RV Rental Indiana: Motorhome, Camper, & Trailer Rentals IN

If you're thinking of taking a road trip, RV rentals in Indiana are a great way to tour the Midwest. Indiana, which is Latin for "Land of the Indians," is a beautiful state to behold. From the Indiana Dunes National Park in the north to the wild forests in the south, there's a lot to explore.

Also known as the Hoosier State, Indiana hosts the Indy 500 each year, which draws hundreds of thousands of racing fans. It also has the biggest children's museum in the world, a 60-mile stretch of road known as Antique Alley, and incredible rock and cave formations you don't want to miss.

Learn more about the state’s top attractions, popular events, and best places to camp out in our guide below.

Popular RV Destinations in Indiana

Indiana Dunes National Park

One of the state's top attractions is located on Lake Michigan. Millions of visitors are drawn to the beaches at the Indiana Dunes every year, which are among the best in the United States. And if you have a motorhome, it's a great way to check out the park's dunes, marshes, wildlife, and 15 miles of coastline.

The park also has several miles of hiking and biking trails where you can explore the dunes, marshes, forests, and prairies. It's a great spot for birders because it's home to 350 migratory species, and it’s also a peaceful destination for fisherman and paddlers. Whether you're an outdoorsman or a beach lover, you’ll find something to do at the Indiana Dunes.

Marengo Cave

One of the state's most interesting national landmarks is the Marengo Cave. Two children discovered the natural phenomenon in 1883, and it's been a tourist attraction for over 130 years. People travel from all over to look at the cave formations, including its stalactites, stalagmites, and helictites.  

You can take one of two walking tours to explore the flowstone deposits and other formations. There are also several above-ground activities as well, including gemstone mining and pedal karting. Should you choose to spend the night, there's also a campground nearby. The Marengo Cave is open all-year-round, and it's suitable for families and children of all ages.

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

This national historic landmark is located in Lincoln City, and it marks the spot where former President Abraham Lincoln lived with his family from 1816 to 1830 from the age of seven to 20. His mother and two dozen other settlers are buried onsite in the Pioneer Cemetery.

The park features the Lincoln Living Historical Farm, a pioneer homestead with a cabin, several outbuildings, farm animals, vegetable gardens, and crops for visitors to explore. You can also take a walk on the Lincoln Boyhood Trail to the park's Cabin Site Memorial, which many think is where one of Lincoln's cabins used to stand.

Events and Entertainment in Indiana

Indianapolis 500

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has more than 255,000 seats and is the largest sports venue on earth. Some say Vatican City, the Colosseum in Rome, Yankee Stadium, Churchill Downs, and the Rose Bowl can all fit inside the venue's oval. The speedway was built in 1909 and has been hosting the oldest operational car race, the Indy 500, since 1911.

The race is a big deal for fans who take pleasure in its traditions, including the pre-race ceremonies and post-race celebrations. And you can’t dismiss the tradition of singing "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the drivers start their engines. If you’re traveling through Indiana during the Indy 500, it’s a can’t-miss event. 

Pierogi Fest

Every July, Whiting, Indiana, hosts Pierogi Fest. Nearly 300,000 attendees congregate in the downtown area to sample the Slavic dumpling as well as other Eastern and Central European delicacies, such as kielbasa and sauerkraut. In addition to food vendors, visitors enjoy musical performances, beer and wine gardens, craft vendors, and carnival rides.

The event, which is one of the state's largest, also features a Polka Parade, eating competitions, and "Mr. Pierogi." No matter what your heritage is, the festival brings "wonderfully weird and wacky fun" to all those who participate.

Lucas Oil Stadium

In addition to motor sports, the state is known for its Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team and the Indianapolis Colts, which call Lucas Oil Stadium their home. The venue seats 67,000 fans and has a retractable roof. It hosts a variety of events throughout the year besides NFL games, including conventions, concerts, and other activities.

Located in downtown Indianapolis, the Lucas Oil Stadium is the home of the United Soccer League's Indy Eleven and has been hosting the Drum Corps International Championships since 2009. The city also has other sporting venues, including the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, and the Fairgrounds Coliseum.

Indianapolis Children's Museum

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is the world's largest and attracts one million visitors every year. It has five floors of exhibit halls and more than 120,000 artifacts. Whether you have children or simply like tapping into your inner child, you will undoubtedly be entertained by the museum's diverse offerings.

It has everything from a mock-up of a Cretaceous dinosaur habitat to a giant chocolate slide and a beautiful blown glass tower designed by renowned sculptor Dale Chihuly. Most of the exhibits are interactive, so both children and adults can immerse themselves in the activities.

Campgrounds and Parks in Indiana

Dunewood Campground

If you love the beach, this is a great place to hunker down for a few days. Located one mile south of Lake Michigan, Dunewood Campground is close to Lake View Beach and several other national park beaches. It's a great place for day hikes on trails such as the Dune Succession Trail, and the campground is nestled in an oak forest with nearby marshes.

There are 78 sites and room for RVs, although length is limited on some sites. While there are no electric or water hookups or an RV dump station, there are restrooms and showers. The campground is very easy to find, and the roads are paved and in good condition.

Indianapolis KOA

There's no better place to stay if you're in town for the Indy 500, Brickyard 400, or the Red Bull Air Race. This campground is located 20 minutes from the speedway and 15 minutes from the Lucas Oil Stadium, Children's Museum, Indianapolis Zoo, and other attractions. The KOA is designed for all types of RVs and has a maximum pull-through of 110 feet.

There's Wi-Fi, a pool, a water park and playground for children, and a dog park for your canine companions. Also on site are bike rentals, laundry facilities, hand-dipped Hershey's ice cream, pizza, and wings.

Lake Rudolph Campground and RV Resort

If you plan on visiting Holiday World Theme Park & Splashin’ Safari Water Park, you may want to stay here. This RV resort has been named National RV Park of the Year and Best RV Park in Indiana for a reason. It features Santa’s SplashDown WaterPark for kids, golf car rentals to roam the campground's 160 acres, and a snack shop with a variety of food options.

Recreational activities include basketball courts, a beach volleyball court, horseshoe pits, miniature golf, a fishing lake, paddleboat rentals, game rooms, a gem mining sluice, and nature trails. Wi-Fi is also available.

RV Storage and Dumpstations in Indiana

If for some reason you need to store your Indiana RV rental for a short (or long) period of time, there are many storage facilities in the state that can accommodate you.

  • Indiana RV Storage, New Carlisle 
  • High and Dry RV Storage, Angola
  • U-STORE Self Storage and RV, Indianapolis
  • CCIC RV, Boat, Auto and Trailer Storage, Indianapolis

Disposing of gray and black water is essential when you're RVing, and many campgrounds in Indiana provide the service even if you aren't staying there.

  • Flying J Travel Center, Lebanon
  • Pilot Travel Center, Brazil
  • United Wastewater Recovery Center, Elkhart
  • Love's Travel Stop, Gary

FAQs

1. What are RV rentals?

The advantage of renting an RV is you don’t have to pay the costs involved with owning and maintaining an RV. It’s also a great way to dip into the RV lifestyle without making a big commitment.

2. How much are RV rentals?

That depends on the size of the RV/trailer/motorhome and the length of the rental. Smaller trailers and campervans can cost between $75 and $150 per night compared to bigger rigs, which can cost up to $250 per night. However, you can save money if you book a week- or month-long rental and could pay as little as $60 per night.

3. Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Indiana?

Yes. You need to be 25 years old to rent an RV in Indiana.

4. Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes. Whether you rent a car or an RV, you need insurance to protect yourself in case there’s an accident.

5. Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

That depends on the RV owner. Some may require a full tank when you bring back the RV, while others have different policies.

6. Are RVs pet-friendly in Indiana?

Many companies allow you to travel with pets in their RVs. However, they may require a deposit or extra fee.