Indiana Dunes State Park Campground permits pets throughout its 140-site electric-only camping area, where each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill grate. The campground connects directly to pet-accessible hiking trails through sandy dunes and wooded areas, making it convenient for daily dog walks. The sites are set up with decent spacing and good buffer areas behind each, providing adequate room for pets to settle comfortably without disturbing neighbors. Train whistles can be heard regularly but aren't disruptive to most campers or their animals. While dogs must remain leashed at all times, the extensive trail system provides ample exercise opportunities.
Michigan City Campground, located just a short drive from Chesterton, offers pet-friendly accommodations including tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and cabins that welcome dogs year-round. The campground maintains clean facilities with pet waste stations positioned throughout the grounds. Dogs can enjoy the nearby Indiana Dunes National Park's pet-friendly sections, including several designated trails where leashed pets are welcome. Many campers with dogs prefer the sites along the outer loops which provide more privacy and easier access to walking paths. During summer months, early morning and evening walks are recommended to avoid hot sand that can be uncomfortable for pets' paws. Local veterinary services are available in Chesterton and Michigan City for emergency situations.
$25 / night
"There’s tons of trails to do along the lakeshore and none are really far from one another. I grew up in NWI so I didn’t camp in Indiana often but I did here and loved it!"
"There is so much to do her, wineries and breweries nearby. The beaches are not too crowded. Pet friendly and lots to do for children. This is one of our favorite vacation spots."
$43 / night
"This campground was very nice and clean and for a packed park was very quiet and we did not feel too close to the sites next to us. "
"The most beautiful state park in Indiana IMO."
"We stayed in the off season in a site close to the laundry facility and office. Great campground for families. Our site was smaller however, no one was around us so it seemed bigger."
"Clean bathrooms, laundry, dog friendly, pool, office is friendly and has a store with game room. Nice dog park. We are in a 40ft with tow and did not need to unhook."
$30 - $90 / night
"First time to Indiana with a quick trip to the Dunes. We were disappointed the state park was full but found this campground close by."
"Privately-owned and just a short distance from Indiana Dunes. The owner was very nice and helpful at check-in."
$49 - $57 / night
"A lake with water rentals, floating water slide, playgrounds and sport courts, general store with the stardust’s “convenience mark-ups”,and water/ electric at all sites."
"We were there the week before peak season opened so none of the pools or splash pads were open, but they were very accommodating so that we could still play mini golf and ride around on the pedal cars."
"The walk to the beach access is a beautiful one, and the beach is astounding! Pet friendly!"
"Happened upon this Gem when driving the coast of Lake Michigan. Watched the solar eclipse from the beach. The DBR had a viewing area setup for adults and kids. "
"We wanted a place close to my elderly parents house and Last Resort fit the bill. Overall it is a pleasant campground with a pool, a pond, and some weekend activities."
"We were super close to fellow campers.On the other side of the grounds around the pond (electric only) sites were much bigger and secluded. Despite the tight space, the kids loved it here."
$25 / night
"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."
$20 - $90 / night
"Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust. Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up."
"I feel this is one of the best state parks in Indiana. Come with your own water as they don’t have water hookups at your campsite but there are some nearby. The sites are very spacious and clean."
GuideCompared to the other popular campground in the state park this is way less crowded. There’s tons of trails to do along the lakeshore and none are really far from one another. I grew up in NWI so I didn’t camp in Indiana often but I did here and loved it! There are a bunch of raccoons that can come steal food so beware of that! Overall nice though!
TravelerWe stayed in the off season in a site close to the laundry facility and office. Great campground for families. Our site was smaller however, no one was around us so it seemed bigger. They do have nice premium sites in the front. Loved that it is gated and and key card access after hours. Has a dog park and a playground for the kids.
GuidePros - playground, pool, well kept grounds, helpful staff, gated/swipe card access, ponds, close to area attractions, decent campground WiFi, small fire ring, small dog park
Cons - tight spaces, BYO grill, bad showers, dirty/tight bathroom area
The mens room is just gross. Water in the stalls because showers don’t drain. Water in the shower never gets hot. Missing shower heads with pressure that almost tears your skin. Can barely squeeze into the tiny stall. Toilets are gross.
GuideWe used it as an over night stop right off of 94. It was perfect for that. It would also be perfect spot to stay longer if wanted to be in the area. Grounds were nice. Clean bathrooms, laundry, dog friendly, pool, office is friendly and has a store with game room. Nice dog park. We are in a 40ft with tow and did not need to unhook.
ScoutGreat stop for the night, It's new, gated and has basic amenities like a General store, Dog park and basketball court and tennis ball court for some activities if you have kids. Plenty of space and Convenient. We reserved and checked in online. 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 but it's Nov so no need to run dual ACs minor issue but still make sure your using your EPM devices.
TravelerThe walk to the beach access is a beautiful one, and the beach is astounding! Pet friendly!
TravelerCouple minute walk to the beautiful Lake Michigan beach. Waist deep most areas, waves can get big tho. The campgrounds beach is NOT pet friendly, but there is a flat boardwalk that takes you to a pet friendly area of beach of neighboring Warren dunes state park. Clean easy to locate water/trash/office areas. Friendly staff. They check the loops frequently and keep things tidy. Sandy but drivable roads(be careful in a washout). Flat nice sized lots. Clean bathroom/shower house! (Males and females share showers, could be concerning during busy season). Peaceful and quiet. Loved everything about our trip. (Be warned the camping lots are sand too, you will have sand everywhere! But its worth it!)
ScoutSemi-modern campsite are super close together with very limited privacy. Sites 6-9 have hardly any trees so tents need to be set up strategically for what limited privacy there is. Don’t count on being able to hang a hammock in all sites (site 9 had zero spot to hang one). The interstate is behind the small tree line and the traffic noise is insanely loud. If you are looking to unplug and relax in nature, I would pick another spot to camp. The highway was louder than the sounds of nature. My backyard in the city of Chicago is more serene than our campsite. The campsites are pretty far from the lake where driving is almost necessary. The positives include, decent hiking and pet friendly areas on the beach. I will not be camping here again.
LegendIndiana Dunes State Park near Chesterton, In is a nice, well kept Campground. Modern facilities that are clean and well maintained. Gate attendants that are polite, knowledgeable and professional.
One issue...poor ole Lake Michigan is having some problems with E. coli. No swimming allowed while we were there. They check the water for levels of toxins etc. and post the information. But to me, even if it squeaked by as acceptable, do I really want to be swimming in it?!
The beach is beautiful, sand white and foliage is green. We enjoyed the walks to the beach but steered totally clear of any water. Climbed up the backside of Devils Slide and enjoyed the boardwalk trail. Eternal the campground and beach. Got sand in all those places you really don't want it.
The campground sites are close and the site we were in had little shade but it was level, bear the showerhouse and drained well when an over night storm started.
Camping options near Chesterton, Indiana provide access to both lakefront and inland sites within a 30-minute drive radius. The area features a mix of sandy soil conditions and wooded terrain that transitions between dune landscapes and more traditional Midwestern forests. Temperature fluctuations can be significant with summer highs regularly reaching 85°F while spring and fall nights often drop to the 40s, requiring campers to pack for variable conditions.
Beach hiking at Dunewood Campground: Located within Indiana Dunes National Park, campers can access multiple trail systems directly from their sites. "The campsite was large and beautiful. The restroom area was clean and had soap and dryers. Lots of nature, chill vibe," notes Veronica S. who stayed at Dunewood Campground.
Three Dune Challenge: This moderate hiking experience takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and climbs the three tallest dunes in the park. "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," shares Jackie H. from her stay at Indiana Dunes State Park.
Lake fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer pond or lake access for fishing. "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. We stopped for a beer at Chesterton and Hunter's Breweries," reports Jeffrey S. from Warren Dunes State Park Campground.
Clean shower facilities: Most campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept shower buildings. "The shower house was clean with good hot water. A camper sink for dishwashing was a nice bonus. The hosts were friendly," reports Katherine T. about her experience at Dunewood Campground.
Secure camping environments: Several area campgrounds implement security measures. "Love the secure entrance and key card access. Pool and bathrooms were clean, although the bathroom could use a slight update," Beth B. noted about Michigan City Campground.
Varied campsite privacy levels: Sites range from open to secluded options. "The sites are decently private with good tent pads. Definitely heard railroad and road noise but that's the trade off for being close to town with good cell service," according to Katherine T. who stayed at Dunewood Campground.
Train noise affects most campgrounds: The regional rail system passes near several campgrounds. "The campsite was nice but 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. from her stay at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.
Water conditions vary: Lake Michigan swimming conditions can change quickly. "Be careful in the lake, because rip current often take young visitors out too far and into dangerous waters," advises Anna G. from Indiana Dunes State Park.
Weekend congestion: Most campgrounds fill completely during summer weekends. "Always a great time. Indiana Dunes State park campground is one of our favorites. The beach, the trails, bike trails. There is everything to do here, it does not disappoint. Well the weekend traffic can be a bummer," notes Kirk B.
Playground proximity: Choose sites strategically based on amenities. "We pulled in around 4:30 in the evening. The sight was spacious with plenty of room in between sites. Our site was right between the playground and beach trailhead, but still private," Greg S. mentions about his experience at Indiana Dunes State Park.
Pet-friendly trail options: For pet friendly camping near Chesterton, Indiana, consider trails accessibility. "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," reports Don W. about his stay at Central Avenue Walk-in Sites.
Insect preparation: The wetland areas near Lake Michigan produce significant mosquito populations. "Natural wetlands abound, so definitely bring the mosquito spray," advises Frank M. from his stay at Potato Creek State Park Campground.
Electrical hookup locations: Several campgrounds have unusual electrical outlet placements. "Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up," notes Frank M. about Potato Creek State Park Campground.
Premium sites availability: For RVers seeking full hookups, specialized sites fill quickly. "This is a beautifully kept campground just outside Michigan City, IN. We stayed in the premium sites which were 90ft pull thought with 50A service, water and sewer, and the best wifi I have seen at a campsite," Craig C. shares about Michigan City Campground.
Sand conditions for larger rigs: Sandy soil can create challenges for heavy vehicles. "The sites are decently 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," warns Ron L. from his experience at Last Resort Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Chesterton, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Chesterton, IN is Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park with a 4.3-star rating from 125 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Chesterton, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 48 dog-friendly camping locations near Chesterton, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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