Featured amenities
Parking
Pet Friendly
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Fire Pit
Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates5 total sites
Tent Sites
5 sites
About Central Avenue Walk-in Sites
Number of accommodations: 5
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Parking
Pet friendly
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
- Fire Pit
Parking and Transport
- Parking
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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5 Sites Available
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Reviews (110)
What Guests Are Saying
Central Avenue Walk-in Sites offer beautiful, secluded camping close to Lake Michigan, making it an attractive option for nature lovers. Many reviewers appreciated the well-marked sites and amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, along with the peaceful environment. However, there are notable concerns about raccoons raiding supplies, a lack of sanitary facilities, and the need for more maintenance on the trails and nearby areas, which could detract from the overall experience.
What Guests Are Saying
Central Avenue Walk-in Sites offer beautiful, secluded camping close to Lake Michigan, making it an attractive option for nature lovers. Many reviewers appreciated the well-marked sites and amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, along with the peaceful environment. However, there are notable concerns about raccoons raiding supplies, a lack of sanitary facilities, and the need for more maintenance on the trails and nearby areas, which could detract from the overall experience.
Review Summary
Caitlin P
VerifiedJune 28, 2025 • Stayed at: Central 4, Loop: Central Area
Beware the confident raccoons! They are bold! I love these sites. Quite a hike to bring all your gear in, but so peaceful. You can hear the waves off the lake.
Megan A
VerifiedJune 29, 2025 • Stayed at: Central 3, Loop: Central Area
Campsite 3 was more of a walk in than I expected. Less than a 1/2 mile but probably not by much. The site itself was cleared with a nice table and fire pit. A few places to put a tent.
Megan A
VerifiedJune 29, 2025 • Stayed at: Central 3, Loop: Central Area
Campsite 3 was more of a walk in than I expected. Less than a 1/2 mile but probably not by much. The site itself was cleared with a nice table and fire pit. A few places to put a tent.
Caitlin P
VerifiedJuly 1, 2025 • Stayed at: Central 5, Loop: Central Area
BEWARE THE RACCOONS. But also... such a fun campsite. Minus the bugs. And the heat. But really, it was great.
Caitlin P
VerifiedJuly 1, 2025 • Stayed at: Central 5, Loop: Central Area
BEWARE THE RACCOONS. But also... such a fun campsite. Minus the bugs. And the heat. But really, it was great.
Patricia L
VerifiedJuly 10, 2025 • Stayed at: Central 5, Loop: Central Area
Don't be fooled by the maps - these sites are located on a cliff and do not have access to the beach. They're very basic primitive sites in the forest with no views or amenities. The beach nearby was beautiful (just avert your eyes from the power plant to the east), and there was abundant peace and quiet. And clever raccoons that want your food that can provide entertainment at dusk.
We stayed in site #5, which was a solid fifteen minute walk from the car. Not a walk you want to do multiple times, so this is almost like a mini backpacking site.
Patricia L
VerifiedJuly 10, 2025 • Stayed at: Central 5, Loop: Central Area
Don't be fooled by the maps - these sites are located on a cliff and do not have access to the beach. They're very basic primitive sites in the forest with no views or amenities. The beach nearby was beautiful (just avert your eyes from the power plant to the east), and there was abundant peace and quiet. And clever raccoons that want your food that can provide entertainment at dusk.
We stayed in site #5, which was a solid fifteen minute walk from the car. Not a walk you want to do multiple times, so this is almost like a mini backpacking site.
David K
VerifiedJuly 21, 2025 • Stayed at: Central 2, Loop: Central Area
Just be aware despite the reservation saying you can get to your site at noon is not accurate. The rangers will not allow you to access the site if parking is full. In addition, you must first visit the visitor center to get a paper saying you can park overnight. I'm not sure why the rangers blocking the parking couldn't also have these papers. Consider having parking available for overnight users as it was very frustrating after driving all day with kids only to be told that they were not sure when I could access the site. I had no issues with the site itself and all of these problems could be solved by changing the process that is currently in place.
David K
VerifiedJuly 21, 2025 • Stayed at: Central 2, Loop: Central Area
Just be aware despite the reservation saying you can get to your site at noon is not accurate. The rangers will not allow you to access the site if parking is full. In addition, you must first visit the visitor center to get a paper saying you can park overnight. I'm not sure why the rangers blocking the parking couldn't also have these papers. Consider having parking available for overnight users as it was very frustrating after driving all day with kids only to be told that they were not sure when I could access the site. I had no issues with the site itself and all of these problems could be solved by changing the process that is currently in place.
Linda K
VerifiedJuly 23, 2025 • Stayed at: Central 3, Loop: Central Area
The dumpster along the trail needs removed!
Only five camp sites are in the area.
The parking lot has two trash cans, another two trash cans besides the rest restaurant building.
The only purpose of the dumpster, is still, It is to provide a safe place for raccoons to stay, eat, shred trash.
Location Central Avenue Walk-in Sites
Address:
Golf Wood Road
Beverly Shores, IN, 46360
United States
The Central Ave Beach Parking Lot is one mile (1.6 km) north of the intersection of Central Avenue and U.S. Highway 12 in the Town of Pines. NOTE: It is not possible to drive directly to the campsites. Each campsite is a walk of between .1 and .6 miles from the Central Avenue Beach Parking Lot, including a large hill with uneven terrain to get to each site.
The campground is located approximately 1 mile from U.S. Highway 12, which provides access to the area.
Elevation: 188 feet
2.2 mi drive to downtown Beverly Shores (about 6 min)
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Site capacity
- Maximum of 8 people allowed per site.
Accessibility
- Campsites require walking from the parking area, with varying distances.
Vehicles & parking
- Limit of 2 vehicles per site, parking in designated lot required.
Safety & rules
- All trash must be packed out; no trash disposal on site.
- Maximum stay of 14 days within any 30-day period.
- Quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM; noise should be minimized during this time.
- Valuables should not be left visible in vehicles to avoid theft.
Fires & fuel
- Firewood must be brought in; collection from woods is prohibited.
Fees & deposits
- Entrance pass or receipt required for all visitors; federal passes accepted.
Site types & loops
- Tents must be set up in the designated open areas of the site.
Pets
- Pets must be leashed and attended at all times when outside tents.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: September 12, 2026
