New Fee System For Camping At Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's Dunewood Campground

Paying for a campsite at the Dunewood Campground in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is easier this year thanks to an Automated Fee Machine. NPS photo.

Change has come to camping at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's Dunewood Campground, at least when it comes to paying for your site.

The National Park Service has installed a new fee system at the campground in time for the busy summer season. The campground now features an Automated Fee Machine that will allow quick and convenient check-in at the campground 24 hours a day.

This machine, that replaces the envelope and drop safe system used since the campground opened, will take credit and debit cards only. Cash will no longer be accepted. Sites are still available on a first-come, first-served basis, but with this new fee machine campers can now pay at one time for their entire stay of up to 14 days.

This year, the Dunewood Campground season runs through Sunday, October 21. This Park Service site features 53 conventional drive-in sites and 25 walk-in sites. There are no electrical hookups, but there are modern restrooms and showers available. All sites are $15 per night. Fees are reduced by 50 percent for holders of the national Senior or Access passes. Alcohol is prohibited in the campground.

Lake Michigan is located 1.5 miles north of the campground and several beach access points are within easy driving distance. A gas station and stores are located a quarter-mile mile north of the campground at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Broadway. A South Shore Railroad station, with passenger service between Chicago and South Bend, is located on Broadway, a quarter-mile mile north of the campground.

To prevent movement of the Emerald Ash Borer, which kills ash trees, campers should not bring wood from outside of the immediate area. Wood can be purchased from one of several local sources near the campground. Please do not bring unused wood from the campsite home.

For more information on Dunewood Campground and its regulations, contact the national lakeshore’s information desk at 219-395-1882 or check the park’s website.