Best Tent Camping near Plymouth, IN

Tent camping options near Plymouth, Indiana include several established campgrounds within driving distance. Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes National Park offers private tent-only sites accessible by foot, while French Post Park in Delphi provides drive-in tent camping with basic amenities. Both locations cater specifically to tent campers seeking natural settings without RV congestion.

Tent sites at Central Avenue Walk-in Sites feature varying levels of privacy, with Site 1 positioned separately from Sites 2-5, which are clustered together along a trail. Most tent campgrounds in the region provide fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between locations. French Post Park includes trash collection and toilet facilities but lacks drinking water and showers. Campers should verify seasonal availability, as some locations have limited access during winter months or require advance reservations through local authorities.

The primitive tent camping experience near Plymouth offers opportunities for quiet recreation and nature immersion. Central Avenue Walk-in Sites provides beach access within walking distance, making it popular for summer tent camping. The walk-in nature of these sites ensures greater seclusion than typical drive-up campgrounds. French Post Park features a more family-oriented setting with playground facilities and boat access, suitable for beginning campers or families with young children. A camper noted, "The spot was clean. It's far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy." Tent campers seeking more amenities might consider Shady Point or Lakeside Campground in nearby Jones, Michigan, though these locations also accommodate other camping styles beyond tent camping.

Best Tent Sites Near Plymouth, Indiana (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Plymouth, IN

6 Photos of 6 Plymouth Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Plymouth, IN

708 Reviews of 6 Plymouth 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!

  • Clay T.
    Dec. 26, 2024

    Chain O'lakes State Park Dispersed Campsite

    "Free, never heard of that app."

    Although it states in the app free dispersed camping. Doesn't always mean just that. The cheapest campsite at primitive camping is $12 bucks. (Tent sites) For more, you can get electric hookup sites galore that all include a fire ring picnic table and a pretty leveled out spot.

  • 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.


Guide to Plymouth

Tent campsites near Plymouth, Indiana offer access to inland lakes, wooded areas, and the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Located in northern Indiana, this region combines Midwestern prairie landscapes with water recreation opportunities. Most primitive camping sites remain open from April through October, with limited winter access due to snow conditions and freezing temperatures.

What to do

Water activities at Bair Lake: Shady Point Campground provides lakefront access for swimming during summer months. Campers report the lake water is clean and well-maintained. According to Nicole P., "It sits on Bair Lake and was great for swimming. The bathroom and showers were well maintained."

Boat launching options: French Post Park features direct water access for small watercraft. The boat camp area allows campers to pull boats directly to shore near tent sites. One visitor notes, "They have a tent camping section in one area with rooms to leave cars. A boat camp right into the water."

Hiking trails: Central Avenue Walk-in Sites connect to beach access trails within the Indiana Dunes National Park system. The sites require a short walk from parking areas, with Site 1 positioned closest to the trailhead. Don W. mentions, "The walk to the beach was not too long. Site one is the only site on the front end of the trail."

What campers like

Privacy levels: The walk-in tent sites at Campside Michigan offer seclusion for campers seeking quiet experiences. Sites are positioned away from main traffic areas and spaced to reduce noise between campers.

Beach access: Many tent campers value proximity to Lake Michigan beaches. Central Avenue sites provide direct trail connections to shoreline areas within walking distance. As one camper noted, "It's far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy."

Seasonal camping communities: Lakeside Campground primarily hosts seasonal campers but occasionally accommodates overnight stays. According to Noel L., "Campground is all seasonal campers now. Owners were super nice and found room for us for one night layover."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds near Plymouth require advance reservations, especially during summer months. French Post Park reservations must be made through town offices rather than online systems.

Limited facilities: Primitive tent sites typically offer basic amenities only. Harper Lake Campground provides minimal facilities, focusing on natural camping experiences rather than developed infrastructure.

Site positioning: Central Avenue Walk-in Sites follow a specific layout with numbered sites. Don W. explains, "You have to walk all the way down and take a left before you find sites 5, 4, 3, and 2 in that order."

Campfire regulations: Fire policies vary significantly between campgrounds. Some restrict open fires during dry conditions or require use of established fire rings only. Central Avenue Walk-in Sites prohibit fires entirely due to national park regulations.

Tips for camping with families

Beginner-friendly options: French Post Park provides an accessible introduction to tent camping for families with young children. Sammii D. recommends it as "a beginner place to go camping. Easy for families with young kids. They have a playground."

Recreational facilities: Shady Point Campground includes family-oriented amenities beyond basic camping. Nicole P. mentions, "It had playgrounds and basketball court and a small 'game' room. There was also a well stocked store with very reasonable prices."

Group gathering spaces: Several campgrounds offer picnic shelters for family meals. French Post Park features "a shelter with plenty of picnic tables to have a fairly large gathering," making it suitable for extended family camping trips.

Short-term options: For families testing camping with children, Shady Point accommodates brief stays. Sharlyn O. reports, "Was in a pull behind. Everything was easy and calm. Kids loves it. No problems."

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup availability: Most primitive tent campsites near Plymouth lack RV connections. Shady Point Campground represents an exception with electric hookups, water access, and sanitary dump stations.

Supply access: On-site camp stores provide essential supplies. Nicole P. notes that Shady Point has "a well stocked store with very reasonable prices," reducing the need for trips to town for forgotten items.

Seasonal restrictions: Many campgrounds reduce services or close entirely during winter months. RV campers should contact facilities directly for current operating schedules before planning off-season visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Plymouth, IN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Plymouth, IN is Campside Michigan with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

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