I've been making an effort to experience my home state of Indiana a little more these days. From…read morestate parks to roadside attractions to smalltown diners, I've been trying to simply slow down and enjoy Indiana. Chain O' Lakes State Park is one of Indiana's state parks. Located in Albion, a small city of under 2,400 in northeast Indiana's Noble County (think Kendallville), Chain O' Lakes State Park has as its main feature, you guessed it, a chain of lakes. The park has a chain of nine "kettle" lakes (13 lakes total, 9 connected). Kettle lakes are glacial lakes that were formed out of melting ice blocks. Chain O' Lakes offers small boating, 23 miles of forested trails for hiking, a hillside family cabin, a Nature Center, campground, swimming beach, picnic shelters, and the historic Stanley Schoolhouse - a historic one-room schoolhouse. Chain O' Lakes has 426 campsites, 18 cabins, waterfalls, great fishing spots, and you can rent watercraft. This is far enough from Indy that I kind of recommend making it a weekend trip rather than a day trip. There's much to do in Noble County (which also has a decent-sized Amish community). You can canoe a great five-mile path through the park's nine connected lakes (This used to be an official "challenge," though I don't know if it is anymore). There are even canoe camping sites (more isolated than the traditional camping sites). Chain O' Lakes is one of Indiana's under-appreciated gems. It's definitely less accessible than some of the parks, though it has improved somewhat over the years. It's more rustic and natural. It emphasizes outdoor experiences and its just over 2,700 acres feel like you could just get lost in them. The park is only 19 miles northwest of Fort Wayne (Indiana's second largest city), however, it feels like a world away. As someone who typically goes to Fort Ben State Park, I have a major love for these parks where you get there and forget there's a world outside the gates. If you're not the camping type, I'd probably head to Kendallville rather than Albion for the overnight. However, Chain O' Lakes has everything from primitive to more comfortable camping. So, it's easy to find something that works. I hadn't been to Chain O' Lakes in a while. Returning, I was reminded just how much I enjoy the place and how relaxing it is. A few other basics - This is a state park, so there's a fee to enter unless you've gotten the State Park pass (which I recommend for Indiana's 24 state parks). Also, fishing requires the state license and it is enforced. Finally, a couple semi-fun facts. There's a "re-entry center" located directly in the state park with a capacity of 140 incarcerated individuals. It offers educational and treatment programs designed to help people transition into the community - it also helps maintain this park, Pokagon, and the surrounding communities. It's been here since 1967 (and yes, it is safe.). Chain O' Lakes State Park also hosts The HUFF 50k Trail Run/Relay, the 12th largest ultramarathon in North America. Doesn't all this make you want to visit? I'll admit that I tend to stick in the 4-5 star range for most state parks. I love them. In terms of accessibility, I'd go 4-star for Chain O' Lakes. Because it offers so much and is really under-appreciated (in my opinion), I'm bumping it up to 5-stars. The trails, occasionally accessible, really do require someone with mobility issues to have assistance and some simply wouldn't work. Word of caution, as well, with so much water you had best plan for mosquitoes. They can be really serious around here!

Great camping spot! It's always quiet and beautiful. The boat rental closes at 4 ( I couldn't find…read morethe hours) and we didn't know that and got there at 4:05 :( only downside. The trails are good and the Dairy Queen in town is always a nice backup if the hot dogs aren't enough for your hunger

We are in town for my husbands business. It is beautiful here and the owners and staff are amazing!…read moreIt is so quiet and peaceful, only the sounds of nature, love it!!

We did the High Adventure Zip line Tour and it was an exhilarating and freeing experience! The…read moreguides were fun and helpful. Our group was lighthearted and rolled with it. My boyfriend has been zip lining in CO before, and he said this topped it. The long zips were a blast! We will return

Campground is located on a lake with beach, a boat ramp and place for fishing. Very quiet and it…read moreis located near groceries and restaurants.

My wife and I stayed here from Aug.10th to Aug. 15th. Great place, quiet and right at Pike lake…read more I have a 34ft camper and used a pull thru lot with full hook up. Very kid friendly.

Very accommodating and helpful with any tips. They let you have free rein of the water,…read morerecommending to pick up trash along the way.

I've been wanting to go here for many years. Finally we got the opportunity to go. My 9 year old…read moreGrandson and I had the time of our life. Looking forward to going again next year.

Amazing! A hidden gem in Michigan and also has access to a dog friendly beach. The campground is…read moregreat and also has cheap cabins that are wonderful. Walking distance to the beach.

The campground office was great! Girl with red hair and piercings is my new spirit animal! They…read morewere super helpful and just all around great people! The concession stand on the beach was also great! The food was nothing special but what they lack in taste, they make up for in great service! They were ready to take my order with big smiles and brought it out pretty quick!

Great campground full of great people. Stocked pay pit, pool, playground, pavilion and wooded…read moretrails.

Springhill campground and pay pit is a friendly, fun filled and family oriented campground. The…read moreowners have made and continue to make improvements. The staff is friendly and willing to help anyone with anything. The campground has various types of campsites. They range from fully shaded to side by side pullthroughs. They also have a tent area reserved especially for the tent camper. There is a clean bath house which include showers. Each site provides electric and water, including the tent sites. Over all Springhill Campground and Pay Pit is clean, fun, family oriented and a very pleasant experience.

This RV park is nothing short of amazing. Prime location with beaches few minutes away. Walked to…read morethe dunes both nights to watch the sunset. Campground is clean and quiet. Owners are super kind, both welcoming us with a big smile, Doug waving to us every morning across the pond. Felt right at home. Hope to stay again and again!

The camp is very clean and nicely low key. This is a new world for me, and everyone in the campsite…read morehas offered to help me. The owner and his wife are so welcoming and he really helped me set up fully for my very first night at my campsite! Water, sewer, and electric. Thank you for a fabulous first step.

The owners and people who stay there in seasonal spots are awsome people. They have activities on…read moreFriday night and Saturday's for tge kids and adults. There's a pond for swimming paddle boat rental. Horse shoes bags basketball and a playground. You can rent golf carts to go on the trails or just drive around the park. Pet friendly. Truly the nicest people we've ever met at a campground. Everybody waves and stops to chat.

This is a hidden treasure not 10 minutes off Interstate 80. Sites are 20' wide & long enough for…read morethe larger RV. Brand new electrical boxes & a fresh new bath house facility. Quiet & friendly park. Weekly activities, & close to Shipshewana.

Can I please add another star? Visited with my husband and…read moredog. The folks here went above and way beyond to accommodate an unusual need I had. The grounds are meticulously maintained with level, shaded spots that provide great privacy. If you have kids, they will NEVER get bored here. Well-stocked store, clean laundry facility. If we are in the area again, this will be our go-to place!

Great family-friendly RV campground / resort…read more Our site was beautiful - it backed up against a forest and was close to the pond. It was a bit tight / cramped (my picnic table was virtually on top of the neighbor's sewer line), but the neighbors were friendly and everything was clean and well-kept. The restrooms and showers were spotless. Cute playground - we loved the pirate ship. The pond was a great place to walk our dog, and it seemed like most people (like us) were cleaning up after their pets because we didn't see dog piles everywhere like many other campgrounds in the area. One warning: This place is surrounded by a pond, a lake, and plenty of forest, and has a serious (but understandable) mosquito problem. We tried to sneak in eating 2 slices of pizza quickly upon arrival before putting on bug spray, and my youngest son got 14 bug bites on his legs in less than half an hour. Beware and plan accordingly! I'd highly recommend long sleeves, long pants, and shoes and socks, even if it's hot outside. Biggest qualm: my son was crying for the last 10 minutes of our drive because he was going to pee his pants and this is in the middle of nowhere - we hadn't seen a gas station or anywhere legal for him to go "number 1" since leaving I94. I'll admit I drove 15mph in a 10mph zone on the way in, because the map showed a bathroom next to the pool on the entrance road (before any of the campsites, before any pedestrian areas), and I wanted to avoid a pee-pee incident. After dropping them off, I stuck to the speed limit even when it dropped to 5mph. I was chastised (politely) upon check-in to watch my speed, which is completely reasonable. Separately, someone ran up to my wife and child (neither of whom were driving) as my 5-year-old came out of the bathroom and yelled at them, which is not okay. There are good ways to handle an admonition, and bad ways, and whoever yelled at my wife and son needs to learn a bit of tact. This is the only reason our stay wasn't a 5-star experience. It wasn't an isolated or stranger incident as the yeller was also the person who called the front desk to complain about it and I'm certain was a local / seasonal / permanent resident. There's "enforcing rules" and then there's "yelling at children for something they had no control over," and the management here was much closer to the latter.