Cabin camping near Ligonier, Indiana offers diverse accommodations within the lakes region of northeastern Indiana. The area sits at approximately 900 feet above sea level with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F between June and August. Winter cabin stays experience average temperatures of 20-30°F, with the camping season at most locations running from April through October, though some facilities remain open year-round.
What to do
Lake activities: chain boating: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides interconnected waterways perfect for kayaking and canoeing. "Nice quiet campground with lots of wildlife. Tent lots are flat and a good size. RR and showers nearby," notes one visitor who appreciated the natural setting.
Amish country exploration: Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney provides convenient access to Amish communities. "Great campground in the heart of Amish country. Near Elkhart and the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum. Great place to visit, really interesting. Also, near Shipshewana," explains a camper who enjoyed the cultural experiences available.
Trail hiking: state park networks: Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground features multiple hiking trails connecting natural areas. "I have stayed at this state park many times since I was little. There is so much to do. Between the hiking trails, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and biking. You won't ever get bored," shares a frequent visitor.
Winter activities: Unique among area facilities, Pokagon State Park Campground maintains year-round cabin availability with winter recreation. "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," reports a camper who appreciated the full-season options.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Cabin properties in the Ligonier area maintain consistent cleanliness standards. "Air conditioning in the bathrooms. Very nice campground with level sites and air conditioned bathrooms! That is amazing in the summer. They have trails that are a nice walk for the dogs and a pond to catch and release fish," notes a visitor at Elkhart RV Resort.
Family-oriented activities: Ebys Pines provides structured recreation for various age groups. "Tons of stuff to do for campers of all ages. Roller skating, mini bowling, laser tag, and an arcade at the fun center. There was a corn hole tournament, a golf cart parade, a wagon ride, and a live band," reports a satisfied family camper.
Nature immersion: Many cabin properties feature proximity to natural features. "Lots to do here! Trails lead to a local County park - Bonneyville Mill. There's a roller skating rink and laser tag across the street. Bathrooms were well maintained, although the water hammer noise when you flush is a bit scary at first!" explains a visitor who enjoyed combining outdoor and entertainment options.
Security features: Several properties implement controlled access. "Twin Mills is a really beautiful and quiet RV Campground, with tall trees in Northern Indiana. The park has a gate entrance for security," notes a camper who appreciated the safety measures.
What you should know
Site variations: Twin Mills Camping Resort and similar properties feature significant differences between site types. "Huge campground, we stopped for one night a week prior to their closing for the season. Sites deep not very wide. Good for a quick stop," notes a visitor, highlighting the importance of researching specific site dimensions.
Seasonal limitations: Many cabin facilities close between late October and April. "The General Store is one of the most impressively well stocked I have ever seen. Equipment, toys, tools, food souvenirs, you name it," reports a visitor at Chain O' Lakes, though seasonal hours may apply.
Tent-specific areas: Several campgrounds maintain separate tent and RV sections. "If you like tent camping this place has a great tent/pop up only section on the river," notes a camper at Ebys Pines, indicating specialized accommodation areas.
Additional fees: Various properties charge for extras beyond standard rates. "Stayed here 3 nights in October campground has most of the attractions (pool etc) closed as expected but still charged visitors $5 per person per day. And charged $5 per device per day for WiFi," reports a Shipshewana Campground visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Off-peak timing benefits: Visiting during weekdays reduces crowds at popular areas. "Memorial Day weekend was busy with lots of events each day. But not so crowded that you couldn't enjoy some privacy and nature!" shares an Ebys Pines visitor who found balance even during a holiday period.
Activity planning: Properties offer varied scheduled events throughout summer seasons. "We stopped here for a night on our cross-country trip, wish we had 2 nights because we had lots of thunderstorms. Tons of things to do (playgrounds, lake, beach, hiking, horseback and pony rides etc)," notes a Pokagon State Park visitor.
Bathroom facility research: Atwood Lake Campground and other properties vary significantly in bathroom amenities. "It's crowded, pretty quiet usually, no showers or running water bathroom facilities. But the view..." cautions a visitor who recommends planning accordingly for bathroom needs.
Weather preparation: Summer temperatures can reach 90°F with high humidity while spring and fall nights often drop below 50°F. "We were in the tent portion and it was very loud, the pit toilets did not have doors, and there were some mosquitoes," warns a Chain O' Lakes visitor, suggesting bringing appropriate gear for variable conditions.
Tips from RVers
Access route selection: RVers should plan approach routes carefully. "Coming from the West, stay on I-80 to IN-13(exit 107) as it makes for an easier route than on the local roads versus following your GPS or Waze which may have you exit off in Elkhart," advises a Shipshewana Campground visitor.
Site positioning considerations: Campgrounds often have varying hookup locations. "The utilities were in the center, which made it nice to dump our two black tanks. Water pressure was good at about 50 psi. It was nice that the utilities were on the center of the pad," notes an RVer who appreciated the convenient layout.
Connectivity variations: Cell service and WiFi quality vary significantly between properties. "We got 4 bars on Verizon. If we wanted to put out satellite, we could have as there are not many trees in the central area to block the signal," reports a camper at Shipshewana Campground South Park.
Seasonal site awareness: Many campgrounds have predominantly seasonal residents. "This campground is almost completely filled with mini homes that occupy the grounds year round. The residents flock to open them at the beginning of summer and stay as late as November," cautions a visitor about Jellystone Park Camp Resort.
