Westwood Park offers multiple equestrian trails that loop around its 183-acre lake located 22 miles from Pendleton, Indiana. The park features a first-come, first-served campground with approximately 33-38 sites that accommodate both tent and RV campers. Trail riders can explore a 10-mile hiking and biking path that circles the entire lake. Horse owners should note that while standard campsites can fit horse trailers, the park lacks dedicated equestrian facilities such as corrals or stalls.
What to do
Kayak on calm waters: Westwood Park's lake prohibits gas motors, creating ideal conditions for paddlers. "The lake is nice. Lots of small bass. If you have a boat, trolling motors only," notes Stephen H. about Westwood Park. The restrictions contribute to water quality, as Mark G. explains, "The lake doesn't allow gas motors so its one of the clearest lakes in central Indiana."
Explore hiking trails: Summit Lake State Park offers multiple trail options with varying difficulty levels. "Trails around the lake were nice with many opportunities for scenic photographs," reports Marshall P. about Summit Lake State Park Campground. The park provides both lakeside paths and wooded routes suitable for casual hikers and more adventurous trekkers.
Fish for bass: Anglers can find good fishing opportunities throughout the area. "We enjoyed the lake and some fishing. There was alot of surface plant life to catch our lines on," notes Scott P. about Summit Lake State Park. For anglers staying at Westwood Park, bank fishing spots exist though they may require some exploration to find productive areas.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high among visitor priorities. "The restrooms are very clean. The campsites are, I would say, normal size maybe a little cramped," reports Stephen H. about Westwood Park. At Johnson County Park, Janet F. found "Clean bathrooms/showers!!! Park is nice and clean too!!"
Lakefront views: Securing waterfront sites enhances the camping experience. "The spots along the lake are beautiful but hard to book," explains Casse T. about Summit Lake State Park Campground. Similarly at Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort, Debbie S. appreciated that "The lake is fabulous," noting it was "really convenient and close to Indy."
Shade availability: Tree cover provides relief during hot summer months. "We had great experiences each time. Beautiful lake for kayaking! All sites are gravel with mature trees if you want shade or full sun," shares Rich K. about Summit Lake State Park. Stephanie B. adds that "the second loop had what I was looking for... beautiful spot with lots of tree cover."
What you should know
Reservation policies vary: Many local campgrounds operate on different reservation systems. Greg C. notes that Westwood Park offers "First come first serve on the sites," while Kelly H. adds, "if you want to weekend camp, you better plan on setting up your site on Wednesday or Thursday. Always call ahead before heading that way to see if they have sites available."
Site conditions and layouts: Campsites differ significantly between parks and even within campgrounds. Lisa M. observed at Summit Lake State Park that "Sites 1 through 74 seem to be a lot more level and larger, but they were in a sort of an open area with very little shade. The rest of the sites were fairly unlevel, but were in shaded areas."
Tent restrictions: Not all campgrounds permit tent camping. "They used to have awesome tent camping sites, but they stopped allowing tent camping. RV/camper's are the only thing they allow now," reports Chris W. about Johnson County Park. The rules sheet explicitly states no tent camping is allowed, according to Clay L.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort provides family-friendly amenities close to Indianapolis. Debbie S. notes it was "really convenient and close to Indy, where we took the grandkids to the children's museum." At Westwood Park, Kelly H. mentions "there is a small playground area for the kids."
Swimming options: Consider water recreation opportunities when traveling with children. Rich K. points out that Summit Lake State Park has a "Very nice beach area" along with "wonderful hiking trails and offer a variety of programs/activities" that appeal to families.
Site privacy considerations: Campgrounds can get crowded, affecting family camping experiences. Stephanie B. notes about Summit Lake State Park, "sites are very close together and it's a popular campground... so there isn't much privacy." Arriving midweek improves chances of securing more private sites.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. Marshall P. shares about Johnson County Park, "The cost of the spot was excellent. There are very few 50 amp spots, so we were in a 30 amp spot." Similarly at Summit Lake State Park, Marshall P. found that "Our site was a pull through and, while level left to right, required a good bit of leveling front to back."
Size limitations: Larger rigs may encounter difficulties at certain campgrounds. Lisa M. warns that at Summit Lake State Park, "I would think a rig more than 31 or 32 feet long would have difficulty maneuvering around the curve at the end of the second loop. We are a 30ft. Fifth wheel and it was pretty tight for us."
Hookup variations: Electric and water connections differ between parks and sites. Laura W. notes that at Summit Lake State Park, "The water is shared with your neighbor, so be sure to have a long hose." Jerry D. describes Johnson County Park as a "Nice but bare bones former military campground" with limited amenities for RVers.
