Campgrounds in the Three Oaks region range from basic sites to full-service facilities, situated within a 30-minute drive of both Lake Michigan and the Indiana border. The soil tends to be sandy in many locations, creating some challenges for tent stakes and occasional difficulties for vehicles without adequate traction. Weather patterns typically bring warm days from June through August with cooler evenings, particularly in early and late summer.
What to do
Climb sand dunes: At Indiana Dunes State Park, visitors can experience the Three Dune Challenge for moderate physical activity. "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 visitor to Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.
Kayak on rivers or lakes: Several camping sites near Three Oaks provide water access for paddling enthusiasts. "There is a boat launch and a few docks that can be used," reports a camper at Thousand Trails Bear Cave, which sits on the banks of the St. Joseph River and features a waterfall within the property.
Explore caves: Unique geological features provide unusual camping experiences in the Three Oaks area. "There is actually a cave in the campground that you can take a tour of while you are here," explains a camper at Thousand Trails Bear Cave, though recent visitors note "the cave was closed with no plan to reopen in 2025."
Fish local waters: The St. Joseph River offers productive fishing opportunities. At Shamrock Park, "what impressed me most was that they have a building specifically for cleaning fish, with scales, cutting boards and sinks," reports one visitor who appreciated the specialized facilities.
What campers like
Shaded woodland sites: Many campgrounds in the Three Oaks area feature forested camping areas. At Weko Beach Campground, "the entire campground is wooded with huge trees, which we loved. The best part, though, was having the beach 2 min from our doorstep."
Sunset views: Lake Michigan sunset viewing ranks high among visitor experiences. A Weko Beach camper shared, "Nightly sunsets here will knock your sandals off. A majority of the RV sites here are occupied by locals who buy out the spot for the season and come in to enjoy it on the weekends."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers matter to campers in this region. At Michigan City Campground, visitors appreciate that "the shower/Bathroom situation is actually fairly nice for a campground! The water pressure was great, and the hot water was amazing."
Friendly staff: Personal interactions enhance the camping experience for many visitors. "The ranger was awesome. You can buy firewood and ice on site," notes a Shamrock Park visitor, while another mentioned, "Thanks Chuck the owner for jumping our truck from a dead battery."
What you should know
Trains create noise pollution: Railroad proximity affects several camping areas. At Dunewood Campground, campers "could hear Trains throughout the night," while Indiana Dunes State Park visitors note 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."
Site levels vary significantly: Uneven terrain requires preparation. At Weko Beach, "some sites are flat while others are on a hill," and campers should know that "most of the camp spots are not level so bring your levelers!"
Alcohol policies differ: Regulations vary between properties. Warren Dunes and Indiana Dunes State Parks prohibit alcohol, with strict enforcement. "If you think the rangers don't enforce that rule, you're wrong. Our neighbors got busted for it when we were there," reports one Warren Dunes visitor.
Weekend crowds impact experience: Summer weekends bring significantly higher visitor numbers. At Michigan City Campground, the spaces are "tight. You will be pretty close to people around you, many with kids. It seems kind of like a family retreat type of location."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Potato Creek State Park, "younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust," making these sites ideal for families with active children.
Swimming options: Water activities provide essential summer recreation. "The beach is very nice and it's a great lake. Water is warm and the lake is big enough to have boats on it," shares a visitor to Fuller's Resort and Campground, where "you can rent canoes & paddle boards, and there's a section of beach that allows dogs to play and swim as well."
Recreational programming: Organized activities enhance family camping experiences. At Shamrock Park, "there's all sorts of activities for kids-ping pong, basketball, cornhole and more," while Fuller's Resort features "a camp store very cute and geared towards children with small candies and ice cream for them to purchase."
Beach distances: Know the walking requirements between camping and swimming areas. At Warren Dunes, campers advise, "Plan on driving your stuff to the beach or taking bicycles. Mt. Randall is the high dune to climb but not for the faint of heart!!!"
Tips from RVers
Electric limitations: Many sites offer electricity without other hookups. At Indiana Dunes State Park, "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."
Hook-up cord length: Standard equipment may be insufficient at some campgrounds. At Potato Creek State Park, visitors should "be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up."
Security considerations: Gated entrance systems provide enhanced security at some locations. Michigan City Campground visitors appreciate "the secure entrance and key card access," which prevents non-campers from entering the grounds.
Dump station timing: Plan for wait times during busy periods. At Indiana Dunes State Park, "two dump stations made wait minimal" even during peak checkout times.
