Camping options near New Carlisle extend beyond traditional sites to include diverse overnight accommodations within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at elevations between 700-800 feet with sandy soil conditions influenced by its proximity to Lake Michigan. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during the day, dropping to 55-65°F at night, creating comfortable camping conditions from late spring through early fall.
What to do
Trail exploration at Warren Dunes: The park offers multiple hiking trails for all skill levels. "Wonderful campground! Lots of shade and plenty of privacy between sites. The bathroom seemed newer (South modern loop) with clean bathrooms (cleaned at least twice a day)," notes Heidi S., who also mentions Mt. Randall as "the high dune to climb but not for the faint of heart!"
Fishing opportunities: Shamrock Park in Berrien Springs provides dedicated fishing facilities along the St. Joseph River. Brian O. highlights, "What impressed me most was that they have a building specifically for cleaning fish, with scales, cutting boards and sinks." The park also features "outdoor sink at the shower & restroom building for campers to wash dishes."
Kayaking and paddle sports: Fuller's Resort and Campground offers direct water access and rentals. "We had no idea we would have our own private site and beach," shares Jamie B. who was impressed with the lakefront setting. The lake supports various water activities with rental equipment available on-site.
Cave exploration: Bear Cave RV Campground features a natural cave formation accessible to visitors. "There is actually a cave in the campground that you can take a tour of while you are here. The campground is on the banks of the St. Joseph River in southwest Michigan. There is also a waterfall right next to the cave," explains Jerry S.
What campers like
Private beach access: Warren Dunes State Park Campground receives high marks for its beach amenities. "Nice store, fully stocked and helpful staff. There is a path to the beach for walking but it is a long walk," advises Heidi S. The park features extensive beachfront along Lake Michigan with designated swimming areas.
Clean facilities: Maple Ridge Campground maintains exceptionally clean facilities. "The shower and bathroom was the best I ever saw at a campground," states one reviewer. Another camper, Shayna E., adds, "This is an excellent family run campground. The bath house is newly remodeled and very clean, nice in ground pool area & the camp store has plenty of treats for the kids."
Secure camping environment: Michigan City Campground offers controlled access for added security. "Love the secure entrance and key card access. Pool and bathrooms were clean," notes Beth B., who stayed in the group tent camping area. The gated entrance provides peace of mind, particularly for families with children.
Shaded campsites: Indiana Dunes State Park provides wooded sites with natural cover. "The best sites are the ones on the outside from the beach trail to the nature center. These are up against the dunes and have some shade," recommends Greg S., who appreciated the natural buffer around certain sites.
What you should know
Train noise concerns: Several campgrounds near major rail lines experience nighttime disruptions. At Indiana Dunes State Park, one camper warns, "It's very close to train lines and the trains going through and blasting their horns all night long. If you're a heavy sleeper and can deal with that, you'll be just fine."
Varying site privacy levels: Site selection matters at Potato Creek State Park Campground, where Frank M. 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."
Limited hookup options: Most glamping sites offer electric but not full hookups. At Warren Dunes, Heidi S. notes, "Be ready with backup cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up." Similarly, at Potato Creek State Park, Frank M. warns, "Takes 10-15 mins to drive out of campground, so keep this in mind."
Seasonal limitations: Water quality varies throughout the season at some locations. Tony P. shares about Potato Creek: "Unfortunately, the lake was a little on the undesirable side...blue-green algae warnings made us not want to put more than our feet in the water." Best water conditions typically occur in early summer.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: When glamping in New Carlisle with children, select sites strategically. At Indiana Dunes State Park, Jon S. notes, "Lots of geocaching and challenging hikes, including the three dune challenge. Bath house was always clean and grounds were well-kept." The campground features playgrounds adjacent to certain camping loops.
Organized activities: Maple Ridge Campground schedules regular family events. "The owners are very nice & plan activities every weekend for the kids," shares Shayna E. Tony G. adds specifics: "Multiple activities on Saturday included tractor ride, kids bingo, and elephant ears. Nice pool and playground."
Swimming options: Beyond Lake Michigan beaches, several campgrounds offer pool alternatives. Steve D. from Mini Mountain Camp Grounds shares, "The kids had fun at the park and fishing. Everyone was super nice and inviting." Swimming facilities typically operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting.
Comfort station access: When glamping with small children, bathroom proximity matters. At Potato Creek, Christy Y. observes, "Restrooms are a bit dated, but clean and functioning. Our daughter loved the play area and huge grassy area to run around on."
Tips from RVers
Hookup configurations: Shamrock Park offers level sites with comprehensive utilities. Michael reports, "$35 gets you a level full hook up site with WiFi. Very clean and well maintained with friendly staff." The park accommodates varying RV sizes with spacious sites and direct river access.
Accessibility considerations: Michigan City Campground provides premium pull-through sites. Craig C. details, "We stayed in the premium sites which were 90ft pull thought with 50A service, water and sewer, and the best wifi I have seen at a campsite. The cement patio was large with a picnic table and an adjacent fire pit."
Site selection strategy: At Warren Dunes, Peter C. advises, "Check in was easy but you might have to wait on a busy day. General store by entrance has mostly everything you need at slightly inflated prices. Lots of big RVs when we were there." Most RV-friendly glamping sites require reservations, particularly during summer weekends.
Seasonal site options: Some campgrounds near New Carlisle offer extended-stay arrangements. At Bear Cave, Jack notes, "Most of the full hookups are taken 1st by the annuals. Sucks really but they do have an onsite honeypot which will suck out your tanks for $10 each time around."
