Best Campgrounds near New Haven, IN

Camping options around New Haven, Indiana include a mix of established state parks, urban campgrounds, and private facilities within a 30-mile radius. Johnny Appleseed Campground provides an unusual urban camping experience in Fort Wayne, while Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground offers year-round camping with both tent and RV sites. Other options include Blue Lake Campground, Indian Springs Campground, and Camp Timber Lake, providing varying levels of amenities and accommodation types including tent camping, RV hookups, and cabin rentals.

The camping season for most facilities typically runs from April through October, though several campgrounds remain open year-round. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. "The campground is almost in the middle of Fort Wayne. Most of the sites are very close and no vegetation to allow any privacy," noted a visitor about Johnny Appleseed Campground, highlighting the urban nature of some camping options. Water and electric hookups are standard at most established campgrounds in the region, with several also offering sewer connections and dump stations. Shower and restroom facilities vary considerably in quality and accessibility across different properties.

Campers rate the regional bathhouse facilities quite differently across locations. Johnny Appleseed Campground consistently receives praise for exceptionally clean restrooms, with one camper noting they are "the best bathrooms that I have ever seen in the campgrounds." Proximity to water features represents a common highlight in visitor reviews, with several campgrounds offering lake or river access. Privacy between campsites appears limited at some facilities, particularly at more developed urban campgrounds. Most established campgrounds in the area provide fire rings, picnic tables, and drinking water. The camping experience ranges from urban convenience at Johnny Appleseed to more traditional outdoor settings at Chain O' Lakes State Park, where visitors can enjoy multiple connected lakes and hiking trails.

Best Camping Sites Near New Haven, Indiana (85)

    1. Johnny Appleseed Campground

    15 Reviews
    Fort Wayne, IN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 427-6720

    "Easy access to downtown, the Coliseum, IPFW, and shopping. The River Greenway path cuts right through the park, and there is also a boat launch for the river."

    "For $24, we got a day of drive in spot with electrical + water hook-ups and wifi. The campground is well-maintained and very clean."

    2. Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Albion, IN
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 636-2654

    $12 - $90 / night

    "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."

    3. chainolakes

    2 Reviews
    Leo, IN
    8 miles

    "Even though we were close in proximity to eachother, everyone remained respectful of the noise and helped eachother as much as we could. Good little camping trip community. Had a great experience"

    4. Indian Springs Campground

    9 Reviews
    Garrett, IN
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 357-5572

    $20 - $129 / night

    6. Ouabache State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Bluffton, IN
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 824-0926

    $20 - $30 / night

    "The paved bike trail in the park starts near the campground, and connects with a bike trail along the Wabash River that goes into nearby Bluffton, and is an easy ride. "

    "Plenty of trails to hike and a nice little lake to enjoy. Will definitely come back here"

    7. Kil-So-Quah - J. Edward Roush Lake

    11 Reviews
    Huntington, IN
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 468-2165

    "It was very relaxing and I also enjoyed walking on different paths to enjoy nature as it was. I would highly recommend this campground to anyone. It is also family friended"

    "Kil-so-qauh, used to be a little hidden gem right outside of town but has turned into quite a popular place, but for good reason."

    8. Blue Lake Campground

    3 Reviews
    Huntertown, IN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 693-2265

    $45 / night

    "Blue Lake Resort is a hidden gem for campers! The serene atmosphere and beautiful lake views make it a perfect getaway. The amenities are well-maintained, and the staff is friendly and accommodating."

    "The lake is clean and has a decent beach. You can rent kayaks for cheap. Has a pretty decent grocery store on site. The bathrooms are huge and clean. Wifi is good at our lot."

    9. The Firefly Nest

    Be the first to review!
    New Haven, IN
    6 miles
    +1 (260) 615-3653

    $60 - $120 / night

    10. Camp Timber Lake

    4 Reviews
    Roanoke, IN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (260) 672-3251

    $20 - $25 / night

    "Escaped to this little place on the outskirts of Fort Wayne, Indiana and it was absolutely worth it. Everyone was nice including the neighboring campers."

    "Campground is located on private property and all of the primitive spots are right on the lake or very close to it. "

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Recent Reviews near New Haven, IN

323 Reviews of 85 New Haven Campgrounds


  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Kil-So-Quah - J. Edward Roush Lake

    No Lake access from campground

    Forest settings, electricity for only $15/night. Lots of traffic in and out. A lot of older rigs.

  • Matthew H.
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Art's Country Park

    Arts country Park

    Quiet,kid friendly, fur babies friendly (dogs),nice place, friendly and accommodating staff, fishing and swimming,hot showers and lots of activities in summer 👍

  • Megan M.
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Grand Lake St. Marys State Park — Grand Lake St Marys State Park

    Campground is fine but the lake reeks of POO

    First the good: the campground is big and spacious. Some areas were like RV parking lots- no trees, no shade, but there was a grassy area in the middle with nice big trees and shade. There is a nice pool and splash pad. Weirdly, the pool closed from 4 to 5, leaving us with nowhere to go on a 90+ degree day. 

    Now, the not-so-good: we stayed in a camper cabin and it was very shabby and dirty. It had bunkbeds, a full size fridge, and a folding table and folding chairs, which was nice (and rare in Ohio state park camper cabins). The bathrooms were average. Not new, not especially sparkling clean, but fine. Not gross, at least.

    Now, the terrible: the entire lake stinks of pig poop. All the air smells like poo. You feel like you are breathing feces when you approach the water. We were right on the water so we couldn't escape the smell. 

    This lake is notorious for having algae blooms that prohibit swimming. So I did a google search before our trip and the Ohio Department of Health reports that the bacteria level in this lake is dangerously high, and no one should swim in this lake. However, when we walked to the campground beach, there was no sign or warning or anything indicating the bacteria in the water- and people were letting their children and dogs swim in it!! 

    We opted to not kayak or paddleboard in the lake because it was clear that it was full of poop. So we had nothing to do at the park except go to the pool (it was too hot to do anything else). We ended up driving around the country roads and seeing the sights so we could escape the smelly lake and hot poo fumes. Neil Armstrong was born in nearby Wapakoneta so there are some sights to see there, and the towns of Celina and ? one other are cute too. 

    Overall, I will not return to this lake or this part of the state. If you can't get in the water, paddle board or kayak, the only thing left to do is ride around in a boat and hope the water doesn't get anywhere near your mouth or your skin. No thanks.

  • d
    Aug. 19, 2025

    River Trail Campground II

    Just So-SO

    We stayed 3 nights. Our site was a dirt pads. There are mostly full-time residents. There is the smell of a massive Chicken coup at our site. THERE ARE A TON OF FLIES!!!!! We had flies for days!. We kill 3 and 5 more would pop-up in our trailer. I was so happy to leave this fly infested site. 

    It's very hard for me to give them less than 5 stairs because, everyone was so nice. We had them filled up our propane tanks and they actually brought them to us and hooked them up while we were gone. Someone even brought us wood planks for stabilizing our trailer. However, truth be told…. our spot was horrible-right next to the laundry room in direct sun and it stunk! The women's shower was gross too. ( I ended up, not using their shower room.)

    We never used their pool.

  • Shawna T.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    chainolakes

    Camp out

    I loved how neighborly and extremely kind our camping neighbors were. Even though we were close in proximity to eachother, everyone remained respectful of the noise and helped eachother as much as we could. Good little camping trip community. Had a great experience

  • L
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Johnny Appleseed Campground

    Great location, but no privacy

    The campground is almost in the middle of Fort Wayne. Most of the sites are very close and no vegetation to allow any privacy. On the positive side, the bathrooms were very nice and clean. The staff was also very helpful.

  • SkipperAllen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Shipshewana Campground South Park

    Nice stay

    Bathrooms clean Campground well maintained. Showers clean. Push button operation not temperature control little on the cold side for me.

  • Paula  S.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Blue Water Campground

    Our stay at bluewater

    The staff is extremely friendly, and try to accomadate with anything you could need. The campesites are fairly large with gravel pads. They offer water and electric hook-up for 30&50 amps. There is not a sewer hook up but they do offer a weekly pump out for a small fee and a dump station on the way out. The pool, ponds, playground and pavillion are all within walking distance from almost any site.


Guide to New Haven

Camping near New Haven, Indiana, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakes to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do:

  • Kayaking and Canoeing: Explore the beautiful lakes at Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground. One visitor shared, "Kayaking the 13 lakes can easily last from morning to sundown." This park is perfect for those who love water activities.

  • Hiking: Enjoy the trails at Pokagon State Park Campground. A camper noted, "They have good hiking trails, nice refreshing waters, good food options at certain places." It’s a great spot for a day hike or a leisurely stroll.

  • Fishing: The Mississinewa Lake - Miami Recreation Area is known for its fishing opportunities. One reviewer mentioned, "Fishing is good with a fish cleaning station for campers." Bring your gear and enjoy a relaxing day by the water.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Johnny Appleseed Campground. A visitor remarked, "Restrooms are very clean and comfortable." Clean facilities make for a more enjoyable camping experience.
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at Harrison Lake State Park Campground. One camper said, "The pad was a little unlevel but easy to fix. The fire ring was fantastic." Spacious sites allow for more comfort and fun around the campfire.
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Barton Lake is a hit with families. A parent shared, "My son had a blast and said this was the best campground he has ever been to." The park offers plenty of activities for kids.

What you should know:

  • Crowded Conditions: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Miami Recreation Area noted, "It was overly crowded, the lake was murky." Plan your visit during off-peak times for a quieter experience.
  • Site Specifics: Not all sites are created equal. At Ouabache State Park Campground, one camper mentioned, "Camp sites are tiny." Make sure to check site details when booking.
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Ebys Pines, may have limited attractions during the off-season. A visitor commented, "The campground has most of the attractions closed as expected." Always check what’s available before you go.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Barton Lake, where kids can enjoy activities. One parent said, "The kids loved the activities and amenities."
  • Plan for Safety: When camping with little ones, ensure your campsite is safe. A reviewer at Jellystone Park mentioned, "We had to continuously be cautious of my 1.5-year-old falling into the fire!" Always keep an eye on young children around fire pits.
  • Pack Essentials: Bring plenty of snacks and drinks. A camper at Pokagon State Park Campground noted, "Bring plenty of water as posted 'mile' hikes quickly turn into 5-mile hikes." Staying hydrated is key for family outings.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: RVers should pay attention to site levels. One visitor at Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney mentioned, "Our gravel site was very unlevel and in need of more gravel." Always confirm site conditions before arrival.
  • Use Amenities Wisely: Make the most of campground amenities. A camper at Harrison Lake State Park Campground said, "The shower house was nice." Take advantage of clean facilities to enhance your stay.
  • Stay Connected: Check for Wi-Fi availability. A visitor at Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney noted, "The Wi-Fi seemed to work well." Staying connected can help with planning your activities.

Camping in New Haven, Indiana, offers a mix of fun, relaxation, and adventure. Whether you're with family or enjoying a solo trip, there's plenty to explore and enjoy in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near New Haven, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, New Haven, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 85 campgrounds and RV parks near New Haven, IN and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near New Haven, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near New Haven, IN is Johnny Appleseed Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 15 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near New Haven, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near New Haven, IN.