50 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Indiana Dunes State Park Campground accommodates pets throughout its spacious sites where campers report clean facilities and well-maintained grounds. Pet owners find electric hookups at each site with picnic tables and fire rings, though no water connections are available at individual campsites. Lakeshore Camp Resort also welcomes pets with full hookup options including water, sewer, and electric service for RV campers. Michigan City Campground offers year-round pet-friendly accommodations in tent sites, RV spots, and cabin options. Dogs must remain on leash throughout these campgrounds, with designated areas for pet relief. Woodland Village Mobile Home & RV Park provides basic pet-friendly amenities with drinking water, electric hookups, and sewer connections but lacks shower facilities or toilets. Sites can be particularly crowded at Lakeshore where campers note the proximity to neighboring units creates a neighborhood-like atmosphere rather than a wilderness experience.
The trail system connecting Indiana Dunes State Park to the National Park provides multiple pet walking opportunities with varied terrain from forested paths to lakefront routes. Pets require constant supervision near the dunes and beach areas where wildlife encounters are possible. During summer months, early morning or evening walks offer cooler temperatures for pets, as midday heat on sandy areas can cause paw discomfort. Campgrounds enforce quiet hours that apply to barking dogs, particularly at more densely populated locations like Lakeshore Camp Resort where noise complaints have been noted in reviews. Sand Creek Campground offers a less crowded alternative with drinking water and waste disposal facilities critical for longer pet stays. Most campgrounds require proof of current vaccinations at check-in, and the nearby communities provide veterinary services for emergency situations. Many sites become fully booked during summer weekends, necessitating advance reservations when traveling with pets.
"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."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"The most beautiful state park in Indiana IMO."
"The campground although nearly full was relatively calm and quiet. Unlike the craziness of other Indiana state parks I have visited."
from $43 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $49 - $57 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $30 - $90 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Located in a Cook County forest preserve this family camping option is a nice local getaway. The facilities are all newly built or remodeled. The bathrooms are modern."
"There are several bathrooms around and they are clean. Staff is friendly and welcoming."
from $35 - $250 / night
Check Availability"Great site, not far from Chicago, but feels well away from city life. Tent sites around rim of a lake. RV sites and cabins as well."
"What’s great about this location is the access to the miles and mile of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite."
from $20 - $138 / night
Check Availability"There was a nice big field for the dog to run. Nature trails and of course Cedar Lake. People seemed friendly."
"You have access to the perks of the conference grounds I clouding access to a small private beach on the lake, canoes and kayaks, life jackets, and a rec room when open."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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. "
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!
TravelerSmall campground but very friendly. A plus was the full hookups. The sights are very close together. Management is not over bearing and very friendly. Dog friendly lots of dogs this weekend nice size dog park! You overall great weekend
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.
ScoutWe’ve been staying at this resort for several months now, and wanted to share some feedback based on our experience.
The pool only opened mid-summer.
Water quality has been very bad. On one occasion, our pet had stomach issues after drinking tap water, which was concerning. The water is so unclean that our shower develops yellow stains within a day, and we’ve had to install a five-stage filtration system just to make it usable.
We’ve also noticed that rules aren’t enforced consistently, and it sometimes feels like certain guests are treated unfairly. For example, while we were told that personal kiddie pools aren’t allowed, we’ve counted at least six others set up around the park.
Package delivery is only permitted under special circumstances, and only if pre-approved by staff.
Had an incident where a staff member criticized my swimsuit at the pool, despite it being modest and similar to what others were wearing. I wore this swimsuit to many pools for many years. Additionally, the beach area is often closed even during posted open hours, and pool hours or updates aren’t clearly communicated—you have to inquire to get any information.
The storm shelter is typically locked, making it inaccessible in emergencies, which is a major concern.
We’ve also had to fix the swing set at the playground ourselves multiple times, as it’s been broken for a while. Many of the park’s facilities and amenities are showing their age and could benefit from updates and maintenance.
That said, there are aspects we’ve truly enjoyed, and they’re the main reasons we’ve continued our stay: the spacious layout of the RV park, a nice lake, beach, pool, gym, and a dog park.
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.
TravelerMany very nice permanent sites. We loved the dog park along with the many activities available. We come here at least once a year. Check out their information on their website.
If you want a quick local get away this is the place.
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.
TravelerFriendly staff who were quick to respond to any issues. Partial hookups (sewer just outside of park behind hotel). $46/night (+fees) for a pull-through spot. Pet-friendly. Pleasant park with good pad. Near busy road and shipping plant. No wi-fi found except at hotel. Good phone connection. Garbage cans throughout park. Minutes from I & M Canal entrance on Houbolt and from JJC and I-80.
Campgrounds near Gary, Indiana offer accessible nature escapes within an hour of Chicago's metropolitan area. The region features a mix of lakefront and wooded sites ranging from 600-750 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April through October with limited winter availability at Michigan City Campground.
Beach activities at Indiana Dunes National Park: Dunewood Campground provides convenient access to Lake Michigan beaches. "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 Katie O. at Dunewood Campground.
Dune hiking trails: Tackle various difficulty levels of sand dunes, including the popular Three Dune Challenge. "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," says Greg S. from Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.
Mountain biking trails: Access miles of trails directly from your campsite at certain locations. "What's great about this location is the access to the miles and mile of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite," explains Josh M. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Kayaking on smaller lakes: Rent equipment for water activities on calmer waters. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," according to Layla P. from Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate well-maintained bathhouses. "The bathroom area was clean and had soap and dryers. Lots of nature, chill vibe. Great experience!" shares Veronica S. from Dunewood Campground.
Privacy between sites: Some campgrounds offer more separation between sites. "The sites are decently private with good tent pads. Shower house was clean with good hot water. A camper sink for dishwashing was a nice bonus," reports Katherine T. about Dunewood Campground.
Wooded tent sites: Sand Creek Campground offers natural settings for tent campers. "The tent sites were nice and located around the perimeter. Very clean and newly renovated," notes Jennifer Z. about Sand Creek Campground.
Security features: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Gary provide added security measures. "Love the secure entrance and key card access. Pool and bathrooms were clean, although the bathroom could use a slight update," mentions Beth B. about Michigan City Campground.
Train noise: Many campgrounds in the area experience railroad disturbances. "Could hear Trains throughout the night. Great facility with showers, water fountains, and a camp sink. Great shading from trees and very green!" explains Truly W. at Dunewood Campground.
Weather considerations: Summer heat affects camping comfort. "Brutally hot but otherwise nice. Loved the proximity of this campground to Lake Michigan!" shares Katie O. about Dunewood Campground.
Limited shade at some sites: Exposure to sun can be an issue. "We tent camped for two nights while visiting Indiana Dunes. It's only 15 minutes away, and nestled into a residential area so it's a nice option... The noise is quite jarring for a campground that seems like it would be pretty quiet - constant train traffic, airplane noise," warns Stefanie Z. from Sand Creek Campground.
Seasonal operations: Check opening dates before planning trips. "The campground is privately owned and was almost at the end of the season. There is a check in station at the entrance," notes Katrin M. about Sand Creek Campground.
Playground access: Several pet friendly campgrounds offer play equipment for children. "Our site was right between the playground and beach trailhead, but still private," explains Greg S. from Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.
Swimming options: Pools provide alternatives to lake swimming. "We had a blast riding our bikes. I'm giving Camp Bullfrog Lake 4 out of 5 stars. The lack of shade trees and the high cost per night took away the fifth star," shares Tim K. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning bird watching creates memorable experiences. "Amazing chirping of the birds in the morning. Just beautiful piece full with nature," reports Gina A. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be problematic in wooded areas. "The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening. Overall, it was a nice campground with spacious sites," warns Katrin M. about Dunewood Campground.
Full hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer complete services. "This is a state park which has an entrance fee and camping you can reserve. The area is beautiful," explains Anna G. about Indiana Dunes State Park.
Site length considerations: Check pad dimensions for larger vehicles. "I believe this is a relatively newer campground. There is NO shade during the day. None at all due to the trees within the campground being small. Sites # 4 and 5 probably have the longest length parking pad," notes Tim K. about Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Premium site options: Some campgrounds offer upgraded RV sites. "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," shares Erin B. about Michigan City Campground.
Fill water tanks before arrival: Several campgrounds have limited water connections. "The sight had 50 amp electric hook ups but no water or sewer connections, and we knew that going in. We just showed up with the water tank full and other tanks empty and enjoyed ourselves," advises Greg S. about Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Gary, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Gary, 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 Gary, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 50 dog-friendly camping locations near Gary, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
