South Bend, IN is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—South Bend is surrounded by family-friendly activities. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in South Bend, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$20 - $90 / night
"Great walking trails, great for families with youngsters. Park activities and lots of trail walking. 25 mins away from South Bend/Mishawaka and 40 mins away from Elkhart and there RV Hall of Fame."
"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."
"We were with a large group so had a site you could drive right up to. Electricity hookups, bathrooms and showers, picnic tables and fire pit, etc. Easy access to the dunes and the beach."
"The bathroom seemed newer (South modern loop) with clean bathrooms (cleaned at least twice a day) and private shower stalls."
"great owners and almost all full hookup sites. newly remodled bathhouse with laundry and also a heated pool. highly recommend this campground"
"Playground, pool, activities for the family, updated bathhouse!!"
"Lots of very friendly other campers, a heated pool, playground for the kids, nice size lots with fire pits, picnic tables, electric& water (including at tent sites)."
"This is a great place to get out of the cities and explore Michigan wine country or the South Bend/Elkhart areas. There are several low hanging branches and many tight sites."
"The surrounding area seems like the camp is in a bad location, but the bushes that surround the place block out all the noise."
"Very nice and quiet. 3 fishing ponds that are well stocked. Most lots pull thru and many shaded. Kids playground is big with a basketball court. Shower house is clean and taken care of."
$25 / night
"You gotta love Indiana dunes national lakeshore! A quick drive from chicago this campsite is a real good place to get away from the city and enjoy the outdoors."
"Campsites had decent privacy and even on a Friday night, quiet hours were respected. "
"We had water and electric. Unfortunately, the nearest restroom was a porta-potty, but it worked in a pinch. There are showers, laundry, and better restroom facilities as short walk away."
"Friendly staff and owners. The camp store is very cute and geared towards children with small candies and ice cream for them to purchase."
"Staff were very nice and friendly."
"There are ample hiking trails and activities for all ages. The swimming pool is awesome and a great plus when camping with kids. The woods are very thick and filled with amazing trees."
"Nice laundry. Host is very accommodating and all staff are friendly. Highly recommend this campground."
"We had a nice spot not too close to anyone. There are other areas of the park where the sites are really close together. I was glad we had some space the 2 days we were there."
$10 - $50 / night
"You can buy firewood and ice on site. There’s WiFi, electricity, showers and bathrooms. The campground is right on the water-perfect for kayaking or fishing."
"Level site, fire ring and pets welcome."
TravelerGreat walking trails, great for families with youngsters. Park activities and lots of trail walking. 25 mins away from South Bend/Mishawaka and 40 mins away from Elkhart and there RV Hall of Fame. Only electric at sites but they are big and roomy. Quiet and full of wildlife.
ScoutMy wife and I come here every year since purchasing our travel trailer. We recommend securing a spot in the back sites 230-287 for larger lots and quieter atmosphere. 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. With dog friendly beaches, beginner MTB trails and paved bike paths, this checks all our boxes. Natural wetlands abound, so definitely bring the mosquito spray. Typical Indiana Campground with basic amenities, older comfort stations and spotty WIFI. I like unplugging but sometimes work demands I respond promptly. Not too far from South Bend for city amenities, restaurants and supplies. Takes 10-15 mins to drive out of campground, so keep this in mind. Definitely keep coming back!
TravelerThis is a nice, family friendly campground. Lots of very friendly other campers, a heated pool, playground for the kids, nice size lots with fire pits, picnic tables, electric& water (including at tent sites). Pool has an ADA lift chair. 2 shower/bath houses, camp store, a real bear cave you can tour in (free), a creek that meanders through it. The resort sits on the St. Joseph river & this park has a boat ramp & dock for fishing. There is a gate that campers need a code to get into so it keeps out unwanted’s. Nice staff. Yolanda is a great manager. Security, a ‘honey wagon’. Laundry center. Quiet hours are 10p-8a. It’s near Buchanan Michigan and the RED BUD Motor Cross track. Very friendly people, always stopping and talking.
GuideVery nice campground with level sites and air conditioned bathrooms! That is amazing in the summer. They have trails that are a nice walk for the dogs and a pond to catch and release fish.
GuideThe ranger was awesome. You can buy firewood and ice on site. There’s WiFi, electricity, showers and bathrooms. The campground is right on the water-perfect for kayaking or fishing. There’s also all sorts of activities for kids-ping pong, basketball, cornhole and more. It’s also a quick walk to a grocery store and restaurants. There’s no grill on the fire pit, so plan accordingly.
TravelerWe camp here every year with our family since it is perfectly halfway between us, in Michigan, and my family in Chicago. The kids love the activities and the pool and my family who are not necessarily "outdoorsy" love that they can sleep in an air conditioned cabin with cable! This is an amazing campground!
LegendWe were passing through and decided to stop for frozen custard at the stand right next to the campground. The first review for this place did not seem very inviting but a more recent one was a little more positive. After checking it out, I thought it could use a little reinforcement of the positives! I’m not sure if there have been new owners since the first review but I received a very friendly greeting, and the office is open from 9 am– 8 pm and clearly marked as the place to check-in.
There are many options here: back-in or pull-thru tent sites, w/e sites, full hook-up sites, camper cabins, and fully equipped cabins. The campsites range from $32-$46 per night and the cabins range from $69-$144 per night. Sites 47-52 are close to the road so you will hear road noise, but Sites 11-35 are farther from the road and are more shaded. The layout is RV park style but there is reasonable separation between the sites.
The restrooms have a code for entry, and I did not see the inside of these.
Amenities include:
- a community fire pit
- game room with television
- guest laundry
- dump station
- gift shop
- pet friendly options
-WiFi
- There is, of course, an ice cream/frozen custard stand that I dare you to resist.
While we would not consider it a destination, we would definitely consider camping here en route – the price is reasonable, and the staff is friendly and welcoming.
GuideHope, the owner, is always so friendly & helpful. The restrooms/showers are nice and clean. You can get an entire 4 wheeler dump load of wood for $20. It’s nice dry wood. When we’ve camped in the past during April & October, we got free firewood those months. There’s a nice little camp store. We were given a nice welcome packet at check-in with visitor guides for the area. They recycle also. Pool and small miniature golf course. We really enjoy camping here. We’ve camped on several different sites here. We’ve stayed on the deluxe patio sites a couple of times when they were available. They have patio table & chairs on extra wide concrete pad, gas grill, fire pit & seating area in back.
TravelerWe pulled in around 4:30 in the evening. The sight was spacious with plenty of room in between sites. Since the weather was cooler , it was pretty sparse with other campers. We stayed 2 nights over the weekend. You are within walking distance to the beach within the park. The buildings have great architecture. The sight had 50 amp electric hook ups but no water or sewer connections, and we knew that going in. We had a back in sight #69. There was plenty of space on all sides. We have a 37’ motorhome and pulled a Jeep behind it. There was plenty of room to maneuver around. The sight also had a wood picnic table and fire ring for a wood fire pit. We will definitely be back! I wish I had taken more photos from the beach and beach pavilion.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near South Bend, IN is Potato Creek State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 48 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 36 glamping camping locations near South Bend, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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