Central Avenue Walk-in Sites

The water laps upon the shoreline at Central Avenue Beach.
The water laps upon the shoreline at Central Avenue Beach.
Winter Waves at Central Beach under a Gray Sky. Campsites are closed in winter.
A map showing the Central Avenue Walk In Sites, with a list of the walking distances to each site
Grasses on a sandy beach near Mt. Baldy

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

5 total sites

Tent Sites

5 sites

About Central Avenue Walk-in Sites

Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles (24 km) of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer. Whether you enjoy scouting for rare species of birds or flying kites on the sandy beach, the national park's 16,000 acres will continually enchant you. Hikers will enjoy 50 miles (80 km) of trails over rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers and peaceful forests.

Number of accommodations: 5

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Apr 1 to Nov 1

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Pet friendly Pet friendly
Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • Fire Pit
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

5 Sites Available

Site
Price
Central 1, Loop: Central Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Central 2, Loop: Central Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Central 3, Loop: Central Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Central 4, Loop: Central Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Central 5, Loop: Central Area Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly

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.

Review Summary

3.4
110 reviews
5
39.1%
43
4
14.5%
16
3
15.5%
17
2
13.6%
15
1
17.3%
19

Frank F

Verified

August 22, 2026 Stayed at: Central 5, Loop: Central Area

1

On the day we were supposed to go camping, a derecho happened with 100+mph winds. When we were trying to walk to our campsite, the path was blocked by down trees. So, we unable to made it to our site. I made a phone call to recreational.gov and asked for a refund. I still have not heard back about if I will receive a refund or not. So, my experience with Recreation.gov has not been a good one. But, the person I talked to one the phone about the refund was extremely helpful when I called.

Megan H

Verified

August 14, 2026 Stayed at: Central 3, Loop: Central Area

3

Visually private site. Reserved parking spaces for overnight campers was marked. Other sites are within noise range. Sites are well marked. The walk in is nice, aside from the overflowing commercial dumpster around the halfway point. Previous campers did not pack out all their supplies. We tried to take some of their mess with us. Picnic table and fire ring were nice but we did not use them due to the aggressive insect population.

Jonathon M

Verified

August 8, 2026 Stayed at: Central 1, Loop: Central Area

1

We stayed here two consecutive summers. Both times raccoons destroyed our property. The first year I left food in the tent so it was my fault. When we came back this summer we kept all our food in the car and raccoons still got into our tent by tearing a large hole in the side. I had to throw the tent away , it popped an air mattress and tore up our bags. We’re out hundreds of dollars because the campground is infested with raccoons that are used to people feeding them. It’s unfortunate because everything else was great.

Scott K

Verified

August 5, 2026 Stayed at: Central 2, Loop: Central Area

5

Wonderful site very close to the beach. Bring some bug spray for the walk through the woods to get to the site though.

Nate S

Verified

July 26, 2026 Stayed at: Central 2, Loop: Central Area

5

nice spot. a little bit of a walk to get to the beach, but quiet and we were by ourselves (couldn't see neighboring sites).

Mario M

Verified

July 24, 2026 Stayed at: Central 2, Loop: Central Area

2

The campsite was in an area of the National Park without any kind of sanitary services: no water, toilets and showers closed according to the ranger at the visitor center since the last season due to septic tank issues and lack of funding to repair it. We weren't informed ahead of time to prepare ourselves, only about the distance. Also, the area has raccoons, which destroyed our tent due to lack of bear boxes to leave the food in and distance to the car. The area is also plagued with mosquitoes due to the near swamps, so come with lots of repellent and ready to have a swarm or cloud of mosquitos around you all the time.

Victoria H

Verified

July 24, 2026 Stayed at: Central 4, Loop: Central Area

3

The water was warm and clear. Had a wonderful time.

Sara C

Verified

July 23, 2026 Stayed at: Central 1, Loop: Central Area

3

Campsite was great and as expected. The central beach facilities did not have flush toilets or working outdoor beach shower. Sign stated “closed for season” and the 2 port o potties near the beach were extremely full and unusable.

Anton F

Verified

July 12, 2026 Stayed at: Central 4, Loop: Central Area

4

We camped at campground 4. Be sure to bring a cart, or something on wheels, to roll your things to the campsite. We didn’t know we would have to carry everything by hand for half a mile on a hill, so be sure to bring something on wheels!!! Also, the mosquitoes are everywhere!!

Hailie V

Verified

July 5, 2026 Stayed at: Central 4, Loop: Central Area

5

Loved the beach and our campsite we stayed at site 4 in central area if you love hiking and camping its a must !! The bathrooms were a disappointment tho pit toilets were very disappointing and the beach bathrooms were closed and replaced with pit toilets .

Location Central Avenue Walk-in Sites

Address:
Golf Wood Road
Beverly Shores, IN, 46360
United States

Highway access

The campground is located approximately 1 mile from U.S. Highway 12, which provides access to the area.

Elevation: 188 feet

Distance to downtown

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

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