Chain O’ Lakes Campground: Your Indiana State Park Adventure in Albion

Chain O’ Lakes Campground Introduce

Hello, fellow Hoosiers and outdoor enthusiasts! When it comes to embracing the natural beauty of our state, Chain O’ Lakes Campground, nestled within the expansive Chain O’ Lakes State Park in Albion, stands as a premier destination. This isn't just any campground; it's a gateway to Indiana's unique chain of kettle lakes, offering an unparalleled opportunity for water-based recreation, extensive hiking, and a vibrant camping atmosphere. Whether you’re a seasoned RVer, a traditional tent camper, or looking for something in between, Chain O’ Lakes provides a diverse environment for your next outdoor escape.

For many Indiana residents, Chain O’ Lakes State Park is a familiar and cherished spot, known for its dynamic landscape and abundance of activities. It’s a place where families can create lasting memories, friends can embark on adventurous paddles, and individuals can find peace amidst nature. This article aims to provide a comprehensive and factual overview of Chain O’ Lakes Campground within this popular state park, detailing its location, the services it offers, and its numerous features, to help you plan your perfect Indiana outdoor adventure.

Chain O’ Lakes Campground is located within Chain O’ Lakes State Park, with its primary access point near Albion, IN 46701, USA. This placement in Noble County, northeastern Indiana, is key to its appeal. The park is renowned for its 13 natural lakes, nine of which are interconnected, forming the "chain" that gives the park its name. Its setting is rural, offering a tranquil escape from urban bustle, yet it remains remarkably accessible from various parts of Indiana. Major roadways connect to the area, making it a convenient drive from cities like Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, and even areas closer to the Ohio border.

The accessibility of the campground is significantly enhanced by its integration into a well-managed state park system. Signage is typically clear, guiding visitors to the various camping loops and amenities. The sheer size of the park means that while it is popular, different areas offer different levels of activity and seclusion. Proximity to the lakes, especially Long Lake, is a major draw, offering easy access for boating, swimming, and fishing. This combination of natural seclusion and straightforward travel routes makes Chain O’ Lakes Campground an excellent and accessible choice for North Indiana residents looking to immerse themselves in a diverse outdoor environment.

As part of an Indiana State Park, Chain O’ Lakes Campground offers a wide array of services and facilities designed to accommodate a diverse range of campers. These services go beyond basic hookups to enhance the overall outdoor experience:

Diverse Campsite Types: The campground features a variety of sites including Electric (331 sites), Non-Electric (49 sites), Primitive (33 sites), Rally Camp (4 sites), and Canoe Camp (4 sites), catering to different camping preferences and equipment.
Modern Restrooms and Showers: Comfort stations with flush toilets and hot showers are available. While some user reviews indicate varying cleanliness or lack of privacy in certain areas (e.g., men's primitive site showers), modern facilities are generally provided.
Sanitary Dump Stations: Available for RVs to dispose of wastewater.
Water Hookups: Provided at many electric and non-electric sites, ensuring easy access to potable water.
Camp Store/Concession: A park store typically offers essential camping supplies, firewood, ice, snacks, and sometimes food and beverage options, reducing the need to leave the park for supplies.
Boat Launch Ramps: Multiple ramps for various lakes (Long, Dock, Sand, Miller, Norman Lakes) facilitate easy access for private boats.
Boat Rentals: Canoes, paddleboats, kayaks, and rowboats are available for rent, providing opportunities to explore the chain of lakes even without your own watercraft.
Fishing Piers and Access: Numerous opportunities for fishing, including dedicated piers and access to electric-motors-only lakes. A fish cleaning station is also available.
Nature Center: An interpretive center often located at Sand Lake, offering educational programs and exhibits about the park's natural and cultural history.
Shelters and Picnic Areas: Designated areas for day-use picnics and reservable shelters for groups.

Chain O’ Lakes Campground, within its state park setting, boasts an impressive array of features and highlights that make it a standout destination for Indiana locals. These attractions cater to a wide range of interests and activity levels:

The Nine Lake Challenge: A signature feature of the park, allowing visitors to paddle through nine interconnected kettle lakes (Long, Dock, Sand, Miller, Norman, Rivir, Round, Bowen, and Weber), offering a unique and rewarding kayaking or canoeing experience.
Extensive Hiking Trails: Over 23 miles of forested trails, including self-guided interpretive trails like Trail 8, provide ample opportunities for hiking, nature observation, and exploring the diverse glacial landscape.
Diverse Water Recreation: Beyond paddling, the lakes are perfect for fishing (bass, bluegill, crappie, etc.), swimming at the designated beach (open seasonally), and enjoying the scenic beauty of the water. Electric motors only on most lakes ensure a peaceful boating experience.
Family-Friendly Activities: The park is known for being very family-friendly, offering plenty of activities for children, including interpretive programs, playgrounds, and wide-open spaces for play. Reviewers consistently note the abundance of activities for kids.
Wildlife Viewing: The diverse ecosystem supports a variety of wildlife, offering excellent opportunities for birdwatching and observing animals in their natural habitat.
Historic Stanley Schoolhouse: A preserved one-room schoolhouse provides a glimpse into the area's past, adding an educational and cultural element to the park visit.
Seasonal Events: The park frequently hosts special events and interpretive programs throughout the year, from critter feedings to guided nature walks and themed celebrations.
Cleanliness of Campsites and Beach: Many campers praise the cleanliness of individual campsites and the beach area, contributing to a pleasant stay.
Year-Round Appeal: While summer is peak season, the park also offers opportunities for cross-country skiing and ice fishing in winter, extending its recreational use.

For reservations, inquiries, or to learn more about Chain O’ Lakes Campground and State Park, please use the following contact information:

Address: Chain O’ Lakes Campground (within Chain O’ Lakes State Park), Albion, IN 46701, USA

Phone: (260) 636-2654 (This is the State Park Office phone number)

Mobile Phone: +1 260-636-2654 (Confirm with the main park number for direct campground assistance)

For Indiana locals, Chain O’ Lakes Campground is an undeniably rich and engaging destination for outdoor adventure. While some reviews note its popularity and a preference for quieter spaces, for many Hoosiers, its vibrant and active atmosphere is precisely its appeal. The unparalleled opportunity to experience the unique chain of lakes through paddling the "9 Lake Challenge" is a standout feature, offering an activity that is both scenic and rewarding. Furthermore, the extensive network of hiking trails provides endless possibilities for exploration, and the array of family-friendly activities ensures that there's always something to keep children entertained. Despite some varied feedback on bathroom facilities and the busy nature of certain areas, the park's commitment to maintaining clean campsites and providing abundant recreational options makes it a suitable and highly recommended choice. For those who embrace a lively camping environment and seek diverse outdoor pursuits right in their backyard, Chain O’ Lakes Campground offers a full and memorable Indiana state park experience.

Chain O’ Lakes Campground Photos

Chain O’ Lakes Campground Location

Chain O’ Lakes Campground

Indiana Noble County Albion

Campground, Albion, IN 46701, USA

Chain O’ Lakes Campground Reviews

Extremely populated and busy campground. If you like that this is for you. We tend to like the quiet, spaced-out campgrounds and this was not it. We stayed in the primitive sites since we tent camp and didn't want to be surrounded by RV's. The spots were very open(little privacy) and close to each other. We were at the bottom of a hill that kids kept racing down almost crashing into our car or tent. Even our children were getting fed up with the crowd of people.The bathrooms at the primitive site were very clean but had no stall doors. Used the showers, and the water smelled horrible, the women's showers were fine but the men's were filthy with no privacy.We did kayak the 9 lake challenge which was beautiful and a lot of work. We did it down and back. The only plus to the campground is the proximity to Long Lake so we could relax when done.We also saw a few lethargic animals that looked to be diseased on the trails. My son reported it to the rangers and they just shrugged their shoulders and said it happens. No concern.Glad we did the kayaking but won't be back to the campground.
Jun 09, 2025 · Danielle Brewer
Pros:There are plenty of activities for the kiddos. We especially enjoyed the wildlife. The campsites themselves were clean, and so was the beach.Cons:Prison showers!I may be a little biased after my stay at a KOA, and I know you can't expect perfection from outdoor bathrooms. But these showers were ROUGH. I've seen better at my local marathon gas station.It's hard to feel clean when you are surrounded by pools of other people's shower water from lack of drainage and mildew encrusted walls n' floors.Otherwise, we had fun 😌
Jul 01, 2025 · Jahnnah Meadows
Terrible experience. The camp sites are right next to each other. Just enough room for a tent. We had neighbors that kept yelling at each other and swearing every other word. And they would never GO TO SLEEP! They stayed up all night for 3 nights getting drunk and yelling at each other. The DNR came out and talked to them, but it did nothing. Also we were all close to the camp host and the camp host did nothing about it.
Jul 03, 2025 · Ryan Kathan
We had an enjoyable time at site 220 at the campground!Pros:Great shade and shelter from the rain.On a quiet loop in the park. Few cars were driving by.Nice privacy from neighbors on one side because of treesClose to the bathrooms without being annoyingly codeThe site nextdoor has the closest potable water.Cons:Our site was a bit awkward for a tent location so we put it on the gravel and had a lot of mud around when it rained.Not very good hammock treesNot a lot of sun if it is cold (but great if it's hot! There is a break in the trees but not too big).I wish the bathrooms were maintained and designed better. The doors made it hard to get out of the restrooms, feminine hygiene box fell out and onto the floor on me, only one soap dispenser, and there was always at least one of the four toilets plugged or full of paper. There is also no handicap stall or changing table. I understand that most campers these days have restrooms in their motorhomes, but as a tent camper I had expected more.The showers were okay. The women's had 4 stalls with little rooms with doors that closed that had a small changing area with a bench, 3 hooks, and a shower with about 3" to place your shower items. The water was nice and hot but very sulfuric in smell. There was no curtain to the shower. The men's were more locker room style with next to no storage and curtains (the changing area/towel hanging area is outside the shower in a common area).We also did the 9 Lake Challenge while here with our own kayaks. You can rent as well. Let me tell you, this is DIFFICULT to do with only one vehicle. We ended up doing one half (to Miller from Sand) and then took trail 4/5 back (almost 3 miles) to where we parked at Sand, and finally drove to Dock Lake and Long Lake to finish the challenge. It would be an incredible service if the park offered shuttles from the end of the lakes (I would have paid a fee) to allow people to do this more easily. Also, Mud Lake does truly feel like you're paddling through mud.I don't know if I'd camp here again, but I would recommend the site due to its privacy and convenience if you don't mind having your tent on gravel. I also highly recommend the 9 Lake Challenge if you have two vehicles to move your own/rental boats. They also have lovely signs on the trails so you don't get lost.You will need a $5 tag per non motorized watercraft if you bring your own.
Jun 30, 2024 · Kaiti Marie
I love hiking the trails! Lots of different wildlife and birds to see. The campground area has a playground, showers, restrooms, and a camp store too. I camp in the primitive area (tents only), but there are many spaces available for campers and rv's too. Most of the staff are friendly and helpful. There is a nature center, playground, and picnic tables, restrooms, showers and a snack bar at the sand lake beach area where you can go swimming, you can also rent bicycles, paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks. There is an old schoolhouse you can visit too. The park is dog friendly but they must be on a leash.
May 26, 2025 · Terri Moore