NPS · Indiana Dunes National Park · Indiana

Dunbar Group Site

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 15,000 acres (6070 ha) 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.

More like this: reservable in Indiana · tent only in Indiana · pets allowed in Indiana · dark sky in Indiana

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
A visitor walks in the sunshine along the shore at Dunbar Beach with trees above the dunesDunbar Group SiteDunbar Group SiteDunbar Group Site
Photos courtesy of NPS Photo (Joe Gruzalski), Steven Rossi · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Tent-only1
This site is booked as a single unit on Recreation.gov. The booking page shows which dates are open and how far ahead they release. How the booking window works

Site guide

1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteWater / sewerWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresRating
Dunbar Group SiteNo / –Lakefront30 / 6YesStandard

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

Max vehicle length20 ft
EquipmentTents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesThe group camping fee is $100 per night. There is no discount for senior or access pass holders on group sites. A valid entrance pass or receipt is require for all visitors. You may pay upon arrival or purchase in advance.
Dark sky1.4 miles from Beverly Shores, Indiana, a certified International Dark Sky Community

- Tent Only Nonelectric

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Dunbar Group Site20°30°40°50°60°70°80°January: 2.21 inches of precipitation, 16.0 inches of snowFebruary: 1.97 inches of precipitation, 9.7 inches of snowMarch: 2.34 inches of precipitation, 6.0 inches of snowApril: 3.55 inches of precipitation, 0.6 inches of snowMay: 4.27 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 4.31 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 3.98 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 4.08 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 3.65 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 3.75 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowNovember: 2.76 inches of precipitation, 0.7 inches of snowDecember: 2.29 inches of precipitation, 7.3 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 24.9°F averageFebruary: 28.3°F averageMarch: 37.7°F averageApril: 48.4°F averageMay: 59.0°F averageJune: 68.5°F averageJuly: 73.0°F averageAugust: 71.6°F averageSeptember: 65.3°F averageOctober: 53.5°F averageNovember: 41.5°F averageDecember: 30.8°F average0 in5 in10 in15 in20 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Indiana Dunes Nl, 6 miles from the campground at 680 feet, station USC00124244 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 39 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 40 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

Dunbar Group site is on Dunbar Ave and West Lake Front Drive in Beverly Shores, Indiana.

Coordinates41.6825° N, 87.0017° W · Directions ↗

Charges and cancellations

Customers who cancel a group site reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗1.2 mi
RV sales & serviceTri State RV and Trailer ↗6.2 mi
Outdoor gearBass Pro Shops ↗10.2 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Dunbar MTB Group ride; March 2020

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Indiana Dunes National Park is a treasure of diverse natural resources located within an urban setting. The national park features communities that have both scientific and historic significance to the field of ecology. In addition, four National Natural Landmarks (including Pinhook Bog and Cowles Bog ) and one National Historical Landmark (the Bailly Homestead ) are located within its boundaries. The park is comprised of over 15,000 acres (6070 ha) of dunes, oak savannas, swamps, bogs, marshes, prairies, rivers, and forests. It contains 15 miles (24 km) of Lake Michigan shoreline spanning the distance from Gary to Michigan City. Lake Michigan is part of the largest complex of freshwater lakes in the world. The national park's beaches are the park's most significant recreational resource.

Recreation

There is no one-size-fits-all trip to the dunes. Each season offers new and different ways to enjoy Indiana Dunes National Park. Spring splashes the river banks of the Heron Rookery with an abundance of colorful wildflowers in this birder's paradise. Lake Michigan summer sunsets paint the skies with vibrant rays that offer a picture-perfect picnic setting. In the fall, Maple trees burst with warm red and golden hues crafting a spectacular backdrop for a hike by the Chellberg Farm and winter brings a scenic canvas of virgin white snow begging for a cross-country skiing adventure in the Glenwood Dunes. As the seasons change, so do the recreational opportunities, park facility operating hours and closures and safety concerns. Here is a list of some of the activities that occur in the National Park: Beach-going & Swimming, Biking, Bird Watching, Camping, Fishing & Boating, Hiking, Geocaching, Historical Sites, Horseback Riding, Interpretive Programs, Picnic, Winter Activities and Guided Tours.

Nearby

Dunbar Beach, situated along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, is approximately 0.2 miles (.32 km) from the group camp site. Several other national park beaches are within easy driving distance. Do NOT park in the Town of Beverly Shores' beach parking lot, which is located just to the east of the Lake View lot. You will get ticketed. The town strictly enforces parking laws. A gas station / convenience store is located ¼ mile north of the campground at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Broadway Avenue. The Beverly Shores South Shore Railroad station with passenger service to Chicago and South Bend is located on Broadway Avenue, ¼ mile (.4 km) north of the campground. Indiana Dunes Tourism and LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau have lists of other activities in the area.

Guidebooks for Indiana

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Five-Star Trails: Louisville and Southern Indiana
    Valerie Askren, 2022
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Rail-Trails Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio
    Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Cincinnati
    Tamara York, 2021
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Dunbar Group Site?

Sites at Dunbar Group Site are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Dunbar Group Site?

The group camping fee is $100 per night. There is no discount for senior or access pass holders on group sites. A valid entrance pass or receipt is require for all visitors.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Dunbar Group Site?

Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Dunbar Group Site have?

1 site, including 1 tent-only site.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Dunbar Group Site?

The longest site here provides 20 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are pets allowed at Dunbar Group Site?

Yes, pets are allowed at Dunbar Group Site. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Dunbar Group Site?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Dunbar Group Site good for stargazing?

Beverly Shores, Indiana, a certified International Dark Sky Community, is 1.4 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.

Source: DarkSky International

What is there to do at Dunbar Group Site?

There is no one-size-fits-all trip to the dunes. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What if Dunbar Group Site is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Dunewood Campground (1.2 mi) and Central Avenue Walk-In Sites (3.1 mi).

Source: Campgrounds nearby

Which national park is Dunbar Group Site in?

Dunbar Group Site is a Indiana Dunes National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.

Source: Indiana Dunes National Park