Camping near Gary, Indiana encompasses a range of rustic and modern options within 20 miles of the city. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April through October with limited winter availability. Mosquitoes can be problematic in summer months, particularly in wooded areas, with campers reporting they were "horrible" and "almost impossible to sit outside in the evening" at certain locations.
What to do
Swimming options beyond Lake Michigan: Indiana Dunes provides swimming with lifeguards during designated hours. As one visitor to Indiana Dunes State Park Campground noted, "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."
Mountain biking trails: The region offers extensive trail systems beyond the dunes. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails."
Climbing opportunities: Some campgrounds feature climbing facilities. Camp Sullivan offers an activities barn with climbing equipment, with one visitor noting, "They have a nice Rockwall" despite having other complaints about facility cleanliness.
Kayaking on smaller lakes: For those wanting calmer water experiences than Lake Michigan, several campgrounds offer rentals. "The kayaks are $15 an hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," reported a camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
What campers like
Private beach access: Several campgrounds feature private lake access points. At Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park, campers "have access to the perks of the conference grounds including access to a small private beach on the lake, canoes and kayaks, life jackets, and a rec room when open."
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife despite urban proximity. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, one camper "hiked 10 miles and saw tons of animals and birds including a snake, loads of herons and songbirds, deer, a raccoon and a Cooper's Hawk."
Secure camping environments: Several campgrounds implement security features. Michigan City Campground earned praise for its "secure entrance and key card access" with a visitor noting they "Love the secure entrance and key card access. Pool and bathrooms were clean."
Free firewood: Some campgrounds include firewood with site fees. A Camp Bullfrog Lake visitor mentioned, "Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits."
What you should know
Drainage issues in facilities: Several campgrounds have reported shower and bathroom maintenance problems. One camper at Camp Sullivan reported "The handicap shower drain is clogged, making the floor extremely slippery from soap scum of previous showers."
Limited water access: Many campgrounds lack full water hookups. A camper at Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park observed "$25 a night no electric much but a park pass also for $25."
Noise levels vary dramatically: Urban noise affects most campsites near Gary. At Camp Shabbona Woods, campers have "definitely felt the urban community close by with ambulances and firetrucks noises in the background."
Varied shade availability: Tree cover varies significantly between campgrounds. A visitor at Camp Bullfrog Lake warned, "There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small."
Limited bathroom facilities: Some campgrounds have insufficient facilities for capacity. One camper complained at Camp Sullivan, "It's ridiculous there are two bathroom stalls and complete strangers have to pass a toilet paper roll between the stalls."
Tips for camping with families
Book sites near playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer playground access. At Indiana Dunes State Park, a camper reported, "Our site was right between the playground and beach trailhead, but still private."
Choose campgrounds with organized activities: Some locations offer structured programming. Lakeshore Camp Resort provides "activities for the kids all weekend and evenings are busy with golf cart parades."
Check for swimming options: Multiple water features appeal to families. A visitor to Michigan City Campground noted, "There is a swimming pool and a game room, and a small store with the essentials."
Bring bug protection: Insect activity can be intense, especially near wooded areas. At Dunewood Campground, a camper warned, "The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening."
Tips from RVers
Limited dump stations: Plan accordingly for waste management. At Sand Creek Campground, a camper advised, "It was basically just a long lawn with numbers on. Some of the sites are in the woods for more privacy."
Fill water tanks before arrival: Many sites lack water hookups. One RVer at Indiana Dunes State Park noted, "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."
Premium sites available: Some campgrounds offer upgraded RV spaces. At Michigan City Campground, an RVer reported, "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."
Gate access limitations: Some campgrounds restrict nighttime access. A visitor to Camp Sullivan warned, "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning!"
