Escape into nature and disconnect from daily life with glamping near Hammond. Glamping is not only a fun alternative to traditional tent camping, but also allows you to pack more or less gear as you see fit. The Dyrt's camping photos, reviews, and tips are an easy way to find the right Indiana glamping spot for you.
Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles (24 km) of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer. Whether you enjoy scouting for rare species of birds or flying kites on the sandy beach, the national park's 15,000 acres (6070 ha) will continually enchant you. Hikers will enjoy 50 miles (80 km) of trails over rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers and peaceful forests.
There is no one-size-fits-all trip to the dunes. Each season offers new and different ways to enjoy Indiana Dunes National Park. Spring splashes the river banks of the Heron Rookery with an abundance of colorful wildflowers in this birder's paradise. Lake Michigan summer sunsets paint the skies with vibrant rays that offer a picture-perfect picnic setting. In the fall, Maple trees burst with warm red and golden hues crafting a spectacular backdrop for a hike by the Chellberg Farm and winter brings a scenic canvas of virgin white snow begging for a cross-country skiing adventure in the Glenwood Dunes. As the seasons change, so do the recreational opportunities, park facility operating hours and closures and safety concerns. Here is a list of some of the activities that occur in the National Park: Beach-going & Swimming, Biking, Bird Watching, Camping, Fishing & Boating, Hiking, Geocaching, Historical Sites, Horseback Riding, Interpretive Programs, Picnic, Winter Activities and Guided Tours. Check the Calendar page on our website for our list of Ranger-led programs.
Indiana Dunes National Park is a treasure of diverse natural resources located within an urban setting. The national park features communities that have both scientific and historic significance to the field of ecology. In addition, four National Natural Landmarks (including Pinhook Bog and Cowles Bog ) and one National Historical Landmark (the Bailly Homestead ) are located within its boundaries. The park is comprised of over 15,000 acres (6070 ha) of dunes, oak savannas, swamps, bogs, marshes, prairies, rivers, and forests. It contains 15 miles (24 km) of Lake Michigan shoreline spanning the distance from Gary to Michigan City. Lake Michigan is part of the largest complex of freshwater lakes in the world. The national park's beaches are the park's most significant recreational resource. For more information on our natural features visit the Nature and Science page on the park website.
Located close to the campground is Lake View Beach on Lake Michigan which is located 1.5 miles north of the campground. Several other national park beaches are within easy driving distance. Do NOT park in the Town of Beverly Shores' beach parking lot, which is located just to the east of the Lake View lot. You will get ticketed. The town is very strict. A gas station / convenience store is located mile north of the campground at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Broadway Avenue. The Beverly Shores South Shore Railroad station with passenger service to Chicago and South Bend is located on Broadway Avenue, mile north of the campground. Indiana Dunes Tourism and LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau have lists of other activities in the area.
$25 / night
Camping options: Dunbar Group Site and General Camping
Dunbar Group: The Dunbar Group Site holds up to 30 people and is located less than 500 feet from the beach. The site overlooks the Great Marsh and Lake Michigan. Parking and restrooms are located in the Dunbar Beach parking lot, 400 feet from the site.
Indiana Dunes consists of 2,182 acres of primitive, beautiful, historic, and unique Hoosier landscape. It lies at the north end of State Road 49 in Porter County and includes more than three miles of beautiful beach along Lake Michigan’s southern shore. In the early 1900s scientists, recreationists, and nature enthusiasts, recognizing the value and potential of the Indiana dunes area, fought to have the region preserved. As a result, in 1925, the state park was established.
Large sand dunes, located beyond the entire shoreline, have taken thousands of years to form, and tower nearly 200 feet above Lake Michigan. A wide range of habitats and plant species are found in the park, with vegetation stabilizing some of the sand. These habitats provide homes for many types of plants and animals. The lake also provides a habitat for many aquatic species, as well as a constantly changing fishery.
$12 - $44 / night
Camp just steps from the water in the heart of the vast, hilly Palos Preserves. Camp Bullfrog Lake offers year-round camping, group activities and water-based recreation such as canoe rentals and fishing. Just around the corner from Maple Lake’s boathouse and the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, it’s also a perfect launching pad for hiking, mountain biking and birdwatching adventures on Palos’ 50-plus miles of trails.
$20 - $138 / night
Lakeshore Camp Resort Portage, IN is a 940 site Membership park. We have 115 full hookup campsites and 12 cabins available for rent to the general public. We offer you and your family a fun filled camping experience with access to our many amenities that include: 22 Acre lake, 4 pools, beaches, fishing, boat rental, mini golf, daily recreational activities, weekend entertainment, and much more! We are conveniently located 10 miles from the Indiana Dunes National Park, and approximately 45 miles from downtown Chicago, IL. Area attractions include; Deep River water park, Chicago train system, casinos, bike trails, zoos, and museums. Whether you are enjoying activities in or out of the park there is much to do.
$49 - $57 / night
$35 - $250 / night
In the southwestern-most corner of Michigan, about 100 miles from Grand Rapids, Warren Dunes State Park is home to 3 miles of sandy beaches and windswept dunes on the shore of Lake Michigan. There are 6 miles of short trails for exploring the area, but the main draws to Warren Dunes camping is soaking up rays on the beach and climbing the dunes. The tallest dune, Tower Hill, rises 260 feet above the lakeshore and offers a panoramic view over the surrounding area. Park guides offer a variety of seasonal nature programs that highlight the area’s flora, fauna and natural features. Alcohol is not permitted on the beach at Warren Dunes, and dogs must remain leashed, and are restricted to certain areas only.
The campground at Warren Dunes is located away from the beach, in a wooded area near the highway. On the upside, there’s plenty of shady trees to take cover under on the warmer, sunnier days; on the downside, there’s plenty of highway noise to distract from the peacefulness. The two camp areas—Modern and Semi-Modern—offer a total of 220 tent and RV sites that vary in size and seclusion. The larger Modern area has restrooms with showers, drinking water and playgrounds for the kids; limited hookup sites are available. This area also has three rustic mini-cabins for rent. The Semi-Modern area is more spartan, with just water and vault toilets. A dump station is located between the two areas. Campsite rates range from $25–$45/night; cabins are $52/night.
Perched on 68 beautiful acres in Fair Oaks, Indiana, Oak Lake RV Resort is the perfect family escape. We offer seasonal sites, cabins, and yurts for your family to enjoy. Relax on our sandy beach overlooking the scenic lake or join in the fun activities and fantastic amenities throughout the resort. It is only 90 minutes from the bustling city of Chicago, but far away from it all.
Along with being only 90 minutes from Chicago, there are a lot of great adventures to be found near Fair Oaks, Indiana. Start with a visit to Fair Oaks Farm with their Fair Oaks Dairy Adventure or visit Crown Point Family Fun Center. Spend the day at Deep River Waterpark. Head over to Valparaiso to the fun zone at Zao Island with mini golf, go karts, batting cages, an alligator exhibit, arcade and cafe or take a trip to Indiana Beach.
$55 - $160 / night
Clothing optional resort.
$35 - $200 / night
Guide
Compared 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!
TravelerOne of my favorite campgrounds in Indiana. Very popular
Guide
Decent campground. Pool, laundry, nice playground, ponds and basketball hoop. Less than 15 min to Indiana Dunes National Park.
Legend
This is a nice park with good infrastructure. The spacing was ok, but not a lot of privacy. The campground although nearly full was relatively calm and quiet. Unlike the craziness of other Indiana state parks I have visited. The bathrooms were good….a solid B+ on par with other Indiana state parks. There is a trail directly to the beach, but the beach was insanely crowded. I left within five minutes of arriving there. I opted instead to drive the national park and hike out to Mt. Baldy beach which was delightfully uncrowded. I took my first swim in one of the Great Lakes!
TravelerAdvertised as $25 a night, but you must have an Indiana Dunes park pass, which is only good for this specific park. Site was fine, facilities were decent.
Scoutour visit to the Indiana Sandune's campground was great. We were able to get in there anytime in the automated that ticket service was really helpful. All the campgrounds are big and spacious.
GuideWe arrived on a fall night, after the sun had set and we were thrilled to wake up to such an amazing display of Northern Indiana fall foliage. Campsites, facilities and trails were all super well maintained.
ScoutConvenient to Indiana dunes, each site is easily accessible and spacious. The facilities are fairly clean and showers are available though we didn’t use them. Would recommend as a stop over. As a solo female traveler I felt safe.
Legend
Close to Indiana Dunes National Park. Easy access. Lots of rules thrown at you from the get go. Don’t park on the grass, Don’t drive over 5 mph, Don’t have alcohol outside your space. Lots of rules. Few smiling faces. Lots of trees. A mix of semi permanent residents and transient sites 
GuideWe stayed at this campground last fall. 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. Also jumped on the South Shoreline commuter train that took us into downtown Chicago for a day trip.
LegendGeneral: Dunewood campground is located within Indiana Dunes National Park, established in 2019 (The national seashore was established in the 1960s). The Park is spread out for many miles along the coast of northern Indiana and depending on the direction you approach the campground from, it can be confusing. We approached from the east and the visitor center is nowhere near the campground and since we arrived after 6 pm, we had no maps or other information. Fortunately, there was cell service, and we went to the NPS app for some information. The campground is divided into two loops plus a walk-in section for a total of 66 sites; all require advance reservations. Don’t confuse it with the nearby state park called Indiana Dunes State Park.
Site Quality/Facilities: The sites are very wooded with sufficient privacy between them. Unfortunately, our site (31) was quite possibly the worst one for a campervan(would not be suitable for an RV at all) but would have made a fantastic tent site(wood stakes separated the“driveway” from the rest of the site). 13 of the 34 sites in the Mather loop were empty both at 7 pm and 7 am the next morning yet since they were all reserved, we were not able to move. The pads were all paved and most of the sites were generous in size. None of the sites have any hookups. We did hear occasional trains passing nearby.
Bathhouse: Large, clean restroom facility with showers, not the norm for national park campgrounds.
Activities: hiking, beach walking. There were some trails that could be accessed from the campground, but we did not explore these. After going to the Visitor Center the next morning and reading the NPS app, we decided to try the Diana Dunes Dare. The story behind this is fascinating but alas, it was humid and buggy, and we could see more rain was on the way so we only did one of the three loops (If you do all three, you can get a sticker). While there is no fee to enter Indiana Dunes National Park, there is an “amenities” fee of $6 per car ($3 if you have the senior pass) from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
We had originally planned to spend two nights here but between the weather and bugs, and our site not working for us, we only spent one night. I would have given this campground three stars based on our personal experience, however, overall, the campground and facilities were well maintained and nice.
GuideYou gotta love Indiana dunes national lakeshore! A quick drive from chicago this campsite is a real good place to get away from the city and enjoy the outdoors. It’s one of my favorite places to go within an hour’s drive. The campsite has everything you need. Modern bathrooms and showers, running water. Good for tent camping. It’s clean and a quick drive to a quiet beach at Beverly Shores. I highly recommend!
GuideThe Indiana Dunes area is beautiful and this campground is a great location for exploring both the state and national park. The pit toilets near our site were not kept clean and they were smelly. The showers were also not clean, but the water was hot. The fire ring at our site was in bad shape and in an odd location. There was garbage left in and near the fire ring ( foil and corn cobs) from the previous campers.
TravelerWe’ve stayed at Indiana dunes every year on our road trip. We’ve stayed here in the past because it was beautiful, quiet, and clean. This year we got in a little late on Tuesday evening and the entire campground was packed and the showers and bathrooms were FILTHY. We’ll never go there again. The only change we could see was the put huge advertisements for the campground everywhere which obviously attracted the wrong crowd. It’s a shame.
GuideYou will be amazed with the beauty of this park. Whether you are seeking family time or solitude, it won’t disappoint.
Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer. Whether you enjoy scouting for rare species of birds or flying kites on the sandy beach, the national park's 15,000 acres will continually enchant you. Hikers will enjoy 50 miles of trails over rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers and peaceful forests.
Guide
The dunes here are lovely and feel a little less busy than Indiana Dunes. You can also access it all by hiking directly from the campgrounds. The campsites are a mixed bag. Some are right on top of each other and some have nice vegetation between them. Regardless, it isn’t ideal for a a quiet getaway but if you get the right site it’s not bad.
RangerThis is a great area for those who (like us) have made I-80 a semi-annual migration pattern ;-) All kidding aside, this is a perfect spot either to or from the Chicago area. From Indiana Dunes State Park all the way up the coast to New Buffalo, the area is dotted with great little restaurants, wineries, and breweries. Tourist-y without being tacky.
There are plenty or rentals for those looking for a house-type stay.
Quick Tip: Prepare for cold water! Lake Michigan is usually pretty cold until later in the summer.
GuideIt offers all the amenities you could want for a weekend get away. 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. However, if you’re looking for a true camping experience or to visit the Indiana Dunes, you’ll make little use of the amenities and find the sites small and area as well the sites and bath houses overcrowded. It really offers anything a family would want for a weekend trip so depending on the goal for your trip, this could have everything you would need or leave you feeling less than fully satisfied.
GuideA shout out to Dune Wood campground in Indiana Dunes National Park. Big, clean sites. They are sand/dirt pads and they rake them clean between each guest. We were impressed!
There is a small paved parking area at each site big enough for 2 cars or epic sidewalk chalk for the little ones.🙂. Plus clean restrooms. No hook ups means it’s perfect for tents and small campers.
The nearby state park campground is a sea of packed RVs. I’m so glad we’re here!
There are several beaches within 5-10 minutes.
The only downside- Mosquitoes! Bring the bug spray.
LegendMany are still under the impression this state park turned into a National Park. Untrue! This has been a state park since 1925 & it's beautiful. The most beautiful state park in Indiana IMO. We've camped here before, but not since they completely redid the campsites & put in brand new bath houses sometime in the early 2000s.
There's 140 campsites. All with 50 amp. They are typical state park sites, which means yes, your neighbors will be close. The bath houses are nice. I recently walked through the campground on my way back from a hike & I took pictures of what I think are the best sites. I would stay out of the interior sites. They are close to each other& there's no vegetation to shield you. The outer sites are pretty good. Watch for pit toilet & dumpsters though.
The best site in the campground is site 63. The most private & faces the woods & ravine. Your neighbors aren't as close.
Sites 26 & 62 if you have kids. You can watch them from your site in the playground. Site 8, 100 & 113 are the best outer sites.
The worst site is site 25. Right by the trail to the beach, which gets high foot traffic & is right next to a pit toilet.
All of the trails, the beach & the Nature Center can be accessed from the campground. Trail 4s trailhead is actually IN the campground. Of course some walking is involved.
Enjoy the sunsets & fabulous Lake Michigan! We visited Indiana Dunes State Park, no overnight stay
GuideThis is a beautifully kept campground just outside Michigan City, IN. It is gated so will need to call in once you arrive to enter. 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. The cement patio was large with a picnic table and an adjacent fire pit. There is swimming pool and a game room, and a small store with the essentials, and propane.
You are close to Indiana Dunes and the downtown area of Michigan city. Good food, shops are close by.
By the way there are a number of cabins/mini homes to rent.
TravelerThis campground hosts many permanent or monthly campers, as evidenced by semi permanent structures, fences etc. There is a small lake that offers swimming and fishing, but we did not use this area. It is a huge area, with 4 shower and bathroom facilities, but they were old and needed maintenance and updating. One of us was brave enough to shower there, the other one preferred to take a sponge bath in the van. Each site that we saw had electric and waste water and potable water, so this was convenient. There is a loud highway nearby. The camp is a ten minute drive from West Beach area of Indiana Dunes National Park. As we ate breakfast on the supplied picnic table, the neighbor next to us had a loud argument with another resident involving a presumed theft, and police visited.
LegendWe enjoyed our stay at Indiana Dunes National Park with a few exceptions. First of all, as many of the other reviewers have mentioned, the bathrooms and showers were dirty. The noise from nearby trains was very loud, and it definitely felt like an urban camping experience. The campsite was clean and spacious, with plenty of room for our two tents and a hammock.
We really enjoyed hiking the Long Lake Trail through dunes and woods and the Cowels Bog Trail to a secluded beach. We watched the sunset from the nearby Kempil Beach. It was so lovely, but we spent much of the evening picking up trash, which was everywhere. I'm glad I paid a visit to our newest national park, but I'm not sure I would go out of my way to return.
GuideWe’ve always had great experiences staying at state parks. They are well-maintained and managed by happy employees. Indiana Dunes State Park is no exception.
The park features lots of greenery. The restrooms were cleaned regularly, although by the end of the day they were a little rough after so many sandy visitors. The employees were out daily maintaining the grounds. As an aside, remember to secure your trash before going to bed! Raccoons frequent the park.
We never had to unhook our truck during the five days. We were able to bike everywhere, including into town. The people working at the Pavilion were super friendly! We enjoyed having a drink at the rooftop bar overlooking Lake Michigan. Be sure to hike the 3-dunes challenge and visit the nature center!
This is a great park. We will be back.
LegendBeen here several times and still haven't see it all. National Parks Campground a bike ride away from the beach. At the intersection of the road to the campground and State Route 12 there is a restaurant, camp store, gas station and a church. The campground does not have water or electric at sites. There are water pumps near the dumpsters through out the campgrounds. The sites are a good space apart. In summer the leaves on the trees make the sites private. In the fall the park is less crowded. The Indiana Dunes are very large. There are bike routes in the area and stopping points to look at birds and marsh lands. In 2019 the rangers had a number of programs and shuttle bus between the campground and the beach and learning center. None of these were available in 2020 as a result of COVID.
GuideGreat visit to Indiana Dunes. Our first time there. The campground was smaller than expected for such a popular place, and the campsites were a decent size. Very quiet campground and I suspect it being a “dry” campground may have something to do with that. The swimming beach was always busy, but we learned quickly to hike trail 7 to get to the quiet part of the beach. While the beach off of trail 7 is a no swimming beach, the kids enjoyed playing in the water. Enjoyed trail 2 and the walk on the boardwalk through the marsh. My only issue is the bathrooms and showers were crazy nasty, and you had to deal with the urine odor while showering. Met a lot of friendly people from all over the country. We camped with a small group of three families. All sites were well shaded for most of the day, with site 124 being full shade for the whole day. All sites were level and clean.
GuideConveniently located for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore which I used as a scenic layover point in a long drive. It was not very busy (on a Sunday night) and thus was quiet despite the individual camping sites being pretty squished together. However, the quiet at night does mean that you can hear I-94 in the background. The digital registration station for after hours is a modern touch (Credit/debit card only), but it was hard to pick a site since there was no way of knowing what was occupied vs open. $25/night. The bathroom and shower facilities were good. Picnic table and fire circle at each camp ground. Trash, recycling, and dump station for RVs.
The site itself was packed sand/dirt/gravel which was not the most comfortable spot for a tent. Also, it was incredibly buggy and the small gap between my shoes and pant leg got destroyed by mosquitoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Hammond, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Hammond, IN is Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park with a 4.3-star rating from 121 reviews.
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