Salamonie Lake, formed by a dam on the Salamonie River, offers recreation on approximately a 2,600-acre reservoir near Lagro, Indiana. The lake features 100-foot high limestone and dolomite bluffs along portions of its shoreline. Fall camping brings colorful foliage displays while summer highs typically reach the mid-80s with evening temperatures dropping to the mid-60s.
What to do
Hiking at Lost Bridge West: Connect to the Three Falls Trail for varied terrain and difficulty levels. One camper noted, "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."
Boating and fishing: Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area Campgrounds provides easy water access at its marina. A visitor shared, "They have a awesome Mariana ppl are friendly clean showers bathrooms access to lake." The reservoir hosts multiple fish species including bass, crappie, and catfish.
Waterfall viewing: France Park features limestone formations and cascading water. A visitor explained, "The waterfall isn't huge, but it's beautiful. All in all, it will be on the list of places to set up camp in the coming future!"
Bird watching at Huntington Lake: Kil-So-Quah - J. Edward Roush Lake offers prime eagle spotting locations. A visitor reported, "Regular campground with pit toilets. Electric and primitive sites available. Good bird watching spot. Lots of eagles."
What campers like
Lake view campsites: Specific sites at Lost Bridge West overlook Salamonie Lake. A reviewer detailed, "Typical state run campground. Some sites are very close together, while some offer a little more room. Sites 221-243, 202-204 offer lake views."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: KOA Campground Bluffton maintains its amenities year-round. A camper noted, "Quiet place with super friendly people. There are laundry facilities on site and surprisingly good WiFi and were even in the back!"
Affordable rates: State parks provide economical glamping options. A visitor to Salamonie Lake shared, "This is one of the best parks we have been to in Indiana... Friendly people to answer questions plenty to do. And affordable."
Variety of camping options: Salamonie Lake campers can choose from electric or non-electric sites. One camper observed, "Double dump station. Stay away from campsites 101 & 102- these are right by the dump station."
What you should know
Site selection matters: Some locations offer more privacy than others. At Salamonie Lake, a camper advised, "Site 1- right on the main drag, but the most private site in the place. Vegetation separates you from site 2."
Seasonal flooding concerns: Water levels can impact site availability. A visitor to France Park shared, "There are sooooo many trails and they are very well maintained, although if it's rained, there may be standing water in some of the lower areas."
Limited staff presence: Some parks have minimal ranger supervision. A camper at Salamonie Lake noted, "One thing we didn't like was the lack of DNR presence. Occasionally, during the day they drove by. They didn't prevent people from parking anywhere they wanted."
Insect considerations: Bug protection is essential, particularly in summer. A visitor mentioned, "Worst place for mosquitoes." Spring and fall visits often have fewer insect issues.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation: Pla-Mor Campground offers extensive children's activities. A visitor shared, "Lots of things to do with kids. Planned events, awesome putt putt, pool with splash area for littles. Multiple playgrounds, even a new one recently built."
Campsite playground access: Choose sites with direct playground views. At Salamonie Lake a camper recommended, "For the playground, sites 2,3,4,6,&7 have direct access to a playground & you can watch your children from your site."
Beach access for swimming: Look for campgrounds with clean swimming areas. A visitor to Salamonie Lake noted, "The beach was clean and fun. Not very busy when we were there, which was nice."
Pet-friendly options: Most area campgrounds welcome pets with standard leash requirements. One visitor mentioned, "It would have been nice if there were pet station placed around the campground to make it easy for dog walkers."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some sites require extra equipment. A Salamonie Lake camper warned, "We stayed on Campsite 208. Nice size campsite, with good shade. The campsite did have a bigger than expected slope, but nothing horrible."
Full hookup availability: Tippecanoe River State Park Campground offers partial hookups only. A visitor noted, "Small but worth going. Fire tower climb was beautiful. A nice little place to relax."
Urban camping options: For RVers needing city amenities while glamping in Lagro, Indiana, Johnny Appleseed Campground provides full services. A visitor mentioned, "This is a small campground in the middle of the city. It's directly across the road from the Saint Joe River, very near a dam."
Seasonal considerations: Most glamping facilities operate April through October. Wildwood Outdoor Escape operates seasonally from mid-April to mid-October with modern facilities for upscale glamping experiences.
