Last Updated on 9 March, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf
Indiana Dunes National Park is a result of the wind and waves from Lake Michigan shaping the land for millennia. The park consists of over 50 miles of trails through a variety of habitats. With so much to explore, you may be wondering where to stay inside the park.
The Indiana Dunes National Park campground has 66 available sites and features amenities like showers, a dump station, potable water, and trash services. The park also features the Dunbar Group Site, Cypress Log Cabin, and the Central Avenue Walk-In Sites.
This article will review all you need to know about the Indiana Dunes National Park Campground, including available spaces, amenities, location, cost, and nearby trails. Let’s get started!
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Dunewood Campground
The Dunewood Campground is the only Indiana Dunes National Park Campground. All other places to stay in the park are either group sites, tent sites, or lodgings. The campground is located on the park’s eastern border within a convenient distance from nearby trails.
Let’s check out the details!
Open Season
The Indiana Dunes National Park campground is open seasonally from April 1 to November 1. The busy season typically starts around Memorial Day and concludes around Labor Day. Weekends are especially busy during the summer, so it’s a good idea to book your stay in advance!
The Dunewood Campground also closes on the following holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday
- Washington’s Birthday
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
To reserve a spot at the Indiana Dunes National Park Campground, head over to recreation.gov.
Available Sites
The Dunewood Campground features 66 total sites broken down into different categories for every type of camper:
- 53 drive-in sites
- 13 walk-in sites
- 4 wheelchair accessible sites (sites 15, 30, 41, and 55).
Electric hookups are not available at any sites in the campground. Some sites have vehicle length restrictions, so be sure to check ahead before booking if your RV is on the long side. The sites are broken down into two loops: the Mather Loop and the Douglas Loop.
By the way, if you’re looking to install solar so you don’t have to rely on electric hookups, check out our ultimate wiring guide article for guidance on installing your electrical components, including solar panels.
Cost Per Night
The Dunewood campground has a stay limit of 14 days. The cost is $25 per night. If you have an Access Pass or a Senior Annual or Lifetime Pass, you’ll get 50% off the fee, making it only $12.50 per night!
Many National Parks offer discounts for Access and Senior Pass holders, so the next time you want to stay in a campground in a National Park, make sure to check for discounts.
Location
The Dunewood Campground is located at Golf Wood Road & Dunewood Parkway, Beverly Shores, IN 46301. This is off West Dunes Highway (State Road 12).
If you have questions about the campground or its location, you can call the Indiana Dunes visitor center at 219-395-1882. They handle all inquiries about the Indiana Dunes National Park campground.
Amenities
Like any good place to stay, the Indiana Dunes National Park campground features amenities to make your stay more comfortable and enjoyable.
The Dunewood Campground includes the following amenities:
- Trash Cans/Dumpsters
- Dump Station
- Potable Water
- Fire Rings
- Flush Toilets
- Showers
- Accessible Sites
- Picnic Tables
Despite a plethora of amenities, don’t forget some essentials to make your stay at the campground more enjoyable, like a camp chair, roaster forks for s’mores (yum!), and any cookware you might need to whip up a delicious family meal!
Rules
Campgrounds always come with rules to ensure everyone enjoys their stay in the park. The Indiana Dunes National Park campground has the following rules:
- Quiet Hours are 10 pm to 6 am.
- You can have a maximum of 8 people at each campsite.
- Pets are allowed but must always be on leash.
- Campfires are only permitted in fire rings.
Always be respectful of your neighbors and try to keep noise, such as music, to an acceptable volume. Dogs should always be kept on a leash, even if they’re friendly. Place all trash in the proper receptacle and try to leave your campsite cleaner than you found it so that these places can remain open for generations to come.
Nearby Trails
While staying at the Indiana Dunes National Park campground, you’ll probably want to check out some of the hiking trails. Luckily, there are a few nearby and within walking distance. Others are just a short drive away from Dunewood Campground.
Before you set out on a hike, make sure you have everything you need by checking out our day hiking gear list. It provides details about everything you’ll need to enjoy a safe, fun adventure on the trails!
- Great Marsh Trail: This trail is only 0.3 miles from the campground. It’s a 1.3-mile adventure through the largest wetland complex in the Lake Michigan watershed. This is a great trail for birding.
- Dune Ridge Trail: This 0.7-mile hike is a short drive from the Indiana Dunes National Park Campground. It features a forested dune and a variety of habitats to intrigue any adventurer.
- Calumet Dunes Trail: A short but sweet 0.6-mile paved trail leading through a forest. It’s located 1.6 miles from the campground and can also be accessed via the Dunewood Trace Trail.
With over 50 miles of trails throughout the park, there’s plenty more to explore in the park if you’re willing to drive. The Cowles Bog Trail on North Mineral Springs Road is one of the highlights in the park, featuring astounding plant diversity, dunes, and beaches.
Head over to our article on the Cowles Bog Trail for more information on this exciting hike!
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also head over to Indiana Dunes State Park, where there are even more trails to explore!
Dunbar Group Site
The Dunbar Group Site allows up to 30 people, making it a fantastic option for business outings, youth groups, or family outings. The site allows up to 10 tents and is located just 500 feet from the beach!
The group site overlooks the Great Marsh and Lake Michigan. It’s open at the same time of year as the Indiana Dunes National Park campground. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance on recreation.gov
Note that RVs are not permitted in the group site, even in the parking lot, because it is too narrow for RVs to turn around.
Amenities
The Group Site is more primitive than the Indiana Dunes National Park campground, offering fewer amenities:
- Fire rings
- Picnic tables
- Flush toilets
There are no concrete pads like there are in the campground, so prepare to bring a tarp or other footprint to set down before pitching a tent.
Cost Per Night
Unlike the Indiana Dunes National Park campground, there are no discounts for the group site. It is a flat $100 per night.
Location
You’ll find the Dunbar Group Site at West Lake Front Drive, Beverly Shores, IN 46304. It’s located north of Dunewood Campground, closer to the beach.
The same quiet hours and rules apply to the Dunbar Group Site as at Dunewood.
Central Avenue Walk-In Sites
Another option to stay within the park is to pitch a tent at the Central Avenue Walk-In sites. These sites are primitive with no amenities, so be sure to pack in everything you need and pack out all trash, including food scraps and toilet paper.
Here are the details for the Central Avenue Walk-In Sites:
- Tent Only
- 5 Available Sites
- No Water
- Port-a-potty at parking lot
- Fire rings at each site
- $25 per night (50% off with annual pass or senior pass)
- Close to the beach
- Pets allowed
The parking lot for the walk-in sites is located at Central Avenue Beach Parking Lot 151 Central Ave, Michigan City, IN 46360. The furthest site from the parking lot is 0.63 miles.
Cypress Log Cabin
The final place to stay inside Indiana Dunes National Park is at the Cypress Log Cabin. This beautiful structure is located on the shores of Lake Michigan and offers modern comforts from a building constructed entirely of cypress logs.
If you’d rather have a comfortable place to come back to that feels like home, the Cypress Log Cabin may be the place to stay while visiting Indiana Dunes National Park!
Some of the best features of the cabin include:
- Stunning views of Lake Michigan right from the glass sitting room
- Exposed log interior
- Long galley kitchen
- Steam shower
- Full wet bar
- Wine cellar
- Pinball and skiball machines
- Parking for up to 6 cars
- Air conditioning
To rent the log cabin, a 2-night minimum in the off-season and a 4-night minimum in the summer is required. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed at the cabin. To make your reservations, head over to the In The Dunes reservation site.
It’s approximately $900 per night, but prices vary depending on the season. Personnel from the National Park Service patrol the area, offering a safe stay in the park.
Indiana Dunes National Park Campground: Wrap-Up Session
If you’d like to stay within Indiana Dunes National Park’s borders while you explore the park, you have four main options:
- Dunewood Campground
- Dunbar Group Site
- Central Avenue Walk-In Sites
- Cypress Log Cabin
The main campground in the park is the most popular option because it offers 66 sites and is located conveniently near the main road, convenience stores, gas stations, and trails, while still offering privacy at each campsite.
All sites are pet-friendly except the Cypress Log Cabin, and many trails within the park are dog-friendly.
No matter where you stay in the park, you’ll be surprised at how beautiful and diverse the landscape is around you. Enjoy your stay, give your furbag an extra pet, and keep exploring this beautiful world!
For more camping articles at locations all over the US, check out the camping section of our blog!
