Ogden Dunes sits along the southern shore of Lake Michigan in Indiana, approximately 10 miles east of Gary. The area features sandy terrain with elevations ranging from 585 to 640 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with high humidity, while winter camping requires preparation for temperatures dropping below freezing and lake effect snow accumulation.
What to do
Beach activities: 5-minute walk from Indiana Dunes State Park Campground. The beach offers swimming with lifeguards during designated hours. "The beach and dunes are spectacular and live up to the hype. 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 one camper.
Kayaking and fishing: 10 miles south at Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park. Access includes a small private beach on Cedar Lake with canoes and kayaks available for campers. "There was a nice big field for the dog to run. Nature trails and of course Cedar Lake. People seemed friendly," reports a visitor.
Biking trails: Connect to multiple regional trails. The Dunes-Kankakee bike trail links to the Calumet trail system offering miles of cycling options. "We spent 2 nights here and went mountain biking at Imagination Glen Park in Portage just a few miles down the road which was awesome," shares a camper about their Indiana Dunes experience.
What campers like
Lake Michigan sunsets: Visible from several camping areas. "On clear evenings you can see the skyline of Chicago across the lake," mentions a camper at Indiana Dunes State Park. The park offers multiple sunset viewing spots accessible by hiking trails.
Clean facilities at Michigan City Campground: 10 miles east of Ogden Dunes. Visitors appreciate the maintained grounds and amenities. "The shower/Bathroom situation is actually fairly nice for a campground! The water pressure was great, and the hot water was amazing," shares a recent camper.
Secure campgrounds: Gated access at several rv campgrounds near Ogden Dunes. "Gated campground so not just anyone can come in, very clean and a nice pool," notes a Michigan City Campground visitor. This security feature helps families feel safer when camping with children.
What you should know
Train noise affects tent campers at some locations. The proximity to rail lines causes interruptions for light sleepers. "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. If you're a heavy sleeper and can deal with that, you'll be just fine but us tent camping there was nothing to block the sound," warns a camper about Indiana Dunes State Park.
Cell service varies by campground. Thousand Trails Bear Cave in nearby Michigan has limited connectivity. "No internet, no cell service. If you do not get a full hook up, you have to pay $15 to get pumped out," reports a camper. Some campgrounds offer paid WiFi options for those needing connectivity.
Site selection matters for privacy. At Indiana Dunes State Park, "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 an experienced camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Central location at several campgrounds. "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 a visitor to Oak Lake RV Resort.
Swimming options beyond Lake Michigan. Oak Lake RV Resort features a pond swimming area with an obstacle course. "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!" reports a family after extending their stay.
Recreation centers at multiple locations. Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park provides access to a rec room when open. Bear Cave offers "a beautiful clubhouse with library, air hockey, beautiful views, but most of the coin operated games were out of order."
Tips from RVers
Easy highway access at Love's RV Stop: Located 30 minutes from Ogden Dunes. "Found this on Dyrt and stopped for one night. Easy on and off I 65 yet barely any traffic noise. It just opened and it is well designed. The check in online is very easy," shares a camper. This newer facility provides convenient overnight stays for those visiting rv campgrounds near Ogden Dunes, Indiana.
Full hookup availability varies seasonally. At Bear Cave, "Most of the full hookups are taken 1st by the annuals. Sucks really but they do have an onsite honeypot which will suck out your tanks for $10 each time around," notes a visitor. Calling ahead to confirm hookup availability is recommended.
Site leveling considerations. "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. Plenty of space and Convenient," reports a Love's RV Stop visitor. Many sites feature cement pads or level gravel for easier setup.
