3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Portage, Indiana provides RV travelers with several full-hookup options within reach of Lake Michigan. Woodland Village Mobile Home & RV Park offers 50-amp service for larger rigs in the heart of Portage, though sites are situated close together on concrete runners. Indiana Dunes State Park Campground, located 15 minutes north, accommodates big rigs with both 30-amp and 50-amp electric service plus sewer hookups, while Love's RV Stop in Demotte features 65 pull-through sites designed specifically for easy access. Michigan City Campground, open year-round, provides water, electric, and sewer connections with gravel pads that can accommodate larger motorhomes. "I had to back into the cemented runners which made positioning difficult, and the spots are very tight with no amenities like showers or restrooms," noted one Woodland Village visitor.
Between May and October, most RV parks in the region maintain full operations, with Indiana Dunes State Park experiencing particularly high demand during summer weekends. Access to Love's RV Stop offers convenient interstate proximity with "easy on and off I-65 yet barely any traffic noise," according to a recent visitor review. Several area campgrounds provide dump stations, though availability varies by location. Full-hookup sites typically include trash service and most parks permit pets with standard restrictions. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with T-Mobile coverage reported as spotty in some locations. RV travelers should note that larger motorhomes may find navigation challenging at older facilities like Michigan City Campground, where one visitor reported sites being "not just unlevel but also slopes up" making it difficult to position fifth wheels properly.
"This campground has a private lake which is surrounded by farmland. Lots of primitive sites right next to the lake. Fire rings with no grate."
"Clean full hookups, pull through and back in sites"
"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."
from $35 - $599 / night
"This is a nice, family friendly campground."
"Easy registration, friendly staff. Older campground, areas could upgrades. Most campers seem to be long term. Campsite 42 has a great overlook on the 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."
"The camp manager was very friendly and took me to my tent/electric site. She even put me next to a fellow biker. Nice quiet place and you can walk down to the Kankakee river."
from $33 - $43 / night
"We stayed on site 27, sites are full hookup up, there's a nice bathhouse which has a key pad handle which made me feel safe while showering. Theres a playground as well."
"Nature trails and of course Cedar Lake. People seemed friendly."
from $45 - $55 / night
"Oak Lake RV Resort handled it all with ease & gave us the BEST camping trip ever!"
"Was very quiet. Clean shower and bathroom."
from $55 - $160 / night
"Our site was a large pull-through with a separate area for the picnic table and a tent. Right across the road was the large restroom complete with showers and flushing toilets."
"Douglas loop is all non electric. Our site was big enough for our tents, a picnic table and fire ring."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 / night
"The park is dog friendly. The campground is clean and quiet. There is no bath house, only port-a-potty's throughout the campground."
"Yes, it’s an hour from the city, but I’d take the drive over the bill at a nearby hotel. There’s an outhouse and plenty of places to plug in the RV, and cars/tents are welcome too."
from $20 - $35 / night
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.
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.
TravelerSuper accessible and affordable National Park camping! Easy access to all the Dunes, and varying level of amenities for different rigs. I just spent one night here but I wish I spent longer. Only downside is you need to pack extra bug spray for the summer mosquitoes!!
GuideThis campground has lots of spaces, but fills up quickly so plan ahead. It has clean restrooms, dump and water, but no electricity. Mosquitoes and gnats were very bad and it was very humid, so nights were challenging. Had to leave windows shut and quiet hours, so no generator. Reasonably priced and campground hosts to their jobs very seriously.
ScoutNice, clean, quiet, simple state park set up. Many miles of paved and crushed limestone trails. The actual Kankakee River access is sort of outside of the campground- that would be my only complaint. You have to walk or bike a little distance to be near the river. Seemed very well maintained and we loved it!
ScoutBobbie and Tony thank u so much guys are amazing! If ur planning on camping everyone's so welcoming u can tell they really care about the grounds eveything is kept very clean with friendly camp ground neighbors my bf and I were traveling with our dog and found this camp ground randomly and we are so glad we found it we will absolutely be back
Portage, Indiana camping options extend beyond the city limits, with several campgrounds within a 30-mile radius offering diverse experiences. The region sits on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, with an elevation of approximately 620 feet above sea level and a humid continental climate that brings hot summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds in the area remain open between April and October, though select rv parks near Portage, Indiana offer year-round availability.
Explore cave formations: Thousand Trails Bear Cave features a naturally formed cave that visitors can tour. "A must !!!! Yolanda the manager is amazing! Kim is the best! The shower house is so so nice and clean! Amazing amenities," notes one camper. The cave is a unique geological feature that distinguishes this campground from others in the region.
Fish in local waters: Many camping areas provide fishing access on rivers and lakes. "Bear Cave is a nice campground. There is actually a cave in the campground that you can take a tour of while you are here. The campground is on the banks of the St. Joseph River in southwest Michigan," explains one visitor. The St. Joseph River offers good fishing opportunities throughout the camping season.
Visit Lake Michigan beaches: Within a short drive of most campgrounds, Lake Michigan beaches provide swimming and water recreation. "On clear evenings you can see the skyline of Chicago across the lake," shares a visitor to Indiana Dunes State Park Campground. The park features miles of shoreline and sand dunes reaching heights of nearly 200 feet.
Gated security systems: Several campgrounds implement security measures for guest safety. "Love the secure entrance and key card access. Pool and bathrooms were clean," writes a visitor to Michigan City Campground. This added security allows campers to feel safe while enjoying their stay.
Water recreation options: Many campsites offer water access beyond Lake Michigan. "There was a nice big field for the dog to run. Nature trails and of course Cedar Lake," notes a visitor to Cedar Lake Ministries RV Park. The park provides canoes, kayaks, life jackets, and beach access.
Proximity to Chicago: The location allows easy day trips into the city. "For those who wish to visit the city, the South Shore commuter train will transport visitors from Michigan City to Chicago without the hassle of city traffic and expensive parking fees," explains a Michigan City Campground visitor. This makes these campgrounds practical bases for exploring both natural areas and urban attractions.
Train noise disruptions: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby rail lines. "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," cautions an Indiana Dunes visitor. Light sleepers should consider this factor when selecting a camping location.
Variable cell service: Connectivity differs by carrier and location. "No internet, no cell service," reports a visitor to Bear Cave RV Campground. Some campgrounds offer paid wifi options for those requiring connectivity.
Site levelness challenges: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds. "The only negative but not a big deal is the walk to the main Loves store. You must walk along the road," notes a visitor about Love's RV Stop. Many campgrounds have recently opened or updated their facilities to better accommodate today's larger RVs.
Playground access: Choose campgrounds with play equipment for children. "We 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: Several campgrounds maintain pools or swimming areas. "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," reports an Oak Lake visitor. Pool availability typically runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Educational opportunities: Many campgrounds provide nature programs. "The nature center is right next to the campground," notes an Indiana Dunes camper. These programs often include guided hikes, wildlife presentations, and hands-on activities scheduled throughout the summer season.
Hookup variations: RV accommodations range from basic to comprehensive. "The only sewer hook-ups are all taken by seasonal campers," notes a Bear Cave visitor, highlighting the importance of checking specific utility availability when booking.
Gate access procedures: Many campgrounds utilize controlled entry systems. "This is a gated so will need to call in once you arrive to enter," advises a Michigan City Campground visitor. Having phone access upon arrival facilitates smoother check-in experiences.
Off-season availability: Some facilities operate year-round. "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," shares a Love's RV Stop visitor about this newer camping option near Portage, Indiana. Winter camping typically offers significantly reduced rates and greater site availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Portage, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Portage, IN is Lakeside RV Resort with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find RV camping near Portage, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 54 RV camping locations near Portage, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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