Central Avenue Walk-in Sites
The Quick Take
Central Avenue Walk-in Sites is Indiana Dunes at its most stripped-down -- five primitive campsites tucked near the Lake Michigan shoreline, accessible only on foot from the Central Avenue Beach parking lot. There are no showers, no potable water, and your bathroom is a porta-potty by the lot. What you get in return is a beachside camping experience that feels closer to backcountry than car camping, at a price that undercuts most national park campgrounds. The walk-in format and bare-bones setup filter out casual campers, so you're more likely to have genuine quiet even on summer weekends. The communal fire ring is your only option for a campfire -- no individual site fires allowed -- which forces a social element that either appeals to you or doesn't. This is the right pick for minimalists who want Lake Michigan access without the scene at Dunewood.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 5 sites are reservable.
Book at Indiana Dunes LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups. Generators permitted during designated hours.
Accessibility
The site is not wheelchair accessible. No Roads
Rules to Know
- Fires:• Wood and charcoal fires are allowed only in the communal fire ring using the wood provided or by carrying in charcoal.
- Generators:• Quiet hours are daily from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.
- Checkout:• Check-out is noon.
- Occupancy:• A maximum 8 people per site.
- Stay Limit:• Stays are limited to 14 days in a 30-day period.
Pro Tips
Sites 1 and 2 sit closest to the parking lot, making the haul shorter, but Sites 4 and 5 are farther east along the shore and feel noticeably more private. If you're carrying light, the extra walk to Site 5 pays off in seclusion.
Kayakers and canoeists can launch directly from Central Avenue Beach, making this one of the few national park campgrounds where you can paddle straight from camp to open water on Lake Michigan. Time your paddle for early morning when wind chop is lowest.
Bring every drop of water you'll need -- there is zero potable water anywhere nearby. Plan for roughly a gallon per person per day, and bring a collapsible wagon or cart for hauling gear from the lot since you can't drive to the sites.
Photos
NPS GraphicGetting There
Directions
Central Ave Beach Parking Lot Location: One mile north of the intersection of Central Avenue and U.S. Highway 12 in the Town of Pines. | GPS Coordinates (Decimal Degrees) of Important Locations: • CAMPSITE 1 = 41.701817, -86.947814 • CAMPSITE 2 = 41.702065, -86.946963 • CAMPSITE 3 = 41.702318, -86.945316 • CAMPSITE 4 = 41.702482, -86.944833 • CAMPSITE 5 = 41.702718, -86.944243 • COMFORT STATION (seasonal) = 41.702805, -86.950888 • PARKING LOT = 41.701407, -86.949050
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