Best Glamping near Merrillville, IN

Several glamping options within an hour of Merrillville blend comfort with nature at locations like Michigan City Campground and Lakeshore Camp Resort. Both sites offer various glamping accommodations with amenities not found in traditional camping. Lakeshore Camp Resort provides water and electric hookups at all sites, while Michigan City Campground features cabin rentals with modern comforts. Oak Lake RV Resort adds yurts to their accommodation options, providing a unique glamping experience with canvas walls and comfortable furnishings. Camp Bullfrog Lake and Camp Sullivan, though slightly farther in Illinois, offer cabin rentals suitable for glamping enthusiasts seeking resort-style camping experiences. One visitor noted, "It offers all the amenities you could want for a weekend get away - a lake with water rentals, floating water slide, playgrounds and sport courts."

Warren Dunes State Park Campground, approximately 45 minutes northeast of Merrillville, combines cabin and yurt options with convenient access to Lake Michigan beaches. The Indiana Dunes area provides a stunning backdrop for glamping, with miles of sandy shoreline and unique dune ecosystems. On-site activities at these glamping locations typically include swimming in pools or lakes, hiking nearby trails, and utilizing playground facilities. Many sites offer camp stores with essential supplies and firewood available for purchase. According to a recent visitor, "The sunset on Lake Michigan from the dunes was awesome. We spent 2 nights here and went mountain biking at Imagination Glen Park in Portage just a few miles down the road." Most glamping accommodations in the region require advance reservations, especially during peak summer months when Lake Michigan access is most desirable.

Best Glamping Sites Near Merrillville, Indiana (18)

    1. Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    127 Reviews
    Beverly Shores, IN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 395-1882

    $25 / night

    "You gotta love Indiana dunes national lakeshore! A quick drive from chicago this campsite is a real good place to get away from the city and enjoy the outdoors."

    "Campsites had decent privacy and  even on a Friday night, quiet hours were respected.  "

    2. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, IN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 926-1952

    $30 / night

    "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."

    "The state park is located within the boundaries of the Indiana Dunes National Park (formerly National Lakeshore), so don't get confused by this."

    3. Lakeshore Camp Resort

    16 Reviews
    Portage, IN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 762-7757

    $49 - $57 / 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."

    4. Michigan City Campground

    22 Reviews
    Indiana Dunes National Park, IN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 872-7600

    "This is a beautifully kept campground just outside Michigan City, IN. It is gated so will need to call in once you arrive to enter."

    "Pool, laundry, nice playground, ponds and basketball hoop. Less than 15 min to Indiana Dunes National Park."

    5. Camp Sullivan

    15 Reviews
    Oak Forest, IL
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-0041

    $35 - $250 / night

    "As stated, there is electric hookup but no water at the site. However, staff was more than happy to meet us at the bathrooms to allow us to fill our tanks before we set up camp."

    "Wooded electric paved sites with fairly new bathhouse facilities. Pretty clean. Only one indoor water faucet working but this may be a COVID casualty."

    6. Oak Lake RV Resort

    8 Reviews
    De Motte, IN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 306-8223

    $55 - $160 / night

    "Oak Lake RV Resort handled it all with ease & gave us the BEST camping trip ever!"

    "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."

    7. Lake O' The Woods Club

    1 Review
    Valparaiso, IN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 241-0739

    $35 - $60 / night

    8. Camp Bullfrog Lake

    30 Reviews
    Willow Springs, IL
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (312) 636-9785

    $20 - $138 / night

    "Each site comes with a free bundle of oak firewood which is nice to use on the fire pits."

    "The tent sites are right next to the water which is beautiful but can get very windy. There is no privacy between the sites (no trees, etc)."

    9. Warren Dunes State Park Campground

    68 Reviews
    Bridgman, MI
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 426-4013

    "We were with a large group so had a site you could drive right up to. Electricity hookups, bathrooms and showers, picnic tables and fire pit, etc. Easy access to the dunes and the beach."

    "The bathroom seemed newer (South modern loop) with clean bathrooms (cleaned at least twice a day) and private shower stalls."

    10. Sun Aura

    3 Reviews
    Lake Village, IN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (219) 345-2000

    $35 - $200 / night

    "From the start you feel welcomed. My site was small compared to other campsites. It was still big enough for our tent and a table and pit."

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Glamping Reviews near Merrillville, IN

434 Reviews of 18 Merrillville Campgrounds


  • Nadiehsda B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Oak Lake RV Resort

    We came for a weekend… Stayed nearly 2 weeks! Oak Lake RV Resort is where family memories are made.

    6 people, 1 pup & a 44.4' Keystone Sprinter... Oak Lake RV Resort handled it all with ease & gave us the BEST camping trip ever! From the moment you drive up, staff are waiting in golf carts to guide you to your site & even help with setup. We were nervous about fitting our big rig, but pull-through site #17 made it flawless. Where else does that??

    We originally booked August 22–25, extended to the 29th & then lucked into staying through Labor Day weekend. We canceled our other plans because Oak Lake had everything we wanted & more!!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!

    Rebecca deserves a huge shoutout for going above & beyond! Tom & Marianne, the owners, are amazing hosts who clearly pour their hearts into making Oak Lake special. Even the coin operated laundry was a lifesaver & convinced us we need a washer/dryer in our camper for future impromptu stays 😂.

    We’re already talking about being put on the list for a seasonal site for next year bc we know we’ll be back again & again. Oak Lake RV Resort is Newton County’s hidden gem!!! If you’re searching for fun, hospitality & true family camping memories... THIS is the place!! Hands down, every time.

  • Chris M.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • C
    Jun. 3, 2021

    Michigan City Campground

    Great campground, will return

    This is a beautifully kept campground just outside Michigan City, IN. It is gated so will need to call in once you arrive to enter. 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. The cement patio was large with a picnic table and an adjacent fire pit. There is swimming pool and a game room, and a small store with the essentials, and propane.

    You are close to Indiana Dunes and the downtown area of Michigan city. Good food, shops are close by. 

    By the way there are a number of cabins/mini homes to rent.

  • Dickie H.
    Jul. 30, 2019

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Easy camping

    You gotta love Indiana dunes national lakeshore! A quick drive from chicago this campsite is a real good place to get away from the city and enjoy the outdoors. It’s one of my favorite places to go within an hour’s drive. The campsite has everything you need. Modern bathrooms and showers, running water. Good for tent camping. It’s clean and a quick drive to a quiet beach at Beverly Shores. I highly recommend!

  • Art W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2021

    Lakeshore Camp Resort

    One step above WALMART

    This campground hosts many permanent or monthly campers, as evidenced by semi permanent structures, fences etc. There is a small lake that offers swimming and fishing, but we did not use this area. It is a huge area, with 4 shower and bathroom facilities, but they were old and needed maintenance and updating. One of us was brave enough to shower there, the other one preferred to take a sponge bath in the van. Each site that we saw had electric and waste water and potable water, so this was convenient. There is a loud highway nearby. The camp is a ten minute drive from West Beach area of Indiana Dunes National Park. As we ate breakfast on the supplied picnic table, the neighbor next to us had a loud argument with another resident involving a presumed theft, and police visited.

  • Kimberly B.
    Sep. 12, 2021

    Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park

    Great campground.

    We stayed for two nights and had a great experience.  Campsites had decent privacy and  even on a Friday night, quiet hours were respected.  We were on a wheelchair accessible site which was the only one available, so there was more pavement than the other sites.

    There was a dishwashing sink which is always handy.  The bathrooms and showers were very clean, and the free showers were the best we've experienced in a campground with plenty of hot water, good water pressure, plenty of hooks and a bench. 

    Some noise from the highway and the trains, but I like trains so it was fine.  We wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.

  • J
    Jul. 26, 2021

    Potato Creek State Park Campground

    Big, clean and plenty to do

    The park itself is rather large, and the camping area is pretty expansive as well. Bathrooms are cleanish…but they start getting a little wild as the weekend wears on. Perpetual mud and slop from the showers, but functional. The sites are roomy enough but they are a little close together. Some sites are shaded, some are open…hard to tell when booking. Not many trees to set up a hammock on site. General store was well stocked and the staff across the board were very helpful.

  • E
    Jul. 24, 2023

    Potato Creek State Park Campground

    1st time, will definitely be back.

    Our first time here with our pop-up. It's a beautiful park. So much nature to explore, so we'll have to come back again. Note that my four star rating is based on five stars being perfection, so I would still definitely recommend it.

    Our site was purposely located close to a bathhouse, but was not too close to have any bothersome noises. The bathhouse was a bit dated, but pretty clean. Individual stall showers with inner and outer curtains. Curtains could have been a bit longer, because the inner one allowed lots of spray into the outer "dry" part of the stall.

    Great playground on the east side of the first loop. Kids seem to play there for hours and enjoy riding bikes around the loops. Very well manicured grounds, including paths from the sites to the bathhouse.

    Nice little store that had a little bit of everything attendants were friendly. Firewood available. Cheaper outside the park, but don't mind supporting the park. Was open till 9PM even on Sunday.

    Beach was small, but seems adequate for the number of people there. Could use a little sand cleaning, but not bad. Swimming area roped off to keep boats out. Bathrooms have showers.

    Already planning our next visit!

  • Ari A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 15, 2020

    Indiana Dunes State Park Campground

    Nice layout and a ton of nature activities

    The state park is located within the boundaries of the Indiana Dunes National Park (formerly National Lakeshore), so don't get confused by this. There also is a national park campground, but it's closed in the winter.)

    This state park has a nice layout because the sites seem to be staggered so that they don't back up to each other. Also, there is a good buffer space behind the sites and decent space between each site. 

    All sites have 20- 30- and 50-amp service available, plus almost all are a combination of a concrete pad and asphalt apron. Note that just because they're paved doesn't mean all of them are level. Each site has a fire pit and it appeared they all have grill grates on them.

    One nice touch is that some sites have wider asphalt aprons so if you have a longer rig, you can put your towing vehicle or your towed vehicle off to the side once your rig is in place. Also, the ADA sites are nicely laid out with larger concrete pads so that even the fire pits are in the concrete section for ease of access. 

    Note that after Nov. 1, the water is shut off and bathrooms are shut down until spring, although there are vault toilets available. 

    You will hear a pretty regular stream of train whistles at this campground, but they aren't so loud as to be disruptive. 

    You can hike to the 1929 Dunes Pavilion and a large beach on Lake Michigan. The best hiking activity, however, and also easily accessible by walking from the campground, is the series of dune trails. The Nature Center, which sits between the campground and the trails, has some good visitor's information about the dunes, the flora and fauna, and the history of the area. 

    Once you finish seeing what you want in the state park, there's still the entire national park to see. Plus, there's a multi-use trail that runs for 9 miles along the state park and into the national park. 

    Cell service for Verizon was two bars but speeds seem to be good. Less signal and speed for Google Fi, but not terrible.


Guide to Merrillville

Several glamping opportunities exist within a 45-minute drive of Merrillville, Indiana, located in the Great Lakes region where the terrain varies from sandy dunes to wooded wetlands. The climate features four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 85°F, making late spring through early fall ideal for luxury outdoor accommodations. Winter glamping options remain available at select locations with heated cabins and yurts.

What to do

Climb sand dunes: At Warren Dunes State Park Campground, visitors can tackle the Three Dune Challenge for panoramic lake views. "Mt. Randall is the high dune to climb but not for the faint of heart! And beware, the sand does get HOT midday," notes camper Heidi S.

Mountain biking: Several trails within a short drive offer varied terrain for cyclists. "We went mountain biking at Imagination Glen Park in Portage just a few miles down the road which was awesome," reports Jeffrey S., who stayed at Indiana Dunes State Park.

Kayaking and fishing: Smaller lakes at campgrounds provide water recreation without Lake Michigan crowds. At Camp Bullfrog Lake, "The kayaks are $15 an hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around," according to Layla P.

Water activities: Many glamping sites feature both natural and constructed water features. "It offers a pond swimming & obstacle course," notes Nadiehsda B. about Oak Lake RV Resort, which provides alternative water recreation options.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Many glampers appreciate well-maintained shower houses and restrooms. At Dunewood Campground, "The restroom area was clean and had soap and dryers. The campsite was large and beautiful," according to Veronica S.

Proximity to Chicago: Glamping sites near Merrillville provide quick escapes from urban areas. "This is a state park which has an entrance fee and camping you can reserve. On clear evenings you can see the skyline of Chicago across the lake," writes Anna G. about Indiana Dunes State Park.

Seasonal activities: The region offers different experiences throughout the year. "We arrived on a fall night, after the sun had set and we were thrilled to wake up to such an amazing display of Northern Indiana fall foliage," shares Robert B., who camped at Indiana Dunes during autumn.

Themed weekends: Many campgrounds host special activities during summer. "Activities for the kids are all weekend and evenings are busy with golf carts parades. The adult fun goes to the wee hours on busy holiday weekends," reports Angie G. from Lakeshore Camp Resort.

What you should know

Train noise: Several campgrounds near Merrillville experience railroad disruptions. "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," warns Kaley A. about Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.

Alcohol restrictions: Some parks enforce strict no-alcohol policies. "One setback was that you can't bring alcohol into the park. If you think the rangers don't enforce that rule, you're wrong. Our neighbors got busted for it when we were there," cautions Dave E. about Warren Dunes State Park.

Reservations essential: During peak season, secure bookings well in advance. "The campground was full, but not overcrowded. We went when the campground was at full capacity and it still didn't feel overcrowded," notes Heidi S. at Warren Dunes.

Weather preparedness: Lake effect conditions can change quickly. "The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening," reports Katrin M. about Dunewood Campground, highlighting seasonal insect challenges.

Tips for camping with families

Look for playgrounds: Choose sites near play areas for convenience. "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. from Oak Lake RV Resort.

Consider cabin options: Glamping in Merrillville area cabins provides comfort for families with young children. At Michigan City Campground, "By the way there are a number of cabins/mini homes to rent," notes Craig C., mentioning the premium amenities available.

Beach access timing: Plan beach visits strategically. "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," writes Kaley A. about Indiana Dunes State Park.

Multi-generational activities: Choose sites with varied difficulty trails. "There is a nice nature trail to the beach. If you are able, do the 3 dune challenge. It wasn't easy for this old body, but I was glad to have marked it off my list," explains Jackie H. from Indiana Dunes.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: At glamping destinations near Merrillville, choose carefully based on shade and privacy. "The best sites are the ones on the outside from the beach trail to the nature center. These are up against the dunes and have some shade. The middle sites are more exposed and much less private," advises Greg S. at Indiana Dunes State Park.

Hookup information: Check specific utility details before booking. "Only offered electric service. I wish I had taken more photos from the beach and beach pavilion," notes Chris M., who stayed at Indiana Dunes with a 37-foot motorhome and Jeep.

Security features: Some glamping locations offer enhanced safety measures. "Gated campground so not just anyone can come in, very clean and a nice pool," reports Shane M. about Camp Sullivan, highlighting a feature important to many RVers.

Cell service: Coverage varies significantly between glamping sites. "I barely have T-Mobile service (not the camps fault but thought I'd share)," mentions G M. about Camp Sullivan, providing practical information for those needing connectivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Merrillville, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Merrillville, IN is Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park with a 4.3-star rating from 127 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Merrillville, IN?

TheDyrt.com has all 18 glamping camping locations near Merrillville, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.