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Dog-Friendly Camping near New Carlisle, IN

78 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    Mini Mountain Campground in New Carlisle offers designated pet-friendly sites with electric hookups and fire rings throughout its camping areas. The campground maintains several acres of trails where leashed dogs can explore, with multiple pet waste stations located near the RV loops. Primitive tent sites and full-hookup RV spots both accommodate pets, though some campers note the sites can be quite small with narrow roads. Potato Creek State Park Campground, located just 15 minutes away in North Liberty, provides more spacious pet-friendly options with electric hookups, picnic tables, and reservable sites. Most campsites require pets to be leashed at all times, with a standard 6-foot leash restriction enforced by park rangers during regular patrols.

    Clear Lake's dog-friendly beach at Fuller's Resort and Campground provides a dedicated section where pets can swim and play in the water, approximately 30 minutes from New Carlisle. The dog beach area features gradual entry points ideal for pets uncomfortable with deeper water. During summer months, early morning and evening walks prove most comfortable for pets due to hot pavement and potential for overheated paw pads. Campers report the black flies can be problematic at some beachfront sites, though camping areas set back from the water typically have fewer insects. Warren Dunes State Park, though slightly farther at 40 minutes away, offers additional hiking trails appropriate for leashed dogs, with specific trail sections marked as pet-friendly with clear signage.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near New Carlisle (78)

      1. Potato Creek State Park Campground

      4.5(51)12mi from New Carlisle365 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      "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."

      from $20 - $110 / night

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      2. Mount Randall Campground — Warren Dunes State Park

      4.0(63)16mi from New Carlisle185 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "The walk to the beach access is a beautiful one, and the beach is astounding! Pet friendly!"

      "Happened upon this Gem when driving the coast of Lake Michigan.  Watched the solar eclipse from the beach.   The DBR had a viewing area setup for adults and kids.  "

      from $45 - $80 / night

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      3. Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

      4.3(127)26mi from New Carlisle67 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "There’s tons of trails to do along the lakeshore and none are really far from one another. I grew up in NWI so I didn’t camp in Indiana often but I did here and loved it!"

      "There is so much to do her, wineries and breweries nearby. The beaches are not too crowded. Pet friendly and lots to do for children. This is one of our favorite vacation spots."

      from $25 / night

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      4. Thousand Trails Bear Cave

      4.2(17)14mi from New CarlisleRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "I’ve taken day trips to Grand Rapids, Chicago and Indiana Dunes National Park from here."

      "But even without the cave there was still a playground, pool and little walking trail near the waterfall. Close to nearby Lake Michigan and beaches."

      5. Weko Beach Campground

      4.2(20)17mi from New CarlisleRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Couple minute walk to the beautiful Lake Michigan beach. Waist deep most areas, waves can get big tho."

      "Our site was in the RV section next to the beach. The sites were open and dirt/sand--ours was up on a bit of a hill. Worked great for exploring the area."

      from $50 - $30 / night

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      6. Fuller's Resort and Campground

      4.0(9)10mi from New CarlisleRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "The tenting and trailer sites are a bit cramped, but there is a selection of either open grassy or wooded areas to choose from. we stay at a full hookup site down by the lake entrance."

      "The acres has lots of sites tucked away in the woods and many out in the open sun too! Rental trailers and cabins right on the lake too. Great ice cream too. We will be back!"

      7. Mini Mountain Campground

      3.0(7)2mi from New CarlisleRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "There are ample hiking trails and activities for all ages. The swimming pool is awesome and a great plus when camping with kids. The woods are very thick and filled with amazing trees."

      8. Michigan City Campground

      4.5(22)21mi from New CarlisleRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "We stayed in the off season in a site close to the laundry facility and office. Great campground for families. Our site was smaller however, no one was around us so it seemed bigger."

      "Clean bathrooms, laundry, dog friendly, pool, office is friendly and has a store with game room. Nice dog park. We are in a 40ft with tow and did not need to unhook."

      9. Shamrock Park

      4.6(14)19mi from New CarlisleRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Level site, fire ring and pets welcome."

      "It’s also a quick walk to a grocery store and restaurants. There’s no grill on the fire pit, so plan accordingly."

      from $10 - $50 / night

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      10. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

      4.6(52)29mi from New Carlisle138 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "The most beautiful state park in Indiana IMO."

      "The campground although nearly full was relatively calm and quiet. Unlike the craziness of other Indiana state parks I have visited."

      from $50 / night

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near New Carlisle, IN

    726 Reviews of 78 New Carlisle Campgrounds


    • Tiffany H.
      May. 21, 2026

      North Trace RV Resort

      Great Resort

      Amazing new resort! All paved and concrete- very clean and offers some amazing amenities! Less then 5 minutes to lake Wawasee (the largest lake in Indiana). if you have a dog this place is a MUST they have an amazing dog spa and dog park. The staff was also so friendly and helpful, made me feel right at home - I didn't want to leave. I will defiantly return!

    • Cody W.
      Aug. 22, 2021

      Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

      Great spot to stay if you’re visiting

      Compared to the other popular campground in the state park this is way less crowded. There’s tons of trails to do along the lakeshore and none are really far from one another. I grew up in NWI so I didn’t camp in Indiana often but I did here and loved it! There are a bunch of raccoons that can come steal food so beware of that! Overall nice though!

    • DThe Dyrt PRO User
      Apr. 11, 2023

      Elkhart Campground

      Elkhart, IN….Nice campground

      We stayed here to pick up a new RV. It’s a huge campground with lots of space. Some sites are cement ours was gravel. Very clean, nice sized dog park, quiet and close to restaurants. If had an occasion to stay here again…we definitely would!

    • jamie S.
      Jul. 27, 2021

      Michigan City Campground

      Great campground

      We stayed in the off season in a site close to the laundry facility and office. Great campground for families. Our site was smaller however, no one was around us so it seemed bigger. They do have nice premium sites in the front. Loved that it is gated and and key card access after hours. Has a dog park and a playground for the kids.

    • R
      Sep. 15, 2020

      Ebys Pines

      Very nice and friendly

      Stayed for a weekend. The campground was clean sites were all very nice and pool was really clean. The dog park was a nice added bonus. It could very possibly become our new weekend getaway

    • Derek N.
      Jun. 22, 2022

      Michigan City Campground

      Not my favorite, but not horrible

      Pros - playground, pool, well kept grounds, helpful staff, gated/swipe card access, ponds, close to area attractions, decent campground WiFi, small fire ring, small dog park

      Cons - tight spaces, BYO grill, bad showers, dirty/tight bathroom area

      The mens room is just gross. Water in the stalls because showers don’t drain. Water in the shower never gets hot. Missing shower heads with pressure that almost tears your skin. Can barely squeeze into the tiny stall. Toilets are gross.

    • Donna H.
      Oct. 13, 2021

      Michigan City Campground

      Great Campground

      We used it as an over night stop right off of 94. It was perfect for that. It would also be perfect spot to stay longer if wanted to be in the area. Grounds were nice. Clean bathrooms, laundry, dog friendly, pool, office is friendly and has a store with game room. Nice dog park. We are in a 40ft with tow and did not need to unhook.

    • deb K.
      Jun. 26, 2022

      Elkhart Campground

      3 1/2 star campground

      It is a very large older CG with a few upgrades. Clean, with decent amenities. We were placed in the rear section, which was just ok. Site needed leveling, had no shade at all and was close to major hwy. The front and side sites seemed nicer and had ample shade with some concrete sites. Laundry room, pool and bathrooms were very clean. Large dog park, but was far from our site. Was only 25 min from Notre Dame and about an hour from lake Michigan WiFi was great, no cable, but good antenna reception

    • K
      Aug. 7, 2018

      Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney

      Great campground!

      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. Campground has lots of activities: pool, miniature golf, volley ball, fishing pond, big chess set, bike rental, mining area, playground, and rec. hall w/ video games, pool, ping pong, air hockey, and juke box. Nice little store. Dog park. Clean restrooms. Friendly owner and employees. Lots of mature shed trees.


    Guide to New Carlisle

    Camping accommodations near New Carlisle consist mainly of rural sites positioned between Lake Michigan to the northwest and several smaller inland lakes to the south. The area experiences humid continental climate with warm summers averaging 83°F and cold winters often below 20°F. Camping sites in this region vary in terrain from forested lowlands to open grassy areas with limited natural elevation change.

    What to do

    Beach activities: 30 minutes north at Fuller's Resort. This campground has a dog-specific beach section where both you and your pet can enjoy the water. As one camper notes, "The beach is very nice and it's a great lake. Water is warm and the lake is big enough to have boats on it. You can rent canoes & paddle boards, and there's a section of beach that allows dogs to play and swim as well" (Curtis).

    Dune hiking: 40 minutes northwest of New Carlisle. Warren Dunes State Park offers trails through natural dune formations with lake views. "If you go, definitely hike up to the top. Mt. Randall is the high dune to climb but not for the faint of heart!!! And beware, the sand does get HOT midday," advises Heidi S.

    River fishing: 30 minutes northwest at Shamrock Park. Located on the St. Joseph River, the park offers dedicated fishing amenities. "What impressed me most was that they have a building specifically for cleaning fish, with scales, cutting boards and sinks," reports Brian O.

    What campers like

    Natural privacy: Best in non-peak times. Potato Creek State Park Campground offers secluded camping areas, particularly in the back section. "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.

    Evening lake views: Sunset viewing at the beach. Weko Beach Campground provides direct access to Lake Michigan sunset views. "You can't get closer to the beach than at these beach access campsites. Nightly sunsets here will knock your sandals off," notes one camper.

    Clean facilities: Updated shower buildings. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground maintains well-kept bathroom facilities. "The campground was full, but not overcrowded. Very friendly neighbors and camp staff. It was also the nicest showers that I've been to to date," reports Jackie H.

    What you should know

    Temperature variations: Plan for hot days and cool nights. Summer days at Warren Dunes State Park can reach 90°F, but evening temperatures often drop below 65°F. "The sand does get HOT midday," notes Heidi S., while another camper adds, "Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up."

    Limited sewer hookups: Available mainly to seasonal campers. At Bear Cave RV Campground, "The only sewer hook-ups are all taken by seasonal campers," according to Jerry S., who also notes, "If you do not get a full hook up, you have to pay $15 to get pumped out."

    Noise considerations: Train and traffic sounds. Several campgrounds in the area have ambient noise issues. "The only reason I rate this park a three is that it's very close to train lines and the trains going through and blasting their horns all night long," reports Kaley A. about Indiana Dunes.

    Tips for camping with families

    Recreation facilities: Multi-activity campgrounds best for kids. Michigan City Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "There is a pool, fishing pond, and playground for kids," says Erin B., while another camper mentions it has a "secure entrance and key card access."

    Playground proximity: Choose sites strategically. At Potato Creek State Park, site selection affects noise levels. "Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust," notes Frank M.

    Indoor alternatives: Rainy day options. Shamrock Park offers indoor recreation options for inclement weather. "There's all sorts of activities for kids-ping pong, basketball, cornhole and more," explains Ken.

    Tips from RVers

    Site sizing considerations: Small sites common in area. Space constraints can be an issue at some local campgrounds. Mini Mountain has "very small sites and narrow roads with tight turns to navigate thru with camper," according to Susan C.

    Electric hookup lengths: Bring extension cords. At Potato Creek State Park, campers report needing longer cords than usual. "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," advises Frank M.

    Leveling requirements: Especially at beach campgrounds. Dunewood Campground at Indiana Dunes National Park offers "nice wooded sites with good tent pads," according to Katherine T., while at Weko Beach "most of the camp spots are not level so bring your levelers!"

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near New Carlisle, IN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near New Carlisle, IN is Potato Creek State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 51 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near New Carlisle, IN?

    TheDyrt.com has all 78 dog-friendly camping locations near New Carlisle, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.