Indianapolis is the largest city in Indiana and home to Bankers Life Fieldhouse where the Pacers play and Lucas Oil Stadium where the Colts play. Not far away is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which hosts several races and has an on-site museum. You’ll find the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo and Science Central when you head northwest to Fort Wayne. There’s also South Bend, which is home to Notre Dame and the Studebaker National Museum. Urban RV camping in Indiana makes it easy to enjoy the outdoors while staying in one of these big cities.
Urban RV Parks in Indiana
Lake Haven Retreat
Popular with race fans and those who want to get away from it all, Lake Haven Retreat is a quiet RV park in Indianapolis. It has 110 full hookup RV sites on 22 acres, along with several tent sites. You get free cable and high-speed internet and can rent a paddleboat at the office.
Indianapolis KOA
At the Indianapolis KOA in Indy, you’ll find a dog park for your pets and a swimming pool that is open during the busy season. When you check in at the office, you can stop by the snack bar for wings and ice cream or rent a bike for your trip. This KOA also helps guests book tours of popular attractions and has a large splash pad.
Johnny Appleseed Campground
The city of Fort Wayne owns and maintains Johnny Appleseed Campground, which is named for the man who brought apples to the state. This small campground sits right on the banks of the St. Joseph River and has RV sites with electric hookups. It also has an on-site dump station and welcomes campers with pets.
South Bend/Elkhart KOA
Located in Granger, the South Bend/Elkhart KOA puts you close to the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Notre Dame games. There is a free breakfast offered every morning and a gelato bar for those craving a sweet treat. The RV park also has a miniature golf course and glow wagon rides.
Bluffton/Fort Wayne KOA
Resorts for urban camping Indiana, such as the Bluffton/Fort Wayne KOA, offer all of the comforts of home. You can hang out in the pavilion for some of the free daily activities and take your pup to the dog park. Wet wagon rides are available daily, and popular amenities include the sand volleyball court and face painting for kids.
Where to Urban Camp in Indiana
Indianapolis is the state capital and one of the top places to find urban RV parks in Indiana. During race events, you have the chance to meet some of your drivers at local restaurants and businesses. Canal Walk in downtown Indy is a nice place to take a walk and see the city as you learn about the canals that were once there. You’ll find more than 50,000 pieces of artwork on display at Newfields and hundreds of animals in the Indianapolis Zoo.
Northern Indiana is home to South Bend, where you can see Touchdown Jesus overlooking the Notre Dame football field. Corby’s is a local landmark that fills with college students and appears in the hit film “Rudy.” The History Museum houses one of the largest collections of art in the state and sits inside a historic Romanesque Revival building. You may want to spend a few hours at the Four Winds Casino or view the animals in the Potawatomi Zoo, too.
Fort Wayne is another popular choice for urban RV camping in Indiana. Fox Island County Park is a hidden gem filled with birds and other animals that offers both fishing and swimming. If you want to stay closer to downtown, check out the hands-on displays at the Science Center and the artwork in the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. You don’t need to stay in the Johnny Appleseed Campground to stop by and view his gravesite.
Urban Camping in Indiana
Once you get an idea of where to urban camp in Indiana, you can think about what you want to do. Though you may want to consider the campground’s amenities, keep in mind that you’ll likely spend less time there than you think. One of the benefits of Indiana urban camping is that there are tons of attractions within a short walk or drive of your site. You should check out a map to see if you need a car to visit those attractions. Most big cities in Indiana have rideshare companies that let you hire drivers to take you around the city, but those companies can charge a lot.
You’ll also want to think about traffic. With nearly 1 million residents, traffic in Indianapolis is often a chore. I-70, which runs through Indy, is often busy from around three until later in the evening. The traffic is even worse during race weekends. You may want to stay in your campground during those hours and head out earlier or later in the day. It’s also helpful to look at whether you can park your RV in a municipal parking lot. This lets you explore the city without dealing with traffic.
Get ready for your urban camping trip in Indiana. Whether you love racing and other pro sports or prefer museums and historic sites, check our blog for the RV travel tips you need to know.
With an RV rental, your urban vacation will be a little more comfortable! After you’ve spent a long day exploring the city, you can relax around the fire at your campsite. Then, retire inside to enjoy all the comforts of home onboard your RV. Plan your perfect urban getaway with an RV rental from RVshare.
