Camping spots near Chesterton, Indiana center around a mix of state, national, and private facilities with varying levels of development and amenities. The region experiences lake effect weather with winter temperatures averaging 15-20°F and summer highs regularly reaching 85°F. Many campgrounds remain open seasonally from spring through fall, though limited winter camping options exist with reduced services.
What to do
Three Dunes Challenge hiking: A popular activity at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground with climbs up sand hills reaching 192 feet above Lake Michigan. "The 3 dune challenge is not really a challenge if you are moderately healthy but it is fun and scenic! The cool soft sand feels fantastic, definitely best hiked barefoot," notes Greg S.
Mountain biking at nearby trails: Some campers use the Chesterton area as a base for visiting biking trails. A visitor to Potato Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "We spent 2 nights here and went mountain biking at Imagination Glen Park in Portage just a few miles down the road which was awesome."
Fishing in area lakes and ponds: Many campgrounds provide fishing opportunities. A camper at Last Resort Campground appreciated that their site "allowed us to fish and be right across the street from the site!" Sand Creek and Michigan City Campground also have fishing ponds stocked for campers.
What campers like
Beach access variety: Different campgrounds offer varied beach experiences. A camper at Dunewood Campground noted, "Loved the proximity of this campground to Lake Michigan! The closest beach within the national park is Kimmel Beach which is beautiful. There are some biting horseflies at the beach, but not at the campground."
Security features at private campgrounds: Some private options emphasize safety. A visitor to Michigan City Campground commented, "Love the secure entrance and key card access. Pool and bathrooms were clean, although the bathroom could use a slight update."
Fall foliage viewing: For campers visiting outside peak summer months, autumn brings scenic landscapes. One camper mentioned, "We arrived on a fall night, after the sun had set and we were thrilled to wake up to such an amazing display of Northern Indiana fall foliage. Campsites, facilities and trails were all super well maintained."
Tent camping privacy: The region offers some secluded tent-only areas. A reviewer at Central Avenue Walk-in Sites explained, "The spot was clean. It's far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy. The walk to the beach was not too long. Site one is the only site on the front end of the trail."
What you should know
Train noise throughout region: Many campgrounds experience train disruptions. A camper at Dunewood noted, "Definitely heard railroad and road noise but that's the trade off for being close to town with good cell service."
Site variations within campgrounds: Consider location when booking. At Indiana Dunes State Park, "The best sites are the ones on the outside from the beach trail to the nature center. These are up against the dunes and have some shade. The middle sites are more exposed and much less private."
Basic hookups at public campgrounds: Many public campsites have limited connections. Dunewood has "a great facility with showers, water fountains, and a camp sink" but offers "no electric much but a park pass also for 25$."
Crowding during summer weekends: Beaches become extremely busy during peak season. One Warren Dunes visitor wrote, "Check in was easy but you might have to wait on a busy day. General store by entrance has mostly everything you need at slightly inflated prices."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. Sand Creek has "a basketball hoop" while Last Resort offers "a pool, playground, pond, camp store with a variety of ice creams."
Summer activities schedule: Many private campgrounds organize special events. A visitor to Last Resort described, "They had laser tag, candy parade, crafts etc." Another mentioned "Saturday night golf cart parade. After dark the campers with golf carts do a parade around the campground and toss candy."
Beach alternatives for busy days: When main beaches become crowded, seek quieter options. At Dunewood, "The campground was fully booked, but not everyone showed, meaning that it didn't really feel crowded there."
Insect preparation: Sand dunes and wetlands mean insects. As one camper at Sand Creek warned, "We visited twice and had spaces along the East end of the pond. The sites are relatively level but both sites had a lot of ant hills so be prepared with ant spray or another repellent to keep them out of the camper."
Tips from RVers
Site length variations: RV sizes accommodated vary by campground. At Michigan City Campground, "The premium sites were 90ft pull thought with 50A service, water and sewer, and the best wifi I have seen at a campsite."
Hookup extension needs: Some sites require longer cables. At Potato Creek, "Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up."
Seasonal site considerations: For longer-term stays, examine the full calendar. One visitor noted, "Michigan City Campground is open year round. They also have many monthly sites available with winter water, as well as seasonal and overnight spots."
Dump station availability: Plan for waste disposal. Last Resort visitor mentioned the campground has a sanitary dump station, while a reviewer at Warren Dunes observed, "There is only one place to dump gray water in the entire campground. We are tent campers and were told to 'dump it in the woods'."
