Camping sites near Lagrange, Indiana provide a mix of experiences in northern Indiana's gently rolling terrain. The area sits at around 900 feet above sea level with continental weather patterns bringing warm, humid summers and cold winters with periodic lake effect snow. Water recreation opportunities exist along numerous lakes and the Pigeon River, with most campgrounds filling by mid-afternoon on summer weekends.
What to do
Hiking and biking: Pokagon State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems connecting to a nearby nature preserve. "Best bike orbs, horseback riding, and quiet," notes one visitor. Another camper adds, "There are trail, beaches, boats, horses... so many things to do."
Water activities: The region has numerous lakes for boating, fishing and swimming. One camper at Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground commented on the "kayaking and the beach was a huge hit with the kids." Another visitor mentioned it as "a great place for family, lots of amenities."
Frisbee golf: Available at several parks in the area including Cade Lake. A visitor mentioned, "This place is a nice cozy campground with a large frisbee golf course, a fishing and kayak lake, and a nice store."
Toboggan runs: Winter visitors can enjoy the toboggan run at Pokagon State Park. "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."
What campers like
Peaceful settings: Grandview Bend Family Campground earns praise for its rural atmosphere. One camper described how "we were treated to a beautiful view across the field just before sunset, and we heard the clip clop of a horse buggie on the main road which was lovely."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained grounds and bathhouses. At Pokagon State Park, visitors appreciate that "the park is beautifully maintained. The bathroom and shower facilities were clean and updated."
Cultural experiences: The proximity to Amish communities adds unique character to the camping experience. At Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney, one camper noted it's a "great campground in the heart of Amish country. Near Elkhart and the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum."
River camping: Some visitors prefer riverside sites. A camper at Trading Post Outfitters said, "This is one of my favorite spots for a quick trip from Chicago. The owners and staff are all fabulous. It's a smaller campground but clean and well maintained."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most private campgrounds operate from April through October, while state parks often remain open year-round. A visitor to Chain O' Lakes noted, "We were in the tent portion and it was very loud, the pit toilets did not have doors, and there were some mosquitoes. It was Memorial Day weekend which could explain the noise/busy-ness."
Site variations: Campgrounds have varying levels of privacy and size limitations. A visitor to Twin Mills Camping Resort commented that "Our site was the farthest loop on the back row. Not too sure with all the empty spots why, but... very wooded, the unit beside us obviously was a seasonal and had placed their unit horizontally in the space which made sitting outside awkward."
Reservation needs: Most sites require advance booking, particularly on weekends. At popular state parks, a camper advised, "There's 500+ sites, but all nicely separated and shaded."
Hookup options: Electric-only sites are common at state parks, while full hookups are more available at private campgrounds. A camper at Chain O' Lakes explained, "The RV sites have better bathrooms I believe."
Tips for camping with families
Group-friendly sites: Several campgrounds offer dedicated group areas. At Chain O' Lakes, a visitor noted, "Stayed on a group site. As usual the group sites are much larger, and also more expensive. Group sites usually aren't too full so large space and few neighbors is always a plus."
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with structured programs. At Gordons Campground, "We visited on one of the Halloween weekends. Lots of things for the kids to do. Haunted hayride and haunted house. We have been going for 10 plus years."
Kid-oriented amenities: Select campgrounds with playgrounds and recreation areas. One camper mentioned, "They have a lot of movies for the kids in the evenings, and a lot of kid activities. We especially like the pick your own camping spot, we have our favorite place."
Beach access: Several lakes have swimming areas. At Chain O' Lakes, a visitor mentioned, "Very clean state park. Reasonable prices. Kayaking and the beach was a huge hit with the kids."
Tips from RVers
Size considerations: Some campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. A visitor to Trading Post Outfitters cautioned, "Stayed one night it's a beautiful campground just small. I came in with a 44ft toy hauler had issues getting in (rookie mistake)."
Dump station access: Check location and ease of use. At Grandview Bend, a camper noted, "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."
Site levelness: Terrain varies across campgrounds. At Grandview Bend, campers found "sites are grass but decently level and very spacious."
Early check-in policies: Some campgrounds charge additional fees. One visitor mentioned, "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."
