Central Avenue Walk-in Sites

The Central Beach Walk-In Sites are in Indiana Dunes National Park, which 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, and hikers will enjoy 50 miles (80 km) of trails over rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers and peaceful forests. There are 5 sites here, each requiring a walk to get to your campsite. Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit. There is a vault toilet by the Central Beach Parking Lot. There is no drinkable water in the area, so you must bring your own. There is no one-size-fits-all trip to the dunes — each season offers new and different ways to enjoy the 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. Activities in the park include beach-going and swimming, biking, bird watching, camping, fishing and boating, hiking, geocaching, historical sites, horseback riding, interpretive programs, picnicking, winter activities and guided tours. As the seasons change, so do the recreational opportunities, park facility operating hours, closures and safety concerns. The park is a treasure of diverse natural resources located within an urban setting, featuring communities that have both scientific and historic significance to the field of ecology. Four National Natural Landmarks — including Pinhook Bog and Cowles Bog — and one National Historical Landmark, the Bailly Homestead, are located within its boundaries. Its dunes, oak savannas, swamps, bogs, marshes, prairies, rivers and forests span 15 miles (24 km) of Lake Michigan shoreline from Gary to Michigan City. Lake Michigan is part of the largest complex of freshwater lakes in the world, and the park's beaches are its most significant recreational resource. Central Avenue Beach on Lake Michigan is located less than 5,000 feet (1524 m) from the campground, and several other national park beaches are within easy driving distance. A gas station and convenience store is located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) southwest of the campground on U.S. Highway 12, and the Beverly Shores South Shore Railroad station, with passenger service to Chicago and South Bend, is located on Broadway Avenue.