Jonathan M.
Scout
ScoutChain O' Lakes State Park Campground
Nice Fall Weekend
For our first fall, chilly camping weekend, it was a nice getaway. We got to enjoy the Halloween decorations and the quiet chilly mornings.
Tent Camping near Wolcottville, IN
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Tent campgrounds near Wolcottville, Indiana offer several options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking camping experiences in northeastern Indiana. Pigeon River State Fish and Wildlife Area in Howe provides tent sites with drive-in, walk-in, and boat-in access options. Circle B RV Park and Cabins in Angola, despite its name, also accommodates tent campers, receiving positive ratings from previous visitors.
Most tent campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities with varied facilities. Pigeon River allows alcohol and fires with toilet facilities available, but lacks drinking water, picnic tables, and showers. Campers should bring sufficient water and necessary supplies as amenities are limited at most sites. Sites typically feature natural terrain with minimal development. According to one visitor at Pigeon River, "The shuttle service is convenient and not overly expensive. It doesn't offer the greatest views but offers a great time on the water with friends or family."
The surrounding region offers additional tent camping options for those willing to travel slightly farther. Shady Point Campground in Jones, Michigan and 6 Lakes Campground in Hillsdale provide more developed facilities with electric hookups, showers, and toilets. A camper noted that 6 Lakes Campground "has a boat access, with a beautiful lake. You can go through little canals to get to other parts of the lake. Sites have perfect amount of shade." For primitive tent camping experiences with fewer amenities, River Camp Fort Wayne provides reservable tent sites with drive-in and walk-in access. Many tent sites in the region offer access to water activities including kayaking, canoeing, and fishing, with shade availability varying between locations. Harper Lake Campground in Kimmell represents another nearby tent camping option within reasonable driving distance from Wolcottville.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Wolcottville (14)
1. Pigeon River State Fish and Wildlife Area
2. Circle B RV Park and Cabins
3. Harper Lake Campground
4. Shady Point Campground
"Was in a pull behind . Everything was easy and calm . Kids loves it . No problems"
"It sits on Bair Lake and was great for swimming. The bathroom and showers were well maintained."
5. Lakeside Campground
6. Green Acres Campground
7. River Camp Fort Wayne
8. Leidy Lake Campground
9. 6 Lakes Campground
"Has a boat access, with a beautiful lake. You can go through little canals to get to other parts of the lake. Sites have perfect amount of shade. Defiantly will be going back"
10. Narrows Resort & Campgrounds
Drive Time
- 46 min from Fort Wayne, IN
- 50 min from Elkhart, IN
- 1 hr 5 min from South Bend, IN
- 1 hr 15 min from Niles, MI
Tent Camping Reviews near Wolcottville, IN
385 Reviews of 14 Wolcottville Campgrounds
Heather T.
TravelerKOA Campground Middlebury
Friendly (with a Broken Toilet)
This was our first time camping in our 1991 Coachman Catalina RV with our two small dogs. We had site 50, which was close to a trail and not far from the bathrooms. The campers around us were very friendly. Our dogs were attempting to get used to not barking when they saw other dogs, but everyone was very understanding that it was our/their first time. The site was quiet and offers a few mini golf holes, gaga ball, some photo ops, and a pier. One of the toilets in the women’s restroom wasn’t refilling with water, so every time I went in there, I would fix it. The flusher handle was clearly broken, too. Otherwise, the bathroom accommodations were fine.
- Frank B.Scout
Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground
Relaxing September Evening at Chain O' Lakes State Park
I stayed one evening last Wednesday here, a first time for me. Just tent camping / sleeping in the car. There were other campers around enjoying the pleasant evening, mainly in RVs. Everyone was very quiet and respectful. The shower buildings are old fashioned with a common area to place clothes and a towel, and only a shower curtain for each individual shower. However, I was the only one showering at the time anyway. The shower area was state park clean, I guess. Before leaving, I viewed the one room schoolhouse on the grounds, just from the windows as it wasn't open at the time. Quaint and old school. Overall, I recommend camping at the park if you can live with the shower building or have an RV for added convenience.
Andy K.
GuideEbys Pines
In the trees
We loved our stay here. Trees aplenty, ponds are nice and the little river is right there.
- SSteve S.Guide
Buck Lake Ranch
Old, not well maintained
We were here for a music festival. Facilities are dated and in need of upkeep. Showers were disgusting. Staff was friendly.
Michael M.GuidePokagon State Park Campground
Simple stop
We 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.
- Tom O.Guide
Pokagon State Park Campground
Lots to Do
A very large campground with lots to do. Spacious site. Charges a vehicle fee along with campground fee. Sites in loop 1 are gravel and mostly not level. Lots of noise from motor boats on the lake during the day.
- ttammy I.Scout
Pokagon State Park Campground
Stay away from loop 6
I love this state park. My kids wanted to Join us a week or to our. Site 507 and 509 were available. Do not stay there. The sewer smell was so bad we did not want to leave our trailer. If that was our first trip we would never returned
- Cassondra P.
LegendElkhart Campground
Decent Campground - Great for Rallys
We have camped every summer here for years for an annual rally that is hosted here
It’s great that we have the air conditioned rally room that our group rents for all our events and space to spend with group if it’s rainy or hot
There is a differnt experience in park depending on where you stay - if your in full sun open area in summer it’s miserable but if your in the wooded area it’s much nicer
The bathrooms are not the best - they are outdated but have hot water and work great - I prefer the bathhouse by the wooded area over the one in the big building - showers are nicer
The lots are clean and hook ups all work great
Pool is showing it’s age but still clean and kids love to swim in it
Guide to Wolcottville
Tent camping opportunities near Wolcottville, Indiana provide access to northeastern Indiana's diverse natural areas. The region features a mix of glacial lakes, wetlands, and woodlands with an average summer temperature of 82°F. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from May through October, with some offering extended availability depending on weather conditions.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing: Several waterways around Wolcottville provide paddling opportunities for tent campers. At Pigeon River State Fish and Wildlife Area, visitors can bring their own equipment or use local outfitters. According to Nicole P. who stayed at Shady Point Campground, "It sits on Bair Lake and was great for swimming," providing another water-based activity option.
Fishing access: Many campgrounds offer direct lake or river access. At 6 Lakes Campground, campers appreciate the interconnected waterways. As Ashley B. notes, "You can go through little canals to get to other parts of the lake," making it ideal for anglers seeking diverse fishing spots.
Nature observation: The woodland and wetland habitats support diverse wildlife. Tent campers frequently report seeing deer, waterfowl, and small mammals around campsites. Local conservation areas provide additional hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities with minimal development and crowds.
What campers like
Seasonal camper communities: Many facilities around Wolcottville welcome both short-term and seasonal campers. Shady Point Campground receives positive feedback for its balance of amenities and natural setting. Nicole P. comments, "This is a campground that is mostly seasonal campers. It had playgrounds and basketball court and a small 'game' room."
Affordable camping supplies: On-site stores at select campgrounds provide necessary items without requiring a trip to town. "There was also a well stocked store with very reasonable prices," notes Nicole P. about Shady Point Campground, a feature particularly valuable for tent campers with limited storage capacity.
Maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and shower facilities rank high in camper satisfaction. Sharlyn O. who stayed at Lakeside Campground reported a positive experience: "Was in a pull behind. Everything was easy and calm. Kids loves it. No problems."
What you should know
Limited primitive camping: Most developed tent sites around Wolcottville provide basic amenities but few truly secluded options. For those seeking more privacy, River Camp Fort Wayne offers reservable tent sites with drive-in and walk-in access, though toilet facilities are limited.
Seasonal availability: Water-oriented campgrounds often close between November and April. 6 Lakes Campground specifically notes a season from "May 1 to Nov 30," which aligns with most facilities in the region. Always verify operational dates before planning a trip.
Varied rules on alcohol and pets: Regulations differ significantly between campgrounds. Pigeon River allows alcohol while other facilities prohibit it. Noel L. who visited Lakeside Campground noted, "Owners were super nice and found room for us for one night layover," suggesting flexibility at some locations regarding short stays.
Tips for camping with families
Water safety planning: Lakes and rivers present both recreation opportunities and safety considerations. Nicole P. recommends Shady Point Campground for families, noting "The bathroom and showers were well maintained," an important consideration when camping with children.
Activity options: Campgrounds with recreational facilities provide alternatives during inclement weather. "It had playgrounds and basketball court and a small 'game' room," reports Nicole P. about the amenities that kept children entertained at Lakeside Campground.
Campsite selection: For families, sites with natural shade and proximity to restrooms often prove most comfortable. Ashley B. notes that at 6 Lakes Campground, "Sites have perfect amount of shade," an important consideration when setting up tent sites for extended family stays.
Tips from RVers
Water and electric hookups: For those combining tent and RV camping, several facilities accommodate both. Circle B RV Park and Cabins receives positive feedback from varied camping styles. Jeffrey Y. reports, "Great campground, very well maintained, lots to do, great atmosphere."
Dump station access: When transitioning between primitive camping and RV sites, access to sanitation facilities becomes important. Multiple campgrounds in the region provide sanitary dump stations for those with portable toilets or small campers.
Site dimensions: Most tent sites accommodate standard vehicles, but RV lengths may be restricted at some locations. Several campgrounds distinguish between tent-only areas and sites that accommodate both tents and vehicles.
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Which is the most popular tent campsite near Wolcottville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Wolcottville, IN is Pigeon River State Fish and Wildlife Area with a 3-star rating from 1 review.
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