Indiana Dunes State Park Campground sits within Indiana Dunes State Park, managed by the Indiana DNR, about half a mile from the Lake Michigan shoreline. A paved path and boardwalk connect the campground directly to the beach, making it accessible on foot or by bike. The campground divides into East and West loops, both shaded by mature trees, with asphalt driveways and concrete pads at most sites. A handful of sites, including those in the 98-102 range, sit on open sand rather than grass, which gives them a noticeably different feel from the rest of the loops.
Sites run electric-only, though several water fill stations are available throughout the park, including during winter months. Campers with larger rigs should note the 40-foot length limit and pay attention to individual site grades. Site 91 has a steep incline at the entrance, and reviewers suggest keeping rigs to around 30 feet there. Site 63 is frequently mentioned as one of the more private spots and easier to back into with a longer setup. Two dump stations serve the campground, and the wait tends to be short. Bathhouses include year-round heated showers, which extends the usable season well into colder months.
The campground's proximity to Lake Michigan is its main draw, but the trail system adds real range to a stay. Ari A. notes it's a "nice hike to the dunes and Lake Michigan with several trails to choose from," and the Dunes-Kankakee trail connects to the Calumet trail for multi-mile biking routes. The Indiana Dunes National Park Visitor Center is a few miles east and provides access to additional hiking terrain, including Mt. Baldy, where crowds tend to thin out compared to the state park beach. Riley's Railhouse is another nearby option for campers looking to explore the surrounding area.
Two recurring themes in reviews are worth knowing before booking. First, the campground sits close to an active rail line, and train horns carry clearly at night, particularly for tent campers. Second, summer weekends draw heavy day-use traffic to the state park beach, and the shared entrance can back up by 45 minutes or more on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The campground itself stays relatively calm even when full, and Jeffrey S. found it "very clean, well spread out" with "firewood and basics for sale" on-site. Verizon users report around two bars of service.
Reservations go quickly for summer weekends, and the campground operates a no-refund policy without at least 24 hours notice. Booking well in advance is the standard advice from repeat visitors, and arriving on a weekday significantly reduces both entrance wait times and site competition. Campers sensitive to train noise may want to bring earplugs regardless of season.
Description
Camping options: Dunbar Group Site and General Camping
Dunbar Group: The Dunbar Group Site holds up to 30 people and is located less than 500 feet from the beach. The site overlooks the Great Marsh and Lake Michigan. Parking and restrooms are located in the Dunbar Beach parking lot, 400 feet from the site.
Indiana Dunes consists of 2,182 acres of primitive, beautiful, historic, and unique Hoosier landscape. It lies at the north end of State Road 49 in Porter County and includes more than three miles of beautiful beach along Lake Michigan’s southern shore. In the early 1900s scientists, recreationists, and nature enthusiasts, recognizing the value and potential of the Indiana dunes area, fought to have the region preserved. As a result, in 1925, the state park was established.
Large sand dunes, located beyond the entire shoreline, have taken thousands of years to form, and tower nearly 200 feet above Lake Michigan. A wide range of habitats and plant species are found in the park, with vegetation stabilizing some of the sand. These habitats provide homes for many types of plants and animals. The lake also provides a habitat for many aquatic species, as well as a constantly changing fishery.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsIndiana Dunes State Park Campground is located in Indiana near Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Directions
PARK IS NORTH OF I-94 AND TOLL ROAD I 80/90 AND US 12 ON SR 49. FROM CHICAGO TAKE I 94 EAST TO EXIT 26B AND FOLLOW SIGNS. NOTE THAT THERE IS A SOUTH SHORE RAIL STATION WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE PARK.
Address
1600 NORTH 25 EAST
Chesterton, IN 46304
Coordinates
41.66060281 N
87.05121967 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 14 usersLast on 7/9/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 7/9/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 10 usersLast on 7/9/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 14 usersLast on 7/9/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 16 usersLast on 7/9/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 10 usersLast on 7/9/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 15 min from Michigan City, IN
- 45 min from South Bend, IN
- 49 min from Chicago, IL
- 54 min from Niles, MI





































