One Tank Trip for Indiana Camping

The Hoosier State is known for many things; like the renowned universities of Notre Dame and Purdue, and the Indianapolis 500. It’s also the home of some of the more offbeat attractions, such as the Wizard of Oz Museum, the final resting place of James Dean, and a town named Santa Claus. Your trip can lean towards arts and culture, remain strictly rooted in the enjoyment of the great outdoors, or be a hybrid of the two. Travelers in the know have made Indiana their primary vacation destination for years, and when you take a one tank trips vacation through this land, you’ll understand why.
Heading out on the road, the town of Angola is your first spot to pull over. You’ll be pleased to see a wealth of places to make camp, either at Lake James, Buck Lake, or any of the local campgrounds. Hit the lake with your tackle box, rod and reel, and try your luck with the local fish, or just open up the folding chairs and let Mother Nature take you into the palm of her hand.
Drive west on the US-20 for a little over 30 miles then take the northbound IN-5 for 1 mile into Shipshewana, home of the famous Shipshewana Flea Market. This is easily the Midwest’s biggest flea market and trading post, drawing folks from miles and miles around who come to see the absolutely massive collection of...well, pretty much everything you can imagine. Jewelry, antiques, even livestock are for sale or auction here at the Shipshewana Flea Market, which runs from May to October.
Next stop for Indian camping, Goshen. You’ll take Highway 250-N for 6 miles until you come to the southbound Highway 13, which takes you 2 miles to the westbound US-20. From here, it’s 12 miles until you come to the southbound IN-15, which you’ll cruise along for 6 miles right into Goshen. This area is a camper’s dream, with a variety of places to pull over and set up the rig. If you time your visit to coincide with the annual Elkhart Air Show, you’ll be treated to dazzling displays of aerial stunt work, and get up close to various aircraft ranging from single-engine props to modern jets.
Leaving Goshen, drive west on the IN-119 for 10 miles, then take the southbound IN-19 for 4 miles to your next stop, Nappanee. This town is the home of the Newmar RV Plant, one of the leading manufacturers of our beloved rigs. Call ahead and arrange a tour of this site and get a fascinating look behind the scenes at how our road warriors are designed and constructed. You’ll see RVs in a whole new light once the tour is done. Nappanee is also the location of Amish Acres, a historic farmstead where the hands of time stopped turning over a hundred years ago. You’ll be able to experience life as the pioneers did, riding a horse-drawn wagon and walking the streets of this township as if you were back in the 1870s. Enjoy preservative-free apple butter and homemade pie, and let the old ways and the old days bring you back to what life is all about: family, friends and being able to sit and smell the roses.
Head east on the IN-6 for 6 miles, and make a stopover in Kendalville, the site of the Gene Stratton Porter Historic Area. This area was once the home of famed writer Gene Stratton Porter, and has been converted into a living museum showcasing the life and works of this talented and intriguing wordsmith. From here, drive north on the I-69 for 13 miles, which brings you right back to the starting point of your one tank trips adventure, Angola.
When you make Indiana your choice for a quick getaway, you’ll find yourself among friendly locals, beautiful scenery, and a very different pace of life that gets into your heart and soul. Hopefully, you’ll be able to take some of that with you until you come back again for some more Indiana camping. Woodall's Recommended Indiana RV Campgrounds