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Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground near Spencerville, Indiana offers several options for campers seeking outdoor recreation in northeastern Indiana. The campground provides tent sites, RV hookups with electric, water and sewer connections, and cabin accommodations. Campers have access to modern facilities including showers, toilets, sanitary dump stations, drinking water, and picnic tables. The campground is well-maintained with both shaded and open sites, though site conditions vary throughout the grounds. The nine interconnected lakes create excellent opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing through scenic waterways lined with lily pads. Boat rentals are available for visitors who don't bring their own watercraft.
Trails at Chain O' Lakes range from easy to rugged with distances between 1-4 miles, many interconnecting to create longer hiking options. The park features paved bike paths that extend for miles through diverse landscapes. While the campground does not have dedicated horse corrals or equestrian facilities, the park offers numerous recreational activities for families including swimming at the sandy beach area, fishing (with a dedicated fish cleaning station), and extensive hiking opportunities. The campground can become busy during summer months and holiday weekends, particularly at the electric hookup sites. Water access points are available throughout the grounds, though they are not always adjacent to individual campsites. Cellular service varies by carrier, with Verizon typically providing better coverage than AT&T in this area.
"Chain O Lakes State Park, Albion Indiana. Northwest of Fort Wayne. 416 electric, nonelectric & primitive campsites. Water is available & 3 dumps.
This was our 3rd time camping here."
"Met up with 18 other skoolies our first Indiana meet. Met great people had a fantastic time. Great park kids swam, showers are clean. Electric at sites but water isn’t but very close by."
from $14 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric)."
"This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it."
from $20 - $480 / night
Check Availability"The paved bike trail in the park starts near the campground, and connects with a bike trail along the Wabash River that goes into nearby Bluffton, and is an easy ride. "
"Plenty of trails to hike and a nice little lake to enjoy. Will definitely come back here"
from $20 - $33 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $5 - $10 / night
Check Availability
GuideEquestrian trails and campgrounds are popular here. Horse rides sold on site. There is a nice hotel that sometimes hosts events actually located in the park. Come tobagginging and ice fishing in the winter and then pamper yourself in the hotel, or visit in the summer and have a beach day or easy hike with the family. Great spot for Pokémon Go because of the available cell service.
TravelerPokagon State Park has an excellent state park campground. Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric). Many sites are flat (good for tent camping) while others are slightly rolling hills (helps breakup the sites a bit). There is a lot to do in the park including many trails, horse riding (horse stable on site), and lake swimming on a nicely improved beach. Only cons are no full hook up and the fire rings/grills could be improved.
TravelerThis is an extremely large campground. About seventy-five percent of the sites are electric. We stayed in Site 255, which was not electric (booked last minute). This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it. However, Site 269 (next to Site 277) afforded great privacy and was large; among the non-electric sites this was the best I saw. I did not survey the electric sites, but I’m sure the site matters a lot. Non-electric sites are $20.00, plus a $9.00 park entrance fee.
There are numerous walking trails, along with horse and bike trails. Additionally, there are boat rentals, horseback rides, pony rentals, swimming, nature center, and a restaurant at the inn.
This is a family oriented park. Extended family groupings are very common. Nevertheless, people and their children are well behaved.
I would recommend this campground for two days or more. A one day stay will mean you probably won’t see much of this wonderful park. The only reason I gave it a four was that even in mid-September it was packed.
LegendChain O Lakes State Park, Albion Indiana. Northwest of Fort Wayne.
416 electric, nonelectric & primitive campsites. Water is available & 3 dumps.
This was our 3rd time camping here. We were in handicapped site 325 which was a pretty good site. We had good neighbors which helps. The campground is well established & shaded. Read the site descriptions carefully for inclines & site dimensions.
What is really interesting is they have 7 canoe campsites. They have their own pit toilets & a little dock. Site 3 is behind the pit toilet, but the rest looked ok. They're just off trail 4 as well.
Cabins are also available.
Hot showers& bathrooms. They were state park clean, but definitely need some upgrading.
This is a boating/fishing/hiking park.
There's 29 miles of fairly easy trails- all can be looped.
9 connecting glacial kettle lakes make for great kayaking & canoeing. Electric motor only makes for a peaceful lake experience. Fishing was pretty good according to my fisherguy.
There's a 1915 schoolhouse that's open on the weekends.
There's a small swimming beach with food for sale. There's also boat rental with canoes, kayaks & small boats.
Nice campground for a summer weekend!
GuideWe used Pokagon State Park as a two-night stopover on our way home from Northern Michigan, and overall, it was a good option for a short stay.
We stayed in Site 109, which was tucked away and felt fairly isolated from the rest of the campground. In early spring or late fall, I imagine the site would have a nice view of the lake, but in August the tree cover was too thick to see much of it.
The gravel pad was reasonably level, but we needed a couple inches of leveling blocks to get the RV sitting flat. There wasn’t really much of a grassy area at the site for the dogs, but we were able to walk them easily just down the road.
We brought our bicycles, which was a great way to explore the park. We rode around to the nature center, equestrian facility, and beach, and enjoyed being able to see more of the park without having to drive everywhere.
One thing that surprised us was the single dump station for the entire campground. Since none of the sites have full hookups, I would imagine the line could get ridiculously long after a busy weekend.
Overall, we’d stay here again, but probably only as a one- or two-night layover rather than a longer destination stay. Site 109 worked well for us because of its privacy and quiet location.
TravelerMet up with 18 other skoolies our first Indiana meet. Met great people had a fantastic time. Great park kids swam, showers are clean. Electric at sites but water isn’t but very close by.
TravelerThere are trail, beaches, boats, horses... so many things to do
TravelerCamp sites are tiny. We had site 88 and it was supposed to be full shade. It was full sun and they have it set up so the camp side of the trailer faces the road. The fire pit is also three feet from the road. Who wants to have a fire next to the road?
LegendThis state park was established in 1925, so almost 100 years old. The campground must be the original layout. There's a maze like quality to it. The roads are narrow & you may be driving off the road for a big rig.
Some sites are level, some aren't. Some can accommodate larger rigs, most can't. Check the site descriptions carefully & to be doubly sure, call the office & ask.
There's water stations that look very old. They have wooden, shingled roofs. There's 2 dump stations located in loops 3 & 4. IN THE CAMPGROUND! NEXT TO CAMPSITES!!!!
There's 5 loops to the main campground.
100 loop is small & closer to the lake than the other loops. It's the loop we chose this time.
The sites are on the small side. There's 3 campsites that are close to the lake. 115, which is a larger site. 117 & 119 which have clear views of the lake. 117 is more a tent or popup site & is small. 119 is the best of the bunch. A large pad & a large site. There's no privacy bushes. These sites have a view of the lake with trees & brush & are on a ridge overlooking the lake. They aren't ON the lake.
On either side of 117 & 119 are 2 trails that lead to the lake. There's benches & a dock to tie up your boat.
The rest of the sites are a mixed bag. Some are level, some have an incline. If you have a big rig, be aware that the road to the 100 campsites branches into one way. Leading into the campsites, the road is narrow & has a ravine on one side!
200 Loop is non electric
300 Loop is the biggest loop & seems like the best bet for larger rigs. As stated above, some sites are better than others. There's a uniformity here that's missing from the other loops.
Stay away from sites 393& 395!!! These sites are literally right on top of the dump station! As always watch for pit toilets near the sites.
400 loop is a smaller loop next to the 200 loop. There's only one shower house for both loops. Avoid site 444 & probably site 454. These sites are VERY close to the dump station.
500 loop is also smaller& has some nice sites tucked by themselves in the trees. There seems to be more privacy brush on this loop with SOME sites.
512 is close to the shower house. 511 & 513 were somewhat secluded.
If you have a boat you want to tie up at the dock, go for the 100 loop. If you can't get it, be aware there's no parking near the trails to the lake. You can park by the bathhouse & walk.
The shower & restrooms are atrocious!!! Worst looking buildings since Spring Mill SP! Dirty & need an entire overhaul. In fact, raze the buildings & build new ones! They're "cleaned" once a day. Suuuuuure they are. There was actual poop on the door of one of the women's toilet stalls the whole time I was there. Mold & spiders& dirt in the corners. Looks like the last upgrade was in the 50s.
Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground offers camping experiences on different terrains and accommodation options in northeastern Indiana. The park contains approximately 2,718 acres of natural woodlands surrounding nine connected kettle lakes. Winter camping is available at select sites with heated comfort stations, while summer brings peak occupancy particularly during holiday weekends.
Hiking the interconnected trail system: At Chain O' Lakes, trails range from flat terrain to more challenging routes. "There is so much to do. Between the hiking trails, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and biking. You won't ever get bored," notes Amanda J. about Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground.
Climb the fire tower: The restored fire tower at Ouabache State Park provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. "I actually walked to the top of the restored fire tower to take in the view," shares Jacob A. from Ouabache State Park Campground.
Winter toboggan run: Seasonal activities include the refrigerated toboggan run at Pokagon State Park. Operating from late November through February, this quarter-mile track reaches speeds up to 40 mph. "There's an inn, restaurant, cabins, boat rentals, horseback riding, bike trails, beach, toboggan run, etc," mentions Amy K.
Visit the bison enclosure: Equestrian camping near Spencerville, Indiana provides access to unique wildlife viewing. "The bison enclosure is always fun to check out," notes Jacob A. about Ouabache State Park. "The kids loved the Bison," confirms Brad H.
Well-maintained facilities: Campers appreciate the regular upkeep at parks near Spencerville. "The park is beautifully maintained. The bathroom and shower facilities were clean and updated," writes Mary H. about Pokagon State Park Campground.
Multiple water recreation options: The interconnected lakes provide diverse water activities. "Kayaking and the beach was a huge hit with the kids," shares Jeremy C. about Chain O' Lakes. After busy periods, the atmosphere changes: "After peak hours these people clear out and usually aren't actually camping there," notes Whitley K.
Privacy between sites: Campgrounds in the region generally offer good separation between sites. "Sites are nicely separated and shaded," reports Amy K. about Pokagon State Park. At Ouabache, "The camp sites are mostly spaced out for room," according to Jacob A.
Year-round accessibility: Some camping options remain open through winter months. "Love this place for winter camping. The campground comfort stations are heated all winter long," shares Lisa N. about Ouabache State Park Campground.
Site conditions vary substantially: Not all sites provide the same experience. "We were in the non-electrical spot. The sites are well cared for and the rest rooms and showers are well taken care of," notes Brad M. At Chain O' Lakes, "Tent lots are flat and a good size," according to Karson G.
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have water quality issues. "The potable water is brown and smelly. Be sure to bring your water filter," warns Emily P. about Ouabache State Park.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for local wildlife visitors at campsites. "The raccoons were pretty annoying though," mentions John F. about his stay at Ouabache.
Beach conditions fluctuate: Public beaches can become crowded during peak times. "The beach is often overcrowded with local partiers, drinking and smoking, and leaving trash everywhere," reports Whitley K. about Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground.
Multiple recreation options: Family-friendly activities abound at parks near Spencerville. "Tons of things to do (playgrounds, lake, beach, hiking, horseback and pony rides etc)," shares Anand about Pokagon State Park.
Group sites for larger gatherings: For family reunions or larger groups, consider specialized sites. "Stayed on a group site. As usual the group sites are much larger, and also more expensive," notes Ted C. about Chain O' Lakes. For larger gatherings at Pokagon, "Tons of picnic areas and pavilions; would be a great spot for a family reunion," suggests Amy K.
Child-friendly water activities: Rental options make water recreation accessible without bringing equipment. "We come here out of convenience, since we live twenty minutes away. The campground is decent," explains Whitley K. about Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground.
Educational opportunities: Take advantage of naturalist programs. "We spoke with the naturalist and volunteered our time she was absolutely fantastic," shares Julie B. about her experience at Chain O' Lakes.
Limited hookup options: Full-service sites are limited in the area. "Only drawback is no water and sewer hook up at the campsite," notes Steve C. about Ouabache State Park.
Site length considerations: Some campgrounds have shorter sites that may challenge larger RVs. "Sites are shorter and sometimes uneven," cautions J.C. about their experience at Pokagon.
Weather-related site issues: Flooding can affect certain sites during rainy periods. Jacob A. warns about Ouabache, "Some can get very wet and flooded during a nice rain."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Spencerville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Spencerville, IN is Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 55 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Spencerville, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Spencerville, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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