills Camping Resort.
Advance booking essential: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Need to plan about 6 months to a 1 year ahead to get in," advises Derrick P. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Barton Lake.
Highway noise: Some camping areas experience traffic disturbance. "Traffic on road can be heard at the sites near the back," warns J C. about Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Barton Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "There are trail, beaches, boats, horses... so many things to do," mentions Becky N. about Pokagon State Park, while another reviewer calls it "Great place for family, lots of amenities."
Water features: Swimming options exist at multiple locations. "There's 500+ sites, but all nicely separated and shaded. There's an inn, restaurant, cabins, boat rentals, horseback riding, bike trails, beach, toboggan run, etc.," notes Amy K.
Educational opportunities: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides nature-based learning. "We spoke with the naturalist and volunteered our time she was absolutely fantastic," shares Julie B. about Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection important: RVers should research specific site dimensions before booking. "Sites are shorter and sometimes uneven. Bike trail, hiking trails, store, beach, inn, nature center," advises J C. about Pokagon State Park.
Dump station access: Some parks have challenging dump station layouts. "No sewer hookups, but they have a dump station. That said, the dump station location is not great. It's at the back of the park and a very tight squeeze for bigger rigs," cautions Susan & Kevin W. about Grandview Bend Family Campground.
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete utility connections. "Most of the sites are full hook up, some have 30amp and some have 50amp," notes Laura H. about Twin Mills Camping Resort, also listing amenities like "Pool, Clubhouse, Basketball, Volleyball, Picnic tables, Fire rings, Trash, Playground, Lake access, Beach area, Dock, Cabins, Tent sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Howe, IN?
What camping is available near Howe, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Howe, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 136 campgrounds and RV parks near Howe, IN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Howe, IN?
Which is the most popular campground near Howe, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Howe, IN is Pokagon State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 53 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Howe, IN?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Howe, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Howe, IN.
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