Best Campgrounds near Schererville, IN
Camping options within 30 miles of Schererville, Indiana primarily center around the Indiana Dunes area, where both national and state park facilities provide varied outdoor experiences along Lake Michigan's southern shoreline. Indiana Dunes National Park's Dunewood Campground in Porter offers 66 wooded sites with modern restrooms and showers but no hookups, while Indiana Dunes State Park Campground in Chesterton features 140 sites with electrical hookups and well-maintained facilities. Private alternatives like Michigan City Campground and Sand Creek Campground provide full-service options with amenities such as WiFi, swimming pools, and pull-through sites for larger RVs, offering alternatives when the popular dunes campgrounds reach capacity.
Advance reservations are essential for camping in this region, particularly during summer months when Lake Michigan beaches draw crowds from Chicago and surrounding areas. The camping season generally runs from April through October, with some private campgrounds like Michigan City remaining open year-round. "The Indiana Dunes are very large. There are bike routes in the area and stopping points to look at birds and marsh lands," notes one camper who visited Dunewood Campground. Weather conditions can change rapidly along the lakeshore, with summer humidity and occasional storms affecting camping comfort. Campers should be aware of ambient noise at some locations, as one reviewer mentioned: "This is a noisy campground. Surrounded by train tracks they roll through late and early and you will hear them."
Beach access represents the primary draw for most visitors to the area, with trails connecting many campgrounds to Lake Michigan shorelines. The state park campground provides direct beach access, though one camper noted: "There is a trail directly to the beach, but the beach was insanely crowded." Wildlife encounters, particularly with raccoons, are common at Dunewood Campground where campers are advised to secure food properly. Fall camping receives positive reviews for reduced crowds and colorful foliage. Site selection proves important at most campgrounds, with perimeter sites generally offering more privacy than interior locations. The proximity to Chicago (about an hour's drive) makes these campgrounds popular weekend destinations, with the South Shore commuter train providing car-free access to the city for campers staying near Michigan City.
