Tent campsites near Indiana Dunes National Park offer access to the park's 15,000 acres of diverse habitats, including rare oak savannas and wetland areas. Camping options range from walk-in sites situated on sandy soils to more developed campgrounds within a 40-mile radius. Weather conditions can shift rapidly due to the lake effect from Lake Michigan, with temperature variations of 15-20 degrees possible in a single day.
What to do
Beach exploration: Walk-in tent sites at Central Avenue Walk-in Sites provide reasonably convenient beach access. One camper noted, "The walk to the beach was not too long. Site one is the only site on the front end of the trail."
Swimming and sunset viewing: Sites at Sweet Cherry Resort put you just minutes from public beaches. According to a camper, "Best part is that it's a 3 minute drive to a public beach with great swimming and a beautiful sunset."
Family activities: Many campgrounds near Indiana Dunes organize weekend events for children. At Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday, a visitor shared, "Lots of fun activities on the weekends for the kids and FREE! They have movie nights, we met Disney characters, did crafts, and enjoyed the barrel train & ice cream sundaes."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many tent campsites maintain well-kept restrooms despite sandy conditions. One camper at Sweet Cherry Resort commented, "Showers and bathrooms were clean. Pool looked nice."
Privacy levels: The tent camping areas often provide seclusion despite proximity to other recreational areas. A Central Avenue camper reported, "The spot was clean. It's far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy."
Smaller campgrounds: Some visitors prefer the more intimate camping environments. At Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday, a camper observed, "It was small enough for our kids to ride bikes around alone and they frequented the park, which we could see from our site."
What you should know
Urban proximity: Some campgrounds near Indiana Dunes retain urban characteristics despite natural settings. A visitor at Camp Shabbona Woods mentioned, "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."
Site layout: Understand the specific configuration of tent sites before booking. At Sweet Cherry Resort, "Tent sites are all in one cleared area that is a short walk from the parking spots."
Weather preparation: The Lake Michigan shoreline experiences frequent weather changes. One Coloma KOA visitor warned, "Bring rain boots for mud! Because it rained rather heavily, it makes it formed a huge collection of water."
Tips for camping with families
Accessibility considerations: Most walk-in tent sites require carrying gear a short distance. Campgrounds with drive-up access may better accommodate families with small children or mobility concerns. A Coloma KOA visitor shared, "My husband went with a broken leg and got around there just fine thanks to it being such a small park."
Shade availability: Young children need protection from direct sun. At Campside Michigan, shaded sites are limited but available if booked early. Similarly, at Camp Shabbona Woods, a visitor noted, "The campgrounds do not have a lot of shade as new saplings are still growing."
Recreational options: Consider campgrounds with built-in activities for children. A Coloma KOA visitor mentioned, "The kids loved the jumping pillow, pool, and nightly tractor-pull train. Bathrooms were clean and conveniently located."
Tips from RVers
Alternative accommodation: Several campgrounds offering tent sites also provide cabin options for those seeking more protection from weather. A visitor at Coloma KOA explained, "We stayed in the deluxe cabin for one night and loved it! The cabin was so cute and well kept. It came with a fridge, stove, and bathroom."
Site conditions: Tent sites often lack the full hookups available to RVs. At Camp Shabbona Woods, a camper noted, "No electric or water hook ups can't keep your vehicle close to your campsite. The good the bathroom are in good shape and the staff was friendly."
Seasonal considerations: Most tent campgrounds near Indiana Dunes operate on limited schedules. Coloma KOA's season runs "May 1 to October 12," while others may close earlier depending on weather conditions and staffing.
