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Best Tent Camping near Uniondale, IN

233 Reviews

Tent camping options near Uniondale, Indiana are limited but include a few established sites within driving distance. River Camp Fort Wayne, located approximately 30 miles southwest of Uniondale, offers reservable tent sites in a developed camping area. Another option is Harper Lake Campground in Kimmell, situated about 25 miles northwest of Uniondale in Noble County, which provides primitive tent camping opportunities.

Tent sites at these locations typically feature minimal amenities. River Camp Fort Wayne lacks drinking water, picnic tables, and toilet facilities, requiring campers to be self-sufficient with water and waste management. Both campgrounds have limited facilities, with no electric hookups, fires, or trash service available. Access varies between the two locations, with River Camp Fort Wayne offering both drive-in and walk-in options for tent campers, while Harper Lake has more restricted access. Campers should prepare accordingly by bringing all necessary supplies, including water, food, and sanitation equipment.

The tent camping experience near Uniondale provides opportunities for quiet retreats in northeastern Indiana. Sites are generally uncrowded, particularly at Harper Lake Campground, which appears to receive few visitors based on the absence of reviews. River Camp Fort Wayne offers a more established option while still maintaining a primitive camping feel. The surrounding area features typical Indiana landscapes with a mix of agricultural land and wooded areas. A visitor commented that River Camp Fort Wayne "looks like a very nice campground" though they hadn't personally visited yet. Backcountry tent camping enthusiasts may need to venture further from Uniondale to find more remote primitive camping experiences, as the immediate area primarily offers basic established sites.

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Best Tent Sites Near Uniondale, Indiana (2)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Uniondale, IN

233 Reviews of 2 Uniondale Campgrounds

  • N
    Apr. 17, 2019

    Indian Springs Campground

    Dirty

    Dirty restrooms. Dirty lake. You have to pay extra to use the slide. Camp sites have been cut in half. Only 1 bathhouse/restrooms all the eay in the front at the beach. On the 2nf day we did find a porta potty in the back but it was nasty and everyone refused to use it. Manager was rude when i could not fit my car, tent (10x20), table and fire ring on out site. Told me o had to move my tent 1 foot over after it was already set up and loaded with beds. She left and I pulled it down and restaked just in time for her to vome and look disappointed that i had followed her order to pull it down and said i did not have to do that. The site was mostly dirt very little to no grass. When it rained we had nothing but mud. Hay rides on the weekend were late and the man driving it went way to fast down the back hill making you feel you were about to fall out. Employees childrwn throwing water on the people riding the hay ride. Someone went around fogging for mosquitos and allowed the children to run and play in the fog. Karaoke lady was extremely rude to all the children.

  • Clay T.
    Dec. 26, 2024

    Chain O'lakes State Park Dispersed Campsite

    "Free, never heard of that app."

    Although it states in the app free dispersed camping. Doesn't always mean just that. The cheapest campsite at primitive camping is $12 bucks. (Tent sites) For more, you can get electric hookup sites galore that all include a fire ring picnic table and a pretty leveled out spot.

  • N
    Jul. 20, 2016

    Mississinewa Lake Campground

    Short but fun stay

    Campsites have a gravel parking pad, picnic table, fire-ring, electrical hookups, and thick health grass which is awesome if you're staying in a tent! The have public wifi that isn't really working that often. There was a truck delivering firewood making rounds through the campground which was very convenient. Stuff to do - disc golf, beach, beach volleyball, hiking & biking trails, boating/fishing. Unfortunately we didn't get to stay here for long, so we're planning on coming back soon.

  • Robin H.
    Jul. 21, 2020

    Kilsoquah Camp

    LOVE but.....

    We love camping out here. It’s our favorite place to be in Huntington. It’s super cheap, the sites are well taken care of, plenty of play spots for kids, electric and primitive, the sites come with picnic tables and fire rings with cooktops, some of the spots are out in the open and others are inset back into the trees. Some spots have wonderful views of the lake too! Our only issue is that because there is no one constantly there like a normal campsite, there are people who take the best view spots are stay for weeks on end knowing you can only stay, I think 14days, before moving to a new spot. Went there this past weekend and the people across from us were also BLARING music so loud you could feel the bass in your chest. We kindly asked if they could lower it, not turn it off, just lower it and the man was so kind and did it, however the woman threw a fit and turned the music back up. We ended up moving sites even tho we paid for that specific one and already were set up. There is no number to call so you just have to deal. But it’s totally worth it for the price and the sites. People just need to learn camping rules and take other people into consideration. 🤷🏼‍♀️

  • Andrea F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 30, 2020

    Grand Lake St. Marys State Park — Grand Lake St Marys State Park

    Off Season and No Water

    We love camping in the off season but with that comes closures. Some sections of the campgrounds might not be open, no camp hosts and limited bathrooms and showers houses. This is to be expected, but when I called the morning of our trip to make sure potable water was available and I was told yes it was only to drive 2 hours and realized they were wrong. No water 🙁. This would not have been a peas we have dry camped before but all the bathrooms were closed as well.

    After called the park ranger he did let us get some water at the maintenance building so we were at least able to finish the weekend. Lesson learned always pull with at least some water.

    Now back to the campground itself was nice and clean. Site are a little close together. The biggest down side is you are there to enjoy the lake but the lake had algae warnings everywhere not to go near the water.

    They do have a dog park, pool and splash pad when in season and a marina. Also they have WiFi and good cell coverage.

  • J
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Mississinewa Lake Campground

    Good campgrounds for boating!

    If you want woodsy, private sites, don’t come here. Most are grassy and sunny. There are many areas where the sites back up close to each other. 2 rows of full hookup. Plenty of 50 amp and many good tent sites. Beach in the park but not walking distance. 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. Disc golf, trails, store near the beach, cabin rentals.

  • R
    Jul. 19, 2023

    Ouabache State Park Campground

    Camp sites are tiny

    Camp 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?

  • Scott W.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Woodbrige Campground

    Bleh

    Kids and I enjoyed our time visiting friends however being to sites away from the pavilion and the band the campground provided going well past quiet hours. Let a dirty taste in my mouth for the rest of our stay

  • Amanda H.
    Dec. 18, 2018

    Johnny Appleseed Campground

    Fairly modern

    This is a small campground in the middle of the city. It’s directly across the road from the Saint Joe River, very near a dam. You can hear the alarms when the dam is opened or closed. Very clean area!

Guide to Uniondale

Tent camping near Uniondale, Indiana requires planning due to the limited number of sites available within a 30-mile radius. The region consists primarily of flat agricultural land interspersed with small wooded areas and streams that flow into the Wabash River watershed. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, with higher humidity levels making spring and fall more comfortable for camping excursions. Nighttime temperatures can drop significantly even in summer months, requiring appropriate sleeping gear.

What to do

Water activities: River Camp Fort Wayne offers access to rivers for paddling and fishing opportunities, though campers should bring their own equipment as rentals aren't available on-site.

Nature observation: Harper Lake Campground provides habitat for local wildlife and seasonal bird migrations, making it suitable for photography and quiet nature observation.

Hiking nearby: Several state recreation areas within driving distance of Uniondale offer day hiking trails. Campers staying at River Camp Fort Wayne can access connected trail systems for morning walks.

What campers like

Quiet atmosphere: The minimal development at most sites creates a peaceful environment for those seeking solitude. As one visitor to Harper Lake Campground noted, the location receives few visitors, creating "a tranquil spot to disconnect from the noise of everyday life."

Minimal light pollution: The rural setting around Uniondale provides better stargazing opportunities than urban campgrounds. On clear nights, the Milky Way is visible during summer months when humidity levels permit.

Self-sufficient camping: Experienced campers appreciate the primitive nature of sites. "Haven't been yet," mentions Angela B. about River Camp Fort Wayne, though it "looks like a very nice campground" based on its primitive camping setup.

What you should know

Water planning essential: No drinking water is available at camping locations near Uniondale. Campers must bring sufficient water for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene for their entire stay.

Limited facilities: Sites near Uniondale lack amenities common at more developed campgrounds. There are no toilet facilities, trash collection, or electrical hookups available, requiring campers to pack out all waste.

Reservation requirements: While Harper Lake doesn't require reservations, availability can be unpredictable during peak summer weekends. Check specific requirements before traveling to ensure camping spots are available.

Tips for camping with families

Bring entertainment: The lack of dedicated recreational facilities means families should pack games, sports equipment, and nature exploration tools to keep children engaged.

Safety preparations: With limited cell service in some areas and no on-site staff, families should bring a first aid kit and establish emergency plans before camping near Uniondale.

Temperature planning: Summer camping with children requires extra water and cooling options during daytime hours, while spring and fall camping necessitates warmer clothing for nighttime temperature drops.

Tips from RVers

Limited accessibility: Most tent camping locations near Uniondale aren't suitable for RVs due to access limitations and lack of hookups. RV campers typically need to travel further to find appropriate facilities.

Alternative options: RV campers seeking locations near Uniondale should consider county fairgrounds during non-event periods, which sometimes offer basic overnight parking with fewer restrictions than established campgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Uniondale, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Uniondale, IN is River Camp Fort Wayne with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

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