89 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Northern Indiana's camping landscape surrounding Ora includes a mix of state parks, private campgrounds, and lakeside recreation areas. Tippecanoe River State Park Campground in Winamac offers year-round camping with boat-in, drive-in, and hike-in access for tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping. Nearby, Rising Sun Campground in Monterey provides similar accommodations with full hookups. Within a 30-mile radius, campers can find Bass Lake State Beach in Knox, which operates seasonally from May through October, and Potato Creek State Park Campground in North Liberty, which features multiple access types and accommodation options. The region's camping options range from basic tent sites to full-service RV parks with 50-amp electrical service.
Most campgrounds in the area require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when facilities reach capacity quickly. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with humid summers and cold winters affecting camping comfort. As one camper noted about Potato Creek State Park: "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." Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with limited facilities available during winter months. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage near larger towns. Mosquitoes can be problematic in summer months, especially near wetland areas, with one visitor advising: "Natural wetlands abound, so definitely bring the mosquito spray."
Water access represents a significant draw for many campers in the area. Lakes and rivers provide opportunities for fishing, swimming, and boating, with several campgrounds offering direct water access. Campers frequently mention wildlife encounters, particularly with raccoons, which are known to raid unsecured food containers. Bathroom facilities receive mixed reviews across campgrounds, with state park facilities generally rated higher than private campgrounds. As one visitor to Potato Creek State Park mentioned: "Bath houses are always clean! Playground areas for the kids throughout the park, lots of bike and walking trails." Train noise affects some campgrounds in the region, with tracks running near several popular camping areas. Family-friendly amenities are common, with many campgrounds offering playgrounds, fishing piers, and hiking trails suitable for various ages and abilities.
"Trails and the river close by. Bathrooms are phenomenal!! Enjoy!"
"I had picked THAT weekend because there was free fishing for Indiana residents & my friend wanted to take her 2 young boys fishing & camping. We caught nothing."
from $14 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Only issue i had was last night there a few loud locals decided to set up camp next to me at 10pm and leave then came back continued to be loud and leave again."
"Located right on the beautiful Tippecanoe River with float, canoe, and kayak rentals. Showers, pool and general store."
"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."
"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."
from $20 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Great little campground on beautiful Bass Lake. Restaurants and ice cream shop close by. Highly recommend for a definite fun time!! Kids LOVE this campground."
"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!"
"You walk down steps or a ramp to your area, tent pad with a picnic table and firepit. So beautiful when the sun comes up. Showers and toilets regularly cleaned and modern."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"But being right off of a major US highway it can be a little noisy. Short term sites are just grass but pretty close to level side to side. Think I had to raise door side like an inch."
"If you are coming down 275 to Wassen road, look to your left hand side when you’ve reached the destination on the map and you will see a wooden gate, which is the entrance. Please see the video."
"The owner it's really helpful and do his best for keep the campground clean, laundry, bathhouse, playground and is a beautiful place for walks many lakes around. Open year around really peaceful."
"Definitely recommend if you don't mind being a good bit away from supermarkets."
from $30 - $50 / night
"We wanted a place close to my elderly parents house and Last Resort fit the bill. Overall it is a pleasant campground with a pool, a pond, and some weekend activities."
"We were super close to fellow campers.On the other side of the grounds around the pond (electric only) sites were much bigger and secluded. Despite the tight space, the kids loved it here."
ScoutBobbie and Tony thank u so much guys are amazing! If ur planning on camping everyone's so welcoming u can tell they really care about the grounds eveything is kept very clean with friendly camp ground neighbors my bf and I were traveling with our dog and found this camp ground randomly and we are so glad we found it we will absolutely be back
RangerWater park is super clean. Lots of bike trails and camp sites are all clean and level
TravelerThe campground is right off of US-30 and IN-23 so pretty convent other than due to construction on 30 right now. But being right off of a major US highway it can be a little noisy. Short term sites are just grass but pretty close to level side to side. Think I had to raise door side like an inch. Water pressure was okay but drops during the day. At about 600 PM I was struggling to get more than 40psi even with regulator all the way open. I don’t think it is worth $65 a night but there are more expensive options closer to Plymouth
TravelerSuper great here, some bugs, people were quiet
TravelerTrailer was nice plenty to do. A lot of seasonal sites. was a pleasant enough stay. Looks like a converted Yogi Bear campground. A lot of storm damage around the campground. Pools were clean, bathrooms and shower houses are a bit dated but clean. They are about every 5 rows/streets. You can rent golf carts which seems the main mode of transportation. Nice rowboat lake with a beach for swimming. Small fast food restaurant small menu weird hours and more expensive that your normal fast food places. All in all it was a nice place and activities are plenty close to Chicago and one of the closest, also very close to the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan.
TravelerThe sites were easy to park, the staff were friendly and helpful. Loved the mushrooms we found in May. We plan to go back some day. Nice town area close by for shopping.
ScoutWe stayed a Thursday and Friday night in July 2026 on site 1. We did need to head to the Welcome Center for a piece of paper to display on your dash so that we can park in the parking lot. There isn't a National Park entrance to access the site, you just park in a parking lot that a park ranger at the visitors center told us was owned and operated by the town and not the park service. There was an area of reserved parking for those camping at the walk-in sites.
There is a decent sandy hill that you need to go up to access the site, which really wasn't bad. The site itself was heavily wooded and secluded. It is fairly sandy, but there was a nice spot to set up the tent that was grassy. The mosquitos were aggressive, but a little Deep Woods Off and they left us along mostly. We got to the site and there was trash and cigarette butts scattered around that we had to clean up. I discovered the first night that a contributing factor to some of the trash is most likely a sizeable and bold raccoon that was not afraid of us, and both nights came wandering into our campsite looking for food while we were sitting there.
Additionally, the fire pit has probably not been cleaned out in years, since it was filled to the top with ash. With this being a wooded site, this could increase the risk of a fire getting out of the pit.
We were at site 1, so heading to the port-o-potty was fine and it was well kept. The beach was about 3-5 minutes walking. However, the bathrooms and outdoor shower were all "Closed for the Season". There were a couple port-o-pottys there, but they were not in as good of shape as the one near the campground. There was also a ton of trash in that bathroom building area, which was disappointing to see.
ScoutChris likes to run a tight ship, but she has a good heart. There are so many activities in the summer for kids it’s non stop action and for the adults it’s usually just a chill by the fire or lakeside kind of of place. I’m a heavy sleeper so the highway traffic doesn’t bother me one bit!
TravelerVisited Hoffman campground at the end of June. Smaller campground, fairly peaceful, lots of activities, and a nice pool. Sites are level but they are tight. Nice can store with very friendly staff.
Camping near Ora, Indiana provides access to several water-based recreational opportunities with the Tippecanoe River serving as a central feature for many local campgrounds. The area sits at approximately 715 feet above sea level with mixed woodland and prairie terrain. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping offers milder conditions with daytime temperatures in the 60-70°F range.
Hiking and nature observation: Tippecanoe River State Park Campground offers several trails accessible directly from the campground. "Small but worth going. Fire tower climb was beautiful. A nice little place to relax," notes one visitor. The fire tower provides elevated views of the surrounding landscape and makes for a popular short hike.
River activities: Rising Sun Campground provides direct access to the Tippecanoe River with equipment rentals available. "Located right on the beautiful Tippecanoe River with float, canoe, and kayak rentals," reports a camper. The river's moderate current makes it suitable for beginners and families.
Biking: Potato Creek State Park Campground maintains both paved bike paths and mountain biking trails. "The Peppermint Hill mountain bike/hiking loop was really fun and not to be missed," states one visitor. The park offers terrain for various skill levels, with beginner-friendly routes clearly marked.
Spacious, wooded sites: Many campgrounds in the Ora area feature mature tree coverage. At Tippecanoe River State Park, campers appreciate that "sites are spaced good" and note the park has "large sites with lots of trees." This natural spacing provides privacy not always found at more developed campgrounds.
Clean facilities: Facility maintenance receives positive mentions at several campgrounds. At Last Resort Campground, "bathrooms [are] very clean" according to visitors. Similarly, at Rising Sun Campground, guests note "clean facilities" as a highlight of their stay.
Fishing opportunities: Bass Lake State Beach provides access to fishing with "a great little campground on beautiful Bass Lake." Local lakes and rivers contain various species including bass, bluegill, and catfish, with fishing licenses required for anglers 18 and older.
Seasonal mosquito issues: Insect activity varies by location and season. At Tippecanoe River State Park, one camper reported it was the "worst place for mosquitoes." Early spring and late fall camping typically offers relief from biting insects.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. One visitor to Tippecanoe River State Park notes, "I have AT&T service and could not use my phone at all, my husband has Verizon and had no problems with cell service." Preparing for limited connectivity is advised, particularly at campgrounds further from major highways.
Water quality considerations: Some campgrounds have mineral-heavy water. A camper at Hidden Lake Paradise Camp Ground observed, "There is no filter on any of the well water so it smells like rust... the main water is clearly filtered but showering here is a rough task."
Playground access: Multiple area campgrounds feature play facilities. At Hickory Hills Campground, families can enjoy a "FUN petting zoo, gemstone mining for the kids, hayrides, as well as crafts and a scavenger hunt. The grand kids loved this place and ask constantly when they get to go back!"
Activity planning: Many campgrounds offer scheduled events on weekends. Last Resort Campground has been described as having "lots of activities - pool, playground, pond, camp store with a variety of ice creams (kids love this)." Some families note that "they had some chickens & goats the kids loved playing with."
Site selection for supervision: At Tippecanoe River State Park, "For the playground, sites 2,3,4,6,&7 have direct access to a playground& you can watch your children from your site." This allows parents to maintain visual contact while at their campsite.
Electrical hookup considerations: Several campgrounds near Ora offer varying levels of electrical service. At EZ Kamp, visitors should note the layout challenges: "EZ camp maybe a little difficult to find because there is just a small gate at the entrance. If you are coming down 275 to Wassen road, look to your left hand side when you've reached the destination."
Site leveling preparation: Last Resort Campground RV sites are described as "relatively level but both sites had a lot of ant hills so be prepared with ant spray or another repellent to keep them out of the camper."
Utility connection access: Some campgrounds require extended utility connections. At Potato Creek State Park, "Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up." Planning for these extended connections is essential when selecting a campsite.
Dump station logistics: RVers should plan for dump station access before departure. At Broken Aarow, "The dump station is up by their old entrance and in an odd spot. If you use it, you will have to take a long loop around the campground once you're done to get out."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Ora, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Ora, IN offers a wide range of camping options, with 89 campgrounds and RV parks near Ora, IN and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Ora, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ora, IN is Tippecanoe River State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 30 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ora, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Ora, IN.
What parks are near Ora, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 parks near Ora, IN that allow camping, notably Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
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