Best Dog-Friendly Camping near New Paris, IN

Near New Paris, Indiana, camping options span across various terrains from open fairgrounds to wooded lake settings within a 25-mile radius. Most campgrounds in this region are situated at elevations between 800-900 feet, with summer temperatures regularly reaching the high 80s. Many sites remain open from April through October, with select locations offering year-round availability for cold-weather camping.

What to do

Biking trails: The Pumpkinvine Bike Trail near Shipshewana Trading Place RV Park offers scenic routes through Amish Country. "We enjoyed our stay, two days of riding on the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail, the Krider Nurseries World's Fair Garden, the RV museum in Elkhart and Mooey's ice cream near Middlebury," notes camper Cindy B.

Fishing opportunities: Hoffman Lake provides excellent fishing access with lakefront sites. "Had an awesome view right on the lake. Loved how friendly the new owners were. We will definitely be back for another relaxing weekend soon," shares Tim N Amanda C. from Hoffman Lake Campground.

Explore Amish Country: The region offers authentic cultural experiences with horse-drawn carriages regularly passing by campgrounds. "It's nice to hear the clopping of the horse drawn carriages of the Amish every so often," mentions Greg D. who stayed at KOA Campground Middlebury.

Water recreation: Multiple state parks feature swimming and boating options. At Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground, "Kayaking and the beach was a huge hit with the kids," according to Jeremy C., who found the facilities "very clean" with "reasonable prices."

What campers like

Pet-friendly accommodations: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near New Paris offer specialized amenities for pets. "Excellent dog run" at Ebys Pines received positive mentions, with Ray R. noting, "The dog park was a nice added bonus" during their stay.

Affordable rates: Full hookup sites at reasonable prices are available throughout the region. "Price - $30/night for a 50 amp full hook-up site" was listed as a pro by Nancy W. at Elkhart County Fairgrounds, making it budget-friendly for extended stays.

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain exceptional cleanliness standards. "I was amazed at always how clean they (and the grounds as a whole) are," reports a camper about bathroom facilities, while another mentions, "This is one of the nicest, cleanest and quite campgrounds I've stayed at."

Activities for children: Family-oriented campgrounds offer various recreational options. At Pla-Mor Campground, campers appreciate the "in ground swimming pool, mini golf, a driving range, laundry, an arcade and ice cream," with Abbie K. adding there are "planned events, awesome putt putt, pool with splash area for littles. Multiple playgrounds, even a new one recently built."

What you should know

Train noise: Several campgrounds experience railroad noise at all hours. "It is located right next to very busy train tracks that operate 24/7 and blow their horns quite often. They were really annoying in the middle of the night," warns one reviewer.

Varying site sizes: Site dimensions differ considerably between campgrounds and even within the same facility. At Elkhart Campground, "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," according to MickandKarla W.

Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds close during winter months. "Open 4/1/2020 - 10/31/2020" is typical for the area, though some state parks remain open year-round with limited services.

Limited shade: Some campgrounds lack adequate tree cover, which impacts summer comfort. "There is very little shade and during my last visit the late September fall temperatures climbed to nearly 90 degrees and was brutal," notes one camper.

Tips for camping with families

Look for water features: Lakes and pools provide cooling options during hot summer days. "Very clean state park. Reasonable prices. Kayaking and the beach was a huge hit with the kids," shares Jeremy C. about Potato Creek State Park Campground.

Choose campgrounds with playgrounds: Several locations offer dedicated play areas for children. "Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust," advises Frank M.

Plan for bathroom accessibility: When camping with children, select sites near facilities. "Tent lots are flat and a good size. RR and showers nearby," notes Karson G., making bathroom trips more convenient for families.

Consider off-season visits: For quieter experiences with children, avoid peak summer weekends. "Depending on what time of year you are here and part of the week, the campground could be very crowded or very empty," explains one reviewer.

Tips from RVers

Utility placement: At many campgrounds, hookup locations can require extra equipment. "The utilities are at the far end of the sites. In most areas, the sites back up to each other and share a utility post and share the water spigot... If we had hooked up sewer, we would have needed about 25' of hose to reach a hole in the ground," advises MickandKarla W.

Wi-Fi reliability: Internet access varies significantly by location and time of day. "They do offer WiFi which worked pretty well in non-peak hours like early morning but was not reliable and sometimes frustrating," reports a camper.

Site selection strategy: When possible, request specific sites. "The nice thing is the people in the office let you pick whatever site you want and don't assign one to you," notes one camper, allowing RVers to find the most level or appropriately sized spot for their rig.

Flooding concerns: Some areas experience drainage issues after heavy rain. "They had some heavy rain and many of the sites were flooded, but that didn't seem to stop people coming for the 4th of July," shares John C. about his RV camping experience.