Camping near Huntington, Indiana offers a mix of lakeside sites and forest-based options across Indiana's north-central region. The area experiences four distinct seasons with hot summers reaching 85°F and winter temperatures commonly dropping below freezing from December through February. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 700-800 feet above sea level, contributing to moderate temperature variations between day and night.
What to do
Fishing at J. Edward Roush Lake: Kil-So-Quah campground provides access to fishing opportunities at Huntington Lake. "Good bird watching spot. Lots of eagles. Nice place, there is gunfire noise from the range across the lake. Not bad though," notes one camper at Kil-So-Quah.
Hiking Three Falls Trail: Near Huntington, this trail offers an accessible natural experience. "This is one of my first trails I went on that started my love for hiking. It's so short and simple but we loved it. There was so much to see," writes a visitor to Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area.
Water recreation: Boating and swimming options abound during summer months. "The beach was clean and fun. Not very busy when we were there, which was nice," reports a camper who stayed at Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area.
Urban exploration: When seeking yurt camping near Huntington, Indiana, consider combining it with city activities. "This is a great little campground if you are wanting to explore Fort Wayne or are local and want to campout. Easy access to downtown, the Coliseum, IPFW, and shopping," explains a camper at Johnny Appleseed Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain good bathroom standards. "The bathrooms were very nice and clean. The staff was also very helpful," reports a visitor at Johnny Appleseed Campground, while another mentions, "Bathrooms are A+ with a code for only campers."
Affordable pricing: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value. "Forest settings, electricity for only $15/night," states a camper about Kil-So-Quah, though they note "Lots of traffic in and out."
Lakefront views: Several sites offer water views. "Sites 221-243, 202-204 offer lake views. I say VIEWS, not access," clarifies a camper at Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area.
Small pool amenities: Multiple campgrounds maintain swimming pools. "Very nice campgrounds. The pool is small but really nice, 4'6" deep," notes a visitor to Wildwood Outdoor Escape, adding, "There a basketball net, volleyball court, small playground and fishing ponds."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate from mid-April through mid-October, with some exceptions. "During the weekends it gets packed. Only 60 sites so show up early if you want one. No reservations so first come gets it," warns a visitor to Kil-So-Quah.
Varying site privacy: Site separation differs widely between campgrounds. "Most of the sites were in need of a fresh layer of gravel for their parking pads," observes a Lost Bridge West camper.
Payment policies: Some locations have specific payment requirements. "Payment needs to be by cash or check which I thought was strange in this day and age," reports a Wildwood camper.
Alternative lodging: For those seeking luxury yurt camping in Huntington, Indiana area, various options exist. "The cheapest campsite at primitive camping is $12 bucks. For more, you can get electric hookup sites galore that all include a fire ring picnic table and a pretty leveled out spot," explains a camper at Chain O'Lakes State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas. At Johnny Appleseed Campground, "There is also a playground!" notes a visitor.
Swimming options: Pools provide safer swimming than lakes for young children. "The playground was in need of some serious repair," warns a camper at KOA Campground Bluffton, despite mentioning "The campground was clean with a nice heated pool."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience ambient noise. "The shower are unisex, and there is a train that blows its horn all night long," cautions a KOA Bluffton visitor.
Pet policies: Most campgrounds allow pets with restrictions. "It would have been nice if there were pet station placed around the campground to make it easy for dog walkers to rid themselves of their full poop bags," suggests a Lost Bridge West camper.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some locations. "The campsite did have a bigger than expected slope, but nothing horrible," notes a Lost Bridge West visitor.
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by campground. "During the week it's great. Hardly anyone here and so peaceful," shares a Kil-So-Quah camper.
Dump station locations: Plan your waste management accordingly. "Double dump station. Stay away from campsites 101 & 102- these are right by the dump station," advises a Lost Bridge West camper.
Reservation systems: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others don't. "For a city campground it's very nice and friendly atmosphere and very quiet place to relax and enjoy a long weekend," states a visitor to Bixler Lake Park & Campground.
