Last Updated on 12 March, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf
Indiana Dunes National Park was established in 2019, but this amazingly diverse landscape has been an area of interest since the late 1800s. If you’re ready to explore this unbelievable National Park, you may be wondering where you can stay nearby.
The 9 wonderful Indiana Dunes National Park camping destinations include:
- Indiana Dunes National Park Campground
- Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
- Indiana Dunes State Park Campground
- Sand Creek Campground
- Sunset Hill Campground
- Woodland Village RV Park
- Lakeshore Camp Resort
- Michigan City Campground
- Bass Pro Shop & Walmart
In this article, I’ll go over each of the 9 Indiana Dunes National Park camping destinations, their rates, location, amenities, and what stands out at each campground. If you’re looking for Indiana Dunes camping in or near the park, this article has all the information you need!
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1. Indiana Dunes National Park Camping
One option if you plan to explore Indiana Dunes National Park is to stay at a campground right inside the park. This puts you as close as possible to your adventures and reduces commute times.
The most popular campground destination in Indiana Dunes is the Dunewood Campground, located on the Park’s eastern side. However, there are other options as well that I’ll discuss below!
Dunewood Campground
If you want to experience Indiana Dunes National Park Camping, you can’t get much closer than the Dunewood Campground. The National Park Service tells us there are 66 sites, but be aware that none of the sites have electrical hookups.
Here are some of the highlights at Dunewood Campground:
- Hot showers available (seasonal)
- Good cell phone reception
- Trash on-site
- Dump station (seasonal)
- Potable water (seasonal)
- Modern bathroom with flush toilets
- Fire pits
- Close beach access (1.5 miles north)
The campground is open from April 1st to November 1st and can be reserved on recreation.gov. The price is $25 per night. Senior Lifetime, Senior Annual, and Access Pass holders get a 50% discount.
While you’re staying in the park, don’t forget to explore some of the wonderful trails in the park! We have a guide on the Cowles Bog Trail, a 5-mile hike through some of the most astounding plant diversity in the park.
Dunbar Group Site
If you have a large group, business outing, or youth group, the Dunbar Group Site might be a great camping destination.
This group site can accommodate up to 30 people and has 10 tent sites. The group site is much more primitive and does not offer potable water or showers, but they do have a modern bathroom on site.
The Dunbar Group site is just 500 feet from the shore of Lake Michigan, offering outstanding views of the lake and surrounding dunes. It costs $100 per night to stay at the Dunbar Group Site. You can reserve your stay on recreation.gov.
Central Avenue Walk-In Sites
If you’re the type of camper who enjoys roughing it, you may be interested in staying at the Central Avenue Walk-In Sites.
There are 5 sites total, each with a tent pad but little else. The farthest site is a 0.63-mile walk to the campsite, but at just a few hundred feet from the shoreline, the hike in is worth it! It costs $25 per night to stay at the walk-in sites.
The walk-in sites have no amenities. There is a porta-potty at the parking lot, but no bathrooms near the camp sites. Bring everything you need and make sure to pack out all trash, including toilet paper and food scraps. Check out recreation.gov to book your stay!
Cypress Log Cabin
If you prefer your Indiana Dunes National Park camping experience to be comfortable and luxurious, consider staying at the Cypress Log Cabin.
This stay offers a ton of amenities to make your stay as enjoyable as possible:
- Air conditioning
- Game room
- View of the water
- Botanical garden on site
- Full kitchen
- Stone fireplace
- Three bedrooms
- Wet bar
Luxury isn’t free, and staying at the Cypress Log Cabin will cost about $1,000 per night or more, depending on the specific date and season. You can book your stay on the In The Dunes website.
For a more in-depth look at each of these four options for Indiana Dunes National Park camping, head over to our article on the Indiana Dunes National Park campground!
2. Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
A not-so-well-known place to stay inside Indiana Dunes National Park is the park’s visitor center. It’s free, but requires a permit. To obtain the overnight parking permit, all you have to do is go inside the visitor center and ask for one. Done!
Parking at the visitor center is not an option at most National Parks, so please be respectful and do not leave any trash behind. When visitor center hours are over, the bathrooms get locked, so be prepared for no amenities.
Visitor Center hours are from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm every day from around Memorial Day to Labor Day. On the Tuesday after Labor Day, hours are reduced. The Visitor Center is also closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, so plan accordingly if you plan to stay here.
- Location: 1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, IN 46304
3. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground (2.7 Miles Away)
You can’t get much closer than the Indiana Dunes State Park Campground, located just 2.7 miles from the National Park visitor center. This campground fills up quickly because of its proximity to the park, so it’s recommended to make your reservations well in advance.
This State Park campground offers plenty of amenities to make your stay enjoyable:
- Electric hookups at all sites
- Laundry facilities
- Modern bathrooms with flush toilets
- Hot showers
- Dump station
- Potable water
- Picnic table and grill at each site
To book a stay here, head over to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website here. The cost is $50/night plus a $6 reservation fee.
If you stay here, you’ll be less than a mile from the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline and within walking distance of the South Shore Rail Station. The campground is located at 1600 N. 25 East Chesterton, IN 46304.
4. Sand Creek Campground (6.3 Miles Away)
The Sand Creek Campground is a 40-acre property located just 6.3 miles from the Indiana Dunes National Park visitor center. At Sand Creek, they offer tent sites, RV sites with hookups, and cabins.
The campground is situated on a grassy field dotted with towering trees that provide shade on warm summer days. If you’re looking for an Indiana Dunes National Park camping destination that’s close to the park yet out of the hustle and bustle, Sand Creek is a fantastic choice!
Pricing for the campground is as follows:
- Tent Sites: $45/day
- RV partial hookup (water & 20/30 amp): $55/day
- RV full hookup (water & 50/30/20 amp & sewer): $65/day
- Cabin 3 & 4: $100/day
- Cabin 5: $115
- Cabin 6: $140
To make a reservation, you can message them on their website or call 219-926-7482. Sand Creek Campground is located at 1000N N 350 E, Chesterton, IN 46304.
5. Sunset Hill Campground (8.6 Miles Away)
The Sunset Hill Campground is a walk-in tent-only site that does not accommodate RVs or other vehicle dwellings like campervans. This makes it a great destination if you enjoy the rugged nature of tent camping.
This is a primitive campground, so electric is not available. However, primitive toilets are located on site for your convenience. Water is not available at the campground, but you can find running water at the entrance to the Sunset Hill Farm County Park.
- Location: 35 E 700 North, Valparaiso, IN 46383
- Price: $75/night plus $20 reservation cost
Sunset Hill is a little pricey for the few amenities you get. However, it’s a convenient location from the park and still has some charm! You can book your stay on the Sunset Hill Campground website.
6. Woodland Village RV Park (9.2 Miles Away)
With a mixture of full hook-ups, big-rig friendly RV spots, and mobile homes, the Woodland Village RV Park has a spot for every type of camper. It’s conveniently located just 9.2 miles from the visitor center and just 41 miles from the city of Chicago.
Woodland Village is open year-round, making it a great destination when the campgrounds closer to the park close for the season.
Additionally, it has all the amenities a camper would ever need!
- Full hook-up sites only
- 30/50 amp available
- Coin laundry facilities
- Pet-friendly
- Trash on-site
- Convenience store
Unfortunately, there are no public bathrooms or showers on site, so be sure you are fully self-contained to be comfortable staying here.
- Location: 5757 US Highway 20, Portage, Indiana 46368
- Price: $50/night
If you’d like to make a reservation at this Indiana Dunes National Park camping destination, you can fill out the form on their site.
7. Lakeshore Camp Resort (9.7 Miles Away)
The Lakeshore Camp Resort is a membership park with 940 sites. However, they offer 115 full hook-up sites and 12 cabins for rent to the public. This campground will make you feel more like you’re staying at a resort!
At Lakeshore, you’ll find a 22-acre lake, pools, mini golf, wagon rides, volleyball, playground, boat rentals, an arcade room, and much more. It’s a fantastic destination for campers with families.
- Location: 5300 Old Porter Road, Portage, IN 46368
- Rates: Typically between $100 to $130 for cabins, depending on the season. No price listed for RV sites.
Each campsite comes with full hook-ups, including water, sewer, and 30-amp electric. Each site features a picnic table and fire ring, along with a gravel driveway. To make a reservation, you can call 219-762-7757 or send an email to Reservations@lakeshorecampresort.com.
8. Michigan City Campground (13.3 Miles Away)
This Indiana Dunes National Park camping destination offers RV sites and cabins. It is a premium campground with dozens of amenities to make your stay enjoyable and comfortable.
While staying here, you can enjoy:
- Swimming pool
- Fishing pond
- Camp store
- Playground
- Laundry
- WiFi
- Water & sewer
- Electric hook-ups (up to 50 amps)
Additionally, each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. Michigan City offers three distinct campsites:
- Premium Site: $78.50/night (best for big rigs)
- Full Hook-Up Sites: $72.50/night (good for medium-sized rigs)
- Water & Electric Sites: $65/night (good for tents and small rigs)
The Michigan City Campground can be found at 1601 US Highway 421, Michigan City, IN 46360.
9. Honorable Mentions
Whether other campgrounds are all booked up or you’d rather sacrifice amenities for a budget-friendly stay (we get it!), we have two more honorable mentions that fit the bill for Indiana Dunes National Park camping.
Bass Pro Shop (8.6 Miles Away)
Bass Pro Shops are typically camper-friendly due to a large parking lot with plenty of space. They’re normally located close to the highway, making it a convenient location to get to your next destination, but they also come with a bit of road noise.
Staying at a Bass Pro Shop is free, but it’s essential to be respectful, pack out all trash, and keep music and other noise levels to a minimum.
The closest Bass Pro Shop to Indiana Dunes National Park is located in Portage at 6425 Daniel Burnham Dr, Portage, IN 46368.
Walmart (10.8 Miles Away)
Another free camp spot near Indiana Dunes National Park is staying in a Walmart parking lot. Most Walmarts allow overnight parking for big rigs, Mack trucks, and anything in between, as long as you park in the back and do not block spaces for regular customers.
Walmart stores near tourist destinations, especially beaches, occasionally have signs that prevent overnight parking. Make sure to always check for signs and respect the rules of the establishment.
The closest Walmart to Indiana Dunes is located in Michigan City at 5780 Franklin St, Michigan City, IN 46360.
Campground Essentials
Before you embark on your campground adventure, make sure you have everything for you and your family to have a fun, safe adventure.
Here are some campground essentials you should pack to make the best of your stay!
- Tent & tarp for footprint (if tent camping)
- Sleeping bag & pad
- Pillow
- Portable cooking items – pots, pans, etc.
- Campfire stove & propane
- Plates & utensils
- Cooler
- Cleaning supplies – dish soap, sponge, towel
- Trash bags
- First-aid kit
- Sunscreen & bug spray
- Camping chairs
- Lighting
Remember to pack all the goodies like s’mores, snacks, roasting sticks, and all the condiments for hot dogs and hamburgers. Make it a memorable trip!
Indiana Dunes National Park Camping: Wrap-Up Session
Indiana Dunes National Park is a playground for hikers and campers. If you want to spend a few nights in the area, there are 9 delightful places to stay near or inside the park. Camping near Indiana Dunes National Park allows you to explore all the park has to offer without worrying about long drives or commutes.
To recap, here are the 9 Indiana Dunes National Park camping destinations:
- Indiana Dunes National Park Campground
- Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
- Indiana Dunes State Park Campground
- Sand Creek Campground
- Sunset Hill Campground
- Woodland Village RV Park
- Lakeshore Camp Resort
- Michigan City Campground
- Bass Pro Shop & Walmart
Until next time, give your furbags an extra pet from us and keep exploring this beautiful world! For more camping guides, check out the Dirtbags with Furbags blog!
