Camping spots near Peru, Indiana offer a mix of lake, river, and forest environments at elevations between 680-790 feet above sea level. The region experiences humid continental climate with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F and winter lows often below freezing. Winter camping options exist at several locations including Mississinewa Lake Campground, though services are typically reduced from November through March.
What to do
Stargazing opportunities: Tippecanoe River State Park provides excellent night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "I have AT&T service and could not use my phone at all, my husband has Verizon and had no problems with cell service," notes one camper, highlighting the remote nature that creates ideal stargazing conditions.
Water recreation beyond swimming: Mississinewa Lake Campground offers boat mooring specifically for campers. "Great mooring area for campers. Don't try to pull-thru in any sites that are back-in. DNR will come around repeatedly and ask you to turn around...after you are already set up," advises a visitor who rates the campground highly for boating access.
Disc golf course: Recreation options at Mississinewa Lake include a disc golf course alongside other activities. "Disc golf, trails, store near the beach, cabin rentals," mentions a reviewer, providing options beyond the standard hiking and swimming activities.
What campers like
Winter camping access: Some campgrounds in the area remain open year-round with modified facilities. "Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area has a awesome Mariana ppl are friendly clean showers bathrooms access to lake," reports one winter camper who enjoyed the off-season experience.
Affordable primitive options: For budget-conscious campers, Salamonie River State Forest provides a low-cost alternative. "Cheap, 13$ self pay. No electric or showers but do have bathroom. Very secluded luv it here," shares a reviewer who frequents this location.
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the ample room at certain campgrounds. "The area is extremely nice and relatively quiet. Sites are spacious and it did not feel like we were cramped in," notes a Mississinewa Lake visitor, while another adds, "the campsites are large and accommodating for any type of camper."
What you should know
Water access limitations: While several campgrounds advertise lake views, direct water access varies significantly. At Lost Bridge West, "Sites 221-243, 202-204 offer lake views. I say VIEWS, not access. Sites 228 & 232 have sites with good access to the lake."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies widely across the region. At France Park, "At night you can hear the major highway too, but it didn't stop us from having a good time," indicating that while cell reception may be available, noise can be a factor.
Bathroom maintenance: Facility upkeep can fluctuate seasonally and between campgrounds. "The women's bathrooms had overflowing toilets the whole time we were there. They couldn't seem to figure out how to fix the problem," reports a Mississinewa Lake visitor, though they still rated their overall experience positively.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: For families with young children, site selection matters. At Tippecanoe River State Park, "sites 2,3,4,6,&7 have direct access to a playground & you can watch your children from your site. All the interior sites by comfort station B have direct access to the playground."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Several campgrounds maintain quiet hours beneficial for families. "We've stayed twice over different holiday weekends and it's been quiet and no rowdy partying which is a plus for us since we have small children," notes a Mississinewa visitor.
Seasonal mosquito awareness: Insect activity increases dramatically during warmer months. A Tippecanoe River visitor warns, "The mosquitos get bad in the summer, so come prepared. We camped the end of May & they were just getting going. Spring & late fall would be a good time to visit."
Tips from RVers
Water fill stations: At Mississinewa Lake, plan accordingly for water access. "If you don't haul with water you better fill up at the fill station when you see it cuz it gets busy. And when you are leaving there are 3 dump stations and it can get really really busy and long waits."
RV site selection: The terrain at different camping locations affects site leveling. At Tall Sycamore Campground, "Family oriented, hold AA meeting there," indicates a community atmosphere that might appeal to some RVers looking for social interaction during their stay.
Site surface variations: Different campgrounds offer various parking pad materials. At France Park, "the sites are gravel and they used the huge gravel so it is hard to used stabilizers and also level your unit on," notes a regular visitor, though they mention WiFi as a recent improvement.
