Camping near Wakarusa, Indiana offers options in rural landscapes at elevations ranging from 800-900 feet above sea level. The area experiences humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds in the region maintain seasonal operations from April through November, with limited availability during winter months.
What to do
Bike trail access: The Pumpkinvine Bike Trail provides excellent cycling opportunities near Shipshewana Trading Place RV Park. "We enjoyed our stay, two days of riding on the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail, the Krider Nurseries World's Fair Garden, the RV museum in Elkhart and Mooey's ice cream near Middlebury," notes one visitor.
RV manufacturing tours: Many campers visit the area to tour RV factories within 30 minutes of Wakarusa. "We stayed here to go tour the manufacturers process," reported a guest at Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney, highlighting a popular activity for those interested in recreational vehicles.
Lake recreation: Lakes near camping areas provide swimming and fishing opportunities. At Twin Mills Camping Resort, "There are cabins and tent sites and a large lake access point with a beach area," making it suitable for water activities during warmer months.
What campers like
Amish country experiences: Proximity to Amish communities ranks high among camper preferences. "Definitely loved this campground in the middle of beautiful Amish country. Staff was very friendly and helpful," writes a visitor about Elkhart RV Resort by Rjourney, located just 25 minutes from Wakarusa.
Natural waterways: Campers appreciate sites near rivers and streams. Bear Cave RV Campground earns praise for its "nice river fishing, nice stream scenery," with one reviewer noting the campground "is on the banks of the St. Joseph River in southwest Michigan."
Pool amenities: Swimming facilities are a valued feature during summer months. "The pool is well kept," mentions one camper at Elkhart Campground, while another notes, "Amenities are somewhat outdated," highlighting variations in facility quality across the region.
What you should know
Train noise concerns: Railroad proximity affects some campgrounds in the area. "There is an active railroad nearby this campground. 4 Trains woke us up during the night," cautions a visitor to South Bend Elkhart North KOA, suggesting light sleepers should consider site location carefully.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate April through November only. "We stopped for one night a week prior to their closing for the season," reports a camper at Twin Mills Camping Resort, indicating limited off-season availability around Wakarusa.
Cell service variations: Connectivity differs significantly between campgrounds. At Twin Mills Camping Resort, "T-Mobile had good signal strength and bandwidth, AT&T was not as good but still doable," which is important information for those needing reliable communications.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Children's play areas vary in quality and availability. "The playgrounds seemed to be in good shape," notes a Twin Mills visitor, while at Maple Ridge Campground a camper reports, "Owner operator campground where the family knows how to cater to the kids. Multiple activities on Saturday included tractor ride, kids bingo, and elephant ears. Nice pool and playground."
Weekend activity scheduling: Many campgrounds offer structured weekend programming for children. "They have lots of various activities going on and even as crowded as it was customer service was good and the park is clean," observes a Twin Mills camper who visited during Memorial Day weekend.
Recreation centers: Indoor activity spaces provide weather alternatives. A Bear Cave visitor mentions, "Great clubhouse with library, air hockey, beautiful views, but most of the coin operated games were out of order."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Site conditions vary considerably between campgrounds. "Site needed leveling, had no shade at all and was close to major hwy," reports an Elkhart Campground visitor, indicating RVers should prepare for uneven terrain at some locations.
Gate security features: Several campgrounds implement controlled access. "The park has a gate entrance for security," highlights a Twin Mills review, a consideration for those concerned about overnight safety.
Hook-up configurations: Power options differ between and within campgrounds. At Lakeside RV Resort, RV sites include water and electric, while at Twin Mills "Most of the sites are full hook up, some have 30amp and some have 50amp," providing options for different RV power requirements.