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Best Campgrounds near Leo, IN

368 Reviews

Northeastern Indiana offers several established campgrounds near Leo, with options ranging from state parks to private facilities. Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground, located about 15 miles northeast of Leo, provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations across its wooded setting. Johnny Appleseed Campground in Fort Wayne, approximately 10 miles southwest of Leo, offers seasonal camping from April through October with tent and RV sites. Indian Springs Campground in Garrett and Pokagon State Park Campground in Angola expand the region's camping inventory with additional cabin options and varied amenities.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October, though some like Chain O' Lakes and Pokagon State Parks remain open year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holidays when waterfront sites fill quickly. The region experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers and cold winters, making spring and fall particularly pleasant for camping. Campground layouts vary significantly, from densely arranged sites to more spacious options. A visitor noted, "Chain O' Lakes State Park was established in 1925, so almost 100 years old. The campground must be the original layout. There's a maze-like quality to it. The roads are narrow & you may be driving off the road for a big rig."

Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the region, with several campgrounds situated near lakes or rivers. Chain O' Lakes State Park features nine connected lakes ideal for kayaking and canoeing, while Pokagon State Park offers lake activities and extensive trail systems. Campground amenities typically include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to restroom facilities, with varying levels of hookups available for RVs. According to one camper, "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." Families particularly appreciate the recreational opportunities at these parks, though visitors seeking solitude may find some campgrounds too crowded during peak season.

Map showing campgrounds near Leo, IndianaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Leo, Indiana (98)

    1. Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Albion, IN
    20 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."

    2. Johnny Appleseed Campground

    15 Reviews
    Fort Wayne, IN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 427-6720

    "Easy access to downtown, the Coliseum, IPFW, and shopping. The River Greenway path cuts right through the park, and there is also a boat launch for the river."

    "For $24, we got a day of drive in spot with electrical + water hook-ups and wifi. The campground is well-maintained and very clean."

    3. Indian Springs Campground

    9 Reviews
    Garrett, IN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 357-5572

    $20 - $89 / night

    4. chainolakes

    2 Reviews
    Leo, IN
    4 miles

    "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"

    5. Pokagon State Park Campground

    48 Reviews
    Angola, IN
    33 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)."

    6. Blue Lake Campground

    3 Reviews
    Huntertown, IN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 693-2265

    $40 / night

    "Blue Lake Resort is a hidden gem for campers! The serene atmosphere and beautiful lake views make it a perfect getaway. The amenities are well-maintained, and the staff is friendly and accommodating."

    "The lake is clean and has a decent beach. You can rent kayaks for cheap. Has a pretty decent grocery store on site. The bathrooms are huge and clean. Wifi is good at our lot."

    7. Chain O'lakes State Park Dispersed Campsite

    3 Reviews
    Albion, IN
    20 miles

    8. Bixler Lake Park & Campground

    2 Reviews
    Kendallville, IN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 347-1064

    $25 - $60 / night

    "Been here nearly a month and definitely will be back."

    9. River Camp Fort Wayne

    1 Review
    Fort Wayne, IN
    16 miles
    Website

    10. Angola/Hogback Lake KOA Holiday

    11 Reviews
    Angola, IN
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 665-5353

    "This campground also sits on the shores of Hogback Lake which is an all sports lake."

    "There is a dog park for walking the dog but with so much driveway I just walk the dog around the park. They have several dog bag stations around the park to make clean up easy."

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Recent Camping Photos near Leo, IN

88 Photos of 98 Leo Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Leo, IN

368 Reviews of 98 Leo Campgrounds

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Kil-So-Quah - J. Edward Roush Lake

    No Lake access from campground

    Forest settings, electricity for only $15/night. Lots of traffic in and out. A lot of older rigs.

  • Matthew H.
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Art's Country Park

    Arts country Park

    Quiet,kid friendly, fur babies friendly (dogs),nice place, friendly and accommodating staff, fishing and swimming,hot showers and lots of activities in summer 👍

  • d
    Aug. 19, 2025

    River Trail Campground II

    Just So-SO

    We stayed 3 nights. Our site was a dirt pads. There are mostly full-time residents. There is the smell of a massive Chicken coup at our site. THERE ARE A TON OF FLIES!!!!! We had flies for days!. We kill 3 and 5 more would pop-up in our trailer. I was so happy to leave this fly infested site. 

    It's very hard for me to give them less than 5 stairs because, everyone was so nice. We had them filled up our propane tanks and they actually brought them to us and hooked them up while we were gone. Someone even brought us wood planks for stabilizing our trailer. However, truth be told…. our spot was horrible-right next to the laundry room in direct sun and it stunk! The women's shower was gross too. ( I ended up, not using their shower room.)

    We never used their pool.

  • 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.

  • Paula S.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Blue Water Campground

    Our stay at bluewater

    The staff is extremely friendly, and try to accomadate with anything you could need. The campesites are fairly large with gravel pads. They offer water and electric hook-up for 30&50 amps. There is not a sewer hook up but they do offer a weekly pump out for a small fee and a dump station on the way out. The pool, ponds, playground and pavillion are all within walking distance from almost any site.

  • Allie H.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Huggy Bear Campground

    Overall a great experience

    Clean! Tons to do especially for kids, pet friendly, definitely get rowdy on the weekends- book ahead to snag the best sites. We stayed 5 days and it was awesome. Mini golf, fishing, 3 pools, inflatable in the water, they have a whole schedule for the weekends here. It’s great!

Guide to Leo

Camping near Leo, Indiana, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakes to family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

What to do:

  • Kayaking and Canoeing: Enjoy paddling on the lakes. One visitor at Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground mentioned, "Kayaking the 13 lakes can easily last from morning to sundown."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Pokagon State Park Campground. A reviewer noted, "They have good hiking trails, nice refreshing waters, good food options at certain places."
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Ouabache State Park Campground, provide great fishing spots. One camper shared, "The bison exhibit and ranger programs are great too."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms. A visitor at Johnny Appleseed Campground said, "Restrooms are very clean and comfortable."
  • Family Activities: Many campgrounds offer fun for kids. A parent at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Barton Lake remarked, "My son had a blast and said this was the best campground he has ever been to."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy large sites for gatherings. One happy camper at Buck Lake Ranch noted, "The kids also had a blast and all of our neighbors were very sweet people."

What you should know:

  • Busy Weekends: Expect crowds during peak times. A reviewer at Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground warned, "A very hard campsite to navigate and a busy weekend forget about dumping lol you're gonna be there a while."
  • Limited Cell Service: Some areas have poor reception. A visitor at Pokagon State Park Campground mentioned, "Bring plenty of water as posted 'mile' hikes quickly turn into 5-mile hikes."
  • Old Facilities: Some campgrounds have dated amenities. A camper at Pokagon State Park Campground noted, "The shower & restrooms are atrocious!!!"

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. A parent at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Barton Lake said, "The park is very clean and the staff is friendly."
  • Plan for Crowds: If you’re camping on weekends, arrive early to secure a good spot. A visitor at Ouabache State Park Campground mentioned, "Some campsites can get very wet and flooded during a nice rain."
  • Bring Entertainment: Pack games and activities for downtime. A camper at Johnny Appleseed Campground shared, "It was nice and quiet even though it’s in the middle of town."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Angola/Hogback Lake KOA Holiday said, "Site is so small and narrow across from permanent campers."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A visitor at Kil-So-Quah - J. Edward Roush Lake noted, "There is gunfire noise from the range across the lake."
  • Utilize Dump Stations: Know where the dump stations are located. A camper at Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground mentioned, "Also no Verizon signal but our friend had T-Mobile and he was ok signal."

Camping near Leo, Indiana, has its perks and quirks, but with the right preparation, you can enjoy a fantastic outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Leo, Indiana?

For camping near Leo, Indiana, Camp Timber Lake on the outskirts of Fort Wayne offers a clean, pet-friendly environment with friendly staff and neighbors. Another excellent option is Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground, which features spacious sites in both electric and non-electric sections. The park offers beautiful lake access and trails for outdoor recreation. Both locations are within easy driving distance of Leo and provide different camping experiences depending on whether you prefer a more developed RV park setting or a natural state park environment.

What amenities are available at Leo campgrounds?

Campgrounds near Leo offer various amenities to enhance your camping experience. Johnny Appleseed Campground provides water access, toilets, and accommodates big rigs with reservable sites. At Pokagon State Park Campground, you'll find electric hookups on many sites, though the campground layout features narrow roads that may challenge larger RVs. The park offers year-round camping opportunities with seasonal activities including a toboggan run in winter. Most campgrounds in the area provide basic facilities like fire rings and picnic tables, with varying levels of hookups from primitive to full-service depending on the specific location.

What camping is available near Leo, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Leo, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 98 campgrounds and RV parks near Leo, IN and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Leo, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Leo, IN is Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 52 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Leo, IN.

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