8 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground near Leo, Indiana does not provide horse-specific facilities such as corrals or dedicated equestrian campsites. The park offers camping accommodations including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options, but none specifically designed for equestrians. Recreational opportunities include access to nine interconnected lakes, hiking trails ranging from easy to rugged, and boat rentals. The campground features standard amenities including electric hookups, drinking water, sanitary dump stations, showers, and toilets. Campers report the campground is generally clean with well-maintained facilities.
Trails within Chain O' Lakes State Park are primarily designed for hiking rather than horseback riding, with no dedicated bridle paths evident from the available data. The park's trail system connects various lakes and wooded areas, with distances ranging from 1 to 4 miles. While pets are permitted in the campground, no specific accommodations exist for horses. None of the nearby campgrounds including Pokagon State Park, Ouabache State Park, and Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area show evidence of horse-specific facilities such as corrals, trailer parking areas, or equestrian camping loops. Horse owners seeking appropriate camping facilities would need to look beyond the immediate Leo area for suitable equestrian accommodations.
"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."
from $14 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric)."
"This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it."
from $20 - $480 / night
Check Availability"The paved bike trail in the park starts near the campground, and connects with a bike trail along the Wabash River that goes into nearby Bluffton, and is an easy ride. "
"Plenty of trails to hike and a nice little lake to enjoy. Will definitely come back here"
from $20 - $33 / night
Check Availability"We camped in a tent had a fire went hiking found little waterfalls and there is another part that allows horses!!"
"This is one of the best parks we have been to in Indiana. We Volunteer all over our the USA at State Parks and National Forest. So we know what to look for."
from $14 - $35 / night
Check Availability"I return to Salamonie River State Forest year after year because it truly feels like Northeast Indiana’s best-kept secret."
"The trails can get extreme.. if you’re really into hiking this is a great place. Three waterfalls and lots of trails with horses walking around."
from $13 - $15 / night
Check Availability"Overall Rating: 4 for access to the area, very clean facilities, and not too many campers thus time of year.
Price 2024: $35 for water/electric only.""A little close to your neighbors but the way the sites are angled you had plenty of room. Very friendly people. Easy in and out."
"If you can get a lake view site enjoy. Some spot are far away from the shower houses but you can drive to them. Nice marina with a great store and boat rentals"
"There’s also an entire beach close by, the parking lot needs to be maintained at the beach. I saw DNR once a day. The boat launch is close if you have a boat. The restrooms are clean but primitive."
from $5 - $10 / night
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GuideEquestrian trails and campgrounds are popular here. Horse rides sold on site. There is a nice hotel that sometimes hosts events actually located in the park. Come tobagginging and ice fishing in the winter and then pamper yourself in the hotel, or visit in the summer and have a beach day or easy hike with the family. Great spot for Pokémon Go because of the available cell service.
TravelerI return to Salamonie River State Forest year after year because it truly feels like Northeast Indiana’s best-kept secret. This 21‑site primitive campground offers peaceful seclusion, 4 pit toilets, and two water sources—including a spring‑fed spigot with crisp, cold, delicious drinking water. I’ve stayed at several sites, with Site 18 and Site 20 as favorites. Tent‑friendly, small camper-friendly, pet‑friendly, and just $15/night, it sits beside horse trails, hiking routes, and great fishing. A small campground with big shine—highly recommended.
TravelerPokagon State Park has an excellent state park campground. Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric). Many sites are flat (good for tent camping) while others are slightly rolling hills (helps breakup the sites a bit). There is a lot to do in the park including many trails, horse riding (horse stable on site), and lake swimming on a nicely improved beach. Only cons are no full hook up and the fire rings/grills could be improved.
TravelerThis is an extremely large campground. About seventy-five percent of the sites are electric. We stayed in Site 255, which was not electric (booked last minute). This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it. However, Site 269 (next to Site 277) afforded great privacy and was large; among the non-electric sites this was the best I saw. I did not survey the electric sites, but I’m sure the site matters a lot. Non-electric sites are $20.00, plus a $9.00 park entrance fee.
There are numerous walking trails, along with horse and bike trails. Additionally, there are boat rentals, horseback rides, pony rentals, swimming, nature center, and a restaurant at the inn.
This is a family oriented park. Extended family groupings are very common. Nevertheless, people and their children are well behaved.
I would recommend this campground for two days or more. A one day stay will mean you probably won’t see much of this wonderful park. The only reason I gave it a four was that even in mid-September it was packed.
LegendI have camped here a couple of times while visiting northern Indiana to have repairs done on my RV. Overall, I like this campground where for $30/night you can get a 50 amp full hook-up site or $23/night a 30 amp and water site. If you plan on staying longer weekly and monthly rates are really good. The campground sits in the middle of the county fairgrounds so there is usually something going on – either a fair, concert, horse event, or an RV rally. Depending on what time of year you are here and part of the week, the campground could be very crowded or very empty. The nice thing is the people in the office let you pick whatever site you want and don’t assign one to you. There are 275 full hook-up sites with 50 amp full hook-up and 30 amp water & electric only. There are no fires allowed and some sites don’t have picnic tables but you can request one and they will bring it to your site.
There is very little shade and during my last visit the late September fall temperatures climbed to nearly 90 degrees and was brutal. This campground is better suited for RVs than tents but you are permitted to tent camp. Bathrooms and showers are scattered about and I was amazed at always how clean they (and the grounds as a whole) are. They do offer WiFi which worked pretty well in non-peak hours like early morning but was not reliable and sometimes frustrating. Since many sites have a clear view of the sky, you most likely will get satellite television reception and a dozen or so antenna channels.
One of the things I like about this park is the vast expanse of grounds to wander about walking my dog. There is a trail system just outside of the park that allows you miles and miles of walking and biking trails. Downtown Goshen is less than two miles away and has some great restaurants (including Venturi Pizza, Maple Indian Cuisine – which has an awesome buffet, and Goshen Brewing Company). The Saturday farmers market is great with lots of produce, breads, meats, cheeses, and crafts.
The last time I visited coincided with the Mennonite Relief Fund which was a big fund raiser for their charity that packed the grounds with stuff for sale, food, and activities. It was fun to be there during the event but it meant the campground and grounds were packed.
Now for the bad about this campground. It is located right next to very busy train tracks that operate 24/7 and blow their horns quite often. They were really annoying in the middle of the night. Sites are close together so if it is crowded and you have a neighbor, you will be right on top of them. There is no shade which can be very miserable.
Pros:
· Price - $30/night for a 50 amp full hook-up site
· Nearby downtown stores and restaurants
· Sites are not assigned so you can pick where you want to camp
· Grassy patios
· Large grounds to meander around
· Nearby biking/walking trail
Cons:
· Very noisy from nearby trains operated at all hours
· Few trees for shade or privacy
· Some sites are very tight and close to your neighbor
· Can be very crowded
· WiFi provided but not reliable
TravelerMet 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.
TravelerThere are trail, beaches, boats, horses... so many things to do
GuideThis place is really nice, especially on Sundays because everyone is gone. Mostly local people camping. I stayed two days. It was originally supposed to be one. People here are very friendly. I was even given a whole brand new tent in the package plus dinner and breakfast the next day🤯 It’s a smaller campground. The trails can get extreme.. if you’re really into hiking this is a great place. Three waterfalls and lots of trails with horses walking around. :Update the water source in the picture I posted is the only one available, I would not recommend drinking it. Go to the Army Corps of Engineers Dam location 3 min away and they have fresh water constantly running out of stainless steel stations that’s pure.
TravelerCamp sites are tiny. We had site 88 and it was supposed to be full shade. It was full sun and they have it set up so the camp side of the trailer faces the road. The fire pit is also three feet from the road. Who wants to have a fire next to the road?
Camping options near Leo, Indiana occupy glacial terrain ranging from 780 to 820 feet in elevation with numerous lakes formed during the Wisconsin glaciation period. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer daytime temperatures averaging 80-85°F. While the region doesn't offer dedicated equestrian camping facilities, several nearby state parks provide alternative camping experiences.
Lake activities on connected waterways: Chain O' Lakes State Park features nine interconnected lakes where visitors can kayak, canoe, or fish. As Amanda J. notes, "There is so much to do. Between the hiking trails, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and biking. You won't ever get bored."
Wildlife observation opportunities: Salamonie River State Forest offers excellent wildlife viewing. According to Whitley K., "Each season offers a different kind of beauty" and visitors to nearby areas report numerous "eagle sightings" and "plenty of deer."
Winter recreation options: While equestrian camping near Leo, Indiana is limited, Pokagon State Park Campground offers winter activities including a toboggan run. Amy K. mentions the park has "500+ sites, but all nicely separated and shaded" plus "an inn, restaurant, cabins, boat rentals, horseback riding, bike trails, beach, toboggan run, etc."
Private campsites: Many campers appreciate the spaciousness of sites at Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area. Burns G. states, "Nice size campsite, which good shade. The campsite did have a bigger than expected slope, but nothing horrible."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms. At Ouabache State Park, Keith M. notes "Facilities kept clean by DNR and fellow campers," while Burns G. reports about Lost Bridge West that "The restrooms were clean, and the hot water was plentiful for my shower."
Water views: Several campsites offer lake views. Darrell B. advises about Lost Bridge West, "If you can get a lake view site enjoy," while Casse T. confirms "big campground with lots of nice sites, some with beautiful views of the water."
Seasonal flooding concerns: Some campsites may experience flooding issues. At Lost Bridge West, Shasta K. reports, "A lot of the campsites were closed due to flooding but we managed to have a site that was untouched."
Variable site quality: Site conditions can differ widely within the same park. Cynthia K. explains about Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area Campgrounds, "Some sites are very close together, while some offer a little more room. Sites 221-243, 202-204 offer lake views."
Limited horse facilities: While some parks like Pokagon offer horseback riding, true equestrian camping facilities near Leo are scarce. Kosciusko County Fairgrounds isn't suited for recreational camping as Whitley K. explains: "This is only meant as a fair ground and place for events. People that are participating in local events may bring RV here but not for public use."
Multiple playgrounds: Lost Bridge West provides several play areas for children. Kim K. mentions "beach, playgrounds, 15 miles of hiking/walking" making it suitable for families.
Educational experiences: Ouabache State Park Campground offers wildlife viewing opportunities. Brad H. reports, "Nice quiet campground. Plenty of activities for families to do. The kids loved the Bison."
Affordable water recreation: Chain O' Lakes offers cost-effective water activities. Jeremy C. shares, "Very clean state park. Reasonable prices. Kayaking and the beach was a huge hit with the kids."
Utility considerations: Most campgrounds offer electric but not full hookups. Steve C. notes about Ouabache State Park, "Only draw back is no water and sewer hook up at the campsite."
Dump station locations: When selecting a site, consider proximity to facilities. Cynthia K. advises at Lost Bridge West, "Stay away from campsites 101 & 102 - these are right by the dump station."
Winter camping options: Some parks remain open year-round for RVers seeking off-season camping alternatives to equestrian facilities. Lisa N. recommends Salamonie River State Forest, noting "Love this place for winter camping. The campground comfort stations are heated all winter long."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Leo, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Leo, IN is Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 54 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Leo, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Leo, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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