RV Parks In Bristol, Indiana
41.7214° N, 85.8175° W
Quick Overview
Bristol is a small river town in northern Indiana's Elkhart County, smack in the middle of Amish Country and the RV-manufacturing capital of the country. For RVers that means two things: the roads and parks here are genuinely built with big rigs in mind, and there is real camping character to go with the Heritage Trail scenic drives, quilt gardens, and the town's cheerful claim as the corn dog capital of the world.
The in-town anchor is Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground, a large family park right on IN-120 along the Little Elkhart River. It runs more than 300 sites with 30 and 50 amp electric-and-water hookups plus large full-hookup pull-throughs, two heated pools, stocked ponds, and trails that connect straight to Bonneyville Mill County Park. Ten minutes west in Elkhart, Elkhart Campground is the big-rig pick, with 250 mostly pull-through sites running 70 to 80 feet and more than 130 full-hookup options. If you would rather trade sewer for a lakeside state park, Pokagon State Park sits about 45 miles east near Angola with 200 electric sites, a swimming beach, and reservations through the Indiana DNR up to six months out. You can read the full details on the Indiana DNR site before you book.
Bristol rewards RVers who like a comfortable base with plenty to do. Private full-hookup sites generally land in the $45 to $65 range in peak summer, with real shoulder-season and weekly discounts, and because Elkhart County builds RVs for a living, parts, service, and propane are easier to find here than almost anywhere. Add Bonneyville Mill's trails, the free Elkhart County Historical Museum, kayaking on the St. Joseph River, and day trips to Middlebury and Shipshewana, and you have more than a one-night stop. Late spring through mid-fall is the sweet spot, with warm summers, festival weekends, and a crisp, quiet September and October. Winters are cold, snowy, and lake-effect windy, so both private parks close for the season and only Pokagon's winter loop stays open for the well-equipped.
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All Dump Stations Near Bristol
| Station Name | Distance | Rating | Category | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground | 3.6 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Willow Shores | 5.0 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Park Model | 5.1 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Elkhart Co. / Middlebury Koa Holiday | 6.9 mi | 4.1 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Elkhart Campground | 7.4 mi | N/A | RV Park | Free |
| Village Green | 7.6 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Garden Inn RV Park | 8.1 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Creekside Estates | 8.7 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Foxwood Hills | 9.1 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Elkhart County Fairgrounds | 9.8 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground
3.6 miWillow Shores
5.0 miPark Model
5.1 miElkhart Co. / Middlebury Koa Holiday
6.9 miElkhart Campground
7.4 miVillage Green
7.6 miGarden Inn RV Park
8.1 miCreekside Estates
8.7 miFoxwood Hills
9.1 miElkhart County Fairgrounds
9.8 miTraveling to Bristol by RV
Bristol sits on IN-120 in northern Elkhart County, just south of the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90) and a few miles north of US-20, with IN-15 dropping in from the south. Most RVers arrive off the Toll Road's Middlebury or Elkhart exits and take county roads into town. These are flat, well-graded highways built for the region's constant RV-manufacturing truck traffic, so there are no notable low bridges or weight limits and a 40-foot rig tows in without stress. From the east, I-69 near Angola connects you toward Pokagon State Park.
The town itself is small with tight downtown streets, so do your big-box shopping, fueling, and propane fills ten minutes west in Elkhart, where diesel and gas are easy to find near the Toll Road exits. For a public site, reserve Pokagon State Park through the Indiana DNR system up to six months ahead. Elkhart is also the fly-and-rent and RV-service hub for the whole region if you are picking up or dropping a rig.
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Before You Go: RV Trip Essentials
Dump stations are only one piece of the trip puzzle. Before you set out for your trip to Bristol, Indiana, it's worth taking thirty minutes to check that the basics are in place — the four areas below are where unprepared RVers most often get stung.
Check your RV insurance coverage
A standard auto policy rarely covers a Class A, Class C, or travel trailer the way a dedicated RV insurance policy does. If you're financing a motorhome, lenders typically require comprehensive and collision; full-timers should additionally price in vacation liability and personal belongings coverage. Rates vary widely by state and travel pattern — compare quotes from multiple RV-focused carriers before each season.
Know your roadside assistance options
RV-specific roadside plans tow motorhomes and trailers that regular AAA coverage won't touch — flat beds, mobile mechanics, tire service for duallies, and even emergency lockouts at remote campgrounds. Good plans cover your spouse and trailer even if you're driving a separate vehicle, and some include trip interruption reimbursement if a breakdown costs you a reservation.
Decide about an extended warranty early
Original manufacturer warranties on new RVs typically run 12–24 months — shorter than most buyers realize. An extended service contract (essentially a mechanical breakdown policy) covers the appliances, slides, levelling systems, and drivetrain components that can run $3,000–$10,000 to replace. The time to price one is before the factory coverage expires, not after something breaks.
Set up a travel rewards card for fuel and fees
A no-annual-fee travel or gas rewards card pays for itself on a single month of RV travel. Expect to spend $400–$800 per week combined on fuel, campgrounds, and propane — 3–5% cash back on gas alone covers the next oil change. For bigger trips, a sign-up bonus can offset campground fees for the whole season.
RVingLife is supported by advertising. Third-party ads on this page may include insurance quotes, roadside plans, warranty coverage, or financial products relevant to the topics above. We don't endorse any specific provider — compare multiple offers before you commit. Privacy policy.
Dump Station Costs in Bristol
Bristol is a fair-value stop by Midwest standards. Private full-hookup sites at Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground and Elkhart Campground generally run in the $45 to $65 range during peak summer, dropping in spring and fall, and both parks offer weekly and seasonal discounts that pull the effective nightly cost down noticeably over a longer stay. That gets you full hookups, pools, and family amenities, which is where the private parks earn their rate.
Pokagon State Park is the budget option: its electric sites are cheaper per night than the private parks, but you add the Indiana state-park entrance fee on top of camping. If you plan to visit several Indiana state parks on the same trip, an annual entrance pass pays for itself fast. Between reasonable site rates, cheap fuel, and free or low-cost attractions like Bonneyville Mill and the Elkhart County Historical Museum, a couple of days in Bristol costs a fraction of a resort-town stay.
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Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.
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Best Time to Visit Bristol by RV
Winter
Nov - Feb
19F - 33F
Crowds: Low
Freezing and snowy with lake-effect squalls. Eby's Pines and Elkhart Campground close for the season, so your realistic option is Pokagon State Park's winter loop; run your own heat and expect limited services.
Spring
Mar - May
38F - 58F
Crowds: Low
Cool and wet with a slow warm-up. Most private parks reopen around April 1, sites are wide open, and rates are at their lowest before the summer rush and quilt-garden season.
Summer
Jun - Aug
60F - 82F
Crowds: High
Peak season with warm humid days, festivals, and busy weekends. Reserve full-hookup sites at Eby's Pines and electric sites at Pokagon well ahead, especially around holidays.
Fall
Sep - Oct
40F - 62F
Crowds: Medium
The sweet spot. Crisp settled weather, Amish Country color, and the September Corn Dog Festival, with easier midweek availability once school is back in session.
Explore the Bristol Area
A few things we'd tell a friend heading to Bristol. First, if your dates line up, plan around the Bristol Corn Dog Festival in September, the town's signature event and a genuinely fun reason to be here in the fall. Second, book the full-hookup pull-throughs at Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground early for any summer weekend, because RV-industry traffic and festival crowds fill the good sites fast.
Third, use Elkhart County's RV pedigree to your advantage. This is the RV-manufacturing capital of the country, so if your rig needs warranty work, parts, or service, there is no better place to be stuck, and Elkhart's shops are a short drive west. Fourth, big-rig owners should aim for Elkhart Campground, where the 70-to-80-foot pull-throughs make setup painless. Finally, don't just camp: drive the Heritage Trail into Amish Country toward Middlebury and Shipshewana, walk Bonneyville Mill's trails, and paddle the St. Joseph River from the accessible launch at Hermance Park.
National Parks Nearby
Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Stations in Bristol
What are the best RV parks in Bristol, Indiana?
The standout in town is Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground, a large family park right in Bristol on IN-120 along the Little Elkhart River with 30 and 50 amp electric-and-water sites plus full-hookup pull-throughs, two heated pools, and stocked ponds. Just ten minutes west, Elkhart Campground is the big-rig favorite with more than 130 full-hookup sites and roomy pull-throughs. For a public state-park option, Pokagon State Park near Angola offers 200 electric sites about 45 miles east. Between them you get everything from resort-style amenities to a quiet lakeside forest.
Do RV parks near Bristol have full hookups with sewer?
Yes, if you stick to the private parks. Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground offers large full-hookup pull-through sites with 30 and 50 amp service in addition to electric-and-water sites, and Elkhart Campground has more than 130 full-hookup sites, most of them 70 to 80 feet long. Full hookups mean water, electric, and sewer right at your pad. The public option, Pokagon State Park, is different: its Class A sites carry electric only, no sewer at the site, so you would use the campground dump station. Choose a private park in Bristol if in-site sewer matters to you.
How much does RV camping cost around Bristol, Indiana?
Northern Indiana camping is mid-range for the Midwest. Private full-hookup sites at parks like Eby's Pines and Elkhart Campground generally run in the $45 to $65 range in peak summer, with lower shoulder-season rates and weekly and seasonal discounts that bring the effective nightly cost down. Pokagon State Park is the budget pick: its electric sites are cheaper per night, though you add the Indiana state-park entrance fee. If you plan to visit several Indiana state parks on one trip, an annual entrance pass pays for itself quickly and stretches your camping budget further.
How far ahead do I need to reserve a campsite near Bristol?
For summer weekends and around festivals, book several weeks to a couple of months out. Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground fills its full-hookup pull-throughs fast during peak season thanks to steady RV-industry and tourist traffic, and Elkhart Campground's big-rig sites go quickly too. Pokagon State Park takes reservations through the Indiana DNR system up to six months ahead and only one day minimum, and its electric loops book solid for summer holidays. Midweek and shoulder-season stays are much easier, and you can often roll in with a day or two of notice outside the July and August peak.
When is the best time to go RV camping in Bristol?
Late spring through mid-fall is the window. May greens up the countryside and reopens the private parks, summer brings warm days and the full slate of Amish Country festivals and quilt gardens, and September and October deliver crisp settled weather, thinning crowds, and the Bristol Corn Dog Festival. Summer weekends and holidays are the busiest, so reserve then. Winters are genuinely cold and snowy with lake-effect squalls off Lake Michigan, and both Eby's Pines and Elkhart Campground close for the season, leaving only Pokagon State Park's winter loop for the hardy few.
Can big rigs and fifth wheels camp near Bristol?
Yes, and this is one of the friendlier regions for it. Elkhart Campground is the standout, with 250 mostly pull-through sites that run 70 to 80 feet long, so a 40-foot motorhome towing a car fits without drama. Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground also offers large full-hookup pull-throughs suited to big coaches and fifth wheels. Because Elkhart County is the RV-manufacturing capital of the country, the local roads and parks are built with big rigs in mind. Call ahead in peak season to lock in a specific pull-through length if you are running a long combined setup.
Is there a public or state-park campground near Bristol?
The nearest full state-park campground is Pokagon State Park near Angola, about 45 miles east off I-69. It has around 200 Class A electric sites spread across four loops plus 73 non-electric sites, drinking water, modern restrooms, and a lake for swimming and boating. Reservations run through the Indiana DNR system up to six months ahead, and Campground 3 stays open through winter with a heated comfort station. Closer to home, Bonneyville Mill County Park in Bristol is a day-use park only, so for a public overnight with hookups, Pokagon is your best bet.
Are there free or first-come camping options near Bristol?
Not many. This is developed farm, river, and lake country in northern Indiana, so true dispersed boondocking is scarce and there is no reliable free RV camping in Bristol itself. Retail-lot overnighting, where permitted at all, depends entirely on the individual store manager and local ordinances, so never assume it. At Pokagon State Park a limited number of non-electric sites are available and cheaper than hookup sites, but they are still reserved through the state system rather than free. For most travelers the honest answer is to plan on a paid site at one of the RV parks.
What is there to do around Bristol besides camp?
Plenty for a two or three day stay. Bonneyville Mill County Park wraps 222 acres of trails and meadows around a working 1830s grist mill on the edge of town. The Elkhart County Historical Museum, housed free in the old Bristol High School, tells the story of Native American heritage, early settlement, and the Amish and Mennonite communities. You can paddle or fish the St. Joseph River, catch a show at the historic Bristol Opera House, and drive the Heritage Trail scenic loop through Amish Country to Middlebury and Shipshewana. Bristol also throws the Corn Dog Festival each September.
How do I get to Bristol with an RV?
Bristol sits on IN-120 in northern Elkhart County, just south of the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90) and a few miles north of US-20. Most RVers arrive via the Toll Road's Middlebury or Elkhart exits, then drop down on IN-15 or local county roads into town. These are flat, well-graded highways built for the region's heavy RV-manufacturing traffic, with no notable low bridges or weight limits. From the east, I-69 near Angola connects you toward Pokagon State Park. Elkhart, ten minutes west, has the big-box stores, fuel, and services you will want to hit on the way in.
Can I find RV service and propane near Bristol?
Easily, and better than almost anywhere. Elkhart County is the RV-manufacturing capital of the United States, so the region is thick with RV dealers, parts suppliers, and service shops, most of them a short drive west in Elkhart. Propane refill is available in Bristol and Elkhart, diesel and gas are at truck-friendly stations along US-20 and near the Toll Road exits, and full-size supermarkets and big-box stores are close by. If your rig needs warranty work or a repair, there is no better place in the Midwest to break down, since this is where many RVs were built in the first place.
Are the campgrounds near Bristol good for families?
Very much so. Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground is built around family camping, with more than 300 sites, two heated pools, stocked fishing ponds, a playground, hiking trails, and weekend activities, plus an indoor roller rink and other rainy-day options. Elkhart Campground adds a pool and easy pull-through sites that make setup simple with kids aboard. Pokagon State Park brings a swimming beach, nature center, and miles of trails. Add family-friendly regional draws like the Corn Dog Festival, Amish Country bakeries, and the Heritage Trail, and Bristol makes an easy base for a multi-day family RV trip.
Do Bristol-area campgrounds stay open in winter?
Mostly no. The private parks are seasonal: Elkhart Campground runs April 1 to mid-November, and Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground closes over the coldest months, matching the region's freezing, snowy, lake-effect winters. If you need a winter site, Pokagon State Park keeps Campground 3 open year-round with a heated comfort station and a water fill station, though you should arrive prepared to run your own heat and manage freezing hookups. For most RVers the practical camping season in Bristol runs from spring reopening through the fall festival season, with winter reserved for the well-equipped.
What are the best RV parks in Bristol, Indiana?
The standout in town is Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground, a large family park right in Bristol on IN-120 along the Little Elkhart River with 30 and 50 amp electric-and-water sites plus full-hookup pull-throughs, two heated pools, and stocked ponds. Just ten minutes west, Elkhart Campground is the big-rig favorite with more than 130 full-hookup sites and roomy pull-throughs. For a public state-park option, Pokagon State Park near Angola offers 200 electric sites about 45 miles east. Between them you get everything from resort-style amenities to a quiet lakeside forest.
Do RV parks near Bristol have full hookups with sewer?
Yes, if you stick to the private parks. Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground offers large full-hookup pull-through sites with 30 and 50 amp service in addition to electric-and-water sites, and Elkhart Campground has more than 130 full-hookup sites, most of them 70 to 80 feet long. Full hookups mean water, electric, and sewer right at your pad. The public option, Pokagon State Park, is different: its Class A sites carry electric only, no sewer at the site, so you would use the campground dump station. Choose a private park in Bristol if in-site sewer matters to you.
How much does RV camping cost around Bristol, Indiana?
Northern Indiana camping is mid-range for the Midwest. Private full-hookup sites at parks like Eby's Pines and Elkhart Campground generally run in the $45 to $65 range in peak summer, with lower shoulder-season rates and weekly and seasonal discounts that bring the effective nightly cost down. Pokagon State Park is the budget pick: its electric sites are cheaper per night, though you add the Indiana state-park entrance fee. If you plan to visit several Indiana state parks on one trip, an annual entrance pass pays for itself quickly and stretches your camping budget further.
How far ahead do I need to reserve a campsite near Bristol?
For summer weekends and around festivals, book several weeks to a couple of months out. Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground fills its full-hookup pull-throughs fast during peak season thanks to steady RV-industry and tourist traffic, and Elkhart Campground's big-rig sites go quickly too. Pokagon State Park takes reservations through the Indiana DNR system up to six months ahead and only one day minimum, and its electric loops book solid for summer holidays. Midweek and shoulder-season stays are much easier, and you can often roll in with a day or two of notice outside the July and August peak.
When is the best time to go RV camping in Bristol?
Late spring through mid-fall is the window. May greens up the countryside and reopens the private parks, summer brings warm days and the full slate of Amish Country festivals and quilt gardens, and September and October deliver crisp settled weather, thinning crowds, and the Bristol Corn Dog Festival. Summer weekends and holidays are the busiest, so reserve then. Winters are genuinely cold and snowy with lake-effect squalls off Lake Michigan, and both Eby's Pines and Elkhart Campground close for the season, leaving only Pokagon State Park's winter loop for the hardy few.
Can big rigs and fifth wheels camp near Bristol?
Yes, and this is one of the friendlier regions for it. Elkhart Campground is the standout, with 250 mostly pull-through sites that run 70 to 80 feet long, so a 40-foot motorhome towing a car fits without drama. Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground also offers large full-hookup pull-throughs suited to big coaches and fifth wheels. Because Elkhart County is the RV-manufacturing capital of the country, the local roads and parks are built with big rigs in mind. Call ahead in peak season to lock in a specific pull-through length if you are running a long combined setup.
Is there a public or state-park campground near Bristol?
The nearest full state-park campground is Pokagon State Park near Angola, about 45 miles east off I-69. It has around 200 Class A electric sites spread across four loops plus 73 non-electric sites, drinking water, modern restrooms, and a lake for swimming and boating. Reservations run through the Indiana DNR system up to six months ahead, and Campground 3 stays open through winter with a heated comfort station. Closer to home, Bonneyville Mill County Park in Bristol is a day-use park only, so for a public overnight with hookups, Pokagon is your best bet.
Are there free or first-come camping options near Bristol?
Not many. This is developed farm, river, and lake country in northern Indiana, so true dispersed boondocking is scarce and there is no reliable free RV camping in Bristol itself. Retail-lot overnighting, where permitted at all, depends entirely on the individual store manager and local ordinances, so never assume it. At Pokagon State Park a limited number of non-electric sites are available and cheaper than hookup sites, but they are still reserved through the state system rather than free. For most travelers the honest answer is to plan on a paid site at one of the RV parks.
What is there to do around Bristol besides camp?
Plenty for a two or three day stay. Bonneyville Mill County Park wraps 222 acres of trails and meadows around a working 1830s grist mill on the edge of town. The Elkhart County Historical Museum, housed free in the old Bristol High School, tells the story of Native American heritage, early settlement, and the Amish and Mennonite communities. You can paddle or fish the St. Joseph River, catch a show at the historic Bristol Opera House, and drive the Heritage Trail scenic loop through Amish Country to Middlebury and Shipshewana. Bristol also throws the Corn Dog Festival each September.
How do I get to Bristol with an RV?
Bristol sits on IN-120 in northern Elkhart County, just south of the Indiana Toll Road (I-80/90) and a few miles north of US-20. Most RVers arrive via the Toll Road's Middlebury or Elkhart exits, then drop down on IN-15 or local county roads into town. These are flat, well-graded highways built for the region's heavy RV-manufacturing traffic, with no notable low bridges or weight limits. From the east, I-69 near Angola connects you toward Pokagon State Park. Elkhart, ten minutes west, has the big-box stores, fuel, and services you will want to hit on the way in.
Can I find RV service and propane near Bristol?
Easily, and better than almost anywhere. Elkhart County is the RV-manufacturing capital of the United States, so the region is thick with RV dealers, parts suppliers, and service shops, most of them a short drive west in Elkhart. Propane refill is available in Bristol and Elkhart, diesel and gas are at truck-friendly stations along US-20 and near the Toll Road exits, and full-size supermarkets and big-box stores are close by. If your rig needs warranty work or a repair, there is no better place in the Midwest to break down, since this is where many RVs were built in the first place.
Are the campgrounds near Bristol good for families?
Very much so. Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground is built around family camping, with more than 300 sites, two heated pools, stocked fishing ponds, a playground, hiking trails, and weekend activities, plus an indoor roller rink and other rainy-day options. Elkhart Campground adds a pool and easy pull-through sites that make setup simple with kids aboard. Pokagon State Park brings a swimming beach, nature center, and miles of trails. Add family-friendly regional draws like the Corn Dog Festival, Amish Country bakeries, and the Heritage Trail, and Bristol makes an easy base for a multi-day family RV trip.
Do Bristol-area campgrounds stay open in winter?
Mostly no. The private parks are seasonal: Elkhart Campground runs April 1 to mid-November, and Eby's Pines RV Park & Campground closes over the coldest months, matching the region's freezing, snowy, lake-effect winters. If you need a winter site, Pokagon State Park keeps Campground 3 open year-round with a heated comfort station and a water fill station, though you should arrive prepared to run your own heat and manage freezing hookups. For most RVers the practical camping season in Bristol runs from spring reopening through the fall festival season, with winter reserved for the well-equipped.
What is the highest-rated dump station in Bristol?
The highest-rated station is All-Brand RV Service Inc. with a rating of 4.8/5 stars.
Are there free dump stations in Bristol?
Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Bristol.
All Dump Stations Near Bristol (145)
RV ParkEby's Pines RV Park & Campground
RV ParkWillow Shores
RV ParkPark Model
RV ParkCreekside Estates
RV ParkVillage Green
RV ParkElkhart Co. / Middlebury Koa Holiday
RV ParkElkhart County Fairgrounds
RV Park with Dump Stations







