Camping opportunities near Mishawaka, Indiana offer varied terrain across the St. Joseph River watershed, with elevations ranging from 680 to 800 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers averaging 83°F in July and August. Many campgrounds remain open April through October, with natural wetlands requiring proper mosquito protection during summer months.
What to do
Hiking trails with varied terrain: Potato Creek State Park features multiple trail options ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. "We've probably hiked it two dozen times at least and it's got nice trails for the part of Indiana that it's in. Most of them are relatively flat with some trails, like number two, having some hills and stairs in them. My favorite trail is probably number one, which is a 1 mile weird loop that has some neat scenery, especially in the summertime," notes Kaley A. about Potato Creek State Park.
Fishing opportunities: Spaulding Lake Campground offers three stocked fishing ponds for campers seeking a relaxed angling experience. A camper reported, "Very nice and quiet. 3 fishing ponds that are well stocked. Most lots pull thru and many shaded," while another mentioned that "live crawlers work best" when fishing at Spaulding Lake Campground.
River access: Shamrock Park provides direct access to the St. Joseph River for water activities. "A clean and friendly municipal campground on the St. Joseph River. The grounds are mostly open with little shade, but we had a tent site by the river and trees. What impressed me most was that they have a building specifically for cleaning fish, with scales, cutting boards and sinks," notes Brian O., highlighting the specialized facilities for anglers.
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Campers frequently mention the clean, updated facilities at campgrounds in the Mishawaka area. At Elkhart Campground, a visitor shared, "Elkhart Campground is great - Clean, easy access, lots of pull through sites with full hook up - pool, Close to big lake too!!!" The convenience of amenities gets repeated mention across reviews.
Family-focused activities: Multiple campgrounds cater specifically to families with children. "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. Large sites, not crowded. Clean bath house," reports Abbie K. about Pla-Mor Campground.
Sand dunes access: For those willing to drive 45-60 minutes west of Mishawaka, Warren Dunes State Park offers spectacular dune hiking and Lake Michigan beaches. A visitor mentioned, "Hiking, biking swimming, fishing, what more could you ask for. We love it here," while another noted the "clean showers, maintained trails for hike or bike" that make the park appealing for outdoor enthusiasts.
What you should know
Site selection strategy: Many campgrounds have a mix of quieter and more social areas. At Potato Creek State Park, one camper advises, "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."
Wildlife and insect considerations: Natural wetlands in the region mean mosquitoes are common, particularly at waterfront sites. "Natural wetlands abound, so definitely bring the mosquito spray," warns a Potato Creek visitor. Another camper at Dunewood Campground mentions, "The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening."
Weather variations: Summer heat can be intense, especially at locations with limited shade. At Warren Dunes State Park Campground, a visitor cautions about beach conditions: "We did go to Warren Dunes for an afternoon. It's busy and crowded. If you go to the beach, be aware there's very little shade."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature multiple play areas for different age groups. "The kids used the pool, which was a bit cold but large. We ordered pizza from the store, which was delivered to the site quickly. My grandson said it was very good... The play area looked nice," shares a visitor to Elkhart RV Resort.
Activity planning: Campgrounds with organized events can make family trips easier. "Great campground for the family. Has in-ground pool, mini golf, small arcade room, camp store, playground and fishing," reports Jeremy C. about Pla-Mor Campground, highlighting the range of on-site activities.
Water recreation options: Choose sites with swimming access during summer visits. "Our daughter loved the play area and huge grassy area to run around on. The Peppermint Hill mountain bike/hiking loop was really fun and not to be missed," notes Christy Y. about her family's experience at Potato Creek State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Many campgrounds in the Mishawaka area require planning for hookups and rig positioning. A Potato Creek camper advises, "Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up. Takes 10-15 mins to drive out of campground, so keep this in mind."
Utility placement: Site layouts vary significantly between campgrounds. At Elkhart RV Resort, MickandKarla W. report: "After checking in, we proceeded to pull through site 742 with FHUs. We had a tight turn into the site due to the camper next to us sitting at the back of the site... The utilities were well placed on the pad and the water pressure was good at around 50 psi."
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts site conditions throughout the camping season. "They had some heavy rain and many of the sites were flooded, but that didn't seem to stop people coming for the 4th of July," notes John C. about Pla-Mor Campground, highlighting the need to check conditions before arrival.
