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Best Tent Camping near La Porte, IN

574 Reviews

The Lake Michigan shoreline near La Porte, Indiana offers several tent camping options within a short drive, including the highly-rated Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes National Park. These walk-in tent sites provide a more secluded camping experience approximately 20 miles from La Porte. Tent campers seeking primitive tent camping can access these sites via short trails, with site #1 located at the front of the trail and sites #2-5 requiring a longer hike down the path and to the left. Sweet Cherry Resort in Michigan also offers dedicated tent camping areas within a reasonable drive from La Porte.

Walk-in tent sites at Indiana Dunes National Park feature basic amenities with toilets available but no drinking water on site. Campers should bring their own water supplies and prepare for minimal facilities. The Central Avenue sites prohibit fires and alcohol, making them suitable for those seeking a more natural camping experience. Most tent-only camping areas in the region require reservations, particularly during peak summer months. Sites typically have dirt or sand surfaces, so tent campers often bring ground mats to improve comfort. Weather conditions can create muddy conditions after rain, particularly at some of the Michigan campgrounds within driving distance.

According to a recent visitor, the Central Avenue Walk-in Sites provide "plenty of privacy" with clean sites that are "far enough off the trail" to feel secluded. The walk to Lake Michigan beaches is described as "not too long," making these sites popular for tent campers wanting beach access. At Sweet Cherry Resort, a camper noted that "tent sites are all in one cleared area that is a short walk from the parking spots," with clean facilities and proximity to public beaches. The tent-only areas throughout the region tend to be quieter than mixed-use campgrounds, though family-oriented campgrounds like Coloma/St. Joseph KOA can be crowded during peak season. Fall camping offers less crowded backcountry tent camping experiences with cooler temperatures.

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Best Tent Sites Near La Porte, Indiana (6)

    1. Central Avenue Walk-in Sites — Indiana Dunes National Park

    1 Review
    Beverly Shores, IN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 395-1882

    $25 / night

    "It’s far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy. The walk to the beach was not too long. Site one is the only site on the front end of the trail."

    2. Campside Michigan

    1 Review
    Bridgman, MI
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 345-5084

    $75 - $150 / night

    3. Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday

    14 Reviews
    Watervliet, MI
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 849-3333

    $60 - $120 / night

    "It was small enough for our kids to ride bikes around alone and they frequented the park, which we could see from our site. Jumping pillow & mini golf were also a hit."

    "They had a hot tub and heated pool. Mini golf and bikes you could rent. The store was nice and lots to offer and the prices were very reasonable. Showers close by."

    4. Camp Shabbona Woods

    2 Reviews
    Calumet City, IL
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-0018

    $30 - $80 / night

    "camp suite is set up very well for first time campers or new people interested in trying out camping. The campgrounds do not have a lot of shade as new saplings are still growing."

    5. Sweet Cherry Resort

    1 Review
    Watervliet, MI
    46 miles
    Website

    $20 / night

    "Tent sites are all in one cleared area that is a short walk from the parking spots. I had the place to myself as it was Labor Day Monday night. Showers and bathrooms were clean. Pool looked nice."

    6. American Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Hartford, MI
    49 miles
    +1 (269) 621-6665
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Recent Tent Camping Photos near La Porte, IN

9 Photos of 6 La Porte Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near La Porte, IN

574 Reviews of 6 La Porte Campgrounds

  • H
    May. 26, 2022

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Great stay, come ready

    We stayed two nights in mid-May, at site number 72. Area was gorgeous, well maintained, shady and quiet. Tons of hiking trails in very close proximity to the campground! There is electricity on site, but no water or sewage at each site. However there is a water fill station and a dump station. So just come prepared. Also, they have a very strict no alcohol policy. Not that that stopped people, but don't go walking around with a beer bottle! We would definitely return.

  • Elizabeth G.
    Oct. 5, 2021

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Pleasant and quiet

    Stayed in site 43 of the Douglas loop. Douglas loop is all non electric.

    Our site was big enough for our tents, a picnic table and fire ring. The bathrooms/showers are really close by which is nice but you do get the lights from the bathroom facing site 43. Not a big deal but if you’re looking for more darkness then definitely choose one of the other sites around 43.

    All parking sites are paved for camper vans/trailers but no water or power hookups. All sites have nice huge tent pads that are nice and level. Only noise we heard was the train every now and then.

    The showers are individual rooms separate from the bathrooms. And there’s a gas station and liquor store near the entrance of the campground for fire wood and beer.

    I didn’t get to stay in the walk in campsites but they are very nice and close-ish to the showers.

  • Chris M.
    Nov. 26, 2020

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Clean & Spacious

    We pulled in around 4:30 in the evening. The sight was spacious with plenty of room in between sites. Since the weather was cooler , it was pretty sparse with other campers. We stayed 2 nights over the weekend. You are within walking distance to the beach within the park. The buildings have great architecture. The sight had 50 amp electric hook ups but no water or sewer connections, and we knew that going in. We had a back in sight #69. There was plenty of space on all sides. We have a 37’ motorhome and pulled a Jeep behind it. There was plenty of room to maneuver around. The sight also had a wood picnic table and fire ring for a wood fire pit. We will definitely be back! I wish I had taken more photos from the beach and beach pavilion.

  • Brian O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 12, 2020

    Shamrock Park

    Great for fishing

    We wanted to stay at Warren Dunes State Park, but I think this discovery was a better choice. A clean and friendly municipal campground on the St. Joseph River. The grounds are mostly open with little shade, but we had a tent site by the river and trees. What impressed me most was that they have a building specifically for cleaning fish, with scales, cutting boards and sinks. Another nice feature is the outdoor sink at the shower & restroom building for campers to wash dishes. As tent campers I wish more places had a set up like that. There’s a large stack of firewood, so it’s easy to get a bundle that’s good and dry. We did go to Warren Dunes for an afternoon. It’s busy and crowded. If you go to the beach, be aware there’s very little shade. North of there is Grand Mere State Park, which is better for hiking. In Berrien Springs, check out Zick’s specialty meats across the river from the camp.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2022

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Outer Circle

    We reserved a spot in the outer circle. We like having woods on one side. Nice campground camping….parking pad, fire ring, picnic table. Good amount of space between spots. Nice bathrooms & showers. We have a rooftop tent and we’re very happy. Loved the hike over “Mt. Tom” to the gorgeous beach and warmish lake for a swim. We choose the State Park vs. National Park so we could hike to the beach.

  • Amy M.
    May. 14, 2017

    Warren Dunes State Park Campground

    TICKS

    We stayed in the semi modern sites, which was tents and no RVs nearby, which was good. That was about it. The Interstate was directly behind the sites, so the highway traffic noise took away from the feeling you want when camping, that off the grid feeling.

    The site was clean, picnic table and fire ring. There was a water spigot close by too. We did some short hiking to sand dunes which was really cool. Nice paths lead to beautiful sunset over dunes.

    Upon returning from the hike, we set up camp. That's when we found the ticks. We found probably 10 on our dog, several on us. The couple next to our site was struggling with ticks also, and they hadn't hiked, so makes me think they were from the campground. (We stayed ON the trail carefully while hiking). We've camped a lot and never dealt with this many ticks.

    We actually ended up bailing due to how many were on us all. Spent the next 24 hours picking them off everyone in our family at home. Not good. We know it's a fact of life, but this place was infested. Bummer of a trip.

  • Crissy R.
    Sep. 24, 2019

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Let there Be Rain and Silence....

    If you’re looking to go camping with the conveniences of the modern world nearby, this is the place to be. Located off of golf way rd and duneway pkwy, this campground is located roughly about an hour from Elkhart, if that’s where you’re coming from. They have a few options as far as sites go. Sites 1-34 are reservable online and the remainder of the sites are first come, first served. Also keep in mind, sites 1-54 you’re able to park your car/RV. However, sites 55-67 are walk in only. There are showers and restrooms located center of both areas. There are also water stations which are very convenient. Most of the campsites are fairly close, but far enough where you are not sitting on top of each other. This time around I opted for the walk In. For starters, let’s just say to be prepared for whatever weather may come. My luck, it poured the entire time and was windy. Furthermore, each site has designated fire rings that have a grill. The experience was awesome, it’s $25 a night that you pay at the automated kiosk. There are rangers that drive around during the day and there are signs posted with all the latest updates, rules/regulations. Overall, great experience, definitely look forward to coming back!

  • Gay G.
    Aug. 19, 2021

    Thousand Trails Bear Cave

    Great Campground

    This is a nice, family friendly campground. Lots of very friendly other campers, a heated pool, playground for the kids, nice size lots with fire pits, picnic tables, electric& water (including at tent sites). Pool has an ADA lift chair. 2 shower/bath houses, camp store, a real bear cave you can tour in (free), a creek that meanders through it. The resort sits on the St. Joseph river & this park has a boat ramp & dock for fishing. There is a gate that campers need a code to get into so it keeps out unwanted’s. Nice staff. Yolanda is a great manager. Security, a ‘honey wagon’. Laundry center. Quiet hours are 10p-8a. It’s near Buchanan Michigan and the RED BUD Motor Cross track. Very friendly people, always stopping and talking.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2019

    Warren Dunes State Park Campground

    Lake Michigan camping with dunes and trails

    I remember coming here when I was young but haven’t stayed here in decades. It was time to try it out again. We arrived around 5 or 6 and found lots of open sites on a Wednesday. They put us in a nicely wooded site with empty neighboring sites. We could see our neighbors and others walked by on the road so there were plenty of people in camp. There were water puddles in the road and some campsites. It rained during the night too. Our site is sandy with no grass which wasn’t as great with the wetness. However it’s camping at the dunes so it’s expected. The vault toilets are ok- one had standing water in the corner. Water is available a few sites down and a garbage bin is on the way out. We camped in the rustic loop- no electric or other hookups. There is a larger section with 2 loops that has these amenities. Showers are also located over there. It’s a longer walk or you can drive to the showers. 

    We tried hiking and found fallen trees blocking the path. There are other trails to choose from. Be sure to check out the beach and climb up the sand dunes. 

    This was a nice campground within a couple hours of Chicago.

Guide to La Porte

Tent camping options near La Porte, Indiana extend beyond the immediate shoreline, with several smaller campgrounds located within a 40-mile radius. The region features a mix of forested camping areas and beachfront access points, with elevations generally below 800 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, creating favorable camping conditions from May through September, though spring and fall camping requires preparation for potential temperature fluctuations.

What to do

Beach swimming access: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday sits just minutes from Lake Michigan beaches, making it convenient for day trips. "Very close to Lake Michigan and the beach!" notes Katie S., who appreciated the proximity during their first camping trip with a new camper.

Mini golf and activities: Family-friendly recreation options abound at several campgrounds. "They had a hot tub and heated pool. Mini golf and bikes you could rent," reports Katie S. about Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday, highlighting the variety of on-site entertainment beyond just camping.

Urban-adjacent hiking: Camp Shabbona Woods offers hiking opportunities despite its urban setting. "This camp site is in a very urban area and is very small," explains Scott M., adding that the "campgrounds do not have a lot of shade as new saplings are still growing," making it better for those seeking light forest cover rather than dense woodland camping.

What campers like

Convenient facilities: The well-maintained amenities at Sweet Cherry Resort receive positive attention from visitors. "Showers and bathrooms were clean. Pool looked nice. Best part is that it's a 3 minute drive to a public beach with great swimming and a beautiful sunset," according to Alyssa, who camped there on Labor Day.

Organized activities: Weekend programming for children makes certain campgrounds stand out. At Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday, Jennifer W. shares that "The kids loved the jumping pillow, pool, and nightly tractor-pull train," highlighting the structured entertainment options that keep younger campers engaged.

Well-stocked camp stores: On-site provisions reduce the need for trips to town. "The store has everything you could need and if they don't, there is a gas station right outside of entrance," notes Monica R., appreciating the convenience during her first visit to Michigan.

What you should know

Site spacing considerations: Campsite proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. "Our site had plenty of space and lots of shade," reports Jennifer W. about Coloma/St. Joseph KOA, while Kim L. described their site as "a full hook up with a fire pit in the mud pond...a very expensive glorified parking spot."

Urban noise factors: Some campgrounds near La Porte are within earshot of urban sounds. Jeffrey L. shares about Camp Shabbona Woods: "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."

Tent site configurations: At Sweet Cherry Resort, the tent camping area has a specific layout. "Tent sites are all in one cleared area that is a short walk from the parking spots," explains Alyssa, noting the separation between parking and actual camping areas.

Tips for camping with families

Supervised activities: Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday offers structured programming for children. "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," shares Cassie B.

Safety considerations: Smaller campgrounds can provide greater peace of mind for parents. "It was small enough for our kids to ride bikes around alone and they frequented the park, which we could see from our site," according to Cassie B., highlighting the benefit of campground layout for family supervision.

Beginner-friendly options: First-time campers should consider certain locations. Camp Shabbona Woods is "set up very well for first time campers or new people interested in trying out camping," according to Scott M., making it ideal for families testing out the camping experience.

Tips from RVers

Weather preparation: Michigan camping can present moisture challenges for RVers. At Campside Michigan, the gravel roads can develop water accumulation after heavy rainfall, requiring appropriate footwear and vehicle preparation for accessing campsites.

Site selection importance: Securing the right site type makes a significant difference in the camping experience. "Very accommodating when we requested a site near friends," notes Jennifer W. about the staff's willingness to help with specific site assignments at Coloma/St. Joseph KOA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near La Porte, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near La Porte, IN is Central Avenue Walk-in Sites — Indiana Dunes National Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near La Porte, IN?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near La Porte, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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