Indiana Dunes State Park Campground
Indiana State Park
Write a Review 1600 N. 25 E. Chesterton, IN 46304 219-926-1952 Reservations: 800-456-2267 Official WebsiteGPS: 41.6565, -87.058
Overview of Indiana Dunes State Park Campground
For Indiana Dunes, the in-state vehicle entrance fee is $7 and out-of-state is $12 per vehicle. For pedestrians, bicycles, buses and passenger vans, the entrance fee is $2 per person. When staying overnight, you will be required to pay the entrance fee the first time you enter and your receipt will serve as your in/out pass the remainder of your stay. In-state annual entrance permits (AEPs) are $50. Out-of-state annual entrance permits are $70. Golden Hoosier permits are $25.
Last Price Paid: $40
Reported by Summertime RV Rovers on 1/13/2024
Longest RV Reported: 44 feet (Class A)
Reported by TheBurts on 10/16/2020
Number of Sites 140
Pad Type concrete
Reservations yes
Elevation 590 ft / 179 m
Max Stay 14
Max Length 55 ft
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Indiana Dunes State Park Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 219-926-1952
Reviews of Indiana Dunes State Park Campground 55 people have reviewed this location.
“The signage was confusing for us, took two tries.”
Reviewed 4/18/2021
Nightly rate: | $61 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 26 |
RV Length: | 26' (Class C) |
Ditto all the recent reviews. This is a neat state park, right on Lake Michigan within the National Lakeshore park. Plenty of hiking as well. Close to Interstate. Our site wasn't quite level, and it seems all sites just had power which made set up easy. We bought fire wood @ $7, but it was wet and wouldn't stay burning, although foragi... more
Ditto all the recent reviews. This is a neat state park, right on Lake Michigan within the National Lakeshore park. Plenty of hiking as well. Close to Interstate. Our site wasn't quite level, and it seems all sites just had power which made set up easy. We bought fire wood @ $7, but it was wet and wouldn't stay burning, although foraging for kindling was easy.
Hi-Ho would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice park right on Lake Michigan! ”
Reviewed 4/7/2021
Nightly rate: | $23 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 37 |
Great sites, flat concrete pads , easy walk to the beach from the campground . Would definitely stay again
MDM would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice layout, plenty of outdoor activities”
Reviewed 11/14/2020
Nightly rate: | $30 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 79 |
RV Length: | 21' (Class B) |
The state park is located within the boundaries of the Indiana Dunes National Park (formerly National Lakeshore), so don't get confused by this. There also is a national park campground, but it's closed in the winter.) This state park has a nice layout because the sites seem to be staggered so that they don't back up to each other. ... more
The state park is located within the boundaries of the Indiana Dunes National Park (formerly National Lakeshore), so don't get confused by this. There also is a national park campground, but it's closed in the winter.)
This state park has a nice layout because the sites seem to be staggered so that they don't back up to each other. Also, there is a good buffer space behind the sites and decent space between each site.
All sites have 20- 30- and 50-amp service available, plus almost all are a combination of a concrete pad and asphalt apron. Note that just because they're paved doesn't mean all of them are level. Each site has a fire pit and it appeared they all have grill grates on them.
One nice touch is that some sites have wider asphalt aprons so if you have a longer rig, you can put your towing vehicle or your towed vehicle off to the side once your rig is in place. Also, the ADA sites are nicely laid out with larger concrete pads so that even the fire pits are in the concrete section for ease of access.
Note that after Nov. 1, the water is shut off and bathrooms are shut down until spring, although there are vault toilets available.
You will hear a pretty regular stream of train whistles at this campground, but they aren't so loud as to be disruptive.
You can hike to the 1929 Dunes Pavilion and a large beach on Lake Michigan. The best hiking activity, however, and also easily accessible by walking from the campground, is the series of dune trails. The Nature Center, which sits between the campground and the trails, has some good visitor's information about the dunes, the flora and fauna, and the history of the area.
Once you finish seeing what you want in the state park, there's still the entire national park to see. Plus, there's a multi-use trail that runs for 9 miles along the state park and into the national park.
Cell service for Verizon was two bars but speeds seem to be good. Less signal and speed for Google Fi, but not terrible.
Trekers would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great State Park next to a fresh water ocean.”
Reviewed 11/6/2020
Nightly rate: | $35 |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | 6 |
Beautiful Park, staff does wonderful job keeping facilities nice and clean. So much to do trails will keep you in shape and if you have a hankering there is an interurban rail system within walking distance that will take you to downtown Chicago for that deep dish pizza you’re craving. Amazing you feel so remote but so close to just ab... more
Beautiful Park, staff does wonderful job keeping facilities nice and clean. So much to do trails will keep you in shape and if you have a hankering there is an interurban rail system within walking distance that will take you to downtown Chicago for that deep dish pizza you’re craving. Amazing you feel so remote but so close to just about everything imaginable. Kinda like boondocking on steroids. Hell during summer season you can camp and see a Chicago Cub baseball game and have that pizza all in the same day. Not many places in this country can say all that.
Mwick would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great park on a Great Lake”
Reviewed 10/27/2020
Nightly rate: | $26 |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
Site Number: | 88 |
RV Length: | 34' (Travel Trailer) |
The Indiana Dunes State Park/National lakeshore is located on the south shore of Lake Michigan. The park has wooded trails that include challenging sand dunes. There are numerous areas with shelters, open fields, and playgrounds for kids. We stayed late in the season (end of October), so the campground was not very full. The camp st... more
The Indiana Dunes State Park/National lakeshore is located on the south shore of Lake Michigan. The park has wooded trails that include challenging sand dunes. There are numerous areas with shelters, open fields, and playgrounds for kids.
We stayed late in the season (end of October), so the campground was not very full. The camp store was only open for a few hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but there are two chain grocery stores within 5-10 miles of the park.
The sites are close to each other, and only offer electricity. Water is available to load up when you pull in, and the dump station is right across from the campground entrance. The fire pit at our site was full of garbage (including cigarette butts and a cigar). There was also garbage spread about. It would have been nice for the site to have been cleaned up at least a little before being rented out again.
The park is patrolled by DNR personnel (not police), and they are pretty strict about rules (such as not parking on grass).
If you like hiking, the beach, and scenic views, you will like this park. I plan on visiting again.
Athos97 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Wish We Could Stay Longer!”
Reviewed 10/25/2020
Nightly rate: | $27 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 123 |
RV Length: | 34' (Fifth Wheel) |
Indiana Dunes was a fantastic state park! The price seemed a bit steep for an electric only site, but the atmosphere and easily accessible trails made up for it. If you have the ability to fill your fresh water tank before arriving, I would highly recommend you do. The water fill station gets quite backed up at check in time. Definitel... more
Indiana Dunes was a fantastic state park! The price seemed a bit steep for an electric only site, but the atmosphere and easily accessible trails made up for it. If you have the ability to fill your fresh water tank before arriving, I would highly recommend you do. The water fill station gets quite backed up at check in time. Definitely check out the 3 Dunes Challenge hike, we completed it with our 10 year old son and loved it!
Jouppi Outdoors would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Surpassed our expectation!”
Reviewed 10/16/2020
Nightly rate: | $25 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
RV Length: | 44' (Class A) |
We spent our very first night in our motor coach here. Entrance was a little tight (first brushes always the hardest!!) but sites are spacious and very clean. Lots of trees- we had an end spot affording lots of privacy. Can't wait to get back again.
TheBurts would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“GREAT STATE PARK Campground ”
Reviewed 9/26/2020
Nightly rate: | $30 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Really great state park -extremely busy. Good cell signal
Kyla D would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazing!”
Reviewed 9/26/2020
Nightly rate: | $30 |
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Days stayed: | 5 |
Site Number: | 80, 112, 89 |
RV Length: | 24' (Class C) |
Yes, the sites are tight together, but everything else is amazing! So many great hikes. Short walk from campground to the beach/Lake Michigan. Lots of trees. Many spots look less than desirable (near a trail head or garbage) but when we got there, the site was amazing.
JenHora would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“So much to do”
Reviewed 9/24/2020
Nightly rate: | $25 |
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Days stayed: | 5 |
Site Number: | 71 |
Had a great site with a ton of space between us and our neighbors, and so much to do. Hang out on the beach/dunes? Check. Hang a hammock and chill? Check. Ride 20+ miles on the extensive trail system? Done. Will definitely return. Bandwidth averages: Verizon (iPhone 11 unboosted): 35mbps down, 2mbps up AT&T (Pepwave M... more
Had a great site with a ton of space between us and our neighbors, and so much to do. Hang out on the beach/dunes? Check. Hang a hammock and chill? Check. Ride 20+ miles on the extensive trail system? Done. Will definitely return.
Bandwidth averages:
Verizon (iPhone 11 unboosted): 35mbps down, 2mbps up
AT&T (Pepwave Max Transit modem): 23mbps down, 5mbps up
BikesBrewsnViews would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
A Weekend at Indiana Dunes State Park – On Nowhere Road
Beautiful view of Lake Michigan from atop the dune We used to tent camp a lot and enjoyed staying in state parks as often as possible. They’re in beautiful locations and offer lots of opportunities...
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Amenities
Hookups
- 50 Amp
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- Partial Hookups
Recreation
- picnic area
- playground
- recreation trail
- swimming beach
Site Amenities
- big rig
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- dump station
- firewood
- general store
- ADA Accessible
- restrooms: flush
- showers
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
Nearby
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