Camping spots near La Porte, Indiana offer a mix of wooded tent sites and full-service RV accommodations within 25 miles of the city. The terrain varies from sandy dunes along Lake Michigan to more forested inland areas with moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Train noise affects multiple campgrounds in the region due to the numerous rail lines connecting Chicago to points east.
What to do
Beach activities at Dunewood Campground: Campers have direct access to Kimmel Beach within Indiana Dunes National Park. Management keeps the campground atmosphere "quiet and calm," according to one visitor. "Loved the proximity of this campground to Lake Michigan! The closest beach within the national park is Kimmel Beach which is beautiful. There are some biting horseflies at the beach, but not at the campground," notes Katie O. from Dunewood Campground.
Dune climbing challenges: The Three Dune Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground offers a moderately difficult hike with significant elevation changes. "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," reports Greg S.
Fishing at multiple locations: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing opportunities in stocked ponds. Last Resort Campground provides fishing alongside other family activities. "There is a fishing pond and in ground pool," notes one camper, while another mentions they "had a great site that allowed us to fish and be right across the street from the site!"
What campers like
Privacy levels: Many campgrounds offer a range of site privacy options. At Michigan City Campground, "the sites were decently private with good tent pads." Another camper at Dunewood noted, "The campsite was large and beautiful... Lots of nature, chill vibe."
Bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds near La Porte have recently upgraded their shower and restroom facilities. "The shower house was clean with good hot water. A camper sink for dishwashing was a nice bonus," describes Katherine T. about Dunewood. At Warren Dunes State Park Campground, a camper reports, "The bathroom seemed newer (South modern loop) with clean bathrooms (cleaned at least twice a day) and private shower stalls."
Sunset views: Lake Michigan sunsets are consistently mentioned in reviews. "On clear evenings you can see the skyline of Chicago across the lake," notes a visitor to Indiana Dunes State Park. Another camper at Weko Beach Campground says "Nightly sunsets here will knock your sandals off."
What you should know
Reservation essentials: Most campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. A camper at Sand Creek Campground notes, "When we arrived we were the only tent campers, so we could pick our spot," but this was at the end of the season. For peak times, book well in advance.
Noise considerations: Train noise affects many campgrounds in the region. "The only reason I rate this park a three is that it's very close to train lines and the trains going through and blasting their horns all night long," explains one camper at Indiana Dunes State Park. Another visitor at Sand Creek Campground mentioned, "The noise is quite jarring for a campground that seems like it would be pretty quiet - constant train traffic, airplane noise, and if it's windy and you're near the trees that really adds to it."
Beach access considerations: Distance to beaches varies significantly. At Weko Beach, "The campground is very close to the beach just a short walk," while other campgrounds require driving. Note that some beaches charge additional fees: "The beach parking lot costs $15 but completely worth it!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds and kid-friendly amenities. At Michigan City Campground, one visitor enjoyed "the pool, playground, clubhouse, store. Very close quarters camping. Friendly."
Kid-friendly beach options: Some Lake Michigan beaches have more family-friendly conditions than others. At Weko Beach, "Sand is soft and the water is shallow far out into the surf," making it safer for children. Warren Dunes State Park has "huge, beautiful dunes on the beach" that children enjoy climbing.
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled activities for families. At Last Resort Campground, a visitor mentioned, "They had laser tag, candy parade, crafts etc..." Another camper noted the "Saturday night golf cart parade. After dark the campers with golf carts do a parade around the campground and toss candy."
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Electric-only sites are common at state parks while private campgrounds typically offer full hookups. At Potato Creek State Park Campground, "Some sites require 75 ft to hook up," so come prepared with extension cords. Indiana Dunes State Park is "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 leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have uneven sites requiring levelers. At Weko Beach Campground, "The only challenge is that most of the camp spots are not level so bring your levelers!" The campground "is not paved since it is in and amongst the dunes. Therefore, the soil is sandy and often soft. We got our airstream stuck using our 2 wheel drive truck and needed the help of a 4x4 to get us out."
Premium site options: For RVers seeking more space, several campgrounds offer premium sites. Michigan City Campground has "90ft pull through 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."
