Indiana Dunes National Park surrounds Beverly Shores, creating unique camping opportunities along Lake Michigan's southern shore. Campsites sit on terrain that includes ancient sand dunes formed over 15,000 years ago when glacial Lake Chicago receded. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with temperatures ranging from 50-70°F.
What to do
Hiking the dune trails: At Indiana Dunes State Park Campground, visitors can challenge themselves on the marked trails. "If you are able, do the 3 dune challenge. It wasn't easy for this old body, but I was glad to have marked it off my list," notes Jackie H. The trails range from easy beach walks to more strenuous dune climbs.
Cave exploration: Thousand Trails Bear Cave offers unique underground exploration. "They have a naturally formed cave that you can go down into for a small fee. A variety of things to do from fishing to the game room," shares Ryan H. The cave tours provide a cool respite during hot summer days.
Lake Michigan swimming: The beaches near Beverly Shores feature designated swimming areas with variable conditions. "The beach was well maintained, and had lifeguards during certain hours, which gave me a little bit of extra comfort in bringing my kids to the lake," explains Kaley A. Swimming is best from June through September when water temperatures reach 65-75°F.
What campers like
Beach access: Campers appreciate the proximity to Lake Michigan's shoreline. "We have lot of space, everything looks clean," mentions Erika P. from Indiana Dunes State Park Campground. The beach areas typically have the highest visitor counts between 11am-3pm.
Wooded campsites: Michigan City Campground offers shaded sites for summer camping. "Stayed here 2 nights in the group tent camping area. Plenty of space to spread out and good firepits," shares Beth B. Sites under tree cover maintain temperatures 5-10°F cooler than exposed areas.
Pool facilities: During peak summer heat, swimming pools provide alternatives to beach swimming. "We stayed in a 90 ft premium pull through spot. Nice campground that is maintained. There is a pool, fishing pond, and playground for kids," notes Erin B. about Michigan City Campground. Most campground pools operate from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds near Beverly Shores experience railroad disruptions. "The only reason I rate this park a three is that it's very close to train lines and the trains going through and blasting their horns all night long," warns Kaley A. Sites furthest from tracks typically sit 0.5-1 mile from rail lines.
Off-season closures: Many facilities reduce operations after summer. "They're open from April 15 to October 15," notes Iris A. about Lake Alexander RV Park. Campgrounds with year-round operation often reduce available sites by 40-60% during winter.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds. "No internet, no cell service," reports Dawn T. about Thousand Trails Bear Cave. Signal strength generally improves at higher elevation points within campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Oak Lake RV Resort caters specifically to families with children. "Pulled in as the sun was coming down after a looong day of driving. Our site was right next to the playground and my kids had a blast swinging, climbing, and jumping while we set up camp," shares Sadie H. The playgrounds provide convenient entertainment within 50-100 feet of many campsites.
Swimming alternatives: Families appreciate the variety of water recreation options. "Pond swimming & obstacle course, movies on our inflatable screen, golf cart glow parades, s'mores, homemade campfire pizzas & endless family memories," describes Nadiehsda B. about Oak Lake RV Resort. The swimming areas typically maintain depths of 2-5 feet for safer family use.
Security features: Parents value campgrounds with controlled access. "Gated campground so not just anyone can come in, very clean and a nice pool," notes Shane M. about Michigan City Campground. Most gated facilities implement quiet hours between 10pm-8am for family-friendly environments.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV campers recommend specific locations within campgrounds. "We were in the RV section next to the beach. The sites were open and dirt/sand—ours was up on a bit of a hill," reveals one camper about Indiana Dunes. Premium sites typically measure 60-90 feet in length.
Electric hookups: Love's RV Stop provides reliable power connections. "The only complaint I had is the site we were at showed a ground fault on the 50amp Circuit so I had to use the 30 amp circuit," advises Steven C. Most RV sites provide 30-50 amp service with 50 amp sites typically costing $3-5 more per night.
Check-in processes: RV parks increasingly offer streamlined arrival procedures. "Found this on Dyrt and stopped for one night. Easy on and off I 65 yet barely any traffic noise. It just opened and it is well designed. The check in online is very easy," shares Ken P. about Love's RV Stop. Self-check-in options typically operate 24 hours while staffed offices close between 5-8pm.
