There’s something special about pulling into a quiet campground, shutting off the engine, and knowing adventure is just around the corner. (That is, once you get the RV parked, you know what I mean, we see the t-shirts, “I didn’t mean what I said when we were parking the camper.”) In Shipshewana, Indiana, that adventure comes wrapped in Amish charm, natural beauty, and small-town hospitality that makes you feel right at home in your home on wheels. This slice of northern Indiana is perfect for RVers who want to slow down, explore, and fill their days with simple pleasures and backroad finds.
Start Your Trip at the Shipshewana Visitor Center
A visit here starts with a stop at the Shipshewana Visitor’s Center, where friendly faces help point you toward the best the region has to offer. Here, you will find everything you need for your stay. They can even direct you to the best parking spots when you’re hooked up to your RV.
Stock Up on Amish Food and RV Supplies.
Stocking up the RV is part of the fun, and in Indiana’s Amish Country, that means swinging by Yoder’s Meat & Cheese for farm-fresh cuts and picnic-ready bites, browsing the aisles at E & S Bulk Food Store for baking supplies and pantry staples, like Happy Salt, and making a quick run through Eash Sales for any last-minute camping or grilling gear.
Shipshe Pro-tip: Make sure to get enough to stock your home pantry, too. RVers have two kitchens to stock!
Discover Amish Heritage at the Menno-Hof Museum
No visit to Shipshewana is complete without a visit to The Menno-Hof Museum, which is a must for anyone curious about the traditions and values of the Amish and Mennonite communities. They provide an immersive look into a slower-paced way of life that still thrives here.
Where to Eat in Shipshewana for RV Travelers
When dinner rolls around, the Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery delivers hearty comfort food and mouthwatering pies worth saving room for, plus a few pastries to make the next morning extra sweet. You can preorder your meal and have it as carryout because this meal tastes great around your campfire! No waiting in line, just head in, grab the takeout, and head back to camp to enjoy the evening.
Pro-tip: Click here for more restaurants
Outdoor Adventures Around Shipshewana
The outdoors beckons here, and that surprises many people when they come to Shipshewana. Northern Indiana’s landscape is made for exploring.
- Bonneyville Mill Park – Indiana’s oldest continually operating grist mill, plus 222 acres of hiking, biking, and birdwatching.
- Dallas Lake Park – Sandy beach, swimming, and wetland observation decks.
- Pumpkinvine Trail – Peaceful biking and strolling path.
- Maple Woods Nature Center – Home to 40 tree species and colorful wildflowers.
- Pine Knob Park – Fishing docks, seasonal archery targets, and quiet trails.
- Pigeon River – Perfect for canoeing, kayaking, or casting a line, with a cozy lunch stop at the Mongo General Store.
RV Surplus Shops and the RV Hall of Fame Museum
Shipshewana is also a playground for RV enthusiasts in more ways than one. RV surplus stores in the area are treasure troves for gadgets, parts, and those “just in case” items you didn’t know you needed. The RV Hall of Fame Museum offers a fascinating look at how RVing has evolved over the years, and factory tours pull back the curtain on how these rolling homes on wheels are built from the ground up.
Quirky Finds on the Off the Beaten Path Tour
For a bit of offbeat fun, the Off the Beaten Path audio tour takes you to quirky, lesser-known spots you might otherwise miss. Once you have your site all set up, it is time to hit the backroads for the hidden places that the audio tour can take you to! It is a perfect way to spend the day seeking out the hidden treasures on the roads less traveled.
Shipshe Pro-tip: Ready to hit the backroads? You can access the FREE Off the Beaten Path audio tour here.
Evenings here are made for campfires, good conversation, and gazing up at skies untouched by city lights. There’s a quiet magic in hearing the crackle of the fire and hoof beats of the buggies going by while the scent of s’mores drifts through the air, knowing that the pace of life has slowed, at least for a little while. In Shipshewana, the combination of outdoor adventure, cultural discovery, and good old-fashioned RV camaraderie makes it a destination worth coming back to again and again.
