Best Campgrounds near Griffith, IN
Campsites in northwestern Indiana near Griffith provide access to both lake-based recreation and urban-adjacent camping opportunities. Indiana Dunes National Park offers Dunewood Campground in Porter, accommodating tents, RVs, and walk-in campers with drive-in and hike-in access options. Nearby, Indiana Dunes State Park Campground in Chesterton features electric hookups and sewer connections for RVs while still accommodating tent campers. Several private campgrounds including Lakeshore Camp Resort in Portage and Michigan City Campground offer cabin rentals along with traditional tent and RV sites, expanding the range of developed camping options in the region.
Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with some like Sand Creek Campground open from mid-April through mid-October and others such as Emerald Trails Campground operating from April 15 to October 15. Reservations are strongly recommended at most developed sites, particularly during summer weekends when facilities near Lake Michigan reach capacity quickly. Campgrounds closer to Chicago tend to have more urban characteristics with corresponding noise and density. A visitor to Camp Shabbona Woods noted, "Definitely felt the urban community close by with ambulances and firetrucks noises in the background. They close the gates after 10pm was weird but overall ok."
Several visitors highlight the variation in campground quality throughout the region. Reviewers frequently mention the contrast between the natural setting of Indiana Dunes sites versus the more developed private campgrounds. Campers seeking quieter experiences generally recommend the state and national park campgrounds, while families looking for amenities often prefer the private resorts despite their density. According to reviews, Lakeshore Camp Resort offers numerous family activities but receives mixed feedback about site spacing and maintenance, with one camper noting, "The campground is very large with decent sized sites. Very expensive and we have stayed in premium resorts." Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park earns positive reviews for cleanliness and lake access, with one reviewer appreciating "a nice big field for the dog to run, nature trails and of course Cedar Lake."












