Central Avenue Walk-in Sites

We first pulled into the beach area and a very nice park ranger gave us directions, when we got there we couldn’t find it to we checked every campsite on the map she gave us and we couldn’t find it. After driving around for 2 hours and asking another very nice park ranger we went back to the original spot the First Lady told us about and we walked around for about 30 minutes seeing if we could find it and we happened to come across a little sign thrown in the bushes that said central campsites. So we walked in to see what it was like and when we got there a bunch of people were already in our spot and I mean it’s not our responsibility to tell them to move and it was already 9PM so we decided to just go sleep in our car in a parking lot !

I didn't stay the night because it was unclear where to check in and the offices were closed. There are no signs to the plots and the sign at the lot says cars will be towed. I continued driving and slept at a rest stop instead.

I didn't stay the night because it was unclear where to check in and the offices were closed. There are no signs to the plots and the sign at the lot says cars will be towed. I continued driving and slept at a rest stop instead.

We thoroughly enjoyed our one night stay. The porta potty had recently been serviced which we greatly appreciated.

We thoroughly enjoyed our one night stay. The porta potty had recently been serviced which we greatly appreciated.

A fun immersive stay at the Dunes! Husband and I camped with our 7- and 9-year-old and our friend with his 4-year-old. PARKING/ACCESS: Rangers reserve the eastern-most parking spaces for the campsites. Campsite trailhead access is opposite the parking lot entrance with a small yellow sign with a map of the campsites and trail. Sign may be slightly covered by brush. Site #5 is the second campsite along the trail, about 1/3 of a mile from the trailhead. #4, #3, and #2 are further down the trail respectively. (#1 is next to parking) Bring a wagon or bike with trailer to haul. BEACH/RESTROOM: Port-a-potty by the parking lot is clean and well-stocked with tissue and sanitizer. Beach access road goes north from there, about an ⅛ of a mile. Single indoor family bathroom w/ sink and mirror at the beach. Drinking fountain and outdoor foot shower for sand. Beach less crowded than others in park. If you have minimal stuff, beach can also be accessed through trail just northeast of campsite #5. Trail is about ¼ of a mile and ends on top of a high dune cliff you must climb down to the beach. All our kids made it down and up. CAMPSITE: Site #5 is up a small dune hill. Site #5 is big and level with a picnic table and a brand-new-looking fire ring and grate. Firewood can be brought in. Place selling firewood along Route 12/Dunes Hwy. LOTS OF TICKS! The most ticks we have ever seen at a campsite. We applied bug repellent and wore long sleeves/pants/socks and still removed some from half of us. Found a number of ticks on our stuff when we got home.

A fun immersive stay at the Dunes! Husband and I camped with our 7- and 9-year-old and our friend with his 4-year-old. PARKING/ACCESS: Rangers reserve the eastern-most parking spaces for the campsites. Campsite trailhead access is opposite the parking lot entrance with a small yellow sign with a map of the campsites and trail. Sign may be slightly covered by brush. Site #5 is the second campsite along the trail, about 1/3 of a mile from the trailhead. #4, #3, and #2 are further down the trail respectively. (#1 is next to parking) Bring a wagon or bike with trailer to haul. BEACH/RESTROOM: Port-a-potty by the parking lot is clean and well-stocked with tissue and sanitizer. Beach access road goes north from there, about an ⅛ of a mile. Single indoor family bathroom w/ sink and mirror at the beach. Drinking fountain and outdoor foot shower for sand. Beach less crowded than others in park. If you have minimal stuff, beach can also be accessed through trail just northeast of campsite #5. Trail is about ¼ of a mile and ends on top of a high dune cliff you must climb down to the beach. All our kids made it down and up. CAMPSITE: Site #5 is up a small dune hill. Site #5 is big and level with a picnic table and a brand-new-looking fire ring and grate. Firewood can be brought in. Place selling firewood along Route 12/Dunes Hwy. LOTS OF TICKS! The most ticks we have ever seen at a campsite. We applied bug repellent and wore long sleeves/pants/socks and still removed some from half of us. Found a number of ticks on our stuff when we got home.

Wonderful! Some tips: the entrance to the campsites is off the entrance road on the right-hand side opposite the parking lot entrance, not easy to find from online maps but there's a yellow plastic sign in the bushes. Except for site 1, it's a long walk from the parking lot to your campsite. Not backpacking long, but long if you're making multiple car trips. Get here early in peak season because there's no easy parking except for the park lot. Highly recommended experience we are so lucky to have this in the Midwest.

Wonderful! Some tips: the entrance to the campsites is off the entrance road on the right-hand side opposite the parking lot entrance, not easy to find from online maps but there's a yellow plastic sign in the bushes. Except for site 1, it's a long walk from the parking lot to your campsite. Not backpacking long, but long if you're making multiple car trips. Get here early in peak season because there's no easy parking except for the park lot. Highly recommended experience we are so lucky to have this in the Midwest.

What a cool place to camp! It took about 2 minuets to walk from the parking lot up to the campsite, the beach is about 3 minuets away with incredible views of Lake Michigan, and the Chicago skyline. This site was large, clean, and nicely protected from the wind. The firepit has a grate for cooking. There is a small hill to hike up to get into the campsite.