Sand Creek Campground's tent sites provide pet-friendly accommodations about 15 minutes from Indiana Dunes National Park. This privately owned campground welcomes pets with no breed restrictions and offers a mix of RV and tent sites set along a tree line or in wooded areas. Michigan City Campground features a dedicated dog park where pets can exercise off-leash, along with full-service RV sites, cabins, and tent camping options. Both campgrounds maintain clean facilities with hot showers and restrooms that accommodate campers traveling with animals. Tent sites at Sand Creek typically include picnic tables and fire rings, while the grounds remain peaceful and well-maintained for walking dogs throughout the property. The campground serves as an excellent alternative when the Indiana Dunes facilities fill up during peak season.
Hiking trails at Indiana Dunes National Park allow leashed pets throughout most areas, creating an ideal destination for campers with dogs staying at nearby pet-friendly campgrounds. Both Sand Creek and Michigan City campgrounds provide gated access for security, with Michigan City offering key card entry after hours to ensure pet safety. Bathroom facilities at both locations remain clean and accessible, though shower pressure varies between locations. Most campsites feature level ground suitable for tents and RVs, with some premium sites at Michigan City including cement patios alongside fire pits. Several grocery stores and pet supply retailers operate within 5-10 minutes of both campgrounds, ensuring campers can easily obtain food, treats and other necessities for their animals during their stay.
$25 / night
"There’s tons of trails to do along the lakeshore and none are really far from one another. I grew up in NWI so I didn’t camp in Indiana often but I did here and loved it!"
"There is so much to do her, wineries and breweries nearby. The beaches are not too crowded. Pet friendly and lots to do for children. This is one of our favorite vacation spots."
$43 / night
"The most beautiful state park in Indiana IMO."
"The campground although nearly full was relatively calm and quiet. Unlike the craziness of other Indiana state parks I have visited."
"We stayed in the off season in a site close to the laundry facility and office. Great campground for families. Our site was smaller however, no one was around us so it seemed bigger."
"Clean bathrooms, laundry, dog friendly, pool, office is friendly and has a store with game room. Nice dog park. We are in a 40ft with tow and did not need to unhook."
$30 - $90 / night
"First time to Indiana with a quick trip to the Dunes. We were disappointed the state park was full but found this campground close by."
"Privately-owned and just a short distance from Indiana Dunes. The owner was very nice and helpful at check-in."
"We wanted a place close to my elderly parents house and Last Resort fit the bill. Overall it is a pleasant campground with a pool, a pond, and some weekend activities."
"We were super close to fellow campers.On the other side of the grounds around the pond (electric only) sites were much bigger and secluded. Despite the tight space, the kids loved it here."
$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."
$20 - $90 / night
"Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust. Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up."
"I feel this is one of the best state parks in Indiana. Come with your own water as they don’t have water hookups at your campsite but there are some nearby. The sites are very spacious and clean."
"The walk to the beach access is a beautiful one, and the beach is astounding! Pet friendly!"
"Happened upon this Gem when driving the coast of Lake Michigan. Watched the solar eclipse from the beach. The DBR had a viewing area setup for adults and kids. "
$25 / night
"It’s far enough off the trail that it provides plenty of privacy. The walk to the beach was not too long. Site one is the only site on the front end of the trail."
GuideCompared to the other popular campground in the state park this is way less crowded. There’s tons of trails to do along the lakeshore and none are really far from one another. I grew up in NWI so I didn’t camp in Indiana often but I did here and loved it! There are a bunch of raccoons that can come steal food so beware of that! Overall nice though!
TravelerWe stayed in the off season in a site close to the laundry facility and office. Great campground for families. Our site was smaller however, no one was around us so it seemed bigger. They do have nice premium sites in the front. Loved that it is gated and and key card access after hours. Has a dog park and a playground for the kids.
GuidePros - playground, pool, well kept grounds, helpful staff, gated/swipe card access, ponds, close to area attractions, decent campground WiFi, small fire ring, small dog park
Cons - tight spaces, BYO grill, bad showers, dirty/tight bathroom area
The mens room is just gross. Water in the stalls because showers don’t drain. Water in the shower never gets hot. Missing shower heads with pressure that almost tears your skin. Can barely squeeze into the tiny stall. Toilets are gross.
GuideWe used it as an over night stop right off of 94. It was perfect for that. It would also be perfect spot to stay longer if wanted to be in the area. Grounds were nice. Clean bathrooms, laundry, dog friendly, pool, office is friendly and has a store with game room. Nice dog park. We are in a 40ft with tow and did not need to unhook.
ScoutGreat 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. Plenty of space and Convenient. We reserved and checked in online. The only complaint I had is the site we were at showed a ground fault on the 50amp Circuit so I had to use the 30 amp circuit but it's Nov so no need to run dual ACs minor issue but still make sure your using your EPM devices.
TravelerThe walk to the beach access is a beautiful one, and the beach is astounding! Pet friendly!
TravelerCouple minute walk to the beautiful Lake Michigan beach. Waist deep most areas, waves can get big tho. The campgrounds beach is NOT pet friendly, but there is a flat boardwalk that takes you to a pet friendly area of beach of neighboring Warren dunes state park. Clean easy to locate water/trash/office areas. Friendly staff. They check the loops frequently and keep things tidy. Sandy but drivable roads(be careful in a washout). Flat nice sized lots. Clean bathroom/shower house! (Males and females share showers, could be concerning during busy season). Peaceful and quiet. Loved everything about our trip. (Be warned the camping lots are sand too, you will have sand everywhere! But its worth it!)
ScoutSemi-modern campsite are super close together with very limited privacy. Sites 6-9 have hardly any trees so tents need to be set up strategically for what limited privacy there is. Don’t count on being able to hang a hammock in all sites (site 9 had zero spot to hang one). The interstate is behind the small tree line and the traffic noise is insanely loud. If you are looking to unplug and relax in nature, I would pick another spot to camp. The highway was louder than the sounds of nature. My backyard in the city of Chicago is more serene than our campsite. The campsites are pretty far from the lake where driving is almost necessary. The positives include, decent hiking and pet friendly areas on the beach. I will not be camping here again.
ScoutHappened upon this Gem when driving the coast of Lake Michigan. Watched the solar eclipse from the beach. The DBR had a viewing area setup for adults and kids. Lots of trails and activities for the kids. Pet friendly also.
Dunewood Campground sits along Lake Michigan about 30 minutes from Westville, Indiana. This area features sandy shorelines and wooded campsites with elevation changes from lakefront to inland dunes. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F with evening lows in the 60s, while spring and fall camping sees more temperature variation and fewer crowds.
Beach exploration: 10-15 minutes drive from Dunewood Campground to Lake Michigan shorelines. "Kimmel Beach is beautiful. There are some biting horseflies at the beach, but not at the campground," notes Katie O., helpful information for visitors with pets.
Climbing sand dunes: The Three Dune Challenge at Indiana Dunes State Park Campground provides panoramic lake views. "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," advises Greg S.
Fishing: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing opportunities for families and pet owners. "Spent 3 nights here for the first time in early July. There is a nice nature trail to the beach. If you are able, do the 3 dune challenge," recommends Jackie H., who enjoyed the combination of hiking and water activities.
Mountain biking: For active visitors seeking pet-friendly trails beyond beach areas, "We went mountain biking at Imagination Glen Park in Portage just a few miles down the road which was awesome," according to Jeffrey S. who stayed at Indiana Dunes while traveling with pets.
Secluded tent sites: Some campgrounds near Westville offer more private camping options. "The tent sites were very private as we were the only ones there for the night. Plenty of space tucked among the trees," reports Danielle C. about Sand Creek Campground, noting its proximity to Indiana Dunes.
Wooded campsites: Many visitors appreciate the natural settings. "The campsite was large and beautiful. Lots of nature, chill vibe. Great experience!" mentions Veronica S. about her stay at Dunewood Campground.
Clean facilities: "The bathroom was a bit outdated, but clean. Overall, it was a nice campground with spacious sites. It was not a long car ride at all to Lake Michigan," notes Katrin M., providing practical information for pet owners concerned about campground cleanliness.
Modern amenities: "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. The cement patio was large with a picnic table and an adjacent fire pit," explains Craig C. about Michigan City Campground, highlighting security features beneficial for pet owners.
Reservation recommendations: During peak summer months, securing spots in advance is essential. "We camped here because the dunes campgrounds were full. Very clean and newly renovated. The tent sites were nice and located around the perimeter," shares jennifer Z. about Sand Creek Campground.
Environmental considerations: "The mosquitoes were horrible. It was almost impossible to sit outside in the evening," warns Katrin M., important information for pet owners planning evening walks with animals.
Noise factors: Train noise affects several campgrounds in the region. "Definitely heard railroad and road noise but that's the trade off for being close to town with good cell service," mentions Katherine T. about her Dunewood experience, helpful context for those sensitive to noise.
Seasonal variations: "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," describes Robert B. about Potato Creek State Park Campground, illustrating off-season camping benefits.
Beach accessibility: When camping with children and pets, consider distance to water. "We pulled in around 4:30 in the evening. The sight was spacious with plenty of room in between sites. You are within walking distance to the beach within the park," notes Chris M. from his Indiana Dunes State Park stay.
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature play areas for children. "The campground was very clean and for a packed park was very quiet and we did not feel too close to the sites next to us. We spent 2 nights here and went mountain biking," reports Jeffrey S., highlighting activity options.
Safety considerations: "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. It had really nice bathroom facilities, and changing room facilities there," explains Kaley A. about Warren Dunes State Park Campground.
Educational opportunities: "The nature center is right next to the campground. My favorite trail is probably number one, which is a 1 mile weird loop that has some neat scenery, especially in the summertime," shares Kaley A. about Potato Creek State Park, noting nature learning possibilities.
Hookup variations: Electric-only sites are common at state parks. "It is electric only but that didn't really bother us- we just showed up with the water tank full and other tanks empty and enjoyed ourselves," advises Greg S. about Indiana Dunes State Park.
Site selection strategy: "We recommend securing a spot in the back sites 230-287 for larger lots and quieter atmosphere. Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust," suggests Frank M. about Last Resort Campground.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have restricted entry systems. "Love the secure entrance and key card access. Pool and bathrooms were clean, although the bathroom could use a slight update," notes Beth B. about Michigan City Campground, highlighting security features.
Seasonal options: "Nice little camp ground owners are very friendly. We have lot of space, everything looks clean," reports Terry T. about Last Resort Campground, which offers pet-friendly camping near Westville with seasonal availability from April to November.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Westville, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Westville, IN is Dunewood Campground — Indiana Dunes National Park with a 4.3-star rating from 125 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Westville, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 50 dog-friendly camping locations near Westville, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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