Dunewood Campground offers essential tent, RV and glamping accommodations within Indiana Dunes National Park. Sites feature water fountains, well-maintained shower facilities, and dish washing stations that campers frequently mention in reviews. The grounds provide both wooded sites for natural shade and open areas suitable for visitors seeking access to Lake Michigan beaches. While the campground lacks electrical hookups, drinking water is available throughout, with tent pads on most sites ensuring level ground for sleeping. Located just minutes from Lake Michigan shorelines, this location serves as a practical base for exploring both natural areas and nearby towns.
What to do
Beach exploration at Kimmel Beach: The closest beach access point from Dunewood Campground provides sand and swimming opportunities. "Loved the proximity of this campground to Lake Michigan! The closest beach within the national park is Kimmel Beach which is beautiful. There are some biting horseflies at the beach, but not at the campground," notes Katie O.
Hiking the sandscapes: Trail networks through the dunes offer different difficulty levels across varied terrain. At Michigan City Campground, Craig C. mentions "You are close to Indiana Dunes and the downtown area of Michigan city. Good food, shops are close by." The campground serves as a strategic base for daily exploration.
Mountain biking at Imagination Glen: Several miles of dedicated mountain biking trails exist near the dunes. Jeffrey S. from Indiana Dunes State Park Campground reports: "We spent 2 nights here and went mountain biking at Imagination Glen Park in Portage just a few miles down the road which was awesome." This provides an alternative activity for days when beach conditions aren't ideal.
Kayaking on inland waters: Some campgrounds offer direct water access for paddling. Camp Bullfrog Lake visitor Layla P. shares: "The kayaks are $15 and hour and include life vests. The lake is pretty small but it was fun to putter around." This provides a calmer water option compared to Lake Michigan.
What campers like
Cleanliness of facilities: Modern bathrooms and showers rank high among camper priorities. At Warren Dunes State Park Campground, Heidi S. notes: "The bathroom seemed newer (South modern loop) with clean bathrooms (cleaned at least twice a day) and private shower stalls. We went when the campground was at full capacity and it still didn't feel overcrowded."
Security features: Some campgrounds offer increased security measures. Beth B. appreciates Michigan City Campground's "secure entrance and key card access. Pool and bathrooms were clean, although the bathroom could use a slight update."
Proximity to Chicago: For urban travelers seeking glamping close to Ogden Dunes, Indiana, the location offers strategic benefits. As Jeffrey S. explains: "This was our second IN State Park campground as part of out trip from GA to MN via TN-KY-IN-MI-WI-northern MN before staying in MSP for a week."
Fall camping climate: The region offers distinct seasonal advantages. Robert B. from Indiana Dunes State Park Campground describes: "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. Campsites, facilities and trails were all super well maintained."
Traveler
