Best Tent Camping near Hammond, IN
Tent campsites near Hammond, Indiana provide several options for primitive camping with varying amenities. Camp Shabbona Woods in South Holland, Illinois offers tent sites in an urban setting with amenities including picnic tables, showers, and toilets. The Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes National Park provide more secluded tent camping with toilet facilities and water hookups, accessible via hiking or walking trails.
Most tent camping areas near Hammond have limited facilities compared to developed RV campgrounds. At Shabbona Woods, campers cannot keep vehicles close to campsites, and sites lack electric and water hookups. The campground gates close after 10 pm, restricting late arrivals. Many sites throughout the region are walk-in only, including those at Central Avenue and Channahon State Park, requiring campers to carry gear from parking areas. Toilet facilities vary widely, with some locations offering only vault toilets or no facilities at all. Most campgrounds permit fires in designated rings, though fire bans may be implemented during dry conditions.
Several tent camping areas offer unique experiences not available to RV campers. The Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes provide excellent privacy and beach access. According to one visitor, "The spot was clean. It's far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy. The walk to the beach was not too long." Channahon State Park Campground offers tent sites along the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail, making it particularly suitable for cyclists. McKinley Woods has spacious, shaded tent sites with large picnic tables, though the area can experience flooding after heavy rainfall. Urban tent campers at Shabbona Woods may hear city sounds including ambulance and fire truck sirens, while more remote sites offer greater quiet.