Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground
Nice Fall Weekend
For our first fall, chilly camping weekend, it was a nice getaway. We got to enjoy the Halloween decorations and the quiet chilly mornings.
6 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Several RV parks near Mishawaka provide full hookup options for motorhome travelers. Lakeside RV Resort in New Carlisle operates from April through November with water, sewer, and electric hookups including 50-amp service. Elkhart RV Resort in Granger features similar amenities with a slightly longer season extending to mid-November. Maple Ridge Campground in Lakeville accommodates big rigs with 50-amp service on sites open from mid-April through mid-October. Twin Mills Camping Resort offers spacious sites for larger motorhomes with full hookup capabilities. "Twin Mills is a beautiful and quiet RV Campground with tall trees in Northern Indiana. Most of the sites are full hook up, some have 30amp and some have 50amp."
Between Mishawaka and the Michigan border, RV parks vary considerably in site spacing and surface types. Many campgrounds feature gravel or asphalt pads with limited shade, while premium sites at some locations offer concrete pads with additional patio space. Dump stations are available at most parks, though waiting times can increase during peak weekend checkout periods. Cell service strength varies throughout the region, with visitors reporting stronger Verizon coverage than other carriers at several locations. Winter camping options are limited, as most parks close by mid-November. Gated security is common at several facilities, with card access required after office hours. Pet-friendly policies exist at most parks, though some maintain restrictions on certain breeds or limit the number of pets per site.
"This campground has a private lake which is surrounded by farmland. Lots of primitive sites right next to the lake. Fire rings with no grate."
"This is a nice, family friendly campground."
"Easy registration, friendly staff. Older campground, areas could upgrades. Most campers seem to be long term. Campsite 42 has a great overlook on the river."
"Twin Mills is a really beautiful and quiet RV Campground, with tall trees in Northern Indiana. We frequent this location when getting RV Repairs and visiting Elkhart, the birth place of most RVs."
"really fun for families nice pool and bathrooms putt putt bring your bikes"
"All paved and concrete- very clean and offers some amazing amenities!"
from $99 - $150 / night
"We ordered pizza from the store, which was delivered to the site quickly. My grandson said it was very good. There was no gluten free as noted on the website, which we are used to happening."
"This campground is close to home so we spent a couple days here so the kids could play while I worked. All staff was extremely helpful and friendly from the minute we pulled in."
from $39 - $47 / night
"Spent two nights and found everything very nice. clean facilities, nice sites and full hookup. pool was clean and we'll maintained. a little buggy in the woods, but it was June after all!"
"Nice pool and playground. Campsites are setup to for two pull through a side by side with shared yard in the middle. Will add this to our list to visit again."
"The restrooms/showers are nice and clean. You can get an entire 4 wheeler dump load of wood for $20. It’s nice dry wood."
"Near Elkhart and the RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum. Great place to visit, really interesting. Also, near Shipshewana."
"Elkhart Campground is great Clean , easy access, lots of pull through sites with full hook up - pool, Close to big lake too!!!"
"We had a nice big pull through site. Lots of things for the kids to do: swimming, volleyball, mini golf..."
"Gravel sites, electric, play areas for kids. Close to the flea market! Nice place to park for a few days in Amish country. Fun at the pavilion!"
"This campground was very convenient to the town of Shipshewanna, Amish Country and the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail. There weren’t many amenities to speak of, but the sites were fairly spacious and level."
For our first fall, chilly camping weekend, it was a nice getaway. We got to enjoy the Halloween decorations and the quiet chilly mornings.
This was our first time camping in our 1991 Coachman Catalina RV with our two small dogs. We had site 50, which was close to a trail and not far from the bathrooms. The campers around us were very friendly. Our dogs were attempting to get used to not barking when they saw other dogs, but everyone was very understanding that it was our/their first time. The site was quiet and offers a few mini golf holes, gaga ball, some photo ops, and a pier. One of the toilets in the women’s restroom wasn’t refilling with water, so every time I went in there, I would fix it. The flusher handle was clearly broken, too. Otherwise, the bathroom accommodations were fine.
It was nice camping here. There is an asphalted road leading right to the campsites. The hot, adjustable showers are perfect. The sites are made of gravel paved with sand, which makes them perfectly flat. I liked that.
I stayed one evening last Wednesday here, a first time for me. Just tent camping / sleeping in the car. There were other campers around enjoying the pleasant evening, mainly in RVs. Everyone was very quiet and respectful. The shower buildings are old fashioned with a common area to place clothes and a towel, and only a shower curtain for each individual shower. However, I was the only one showering at the time anyway. The shower area was state park clean, I guess. Before leaving, I viewed the one room schoolhouse on the grounds, just from the windows as it wasn't open at the time. Quaint and old school. Overall, I recommend camping at the park if you can live with the shower building or have an RV for added convenience.
Clean lighted bathrooms and hot showers. Very shady campground but not much privacy between sites. About a mile walk to the lakeshore.
Staying through the week just on the outside of Labor Day Weekend. This place was perfect for us to come over and get away from it and enjoy the changing weather. Electric only sites, and the staff were friendly. Always enjoy coming here for good hiking and beach time.
We really like the campgrounds and beach. The bathrooms are pretty new and very clean. It has a very family friendly vibe and quiet atmosphere. However, the highway(196) is pretty close to the campground and you can hear traffic all night long. A couple of times I woke up and thought I was sleeping on the highway.
We had an overnight stay here during some pretty nasty weather. Site 7 was perfect as it has a very wide concrete landing pad that kept us from trudging around our site in mud. Flooded roads resulted in a road race being diverted through the park. We were able to cheer them on while having dinner at our campfire. There’s a paved walkway around the circumference of the campground which allows you to take a nice stroll. Trails to the lake are easily accessible. The bathrooms and showers were clean, although a bit dated. We had a pleasant evening.
We loved our stay here. Trees aplenty, ponds are nice and the little river is right there.
RV camping near Mishawaka, Indiana offers options within a 30-mile radius of the city center. The region features flat to gently rolling terrain with elevations ranging between 700-850 feet above sea level. Summers typically bring humid conditions with temperatures averaging 80-85°F during peak camping months, while spring and fall campers can expect more moderate temperatures between 50-70°F.
Fishing opportunities: Thousand Trails Bear Cave provides access to the St. Joseph River where campers can fish from docks. "There is a boat launch and a few docks that can be used. The campground is on the banks of the St. Joseph River in southwest Michigan," notes Jerry S.
Cave exploration: Visit the natural cave formation at Thousand Trails Bear Cave for a unique geological experience. "There is a naturally formed cave that you can go down into for a small fee. A variety of things to do from fishing to the game room," shares Ryan H.
Cycling trails: The Shipshewana Trading Place RV Park provides convenient access to regional biking routes. "This campground was very convenient to the town of Shipshewanna, Amish Country and the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail. We enjoyed our stay, two days of riding on the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail," reports Cindy B.
Cultural excursions: Visit nearby Amish communities and attractions. "We spent a wonderful experience! Our site was backed up to a horse pasture (in the evening, the horses came over for a quick visit!)," writes Lisa D. about Shipshewana Trading Place RV Park. "Easy access to the Shipshewana Flea Market and E&S Sales (greatest bulk food shopping EVER!)"
Quiet camping environments: Maple Ridge Campground receives consistent praise for its peaceful atmosphere. "Great quiet place to get away from town," notes Kyrik 0. The campground maintains family-friendly activities while preserving a relaxed setting.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the Mishawaka area maintain high cleanliness standards. "The shower and bathroom was the best I ever saw at a campground," states one reviewer about Maple Ridge Campground. Similarly, at Elkhart Campground, guests appreciate "Laundry room, pool and bathrooms were very clean."
Family activities: Weekend programming keeps younger campers entertained. "Owner operator campground where the family knows how to cater to the kids. Multiple activities on Saturday included tractor ride, kids bingo, and elephant ears," reports Tony G. about Maple Ridge Campground.
Convenient location: Many motorhome travelers appreciate the proximity to RV manufacturers and service centers. "We came to Elkhart for a week to have servicing done on our 5th wheel. The campground was easy to find and pull into just a short drive off the highway," notes MickandKarla W. about Elkhart Campground.
Site spacing varies significantly: Many campgrounds feature close quarters between RV sites. "The regular sites are very close together in this CG. The deluxe sites give you a cement pad and better spacing but are still fairly close together," reports MickandKarla W. about Elkhart Campground.
Cell service considerations: Mobile connectivity fluctuates throughout the region. At Bear Cave RV Campground, one camper noted: "No internet, no cell service. If you want wifi then its 5.95 per day or if your here for a week + then 34.95 for the month up to 4 devices is your best bet."
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Thousand Trails Bear Cave operates "May 1 to October 31" while Maple Ridge Campground runs from "Apr 15 - Oct 15." Plan accordingly if visiting during shoulder seasons.
Tank service options: For extended stays without sewer hookups, understand the pump-out policies. "There is an onsite honeypot which will suck out your tanks for $10 each time around," notes a camper at Bear Cave RV Campground.
Pool amenities: Elkhart RV Resort offers swimming facilities for children. "The kids used the pool, which was a bit cold but large," reports Joan, though noting the temperature might require adjustment for comfort.
Game facilities: Recreation halls provide entertainment during inclement weather. "Free pong pong, air hockey, foose ball, and all the classic camping games to check out," mentions JD C. about Elkhart RV Resort.
Playground options: Many campgrounds maintain play structures for younger visitors. "This campground is close to home so we spent a couple days here so the kids could play while I worked... the amenities for kids are great," shares Brian H. about Elkhart RV Resort.
Pet-friendly considerations: Most campgrounds accommodate family pets, though with varying facilities. "Large dog park, but was far from our site," notes one Elkhart Campground visitor, suggesting families with pets should request sites near designated exercise areas.
Site selection strategy: For larger motorhomes, request specific areas within campgrounds. "We had a nice big pull through site," reports Stacy E. about Elkhart Campground, indicating some sections accommodate larger rigs better than others.
Extended-stay services: RVers planning longer visits should inquire about tank servicing options. At Bear Cave RV Campground, "if you do not get a full hook up, you have to pay $15 to get pumped out," according to Dawn T.
Level site availability: Some campgrounds require additional work for stabilization. "Site needed leveling, had no shade at all and was close to major hwy," reports deb K. about Elkhart Campground, suggesting bringing leveling blocks.
Utility placement: At Elkhart Campground, "The utilities were well placed on the pad and the water pressure was good at around 50 psi," reports MickandKarla W., though noting sites can be tight for larger rigs with slides extended.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Mishawaka, IN is Lakeside RV Resort with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
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