3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Michigan City Campground's fenced dog park provides a dedicated exercise area for pets at this gated facility just outside Lowell, Indiana. Most campgrounds in the region enforce standard pet policies requiring leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside designated off-leash areas. Indiana Dunes National Park's Dunewood Campground accommodates pets at all sites with proper supervision. Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park, Love's RV Stop in Demotte, and Oak Lake RV Resort all welcome pets with varying amenities. Campgrounds typically limit pets to 2-3 per site, though specific restrictions vary. Several locations feature dedicated pet waste stations throughout the grounds. The gated access at Michigan City Campground provides additional security for campers with pets, requiring key card access after hours.
Hiking trails throughout Indiana Dunes National Park offer pet-friendly options where dogs can explore while leashed. Raccoons frequently visit campsites in the Dunes area, requiring secure food storage to prevent wildlife encounters with pets. Several campgrounds provide full hookup sites with spacious pull-through options accommodating RVs with pets. Seasonal considerations affect pet comfort, with most pet-friendly campgrounds operating from April through October when temperatures remain moderate. The storm shelters at some facilities remain locked during severe weather, creating potential safety concerns for campers with pets during emergencies. Nearby veterinary services can be found in Michigan City and Chesterton for emergency pet care. Many campgrounds enforce quiet hours to minimize barking disturbances, with some implementing specific pet noise policies.
"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 is so much to do her, wineries and breweries nearby. The beaches are not too crowded. Pet friendly and lots to do for children. This is one of our favorite vacation spots."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 / night
"Things changed for me I had surgery and couldn’t sit up the camper so we decided to find a camp site close to home this year."
"Pulled in as the sun was coming down after a looong day of driving. Our site was right next to the playground and my kids had a blast swinging, climbing, and jumping while we set up camp."
from $55 - $160 / night
"There was a nice big field for the dog to run. Nature trails and of course Cedar Lake. People seemed friendly."
"You have access to the perks of the conference grounds I clouding access to a small private beach on the lake, canoes and kayaks, life jackets, and a rec room when open."
from $45 - $55 / night
"The most beautiful state park in Indiana IMO."
"The campground although nearly full was relatively calm and quiet. Unlike the craziness of other Indiana state parks I have visited."
from $43 / night
"Great stop for the night, It's new, gated and has basic amenities like a General store, Dog park and basketball court and tennis ball court for some activities if you have kids."
"I will definitely check out other Loves RV locations when traveling. Good value and secure. I recommend registering ahead of time if possible."
from $35 - $599 / night
from $35 - $65 / night
from $25 - $45 / night
"She even put me next to a fellow biker. Nice quiet place and you can walk down to the Kankakee river."
"Lake Alexander RV Park is a quiet, spacious, family owned and operated campground located near Momence, Illinois, within a 1-hour drive of Chicago."
from $33 - $43 / night
"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."
"We were there the week before peak season opened so none of the pools or splash pads were open, but they were very accommodating so that we could still play mini golf and ride around on the pedal cars."
from $49 - $57 / night
"We had to park in a nearby parking space because our site was surrounded by other sites and common area. There is no electric in "tent city" either, but it is near the roundhouse and showers."
from $35 - $200 / night
RangerDunewood campground is a very well maintained campground with great privacy between sites, nice bathrooms, and blacktopped roads and sites. No electric hookups, but it has a dump station with water. The downside is lots of road and train noise, but the woodsy beauty and all the nearby trails, beaches, and historical sites make up for it. Good ATT service.
GuideI've lived within 2 miles of this campground for 7 years, and I've driven past it literally hundreds of times, but it wasn't until a friend of mine found himself unemployed and said "let's go camping" that we actually camped here. They have 6 primitive sites, and you have to walk in from the parking lot. It is NOT drive in. The sites are all decent, have fire rings, and big solid picnic tables, and each site has it's own garbage can. The camping sites are immediately adjacent to the dog park off Black Road. I will say, between Black Rd, I 55, and Rt. 59, the road noise is noticeable. The office staff and park ranger who closed the gate were all friendly and helpful.
RangerHeading Southwest for the winter. My first leg is at Chippewa Campground at Kankakee River State Park in Illinois. No hookups is $8 p/ night for a nice, large site with clean vault toilets, a dump station (free for campers), and potable water. They have walking and bike riding trails in the forest and along the river. It's a bit off the beaten path, and along a major road so there's a bit of noise if you're near the entrance, but the scenery is beautiful. Electric sites run around $20-25. The host is doing a great job keeping things clean and is nice and polite.
ScoutIt was nice camping here. There is an asphalted road leading right to the campsites. The hot, adjustable showers are perfect. The sites are made of gravel paved with sand, which makes them perfectly flat. I liked that.
GuideClean lighted bathrooms and hot showers. Very shady campground but not much privacy between sites. About a mile walk to the lakeshore.
TravelerStaying through the week just on the outside of Labor Day Weekend. This place was perfect for us to come over and get away from it and enjoy the changing weather. Electric only sites, and the staff were friendly. Always enjoy coming here for good hiking and beach time.
LegendWe had an overnight stay here during some pretty nasty weather. Site 7 was perfect as it has a very wide concrete landing pad that kept us from trudging around our site in mud. Flooded roads resulted in a road race being diverted through the park. We were able to cheer them on while having dinner at our campfire. There’s a paved walkway around the circumference of the campground which allows you to take a nice stroll. Trails to the lake are easily accessible. The bathrooms and showers were clean, although a bit dated. We had a pleasant evening.
RangerWe reserved this mobile home camping experience through Hipcamp that had(overall) positive reviews. When we arrived, the area of town was run-down as was the property itself. I would not have felt comfortable staying there with kids. In addition, due to a storm the day before, the entire area around the mobile home was flooded. There was nowhere to walk, drive or park that was not under water. This was an unacceptable and unsafe situation. In addition, we needed to find a new place to stay late in the evening. We reached out to the owner to cancel and he refused to refund our money; an overall awful experience.
GuideWow! What a State Park inside the National Park! Spacious, beautiful, and a big surprise on Lake Michigan South East. Indiana. Towering trees, San dunes, marshland, and fifteen miles of beach shore parklands. If you haven’t been, go! This is a year round play land. Camping is surrounded by forest, electric only, bathrooms/showers ((vault and flush), and clean for state park standards. Bring your, bikes, kayaks, beach attire, and hiking boots for spring, summer, and fall. Bring snowshoes and cross country skis in winter.
Campgrounds near Lowell, Indiana offer varied terrain with elevations ranging from 650 to 800 feet above sea level throughout the region. Located approximately 20 miles south of Lake Michigan, the area features both wooded inland camping and lakefront options within driving distance. Seasonal weather patterns bring summer humidity with temperatures typically ranging from 75-85°F during peak camping season.
Dunes exploration: Trail difficulty varies at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground, with the popular 3-dune challenge accessible for most fitness levels. "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," notes Greg S.
Swimming: Beach access with lifeguards during designated hours at Indiana Dunes State Park. "The beach was well maintained, and had lifeguards during certain hours, which gave me a little bit of extra comfort in bringing my kids to the lake," shares Kaley A.
Fishing: Stocked pond at Oak Lake RV Resort provides an alternative to Lake Michigan fishing. "Pond swimming & obstacle course, movies on our inflatable screen, golf cart glow parades, s'mores, homemade campfire pizzas & endless family memories," writes Nadiehsda B.
Clean facilities: Modern bathhouses at several dog friendly campgrounds near Lowell make extended stays comfortable. At Dunewood Campground, "The campsite was large and beautiful. The restroom area was clean and had soap and dryers," according to Veronica S.
Proximity to Lake Michigan beaches: Multiple camping options within 30-minute drive of Lake Michigan shoreline. "Loved the proximity of this campground to Lake Michigan! The closest beach within the national park is Kimmel Beach which is beautiful," reports Katie O. from Dunewood Campground.
Weather considerations: Summer humidity can make tent camping challenging. "Brutally hot but otherwise nice," notes Katie O. about Dunewood Campground, while recommending hammock trees at site #3.
Train noise: Railroad tracks near several campgrounds create nighttime disturbances. "We could hear Trains throughout the night," mentions Truly W. about Dunewood, while Kaley A. reports at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground that "trains going through and blasting their horns all night long" disturbed sleep for tent campers.
Seasonal operations: Most pet-friendly campgrounds around Lowell operate from April through October. Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park runs April 1 to October 21, while Oak Lake RV Resort and Pioneer Family Campground both operate April 15 to October 15.
Gate security systems: Several campgrounds implement key card or code access systems. At Love's RV Stop, Steven C. notes it's "gated and has basic amenities like a General store, Dog park and basketball court and tennis ball court for some activities if you have kids."
Lake activities: Private beach access at some campgrounds provides alternatives to public beaches. Holly S. notes that at Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park, "You have access to the perks of the conference grounds including access to a small private beach on the lake, canoes and kayaks, life jackets, and a rec room when open."
Playground availability: Campgrounds with play structures can entertain children during downtime. "Pulled in as the sun was coming down after a looong day of driving. Our site was right next to the playground and my kids had a blast swinging, climbing, and jumping while we set up camp," shares Sadie H. about Oak Lake RV Resort.
Dishwashing facilities: Camp kitchens or dedicated sinks simplify cleanup with children. Katherine T. mentions that at Dunewood Campground, "A camper sink for dishwashing was a nice bonus."
Site selection guidance: Some campgrounds offer personal assistance selecting and setting up at sites. At Oak Lake RV Resort, one reviewer noted, "From the moment you drive up, staff are waiting in golf carts to guide you to your site & even help with setup."
Electrical service verification: RVers should confirm appropriate amperage before arrival. At Love's RV Stop, Steven C. recommends, "Make sure your using your EPM devices" after experiencing a ground fault on the 50-amp circuit.
Easy highway access: Several dog-friendly RV parks near Lowell provide convenient interstate proximity. Jennifer H. describes Love's RV Stop as providing "Easy on/off for overnight" stays, noting it has "all the basics plus a nice convenient store and fuel."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lowell, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lowell, IN is Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park with a 4.4-star rating from 133 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Lowell, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 58 dog-friendly camping locations near Lowell, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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