Cabins near Merrillville, Indiana offer accommodations at locations within a 40-mile radius of the city. Most cabin sites are situated in areas with sandy terrain due to proximity to Lake Michigan and the Indiana Dunes region. Overnight temperatures typically drop 15-20 degrees below daytime highs during summer months, making cabins a practical alternative to tent camping.
What to do
Dune climbing at Warren Dunes State Park: The 260-foot-tall dunes provide challenging climbs with lake views. "Alas, the beach showed heavy use with sand that was just a bit grittier than shores we visited in the northern mitten," notes one visitor to Warren Dunes State Park Campground, adding "the 8-year old climbed to the top - the parents were too hot and tired."
Kayaking at Camp Bullfrog Lake: Rental kayaks available for $15 per hour including life vests, though the lake is relatively small. "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," according to a camper at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
Mountain biking at nearby trail systems: Multiple trail networks accessible directly from some campgrounds with varying difficulty levels. "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day. There are miles and miles of trails," reports a visitor at Camp Bullfrog Lake.
What campers like
Modern bathroom facilities: Many cabin sites feature recently renovated restrooms with consistent cleaning schedules. At Sand Creek Campground, "Bathrooms seemed newer and were very clean. The tent sites were very private as we were the only ones there for the night. Plenty of space tucked among the trees."
Gated security systems: Several campgrounds implement key card or code access for added safety. "Love the secure entrance and key card access. Pool and bathrooms were clean, although the bathroom could use a slight update," notes a camper at Michigan City Campground.
Reliable internet connectivity: Some premium sites offer surprisingly good WiFi service. One Michigan City Campground guest mentioned, "We stayed in the premium sites which were 90ft pull thought with 50A service, water and sewer, and the best wifi I have seen at a campsite."
What you should know
Train noise impacts multiple locations: Rail lines run near several campgrounds, creating periodic disturbances. A Sand Creek Campgrounds visitor warned, "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."
Site spacing varies significantly: Cabins and camping spots range from spacious to extremely close quarters depending on the campground. At Lakeshore Camp Resort, one camper complained, "My biggest complaint is the size of the sites. We are on top of each other. I have a 26 foot class c and the pad for the adjacent site is at my tailgate."
Alcohol policies differ by location: Some campgrounds strictly prohibit alcohol while others allow it. Warren Dunes enforces a no-alcohol policy rigidly, as one camper noted: "If you go, definitely hike up to the top. One setback was that you can't bring alcohol into the park. And if you think the rangers don't enforce that rule, you're wrong."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Multiple cabin locations feature play areas and organized events for children. At Oak Lake RV Resort, "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."
Swimming options: From pools to beaches to lakes, many sites provide swimming opportunities. "Pond swimming & obstacle course, movies on our inflatable screen, golf cart glow parades, s'mores, homemade campfire pizzas & endless family memories. The kids are still raving about it!" mentioned a family staying at Oak Lake RV Resort.
Bathroom accessibility: Consider cabin proximity to restrooms when traveling with young children. A reviewer at Camp Bullfrog Lake observed, "There are two bath/shower houses. I would rate them at a 4/5...not the best we've seen, but by far not the worst."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: Some campgrounds offer secluded cabin options despite overall density. At Camp Sullivan, campers noted the setup: "There is a tent area and RV area. Several loops in this large campground, but it fills up on the weekend, so make a reservation."
Advance reservations essential: Most cabin sites book completely during summer months, particularly weekends. "We decided to spend the weekend here because I had a client meeting at sunrise the first morning of our stay in downtown Chicago. It saved me making a 3 hour drive the morning of," explained one Camp Sullivan visitor, highlighting the convenient location.
Winter storage options: Some cabin-focused campgrounds also offer off-season storage for RVs. Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park provides seasonal accommodations from April 1 to October 21 with full hookups and secure storage options during winter months.
