Bristol, Indiana camping areas mainly operate from April through October, with most campgrounds closing by early November due to northern Indiana's cold winters. Water features are prominent in the region, with several campgrounds situated near ponds, small lakes, or rivers. Sites range from basic tent plots to full-service RV hookups with 50-amp electrical connections.
What to do
Hiking connections: Ebys Pines Campground connects to nearby trails leading to local attractions. "Trails lead to a local County park - Bonneyville Mill. There's a roller skating rink and laser tag across the street," notes Angela F., highlighting off-campground recreation options.
Water activities: Potato Creek State Park Campground offers multiple water-based options for summer visitors. "Hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, what more could you ask for," says Jason S. The park maintains a dedicated swimming beach, though water conditions can vary seasonally.
Cultural experiences: The campsite near Bristol, Indiana provide easy access to Amish communities. Greg D. at Shipshewana North Park Campground shares, "You can listen to the clopping of horse hooves as the Amish buggies go by," providing a unique cultural dimension to camping in this area.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention facility cleanliness as a positive feature at camping spots near Bristol. Ray R. at Ebys Pines notes, "The campground was clean sites were all very nice and pool was really clean. The dog park was a nice added bonus."
Recreational variety: Elkhart Campground offers multiple on-site activities. Jacqueline F. reports, "The campground offers several amenities including basketball, pickle ball, horseshoes, putt-putt, swimming, laundry room, hot showers and a camp store."
Access to bike trails: Several campgrounds connect to the regional bike trail network. Cindy B. at Shipshewana Trading Place RV Park shares, "This campground was very convenient to the town of Shipshewanna, Amish Country and the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail."
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds in the Bristol area sit near active rail lines. At the Elkhart County Fairgrounds, MickandKarla W. warns, "If you are allergic to train noise, this is not your place as trains run all day, all night, at regular intervals, and the tracks are adjacent to the FHU campground areas."
Site variability: Sites within the same campground can differ significantly in size, privacy, and utility placement. Leann O. at Ebys Pines cautions, "RV Sites are stacked on each other. We chose 306 and it was ok by the pond. No misquitos. Our friends had 310 and there was barely room to put their awning out."
Additional fees: Some campgrounds charge for services beyond the base camping rate. Sean H. notes at Ebys Pines, "Stayed here 3 nights in October campground has most of the attractions (pool etc) closed as expected but still charged visitors $5 per person per day. And charged $5 per device per day for WiFi."
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Elkhart RV Resort provides numerous family-friendly activities. JD C. mentions, "Camp ground is clean, nice little nature trail, and the camp store is cute with a bunch of different classic style sodas. Also have a small off leash dog run, and free pong pong, air hockey, foose ball, and all the classic camping games to check out."
Playground access: Families should consider site proximity to play areas. Derrick P. notes about Ebys Pines, "Lot sizes do vary, pull through lots are a good size. If you like tent camping this place has a great tent/pop up only section on the river."
Weekend crowds: Prepare for busier conditions on summer weekends. Angela F. reports about Ebys Pines, "Memorial Day weekend was busy with lots of events each day. But not so crowded that you couldn't enjoy some privacy and nature!"
Tips from RVers
Utility positioning: RVers should check hookup locations before arrival. At Elkhart County Fairgrounds, MickandKarla W. notes, "The utilities are at the far end of the sites. In most areas, the sites back up to each other and share a utility post (separate outlets for each site) and share the water spigot."
Site leveling needs: Many sites require leveling equipment. MickandKarla W. reports about Elkhart County Fairgrounds, "Site needed leveling, had no shade at all and was close to major hwy. The front and side sites seemed nicer and had ample shade with some concrete sites."
Off-season considerations: Camping availability extends into shoulder seasons with reduced amenities. Douglas T. shares about Elkhart Campground, "We stayed here to pick up a new RV. It's a huge campground with lots of space. Some sites are cement ours was gravel."
