Best Campgrounds near Howe, IN

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 Camping Sites Near Howe, Indiana (132)

    1. Pokagon State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Angola, IN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 833-2012

    $16 - $480 / night

    "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)."

    2. Twin Mills Camping Resort

    7 Reviews
    Howe, IN
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "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

    11 Reviews
    Middlebury, IN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (574) 347-6889

    "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

    6 Reviews
    Middlebury, IN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 768-4669

    "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. Trading Post Outfitters

    5 Reviews
    Orland, IN
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 367-2493

    $34 - $140 / night

    "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."

    6. Cade Lake County Park & Campground

    4 Reviews
    Sturgis, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 651-3330

    $30 - $40 / night

    "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!"

    7. Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Albion, IN
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 636-2654

    $12 - $80 / night

    "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."

    8. Ebys Pines

    12 Reviews
    Bristol, IN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (574) 848-4583

    "Trails lead to a local County park - Bonneyville Mill. There’s a roller skating rink and laser tag across the street."

    9. Grandview Bend Family Campground

    2 Reviews
    Howe, IN
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (574) 575-5927

    $30 - $500 / night

    "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."

    10. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ at Barton Lake

    14 Reviews
    Fremont, IN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 833-1114

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Howe, IN

492 Reviews of 132 Howe Campgrounds


  • v
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Markin Glen County Park

    Clean and near bike trails

    Great park. Well maintained. Very clean. Lots of bike trails, a beach area. Helpful staff!

  • Joel K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    MTB camp and bike (again)

    We camped and rode (again) at Fort Custer.  We've been here 2x before (once in a cabin and once in tents) and this has now officially become a favorite. 

    We loved our site (so don't book this one) as it's close to the trails for riding.  The campground was almost to capacity, but still some open sites.

    All in all this was a great trip, and we even visited Belle's brewery on our way home.

  • Shawna T.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    chainolakes

    Camp out

    I loved how neighborly and extremely kind our camping neighbors were. Even though we were close in proximity to eachother, everyone remained respectful of the noise and helped eachother as much as we could. Good little camping trip community. Had a great experience

  • L
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Johnny Appleseed Campground

    Great location, but no privacy

    The campground is almost in the middle of Fort Wayne. Most of the sites are very close and no vegetation to allow any privacy. On the positive side, the bathrooms were very nice and clean. The staff was also very helpful.

  • SkipperAllen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Shipshewana Campground South Park

    Nice stay

    Bathrooms clean Campground well maintained. Showers clean. Push button operation not temperature control little on the cold side for me.

  • Bob B.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    A return to my childhood

    I camped here countless times throughout my childhood. It was nice returning. I brought back great memories and it struck a balance of staying up with the times but still leaving most to nature.

    Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long.

    Sites are easy to get in and out of with RV/TT.

    Don’t miss out on the great finishing and hiking. A great plus is still seeing kids rise actual bikes!

  • H
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    Beautiful Woodsy Campground

    We’ve stayed at both sites listed. 161 you do have neighbors pretty close, but we just stayed at 51 and it is extremely secluded! We had an amazing time tent camping it was so quiet! We love it here already with only being here twice!

  • Ray L.
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Bixler Lake Park & Campground

    Quiet.

    This is by far the place to just relax. It does have its moments..Holidays and special events. Even then campers here live by the lights out code. Been here nearly a month and definitely will be back.


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?

According to TheDyrt.com, Howe, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 132 campgrounds and RV parks near Howe, IN and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

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 48 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Howe, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Howe, IN.