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.
"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."
"The location here is pretty crazy it’s right in the middle of town but feels like a park there is a river and wooded area that makes you feel like you are in nature but you are just a parking lot **away **"
$14 - $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."
"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"
$20 - $40 / 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"
"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."
$25 - $38 / night
"Very close to the event center and auto center where they have alot of big events. Its a gravel lot in the middle of a field but they have all the normal amenities."
$20 - $480 / night
"There's 2 dump stations located in loops 3 & 4. IN THE CAMPGROUND! NEXT TO CAMPSITES!!!!"
"Pokagon (po KAY gun) has everything from a toboggan run to a lodge to lakes all around...you cannot be bored here. Open year round (limited campgrounds and services in winter)."
TravelerWe arrived without a reservation hoping this place would have availability, and luckly for us, they did. We stayed in a back- in space that has full hookups. It's pretty quiet, is surrounded by beautiful scenery/open fields. The area has a restaurant, bakery and a small historical village for visiting.
TravelerThis place is really nice, especially on Sundays because everyone is gone. Mostly local people camping. I stayed two days. It was originally supposed to be one. People here are very friendly. I was even given a whole brand new tent in the package plus dinner and breakfast the next day🤯 It’s a smaller campground. The trails can get extreme.. if you’re really into hiking this is a great place. Three waterfalls and lots of trails with horses walking around.
TravelerClean, quiet and very nice. One of about 10 RVS in the park, nice and peaceful. They were exercising the horses this morning, and I really enjoyed watching. The staff was excellent. I thought the experience was great.
ScoutBit pricey but is a nice park stayed most the winter they have a 9 full hook up sites open year round city water heated bath house site gets a little muddy when rains mostly quite to
ScoutNice small town fairgrounds with modern amenities.
Ranger10-2-24 thru 10-7-24 Site 370 C
Cellular, TMOBILE 5G, 3 bars. 21’ Apex Nano w truck. Gravel pad, fire pit and grass is about 12” lower than pad. Keep in mind if expecting rain.
Showers are old, warm with 2 hooks, 2 toilets and 2 urnials.
Fire pit needs to be reset in the ground, it sit too high. Awesome trails to hike. Maintenance was awesome changing out a breaker on the box.
8-27-22, update on site 348 and 350. These are pull through sites on the edge of the road. 350 is longer and had a 5th Wheel on it. We put our 19’ Nano on 348. Full sun during the day, 348 is uneven once you walk off of the pad. This site could use some TLC and more gravel for parking.
10-1-16, nice state park with hiking trails. Lot 322 was partially sun and shade. Restroom and shower(open stall, no privacy) was outdated but functional. 2-5-22 hiked 4 miles on the snow packed trails. Cold and awesome powder conditions.
ScoutBeen camping here for years. The sites have not changed. They make a fortune every week and dont invest in the leveling of the sites. We are looking elsewhere. By the way, the rates are going up...👎
LegendThe location here is pretty crazy it’s right in the middle of town but feels like a park there is a river and wooded area that makes you feel like you are in nature but you are just a parking lot away from an arena and college. There is a playground and a dog park. Here as well as ball diamonds. This is a great family friendly place but is very very busy during the season.
LegendThis is a decent place. Very close to the event center and auto center where they have alot of big events. Its a gravel lot in the middle of a field but they have all the normal amenities. Even have a pool and propane fills. Alot of the people in here during the winter are people living long-term for seasonal work. Not the best rigs so you wont feel bad if yours isnt new or clean. Strong highway noise but overall a quite place
Camping spots near New Haven, Indiana include a mix of state parks, lakeside retreats, and urban campgrounds within 30 miles of the city. Many campgrounds in this northeastern Indiana region experience seasonal flooding in spring, particularly affecting primitive sites. Summer temperatures average 85°F during peak camping months from June through August.
Lake activities: Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground offers connected waterways perfect for kayaking. "Very clean state park. Reasonable prices. Kayaking and the beach was a huge hit with the kids," notes Jeremy C. The park maintains nine connecting lakes ideal for paddling.
Hiking trails: Multiple trails wind through Ouabache State Park Campground with varying difficulty levels. "Love all the trails here, lots of options for how long of a hike you want to take! There's a surprising variation between more deciduous and coniferous environments depending on the trail you choose," according to Bethany S.
Bison viewing: The bison enclosure at Ouabache State Park provides educational wildlife viewing. "The park has great trails for hiking and biking. The bison exhibit and ranger programs are great too," shares emily P.
Observation tower: Climb the 200-foot restored fire tower at Ouabache State Park for panoramic views. "While you're there, don't forget to say hello to the bison," recommends Bethany S.
Urban accessibility: Johnny Appleseed Campground provides convenient access to city attractions. "This is a great little campground if you are wanting to explore Fort Wayne or are local and want to campout. Easy access to downtown, the Coliseum, IPFW, and shopping," explains Tara W.
Connected trails: Several campgrounds connect to regional trail systems. "The park is connected to the river greenway which is a beautiful walk along the river!" notes Haylie M. about Johnny Appleseed Campground.
Quiet weekday camping: Kil-So-Quah - J. Edward Roush Lake offers peaceful weekday stays. "During the week it's great. Hardly anyone here and so peaceful," reports Darrell B., though weekends get considerably more crowded with only 60 first-come, first-served sites.
Wildlife viewing: Bird watching opportunities abound at regional campgrounds. "Good bird watching spot. Lots of eagles," mentions Erica A. about Kil-So-Quah.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: While some campgrounds have modern facilities, others offer only pit toilets. "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. The campground accommodates both luxury rv campers and more rustic private tent or hammock goers like myself... There are no fantastic bathrooms just pit toilets but easy get away is worth it," explains Sadye H.
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have water quality issues. "The potable water is brown and smelly.. be sure to bring your water filter!" warns emily P. about Ouabache State Park.
Site privacy differences: Camp Timber Lake offers lakefront sites but limited privacy in some areas. "The oweners are nice people. The camp ground is small and clean. There is pull through full hook up sites. But they are full sun and small sites. So no privacy," notes Tina H.
Seasonal crowds: Holiday weekends bring significant crowds to most area campgrounds. "I've camped here every season but if you dont like crowds, make sure to avoid the summer holidays," advises Sadye H. about Kil-So-Quah.
Beach activities: Blue Lake Campground features a clean swimming area popular with children. "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. Kids had fun with basketball, dodgeball, fishing and kayaking," reports Matt.
Zip line adventures: Camp Timber Lake offers recreational zip lines over the water. "Next time we will have to try the zip-lines!" mentions Ashley J., though be aware that "there is a zipline that goes over a few of them so it can be a little strange with people flying over you on a busy day."
Campground playgrounds: Many area campgrounds feature play areas for children. "They have a waterslide, big store, hand scooped ice cream, clean bathrooms and boat rentals," shares Brandy J. about Indian Springs Campground.
Nature programs: Several state parks offer ranger-led educational activities. "We spoke with the naturalist and volunteered our time she was absolutely fantastic," says Julie B. about Chain O' Lakes State Park.
Urban camping convenience: River Camp Fort Wayne provides unusual in-city camping for RVers wanting to explore Fort Wayne attractions.
Site leveling: Most RV sites at Blue Lake Campground are reported as level. "We stayed in lot A-14. They are all gravel lots, but nice and level," shares Matt.
Campground location research: Some campgrounds are located near noisy highways or industrial areas. "The highway noise was terrible. We had A/C on and sound machine and still had a rough time sleeping. Not a bad place for a stopover but too noisy for more than a few nights," notes Sandy F. about Indian Springs Campground.
Reservation timing: For weekend camping near New Haven, Indiana, reservations are essential during summer months. "During the weekends it gets packed. Only 60 sites so show up early if you want one. No reservations so first come gets it," advises Darrell B. about Kil-So-Quah.
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 87 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 16 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.
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