Dunewood Campground in Indiana Dunes National Park offers tent and RV camping without electrical hookups for $25 per night. The campground features shaded sites with good tent pads and moderate privacy among wooded surroundings. Facilities include clean shower houses with hot water, a camp sink for dishwashing, and attentive management who maintain quiet hours. Located minutes from Lake Michigan beaches and numerous hiking trails, the campground balances natural settings with accessibility. While train noise is noticeable at night due to nearby rail lines, most campers find the proximity to both town amenities and beach access worth this trade-off. Sites are typically spaced to provide some buffer between neighbors, though the campground fills quickly during peak season from May through September.
What to do
Beach access at multiple points: Indiana Dunes National Park offers several beach access points within a short drive of Dunewood Campground. "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," notes a Dunewood camper.
Climbing the dunes: The iconic sand dunes provide both recreation and exercise opportunities. At Warren Dunes State Park, "Mt. Randall is the high dune to climb but not for the faint of heart! And beware, the sand does get HOT midday," advises a visitor who found the climb challenging but rewarding.
Mountain biking at nearby trails: For mountain biking enthusiasts, Imagination Glen Park in Portage offers excellent trails just a few miles from Indiana Dunes State Park. "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," shares one camper who combined beach time with trail riding.
Interconnected bike trail system: The Dunes-Kankakee bike trail connects to the Calumet trail and several other pathways, creating miles of riding options directly from the campgrounds. Cyclists staying at Indiana Dunes State Park appreciate that "There is also the Dunes-Kankakee bike trail that leads from the park and ties to the Calumet trail that also connects to several other trails offering miles of bike trail options."
What campers like
Shower facilities: Michigan City Campground receives high marks for their shower houses. "The shower/Bathroom situation is actually fairly nice for a campground! The water pressure was great, and the hot water was amazing," reports a recent visitor who stayed in a rooftop tent.
Family-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds in the area cater specifically to families. "Michigan City Campground is gated so not just anyone can come in, very clean and a nice pool," notes one visitor who appreciated the security features. Another camper mentions the campground has a "swimming pool and a game room, and a small store with the essentials."
Clean, spacious sites: Campgrounds throughout the region maintain good site spacing and cleanliness. At Indiana Dunes State Park, "The campground itself is pretty typical of a state park- decent spacing, level sites and well kept. It is electric only but that didn't really bother us- we just showed up with the water tank full and other tanks empty and enjoyed ourselves."
Proximity to Chicago: For urban campers seeking an escape, the Indiana Dunes area provides convenient access to nature without excessive driving. A camper noted they could "see the skyline of Chicago across the lake" on clear evenings from Indiana Dunes State Park, making it ideal for weekend getaways from the city.
What you should know
Train noise at night: Several campgrounds in the Chesterton area experience train noise due to nearby rail lines. At Indiana Dunes State Park, one camper reported, "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."
Mosquitoes can be intense: Depending on the season and recent rainfall, mosquitoes may affect outdoor enjoyment. At Tippecanoe River State Park, a visitor warned about the "worst place for mosquitoes," while others recommend spring or fall visits to minimize bug encounters.
Reservation requirements: Due to high demand, especially during summer months, advance reservations are strongly recommended. At Warren Dunes State Park, "We pulled in around 4:30 in the evening. The sight was spacious with plenty of room between sites. Since the weather was cooler, it was pretty sparse with other campers."
Limited or no water hookups: Many of the state park campgrounds offer electric hookups but no water or sewer at individual sites. At Indiana Dunes State Park, campers note there are "50 amp electric hook ups but no water or sewer connections," requiring visitors to fill water tanks before setting up camp.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: When booking sites at Indiana Dunes State Park, families should consider playground-adjacent locations. "For the playground, sites 2,3,4,6,&7 have direct access to a playground & you can watch your children from your site. All the interior sites by comfort station B have direct access to the playground from your site & you can watch your children from your site."
Water recreation options: Lakeshore Camp Resort offers multiple water recreation options beyond Lake Michigan. According to one visitor, "The Pool and lake were both swimmable. The playground was nice for kids," making it suitable for families seeking variety in water activities despite the campground's other limitations.
Educational programs: Many Indiana state parks offer ranger-led activities and nature programs that appeal to children. At Indiana Dunes State Park, the "visitor center is nice, fairly large and the workers were very friendly. They had one of the nicer programs that I have been to in the state," according to a family who particularly enjoyed the educational aspects.
Lifeguarded swimming areas: Families appreciate the supervised swimming areas at Indiana Dunes State Park. "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," notes a parent who valued this safety feature.
Tips from RVers
Premium pull-through sites: RV campers seeking maximum convenience should consider the premium sites at Camp Bullfrog Lake. "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," explains an RVer who appreciated the amenities.
Electrical service variations: Check electrical service specifications before booking, as amperage varies between campgrounds. At Michigan City Campground, "Most sites include sewer, water, electric (up to 50 amps) and wireless internet," providing comprehensive hookups for those requiring full service.
Dump station availability: Indiana Dunes State Park offers convenient dump stations that minimize wait times. "Two dump stations made wait minimal," notes one RVer, highlighting an often-overlooked but important facility for longer stays.
Site length considerations: When selecting sites, measure your rig carefully. "Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad," advises an RVer at Camp Bullfrog Lake who found these sites most accommodating for larger vehicles.
