Waterside camping near Mishawaka

From swimming to golfing and mint to deep-dish pizza, Mishawaka, Indiana has it all.

93% (1190 reviews)
93% (1190 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Mishawaka

Dog-friendly getaways

8 top waterside campgrounds near Mishawaka

97%
(109)

Lochloosa River Retreat

10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents6 acres · Monterey, IN
Welcome to Lochloosa River Retreat! We are a small hobby farm on a little over 6 acres of partially wooded land with nearly 700 feet of river frontage on the beautiful Tippecanoe River! We offer primitive tent and primitive dry RV camping with indoor restroom and showers. There is a lovely creek that flows through the property, perfect for exploring and having fun for kids or the kid at heart! Lochloosa is like a sanctuary for wildlife and humans alike! Spend some time watching the many birds, arrange a tubing or kayaking trip on the river, fish off the riverbank, relax and have fun at the in ground saltwater pool complete with slide and diving board, or kick back at your campsite near the creek, gaining some ZEN while listening to the sounds of the babbling brook and watching the amazing sunrises and sunsets! Explore nearby Lake Maxinkuckee beach, named one of Indiana's top twelve lakes to visit and browse the shops and restaurants in Culver or travel 15 miles to Lake Manitou and explore all the fun restaurants and shopping Rochester has to offer. Whatever you decide to enjoy while you're here, we welcome you and hope you love this little slice of camping paradise as much as we do! We offer a limited number of tube and kayak trips. Please message me for more info or add it as an extra to your reservation to arrange your float in advance of your stay. All campers have shared access to one indoor family/unisex restroom with two toilets and two showers. Please be sure to check all info and rules for the particular site that you book. We allow pets in sites north of the creek only as our pets and farm animals live on the south side. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. There is a nearby country store within 2 miles that offers chicken, pizza, ice and miscellaneous items for your convenience!
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$48
 / night
92%
(127)

Have A Lake Of Your Own!

10 sites · Lodging, Tents101 acres · Lawrence, MI
The property was originally owned by a family name Nichols (thus the name of the lake). It was handed down to the sons who each owned half the property. The driveway down the middle of property that leads to the lake was originally a fence line that divided the two pieces of property. The brothers did not get along and their are several stories of their warring on how to maintain the property.My parents bought this piece of property in 1964 and created a camp called "Lakeside Farm Camp", a small all boys camp. The camp has gone through several changes since then but has always been owned by the Edwards family. In 1984 the name was changed to "Cedar Lodge" a coed camp that specializes in English horseback riding and offering high level general camp activities. Enjoy the peace and quiet of our totally private fresh water lake. Take your boat out for a day of fishing or just chill next to the fire.  Sites are approximately 50 feet from each other. If you want privacy we suggest you book both. 
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$75
 / night
98%
(89)

Sweet 16 Campground

5 sites · RVs, Tents69 acres · MI
Welcome to Sweet 16 Campgrounds.  We currently have 3 sites. Site #1 is the RV/Tent site (1 RV/camper max. with unlimited tents, 8 people max.). Site #2 is a Tent Site (Great site for Hammock Camping, unlimited tents, 8 people max.). Site #3 is our double/group RV/Tent (2 Camper/ RV max.) site (16 people max.) You will be camping in the semi-wooded area at the back of the property. It is a really nice area to camp. Each site has a firepit and picnic table.  We have about 2 miles of hiking trails on the property.  We are in a great location to hike, paddle, bike, and explore SW Michigan. Nighttime is great for stargazing.  We are 13 miles from downtown St. Joseph and 13 miles from downtown South Haven. We are located 1 1/2 hours from Chicago.  Don't feel like exploring, then hang out at the campsite for the day. We are close to the SW Michigan Makers’ Trail (Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries).  We are located 4 miles from a small beach (Hagar Park/Beach) on Lake Michigan (15 miles from the big beaches at St. Joseph and South Haven).  We are 5 miles from the boat ramp on Paw Paw Lake.  We are located just 2 miles off I-196 at Exit 7 (Hagar Shore Road).  We are also only 20 miles from Sister Lakes.  Dogs are allowed.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. About us: We have a 69 acre farm we bought back in 2019. We moved here from the Chicago area. (Tinley Park). We have 44 acres tillable and 16+ wooded acres. in back that we opened it up for camping. We have horses, dogs, cats, chickens, and rabbits.
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$35
 / night
97%
(112)

GROOTs OFF GRID

7 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Baroda, MI
GROOTs OFF GRID lets you have freedom to do as you wish have fun doing just that! – Unlike the State Parks many surrounding campsites. You can have privacy, you are not stacked next to your neighbors! You have your space! This Offers the responsible camper here to keep your fire burning and maned all evening long if you chose. Play your music! Drink quality Michigan craft booze and beer out of glass bottles! Laugh out loud at night after 8 pm without bothering anyone! Smoke Quality Michigan Cannabis! Come and go as you please, Park your cars by your campsite! Enjoy your pets! Just do all of these wonderful things responsibly! So Groot won’t kick you OFF the GRID!GROOTs OFF GRID, you will find a wonderful private nature experience. With areas and private nooks that created many unique coves. Creating their own presence of solitude and privacy each of the individual campsite areas unique amongst themselves! This is a slice of wonderment that you can take in your memories and enjoy in all the off seasons the fun you had here! Come back and try a different spot next year! GROOTs OFF GRID has got the A1 Prime location! With all our local activities at the right season. 10 mins from: BEACH- WINERIES- CRAFT BREWERIES. FINE FOOD, LOCAL MARKETS, ANTIQUE SHOPS, ART STUDIOS and GALLERIES. THE WARREN DUNES, & WARREN WOODS NATURE TRAILS. PLENTY OF WOODS, CANOE / KYAK, BIKE, HIKE, FISHING and CANNABIS SHOPS. GREAT STAR LIGHT NIGHTS, AND ALL NIGHT CASINOS ALL NEAR BY! The Wine hay wagon tour bus stops for pick up @ the entrance each Saturday @ request!GROOTs OFF GRID Featured Amenities for its campers! A new rented PORTA JOHN with A WEEKLY CLEANING SERVICE! WELL WATER ON TAP! BRAND NEW! CLEAN PICNIC TABLES @ each site! LARGE CAMP FIRE RINGS @ each site! FIREWOOD TO PURCHASE for your convenience. OR you are welcome to PICK UP FREE FALLEN DEAD STICKS IN THE WOODS! & then of course… best part of all…TO STAY AT A TRULY UNIQUE AREA, EQUIVOCAL TO ALL OTHERS!@ GROOTs OFF GRID you will be staying at an active nursery in the off season that specializes in over 300 different antique fruit trees and Wholesale large ornamental trees and shrubs that envelops the entire 40 acre property! We started planting Windbreaks, then a huge array of Nursery Stock since 1956! GROOTs OFF GRID is an oasis of cooling shade and green abundant tree and plant life! That is totally surrounded by nothing but a long creek, wine grapes, beans and corn the average rotating crops that hold the oppressive heat of the days sun. However! The moment that your crew pulls onto the GRID property you will experience a 20 degree drop in temperature! With the overhead lush green canopy of established trees and the stress of your journey getting here will drop 45 more degrees!GROOTs OFF GRID is surrounded by an open plane farming land, of wine grapes and rotating corn and bean crops all around the property. Which in turn caused the attention and inhabitation of all the surrounding indigenous wonderful species of animals and birds, like Turkeys, hawks, owls, sparrows, storks, blue heron, geese and ducks. Beavers, woodchucks and lots of aquatic life! Too many to list!GROOTs OFF GRID sports a diversity of plants that has always been of interest to our customers. However as time moves forward the landscape gradually has changed. When an old world Dutch Nurseryman, plants a living block of wonderful arborvitae, junipers or honey suckles and everything in between, we sell what we can and leave the rest of the plants to get larger and more valuable in time. Which in turn creates a beautiful arboretum with a countless collection of varieties of mature plant life never to be recreated in on one property in a life time! GROOTs OFF GRID is a bird watchers delight! No end here of Hawks, Vultures & other birds of prey and flocks of sparrows, Blue Jays, finches, Oreos, more than can be mentioned! & home to Great horned Owls, Hooting in the evenings. Wake up to the soothing coo of the mourning doves that all the creatures enjoy this oasis of shade and natural cover and protection to thrive & make their nests and raise offspring. GROOTs OFF GRID sports the Natural Organic progression of trees and shrub growth that has created a cornucopia of attraction of life to a vast array of wild life that outdoes any nature center you may have attended before, because of GROOTs OFF GRID location and long periods of isolation due to a seasonal business and a lot of land. GROOTs OFF GRID Organic nursery has 3 ponds and natural flowing water ways that were laid out and dug by a Dutchman who understood that rain water will flow downhill to end up into The Fowler Creek at the back of the property were you can see large Salmon, Carps, Turtles, Blue Gills Bull Frogs & much more aquatic life! GROOTs OFF GRID Activities available here on the property! 3 Hiking & Biking paths A. B. and C. Trails. All grass mowed and all trails marked with directional signs leading to different directions on the property. BIKE PATHS leading to safe back roads leading to breweries and wineries, local lakes and parks. & Lake Michigan Wine Trail. Large trees to climb! Bird watching, Turtle racing, reptiles and interesting Butterflies and insects! There is lots of open space to play corn hole, badminton, frisbee. Toss the football around or play a baseball game! Better yet, you can set yourself up in the sun and get a great tan! Or slip into a nice slow swinging hammock with a good book under a cool shade tree and make that your plan! Either way its Ok if you like your stay, book another day!GROOTs OFF GRID is a new Campground. That is slowly growing larger. Operations were put in place in 1998 to start to make this large area to become available and open for the public to come and enjoy. Only on a limited level of occupation at each season is allowed here, to insure the animal presence is not overly disturbed. By too many visitors at a time. This is to preserve a true experience for the campers to understand actual living in the wild of Michigan’s original forests with its natural animal inhabitants! A unique experience many kids in time, will never see again.WHAT ENTERTAINMENT IS AVAILABLE AROUND GROOTS OF GRID?·      LAKE MICHIGAN! Swim & Sun! Several beaches with local access!·      Weko Beach about 8 miles away Bridgeman Mi.·      Warren Dunes state Bridgeman Mi.·      Cherry Beach Harbert Mi.·      Lakeside Beach. Lakeside Mi.·      Union Pier Beach Union Pier Mi.·      New Buffalo Beach. New Buffalo Mi.·      Or Silver Beach In St. Joseph Mi.·      Lions Beach St. Joseph Mi.·       ·      HIKEING AND BIKEING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!·      Lake Michigan Wine Trail·      WARREN WOODS 3 OAKS MI.·      WARRN DUNES STATE PARK.·      New Buffalo Board Walk·      St. Joseph Lake Blvd. Beach Run.·      Three Oaks (Home of Prancer) Apple cider century Bike ride.·       ·      FISHING! & EXPLOREING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!·      3 PONDS ON THE PROPERTY WITH NATIVE FISH & Aquatic life!·      LOCAL FISHING & BOATING & SWIMMING LAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!·      SINGER LAKE 5MIN. HESS LAKE 10MIN. BOYLE LAKE 15MIN. DAYTON LAKE. 20 MIN - ST. JOE RIVER 20 MIN. TO LAKE GALIEN RIVER. 20 MIN. TO LAKE.·      BEAR CAVE HIKE FISH & HARIOT TUBMAN UNDER GROUND RAILROAD SAFE HIDEING PLACE. CAVE TOUR! BUCHAN, MI.·      HOUSE OF DAVID.·      BIT OF SWISS – DECADENT PASTRIES!
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$55
 / night
100%
(24)

Pondor Lake Southwest Michigan

4 sites · RVs, Tents14 acres · Mendon, MI
This stylish home and property sets the stage for a one of a kind stay. The unique setting is quiet and comfortable, makes you believe that you are hours away from civilization but you're only a short drive from the city and in close proximity of US 131, Interstate 94, M60 and M66. Fishing and kayaking year round, unique decks and gardens overlooking a private eight acre pond encompass this back to nature lifestyle. We're located right on the Portage River that feeds into what locals call The Mighty St. Joe. Maybe you'd like to take a rural walk or run, listen to the frogs and the birds ~ yet minutes away from Portage or Kalamazoo and a short drive from major highways. A 20 minute nature walk around Pondor Lake will surly calm your soul and heart from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We can accommodate larger groups! Just let us know what you need and how we can make your stay memorable. Do you have a boat? No problem ~ public accesses to neighboring Portage and Fishers Lake, along with the St. Joseph River, are literally minutes away. Staying at Pondor Lake will be memorable and relaxing. Pondor Lake ~ a private place to ponder.
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$49
 / night
100%
(13)

Harbor Country Cabins

2 sites · Lodging1 acre · Sawyer, MI
I become owner of this property in 2017. The cabins were built in the late 90's financed by the previous owner. The property was vacant for decades prior to that. In the 1950's, the property was a drive-in motel called the 'Harbert Motel'. We have an arial photo from this time period which showed a number of small bungalows for guests, each with its own carport. I love all the stories I hear from locals who have been around long enough to remember how things 'used to be'. Southwest Michigan has an interesting history and has been a 'destination' from city dwellers for close to 100 years. Even Al Capone and his goon's frequented the area as they moved illegal good during the days of prohibition. Learn more about this land: Breweries, Wineries, Berry Picking, Art Studios, Farmers Markets, hiking trails, biking trails, Lake Michigan boating, kayaking, fishing, canoeing.......all those things and more await you in Southwest Michigan. We have 6 'tiny house' style cabins on 1-acre property we call - Harbor Country Cabins. Harbor Country Cabins is located along the Lake Michigan Wine Trail. Our resort offers a unique lodging and gathering location in the center of Harbor Country, near Southwest Michigan’s premier destination for beaches, breweries, wineries, dining and summer fun. With 12 queen bunk and 4 twin bunk beds spaced across 6 cabins, our property can hold up to 28 people. Price in this listing is for rental of all 6 cabins.
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$855
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Waterside camping near Mishawaka guide

Overview

A charming city set in northern Indiana on the St. Joseph River, Mishawaka is known as the  “Peppermint Capital of the World” due to the area’s large quantities of mint. There are also 29 parks, golf courses, and an olympic-size public swimming pool for campers to enjoy. Road trip to Chicago—just under two hours away—to indulge in delicious pizza, or hitch up the speed boat and roll the RV into a full-service, pet-friendly, waterfront campground in Harrison Lake State Park. Tent camping near Potato Creek State Park offers local swimming and water activities in Worster Lake.

Where to go

Chicago Surrounds

Head two hours west of Mishawaka to Chicago for a traditional slice of deep-dish pizza, renowned architecture, and a legendary jazz scene. Rent a kayak and explore the Chicago River, or explore 26 miles of lakefront with dozens of sandy beach spots surrounding Lake Michigan. Nearby are plenty of full-service RV campgrounds featuring shower facilities and flush toilets.

Harrison Lake State Park

Hunt waterfowl, take a swim, or catch fresh fish for dinner at Harrison Lake State Park. Just over the state border in Ohio, Harrison Lake State Park is roughly two hours east of Mishawaka. Scoop up a lakefront cabin for easy access to waterfront activities including the 150-foot beach. A launch ramp is available for motorized boats, or rent a pedal boat, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or power boat instead. Book reservations online up to six months in advance to get a pet-friendly campsite that offers electricity. Winter camping is also available and is great for sledding at the east end of the lake, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing.

Potato Creek State Park

With a 327-acre lake surrounded by forests and wetland areas, Potato Creek State Park delivers plenty of outdoor activities. Stop by the Nature Center to learn about the area before biking the paved 3.2-mile trail. Cross-country skiing, snow tubing, and ice fishing are popular in winter, while fishing on one of the three piers on Worster Lake is a huge draw in summer. Rent a cabin nearby or pitch a tent in an off-grid campsite to get first dibs on canoe, kayak, and rowboat rentals.

When to go

Mishawaka offers four distinct seasons and outdoor activities that are popular year-round. Freezing temperatures in December, January, and February create great conditions for cross-country skiing and ice fishing. June, July, and August see the highest temperatures of the year—around 77°F—for water activities and hiking. The off-seasons run from March until May and from September until late November, with smaller crowds and cooler weather.

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