The best river, stream, or creek RV parks near Merrillville, Indiana

Looking for an RV camping experience by a river near Merrillville, Indiana? Hipcamp has over 485 options to choose from, with prices ranging from $15 to $40 per night. Top campsites like Mulln-Heim Vineyards (342 reviews), Walnut Valley Realm (230 reviews), and The Willow Ranch (243 reviews) offer popular amenities such as trash, showers, and pet-friendly grounds, and activities including snow sports, swimming, and off-roading (OHV). Get ready to park your RV, relax by the river, and enjoy the great outdoors!

90% (129)

Top-rated campgrounds near Merrillville

Looking for an RV camping experience by a river near Merrillville, Indiana? Hipcamp has over 485 options to choose from, with prices ranging from $15 to $40 per night. Top campsites like Mulln-Heim Vineyards (342 reviews), Walnut Valley Realm (230 reviews), and The Willow Ranch (243 reviews) offer popular amenities such as trash, showers, and pet-friendly grounds, and activities including snow sports, swimming, and off-roading (OHV). Get ready to park your RV, relax by the river, and enjoy the great outdoors!

90% (129)

Top-rated campgrounds near Merrillville

1. The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

97%

(154)

50mi from Merrillville · 19 sites · Tents, RVs

My 4 and a half acres have a natural pond on it. I no longer own a personal flock of ducks but plenty of wild feathered friends come to drink and swim. I am three miles from Lake Michigan and my town has a public access beach. I am surrounded by wineries, breweries, and antique stores. I am in the country but only a few miles off the expressway. Berrien County's adorable small towns are known for their special events all year round. My sites are dispersed so first come first choice. Find a fixed Fire Ring and set up your camp! Or pick a spot without a ring - I do have portable free fire pits.

2. Lazy Creek Camping

86%

(7)

35mi from Merrillville · 4 sites · Tents, RVs

26ft Camper sleeps 4 with AC/Heat , Refrigerator, Running Water No public restrooms. Fire ring and picnic table on sites. 30 Amp service Lots to do within the area There is a nice golf coarse within 2 miles and river floating in town and nice bar & grill right around the corner. Will give exact address after reservations complete. Open May 1 ,2025 Close Oct 24, 2025

3. Indiana Dunes National Park

95%

(41)

66 sites · Dune Acres, Indiana

Marvel at Lake Michigan from a perch on a towering sand dune.

Toilets

Campfires

Showers

4. Kankakee River State Park

100%

(2)

207 sites · Limestone, Illinois

Walk among sacred land and water at this unspoiled state park.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

5. Tippecanoe River State Park

67%

(4)

182 sites · Winamac, Indiana

Discover Tippecanoe River State Park's scenic trails and historic charm.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

6. Des Plaines State Fish & Wildlife Area

22 sites · Channahon, Illinois

Experience an echo of the expansive natural prairies of an Illinois past when you come to Des Plaines Fish & Wildlife Area. The tranquil vibes of the park will refresh your soul. The smooth flowing rivers and natural prairie lands stretch across the horizon—making that campfire glow all the more spectacular. There is so much diversity at this park; woodland turns to farmland, prairie turns to swamp, calm waters turn to rushing rivers. This makes for an exceptional array of epic outdoor activities to partake in. We’re talking something for nature lovers and huntsmen alike. The fishing here is on point, with bass, walleye, northern pike, and catfish jumping at the bait on the banks of Miliken Lake and Kankakee River. Explore the acres of naturally preserved beauty, embrace the lush water sources, and just have a hell of a good time all around at this park.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Public campgrounds near Merrillville

95%

(41)

Dunewood Campground

22mi from Merrillville · 66 sites · Tents, RVs · in Indiana Dunes National Park

100%

(1)

Potawatomi Campground

38mi from Merrillville · 105 sites · Tents, RVs · in Kankakee River State Park

A shallow part of rock creek, near the campground.

100%

(1)

Chippewa Campground

39mi from Merrillville · 94 sites · Tents, RVs · in Kankakee River State Park

67%

(4)

Tippecanoe River Campground

45mi from Merrillville · 182 sites · Tents, RVs · in Tippecanoe River State Park

Des Plaines Campground

48mi from Merrillville · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Des Plaines State Fish & Wildlife Area

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

G

Guadalupe

September 2025

15 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

I loved the area and Cherisse's land was so nice and peaceful. I will definitely be recommending it for my travel trailer rental BC TRAVENTURE CO on Outdoorsy. The place is 4 min from the Warren Dunes and Molly's beach walk cafe was a cute small brunch spot. Rising Kites coffee spot on oak was also great. A ton of wine spots to try. The actual campsite was easy and very peaceful. They have wildlife we had an owl hangout at night. Overall great spot. If you want easy, laid back, low tech spot. We went to unplug for a weekend it was perfect.

A

Ana

September 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

The land was incredibly clean and felt very welcoming. The location was perfect, only a five-minute drive from the beach, which made our day so easy. We also loved the friendly community atmosphere; we even got to fish with other kids staying, which was a highlight! Cherisse's property is truly fantastic for families. The wide-open space was perfect for the kids to run around and play football without bothering anyone. The real gem, though, was the catch-and-release pond. My four-year-old son, after trying all summer, finally caught his first fish here, it was such a special moment! We also really enjoyed the fire pit for making s'mores in the evening. We're already looking forward to our next stay!

Lauren

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

Great location in proximity to Warren Dunes and the surrounding area. We camped here last minute on a holiday weekend and it worked out great. It is a field adjacent to the host’s home. Each site has a fire ring but no tables. We were able to use our cooler as one but would recommend bringing one if you plan on doing any meals/ cooking. Not very private when multiple groups are there, however in a pinch it was perfect. We enjoyed the star gazing and appreciated the clean bathroom. Great home base for exploring the area!

View of the main entrance, right off the road

Daniella

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

Beautiful spot super close to the Dunes! Clean toilets and spacious campsites!

Jayne

August 2025

24 ft Class C

1 night at The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

Weren’t able to make it, but the host was amazing and understood!!

F

Fiona

August 2025

29 ft Class C

Group trip

1 night at The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

Lovely grass site with fire pits around a lake. We had an RV so manoeuvred into a relatively level area. There are no predetermined sites you just pitch where you want to. We were the only campers on both occasions with only the sound of nature around us. We heard the train and sone vehicles on the road but they were minor background noise. Thoroughly recommend visiting this site, very peaceful and Cherisse is a lovely lady

C

Chris

August 2025

29 ft Class C

Group trip

1 night at The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

Lovely peaceful site clean and tidy and the host Cherisse was lovely as well

L

Levi

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

Very nice campsite next to a small pond. Ground was flat and mowed short. No electricity or water. Porta potty on site. Some outdoor games available for the kids. Nice spot to spend the night.

K

Kate

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

We loved our time camping here! It was such a nice spot and very clean.

D

Dylan

August 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

The campsite itself was beautiful — peaceful, well-maintained, and surrounded by plenty of trees. We had a group of 10 with plenty of room still amongst other campers who were also there. You could tell Cherisse takes good care of the location! awesome place 10/10

T

Tara

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

I liked it there. You will like it there. Bullfrogs can be quite loud so if you're a light sleeper choose a site behind the barn maybe.

J

Jack

July 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

Very nice area. Calm and spaced out, and the weather was great!

R

Riley

July 2025

15 ft travel trailer

With pets

2 nights at The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

Great spot, we were the only group their the first night and then the second only one other group. Very quiet and lots of frogs croaking in the pond!

E

Emily

July 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

This was my second year camping at Cherisse’s site. She is a warm, hospital host and made my kiddo feel right at home. Lovely spot, nice set up. Highly recommend.

D

Devanne

July 2025

3 nights at The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

We had such a great time on Cherisse's campground! It's a small area with trees for shade, lots of fire pits (cooking grates included!), a large and well-maintained port-a-potty, and some swings at the edge of a small pond on the property. The sunrises were gorgeous and so were the sunsets. I would definitely come back here again!

Wendy

June 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

I love tent camping on this property. It’s beautifully cared for. The tent sites are good sized with new clean fire rings and cooking grates. The property is so close the beach ant Warren Dunes and hiking at Warren Woods. Cherisse is a wonderful host.

Josh

June 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

This was our second stay on this property and we would definitely stay again! Great area, clean bathrooms, nice fire pits, quiet… super ideal for a nice getaway!

Heather

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

This property was super pretty and well maintained! The pond was really nice and the grass was mowed. There were new fire rings placed around and we chose one close to the pond. Very quiet as we were the only campers there for the one night we stayed. The portapotty was pristinely clean in all aspects and well stocked with a hand washing station and sanitizer. It's just a few miles from Warren Dunes beach and Weko beach and lots of wineries. We will definitely be back.