Keep in mind, Indiana State Parks do not turn the water on in the park until after April 1, and that is contingent upon upcoming weather conditions. On the DNR web site, it clearly states they may delay turning on water after April 1 if conditions are not right yet.
Once you get South of Indiana, Kentucky State Parks (mostly) have water on year round, and the farther South you go, every campground will be open year round and fully functional.
Actually, the drive from Northern Indiana to St. Louis is really boring, in a way. Basically, everything is flat and fields all the way no matter which route you take.
Elkhart, Indiana has a county fair grounds campground and more than likely, they will have water running somewhere. They might not have water on at the campsites, but there are multiple places they may park you within the fair grounds, near one of the building or barns where you would have easy water hook-up. I highly suggest you contact them for your first night and spend the night there. You will be close to wherever you are picking up the camper and if problems arise right away, you'll have the opportunity to go right back and get the problem looked at. Plus easy access to shopping centers, food, and WallMart! You will need to initially stock your camper. Bring lots of cash!
After the first night, if everything in the camper checks out OK, head South and get out of Indiana (unless the State Parks have turned on the water by then). If so, you have a myriad of selections right in Indiana to stay a couple day before moving on South. A 2 or 3 hour drive from Elkhart will not get you out of Indiana if you head straight South. It will be more like 5 hours to get to Kentucky, especially towing an RV.
Elkhart County, Goshen Indiana, 4-H county fairgrounds. Click here.If you have time, go to Middlebury, Indiana tand visit
Das Essenhaus family restaurant and grounds. It's Amish food, family style served, individual style served, or buffet style served. The price is more than reasonable. It's a great spot to visit. The grounds are fun to explore, as are the shops there. And they have a live theater there if you like stuff like that. Climb up the silo, take the carriage ride, eat the food, and take lots of pictures. Be sure to purchase a pie, Amish noodles, and cookies from the bakery! We make a pilgrimage on a Saturday once every winter and go there for the day. Occasionally, we've spent the night at the inn and come home the next day. The drive was Goshen to Middlebury is well worth it. You'll pass lots of Amish homes along the way. They are very easy to spot, white houses with no power lines go to them.
While you are there, take in the
RV Museum and Hall of Fame, click here in Elkhart.
And if you have a chance, take an RV factory tour. You'll need to check the manufacturer of your choice web site for tour information. The tours are well worth your time. We've been on 2 different ones over the years, Dutchmen-Delali and Coachmen Motor Homes. Both were very enlightening!
You could spend several days just in the Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury area before heading farther South.
