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Campgrounds near Middlebury, Indiana accommodate horses in various capacities, though none offer dedicated horse corrals according to available data. Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground accepts tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping setups with sites that can accommodate horses and trailers. The campground provides electric hookups, drinking water, showers, and toilet facilities. Most campsites have picnic tables and allow fires, with reservations available for securing appropriate spaces. While specific equestrian infrastructure is limited, the park maintains trails suitable for horseback riding throughout its connected lake system.
Located approximately 30 miles from Middlebury, Chain O' Lakes provides access to multiple water features and trail networks that connect through wooded areas. Horse owners must bring their own containment systems as the park does not provide dedicated corrals or stalls. The trail system offers varied terrain through meadows and forests with access to water sources. Trailer parking is available near designated campsites, though space may be limited during peak summer months. Many visitors report the trails are well-maintained and suitable for novice to intermediate riders. Campers should contact the park directly for current horse camping policies and to ensure appropriate accommodations for their animals, as requirements may change seasonally.
"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."
"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"I feel this is one of the best state parks in Indiana. Come with your own water as they don’t have water hookups at your campsite but there are some nearby. The sites are very spacious and clean."
"Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust. Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up."
from $20 - $90 / 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 trails are great for hikers, bikers, & equestrians. We’ve had family camp outs there, as well my husband & I alone. It’s all dog friendly too! 🐕🐶"
"Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes."
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.
Guide...although you probably wouldn't want to camp in the Indiana winter. I grew up coming here mostly to sled on the hills! But, there is a lot more to do. It surrounds Worster Lake and there are cabins, RV sites, and tent sites along with horse trails and bike trails. In the winter, there's sledding hills and ice fishing. The campgrounds are pretty standard, nothing special. If you live in the area, it's a fine little getaway.
ScoutI feel this is one of the best state parks in Indiana. Come with your own water as they don’t have water hookups at your campsite but there are some nearby. The sites are very spacious and clean. Bath houses are always clean! Playground areas for the kids throughout the park lots of bike and walking trails. No pools but a beautiful man made lake for swimming and fishing. Lots of wildlife throughout the park. A great nature center is a must to see for the little ones. My family has camped here for many years. There is also a separate campground for horse lovers.
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.
TravelerThe trails are great for hikers, bikers, & equestrians. We’ve had family camp outs there, as well my husband & I alone. It’s all dog friendly too! 🐕🐶
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
LegendCampground= 4 stars; check-in= 2 stars. Very large campground with close to 300 sites plus a horse camp and about 20 cabins. We picked this park solely because it was convenient to our next destination, so we were not concerned with amenities. We did not make a reservation because I really do not want to pay the extra fee if it is not necessary. Upon arrival, we paid the $9 entrance fee ($7 for Indiana residents) and drove the 3 miles to the campground office. Somewhat surprised to find both staffed at 6 pm on a Thursday after Labor Day. We were told to drive around and pick several desired sites as they could not tell us which ones still had people due to arrive that night who had reserved. Huh?? So, we drove around two of the five loops and picked half a dozen sites that would be suitable. But that’s where the fun began- not! There seemed to be some computer glitch in that every site we asked about showed as not available, even though more than half the sites were empty. Eventually, we were told to just go to one of the sites we picked and set up and that a security guard would come and collect our money. Eventually, at just before 9 pm, the security guard did come and told us the glitch had been fixed and asked that we come to the office and register. The glitch was not fixed! But we paid our fee and were able to stay the night and the staff was very apologetic.
There is no differentiation between RV and tent sites (the only one that is separate is the horse camp). The E Loop seemed to be the most crowded, mostly with RVs. The sites in the D Loop were spaced a decent amount of distance apart but other than that, there was no real privacy between them. This was not a problem because the loop had many empty sites and we were able to easily find one that had an empty one on either side of us. There are paths to the beach accessible from the D and E loops but note the beach is only open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There is no longer a dog beach at Potato Creek. There is a general store(open until 8 pm) and bike rentals which, if we were going to stay longer, we might have taken advantage of. There are boat rentals in season. Several trails and playgrounds so I imagine that in the summer, this is a nice family campground (even the name is Family campground).
The mosquitos were vicious, likely worse due to the amount of rain the area has had this year. Bathrooms were very clean and there was hot water, a nice luxury but you have to be careful not to bump your head on the shelf over the sink when washing your face. Didn’t use them but there were also showers.
The check-in process notwithstanding, our stay was fine for the night.
ScoutMMichigan State park with large sites and lots of privacy. $25per night with electric. Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes. Roads quiet and could easily ride your road bike to nearby bike paths. I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky.
Campers seeking equestrian facilities near Middlebury, Indiana can access several recreational areas within driving distance. The region sits at approximately 850 feet above sea level in northern Indiana's lake country, characterized by rolling terrain and numerous small lakes. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, while summer camping season brings humid conditions with daytime temperatures averaging 80-85°F.
Lake activities at multiple locations: Fort Custer Recreation Area offers three inland lakes for various water activities. "We passed other hikers and bikers and even some people trying their luck at fishing. There are quite a few mountain bike trails on the other side of the recreation area," notes Art S., who appreciated the multi-use trail system that winds around the lakes.
Mountain biking opportunities: Fort Custer Recreation Area maintains dedicated mountain biking trails separate from hiking paths. "We loved our site as it's close to the trails for riding. The campground was almost to capacity, but still some open sites," explains Joel K., who made the campground a regular destination specifically for mountain biking access.
Toboggan run in winter months: Pokagon State Park Campground offers unique winter recreation options beyond the typical summer camping season. "There's an inn, restaurant, cabins, boat rentals, horseback riding, bike trails, beach, toboggan run, etc. Tons of picnic areas and pavilions; would be a great spot for a family reunion," reports Amy K., highlighting the year-round appeal.
Secluded sites with privacy: Many campers appreciate the balance between privacy and community at campgrounds near Middlebury. "I've never found another campground with such a great mix of secluded sites, but still opportunities to meet and party with fellow camper," shares Bob B. about his experience at Fort Custer Recreation Area, noting its significance as a childhood camping spot.
Clean facilities and grounds: Potato Creek State Park Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "We have been blown away by the efforts put into Indiana's state parks. Well kept, beautiful grounds and trails. Restrooms are a bit dated, but clean and functioning," comments Christy Y., who particularly enjoyed the bike trails.
Dark night skies for stargazing: The limited light pollution at some camping areas creates excellent conditions for astronomy enthusiasts. "I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky," writes Janet N. about Fort Custer Recreation Area, adding that the $25 per night electric sites offer good value while maintaining a natural setting.
Mosquito preparation essential: Insect activity can be significant, particularly in wooded sites or near water. "Lots need mowing so lots of bugs, bring insect repellent," advises Cathy Y. about her experience at Fort Custer Recreation Area, highlighting that vegetation management affects insect populations.
Seasonal water quality concerns: Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground may experience water quality issues during peak summer months. "The beach is often overcrowded with local partiers, drinking and smoking, and leaving trash everywhere. After peak hours these people clear out and usually aren't actually camping there," reports Whitley K., suggesting timing visits strategically.
Limited hookups at some parks: Several parks offer only electric hookups without full services. "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," notes VB S. about Fort Custer Recreation Area, a consideration for campers requiring water or sewer connections at their site.
Choose sites strategically for noise level: Different camping loops cater to different experiences. "We recommend securing a spot in the back sites 230-287 for larger lots and quieter atmosphere. Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust," advises Frank M. about Potato Creek State Park.
Kayaking options for children: Several parks offer non-motorized boating perfect for families. "Very clean state park. Reasonable prices. Kayaking and the beach was a huge hit with the kids," shares Jeremy C. about Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground, suggesting these activities particularly appeal to younger campers.
Multiple activity options within walking distance: Having diverse recreation choices keeps children engaged. "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," explains Amanda J. about her experiences at Chain O' Lakes.
Extension cord preparation: Pokagon State Park Campground requires planning for electrical connections. "Sites are shorter and sometimes uneven. Bike trail, hiking trails, store, beach, inn, nature center," mentions J C., pointing out both challenges and amenities available to compensate for site limitations.
Early arrival recommended for dump station: "Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long. Sites are easy to get in and out of with RV/TT," explains Bob B. about Fort Custer Recreation Area, suggesting timing arrival and departure to minimize waiting.
Backup power cords necessary: Some electric sites require longer connections than standard. "Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up," advises Frank M. about Potato Creek State Park Campground, adding that spotty WiFi may affect those needing to stay connected while camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Middlebury, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Middlebury, IN is Elkhart County Fairgrounds with a 3.5-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Middlebury, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Middlebury, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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