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Camping near Hammond, IN

62 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    The northwestern corner of Indiana surrounding Hammond features camping options primarily centered around the Indiana Dunes ecosystem, where Lake Michigan shoreline meets diverse inland habitats. Indiana Dunes National Park's Dunewood Campground provides 66 wooded sites with modern facilities but no hookups, while the adjacent Indiana Dunes State Park Campground offers 140 sites with electrical hookups. Private alternatives like Sand Creek Campground and Michigan City Campground provide full-service options with amenities ranging from basic tent sites to premium RV spots with 50-amp service. Most campgrounds in this region sit within 30 minutes of Hammond, creating convenient access to both Chicago urban attractions and natural lakefront recreation.

    Advance reservations are essential throughout the region, particularly during summer months when beach access drives high demand. As one camper noted, "Dunewood is way less crowded compared to the state park campground, with tons of trails along the lakeshore." Seasonal considerations affect both availability and experience, with fall offering less crowded conditions but cooler temperatures. Highway and railroad noise impacts several campgrounds, particularly Dunewood where visitors report "trains rolling through late and early." Wildlife encounters, especially raccoons, require proper food storage. Water quality in Lake Michigan occasionally faces bacterial concerns, with swimming advisories possible during summer months. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, though GPS directions to specific campgrounds can be confusing.

    Proximity to Lake Michigan beaches represents the primary draw for most visitors, with trail systems connecting many campgrounds directly to shoreline access points. Several campers mention the contrast between crowded beaches and relatively empty hiking trails, particularly during weekdays. The Indiana Dunes area supports diverse recreational activities beyond swimming, including bird watching in marsh areas and cycling on dedicated bike routes. Facility quality varies significantly between campgrounds, with Indiana Dunes State Park receiving praise for its "completely redone campsites and brand new bath houses," while some visitors to Dunewood report maintenance issues with shower facilities. Many campgrounds offer shuttle services during peak season to help visitors navigate beach parking limitations when lots fill quickly on summer weekends.

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    Best Campgrounds near Hammond (62)

      1. Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

      4.3(127)26mi from Hammond67 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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!"

      "General: Dunewood campground is located within Indiana Dunes National Park, established in 2019 (The national seashore was established in the 1960s)."

      from $25 / night

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      2. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

      4.6(52)22mi from Hammond138 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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 $50 / night

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      3. Lakeshore Camp Resort

      2.8(18)15mi from HammondRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      4. Camp Bullfrog Lake

      4.2(30)22mi from HammondRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      5. Camp Sullivan

      3.1(15)16mi from HammondRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      6. Camp Shabbona Woods

      3.5(2)5mi from HammondTents, Cabins

      from $30 - $80 / night

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      7. Sand Creek Campground

      4.1(15)25mi from HammondRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

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      8. Michigan City Campground

      4.5(22)30mi from HammondRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "This is a beautifully kept campground just outside Michigan City, IN. It is gated so will need to call in once you arrive to enter."

      "It's easy access, clean spacious sites, and how quiet it was considering it proximity to S.R. 421 brought us back again this year. We visited Indiana Dunes National Park and State Park."

      9. Woodland Village Mobile Home & RV Park

      3.0(2)15mi from HammondRVs, Tents

      10. The Vaudeville

      4.5(4)20mi from HammondCabins

      "There is easy access to public transportation. It was HOT and there are no plug ins or use of generators so plan accordingly"

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    Recent Reviews near Hammond, IN

    515 Reviews of 62 Hammond Campgrounds


    • EThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 17, 2026

      Lakeshore Camp Resort

      looks like a dump at first glance but found out it’s storm damage

      Trailer was nice plenty to do. A lot of seasonal sites. was a pleasant enough stay. Looks like a converted Yogi Bear campground. A lot of storm damage around the campground. Pools were clean, bathrooms and shower houses are a bit dated but clean. They are about every 5 rows/streets. You can rent golf carts which seems the main mode of transportation. Nice rowboat lake with a beach for swimming. Small fast food restaurant small menu weird hours and more expensive that your normal fast food places. All in all it was a nice place and activities are plenty close to Chicago and one of the closest, also very close to the Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan.

    • Matthew C.
      Jul. 16, 2026

      Central Avenue Walk-in Sites — Indiana Dunes National Park

      Beautiful but Needs Some Love

      We stayed a Thursday and Friday night in July 2026 on site 1. We did need to head to the Welcome Center for a piece of paper to display on your dash so that we can park in the parking lot. There isn't a National Park entrance to access the site, you just park in a parking lot that a park ranger at the visitors center told us was owned and operated by the town and not the park service. There was an area of reserved parking for those camping at the walk-in sites. 

      There is a decent sandy hill that you need to go up to access the site, which really wasn't bad. The site itself was heavily wooded and secluded. It is fairly sandy, but there was a nice spot to set up the tent that was grassy. The mosquitos were aggressive, but a little Deep Woods Off and they left us along mostly. We got to the site and there was trash and cigarette butts scattered around that we had to clean up. I discovered the first night that a contributing factor to some of the trash is most likely a sizeable and bold raccoon that was not afraid of us, and both nights came wandering into our campsite looking for food while we were sitting there.

      Additionally, the fire pit has probably not been cleaned out in years, since it was filled to the top with ash. With this being a wooded site, this could increase the risk of a fire getting out of the pit. 

      We were at site 1, so heading to the port-o-potty was fine and it was well kept. The beach was about 3-5 minutes walking. However, the bathrooms and outdoor shower were all "Closed for the Season". There were a couple port-o-pottys there, but they were not in as good of shape as the one near the campground. There was also a ton of trash in that bathroom building area, which was disappointing to see.

    • A
      Jul. 6, 2026

      Hildebrandt Campground — Warren Dunes State Park

      Sand Dunes

      We were here over Memorial Day weekend and it was crowded but still nice. Spacing between sites was nice, lots of trees for privacy.

      Camp store was nice and stocked with plenty even on a busy weekend.

      Dune hikes are amazing and access to Lake Michigan if you climb over the dunes.

    • Kathy B.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 29, 2026

      Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

      Amateur hour

      Nicely laid out campground with mature trees. Level sites. All with electric hookups. Was greeted by very kind person at the booth. You need to know that on Sundays check-in is until 5 PM as campers from the weekend have until 5 PM to vacate their sites. Of course you can check in early if they leave. The way the campground is laid out, there are no pass that lead to the bathrooms. Therefore, people are constantly cutting through your site to get to their restrooms.

    • sThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 29, 2026

      Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

      Beautiful location and great campground!

      Nice sites, well spaced. Campground is well maintained with nice bathrooms and showers (we were there after a massive storm in early June and there had been some flooding in the bathrooms). From the campsite, walk through the forest and Dunes to the beautiful beach. Our dog was in heaven!

    • CThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 18, 2026

      Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

      Great Location and Camp Hosts

      Clean facilities, great camp hosts, and can’t beat the location. Campsites have a fire pit and table. One of the few spots to stay in the area.

      Bring bug spray

    • MThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 12, 2026

      Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

      Great week

      Just finished a week at this campground and overall had a great stay.

      The campground is a short walk or bike ride to the public beach, and just east along the lake is the preserve area where we were able to take our dogs swimming, which was a huge plus.

      The campground itself was nice. The East Loop felt a little older, with large mature trees providing shade over most sites, a centralized bathhouse, and a few pit toilets spread throughout. The West Loop had a similar feel.

      There are also a few playgrounds throughout the campground, which our kids really enjoyed. They spent a lot of time bouncing back and forth between them and meeting new kids along the way, which ended up being one of their favorite parts of the trip.

      The bathhouses were acceptable, though the campground was busy during our stay and it definitely showed.

      We stayed in Site 8, which I wouldn’t personally recommend. There was very little usable space, and the fire pit felt like an afterthought—placed against overgrowth on sloping sand to the point that we couldn’t realistically set chairs around it.

      One thing worth mentioning: we had some pretty severe weather come through during our stay, and the on-site tornado siren alerted everyone in the campground. Thankfully the storms missed us, but while the alarms were sounding, sheriff’s deputies were driving the loops and checking on campers, which was reassuring to see.

      We’ll definitely be back—just not to Site 8.


    Guide to Hammond

    Campers seeking outdoor accommodations near Hammond, Indiana find options concentrated around the Lake Michigan shoreline and inland forest preserves. Proximity to both Chicago metropolitan areas and natural landscapes creates a distinctive camping environment with seasonal considerations affecting both availability and experience. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F while spring and fall fluctuate between 40-70°F with increased precipitation.

    What to do

    Trail exploration at Indiana Dunes State Park: Located about 30 minutes from Hammond, the park features multiple hiking options beyond the popular beachfront. A visitor notes, "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" (Indiana Dunes State Park Campground).

    Explore mountain biking trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake, about 45 minutes west of Hammond, offers extensive trail systems. "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" (Camp Bullfrog Lake).

    Kayaking opportunities: Several campgrounds offer water recreation options. At Bullfrog Lake, "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around."

    What campers like

    Diverse camping setups: Michigan City Campground offers premium sites with extensive amenities. One camper mentioned, "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" (Michigan City Campground).

    Security measures: For those concerned about safety at camping spots near Hammond, several campgrounds feature controlled access. "Gated campground so not just anyone can come in, very clean and a nice pool."

    Well-maintained facilities: Sand Creek Campground, about 25 minutes from Hammond, receives praise for cleanliness. "The tent sites were nice and located around the perimeter. Very clean and newly renovated. My boys did like that there was a very nice pool" (Sand Creek Campground).

    What you should know

    Train and traffic noise: Most camping areas near Hammond experience noise from nearby transportation routes. At Dunewood Campground, campers note: "Could hear Trains throughout the night. Great facility with showers, water fountains, and a camp sink. great shading from trees and very green!" (Dunewood Campground).

    Gate operation hours: Several campgrounds implement night security measures with restricted gate access. At Camp Sullivan, "They lock the gates (both of them!) to the campground with a PADLOCK at night until 7 in the morning! I had to search for someone to let me out for my meeting."

    Insects can be intense: Mosquitoes are particularly prevalent in wooded areas. "The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening."

    Tips for camping with families

    Kid-friendly campgrounds: Several locations offer specialized family amenities. "We camp here at least 2 times per year and have only had good experiences. Clean facilities, good hikes and good campsites (either in the woods or out of the woods)" (Camp Sullivan).

    Activity planning: Morning is best for beach trips to avoid crowds. "The beach and dunes are the star of this show, but the campground is a good supporting actor."

    Consider cabin options: For families new to camping, cabins provide a transition experience. Lakeshore Camp Resort offers "cute cottages you can rent" that provide shelter during inclement weather.

    Tips from RVers

    Hookup limitations: Many RV sites lack full hookups. "It was 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."

    Site selection considerations: At Indiana Dunes State Park Campground, "The best sites are the ones on the outside from the beach trail to the nature center. These are up against the dunes and have some shade. The middle sites are more exposed and much less private" (Indiana Dunes State Park Campground).

    Dump station availability: Michigan City Campground provides full-service options. "There is a pool, fishing pond, and playground for kids. Most sites include sewer, water, electric (up to 50 amps) and wireless internet."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What RV parks and rental options are available in Hammond, Indiana?

    Lakeshore Camp Resort is a prominent RV option near Hammond with easy access to Indiana Dunes National Park. The resort features a small lake for swimming and fishing, multiple bathroom and shower facilities, and sites for both short-term and long-term stays. Many spaces accommodate permanent or monthly campers. For other options, Woodland Village Mobile Home & RV Park in nearby Portage offers drive-in access with reservable sites, water hookups, and big-rig-friendly spaces. For overnight parking, Cracker Barrel — Hammond provides a convenient option for RVers needing a quick stopover.

    What amenities do Hammond campgrounds offer compared to other camping areas?

    Campgrounds near Hammond offer diverse amenities. Michigan City Campground provides premium 90-foot pull-through sites with 50A service, water and sewer hookups, exceptional WiFi, and large cement patios. It's gated for security and beautifully maintained. Sand Creek Campground offers more secluded camping with private tent sites nestled among trees, newer clean bathrooms, and proximity to the Dunes. The Hammond area campgrounds generally provide good access to Lake Michigan's recreational opportunities while maintaining clean facilities, though amenities vary significantly between public and private operations.

    Where are the best camping sites near Hammond, Indiana?

    The best camping near Hammond includes Indiana Dunes National Park Campground and Indiana Dunes State Park Campground. Both offer excellent access to Lake Michigan and extensive trail systems. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground features recently renovated sites and facilities, while Dunewood tends to be less crowded than other options in the area. The national park location provides numerous hiking opportunities along the lakeshore, with trails that are conveniently interconnected.