The best family-friendly campgrounds near Merrillville, Indiana

Looking for a camping adventure near Merrillville, Indiana? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 110 family-friendly options in the area, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your outdoor getaway. From the lush vineyards of Mulln-Heim Vineyards (342 reviews) to the serene Walnut Valley Realm (230 reviews) and the rustic charm of Heritage Farm Stay Adventure (196 reviews), there's something for everyone. Average prices per night start at $48, with options as low as $30. And don't worry about amenities - popular options include campfires, cooking equipment, and toilets. Plus, you can enjoy activities like surfing, biking, and hiking. Start planning your camping trip today!

97% (441)

Top-rated campgrounds

Looking for a camping adventure near Merrillville, Indiana? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 110 family-friendly options in the area, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your outdoor getaway. From the lush vineyards of Mulln-Heim Vineyards (342 reviews) to the serene Walnut Valley Realm (230 reviews) and the rustic charm of Heritage Farm Stay Adventure (196 reviews), there's something for everyone. Average prices per night start at $48, with options as low as $30. And don't worry about amenities - popular options include campfires, cooking equipment, and toilets. Plus, you can enjoy activities like surfing, biking, and hiking. Start planning your camping trip today!

97% (441)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Willowthorne

97%

(251)

13mi from Merrillville · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · Lynwood, IL

Discover the Charm of Willowthorne: Your Rustic Sanctuary Amid Natural Beauty. Willowthorne invites you to revel in the natural allure and organic rhythm of life on the farm, fostering enduring memories that extend long after your visit. Nestled within a serene 9-acre organic blueberry farm , Willowthorne emerges as an idyllic escape where the sunsets are sublime, and the night sky brims with twinkling stars, and the hosts are charming and delightful. This unique getaway marries the essence of organic farming, educational pursuits, and warm hospitality to create an unparalleled outdoor experience. Catering to tent camping aficionados and retreat groups, our pastoral campgrounds are graced with picturesque views of a tranquil pond and willow trees. While our space welcomes the modest charm of tents, small RVs, and campers, we maintain a rustic essence without power hook-ups, encouraging guests to connect with nature. Each campsite is thoughtfully equipped with a personal fire ring and table for your convenience. Our area offers an incredible variety of recreational and sightseeing activities. Find peace and tranquility among nature or travel just 25 miles north to visit the heart of Chicago! We are central to many Illinois, Indiana and Michigan State Parks and beaches. Several good restaurants and breweries are also nearby. PLEASE NOTE: Please drive slowly and cautiously through our property. We are an active farm with a lot of activity all year round. Please pitch your tent in the designated campground area. In support of conservation of the natural ecosystem, please refrain from broadcast pesticides, i.e. Raid, Yard Guard, etc. Spraying skin, clothing, and personal property with mosquito repellent in your designated camping is fine. Our farm has beehives placed at a safe distance from the campsites to ensure guest safety. Obey posted signs and please stay out of designated work areas OBSERVE FIRE SAFETY. Leave fire ring in designated spot. Never leave fire unattended. No fires on windy days. Extinguish fire before leaving campsite. Please read: https://www.hipcamp.com/journal/everything-you-need-to-know-about-fire-safety For Your Convenience: Firewood: Purchase bundles of wood on site as non-local wood can disrupt the local ecosystem through disease or invasive species. Feel free to collect any small, fallen twigs for kindling. (Wood in stacked piles is not for burning but reserved for mushroom cultivation and other projects.) Honey: We offer honey harvested from blueberry blossoms in spring and the rich flavors of black locust and clover in late summer. Blueberries: Come July, partake in our U-pick blueberry farm, an experience seamlessly woven into your stay. Misc. We also offer a variety of organic garden vegetables and herbs throughout the growing season. Kindly inquire on availability upon arrival if you are interested in any of these farm fresh goodies. Catch-and-Release fishing is welcome. We look forward to having you enjoy the natural beauty at Willowthorne!

2. Rocking Horse Camping Ranch

96%

(24)

7.3mi from Merrillville · 5 sites · Lodging · Gary, IN

This is a hidden gem in the outskirts of Gary. Located on the Calumet river is this amazing horse farm with 3 horses and 4 ponies. It’s 1 mile off of the 80/94 and 65 highway. Only a 45 min drive from Chicago. We also offer free parking to Miller Beach on Lake Michigan which is only a 10 min drive to there and the Indiana Dunes. Theres also Deep River Dam where you can drop your kayak and do some fishing less then a mile away. Pet fee 50 dollars for 1st pet 25 dollars for 2nd pet (75) 2 max pets

3. Sleek Acres

100%

(116)

43mi from Merrillville · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · Grovertown, IN

Sleek Acres is a total of 13 acres, which includes our homestead, our chicken yard and barn, a fishing pond with a beach, and over 8 secluded acres to the back of the property where guests can explore (including walking trails). We provide a bathhouse, which includes a toilet and shower. A handwash/dishwashing station is located right outside the bathhouse. Fire rings, cooking grates, and picnic tables are provided at each site. A small amount of firewood is provided, and additional firewood is available for purchase. Located central to many destinations, we are: *5 minutes from All-Sports Koontz Lake; *10 minutes from Plymouth, (plenty of shopping, restaurants, and home of the Blueberry Festival - Labor Day weekend); *10 minutes from Walkerton, home of the Falloween Fest (Sept. 26, 27, 28); *20 minutes from Potato Creek State Park, *25 minutes from Bass Lake Beach *25 minutes from Valparaiso; *50 minutes from Indiana Dunes State Park, *45 minutes from Notre Dame If you are looking for a quiet, relaxing place to camp, yet close to many attractions, Sleek Acres is the place to be! :) (Please note: Check in and out times, as well as quiet hours, are based on central time.)

4. The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

97%

(154)

50mi from Merrillville · 19 sites · Tents, RVs · Bridgman, MI

My 4 and a half acres have a natural pond on it. I no longer own a personal flock of ducks but plenty of wild feathered friends come to drink and swim. I am three miles from Lake Michigan and my town has a public access beach. I am surrounded by wineries, breweries, and antique stores. I am in the country but only a few miles off the expressway. Berrien County's adorable small towns are known for their special events all year round. My sites are dispersed so first come first choice. Find a fixed Fire Ring and set up your camp! Or pick a spot without a ring - I do have portable free fire pits.

Stories from the community

H

Hazzan Sarah

November 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at Willowthorne

The view over the lake at sunrise was absolutely beautiful! Even the rain couldn’t detract from how lovely our stay was.

E

ERICH

November 2025

21 ft Class B

Weekend Trip to Willowthorne

I had planned on only staying the first night, but it was so peaceful and the host so accommodating that I decided to stay another night. Mike was kind enough to spend some time with me telling me about the land in the history surrounding it, as well as a brief tour of the various gardens and small store where they have fresh honey, jams, etc. lovely place and will love to stay here in the spring to see everything growing!

E

ERICH

November 2025

21 ft Class B

Weekend Trip to Willowthorne

Perfect little getaway from Chicago. The description and pictures are accurate. The hosts were extremely communicative and very friendly. Got to chat with both of them a little bit. Will definitely stay here again!

K

KATE

October 2025

16 ft campervan

1 night at Willowthorne

Two nicely laid out large shaded campsites facing a pond. Cute working farm between a field and what felt like busy suburban life driving in. Camp area was pretty quiet but I could hear traffic noises. Tables, grill, toilet and running water for hand washing. They offer organic jams and sauces made there on the farm. A nice little addition that make Hipcamp sites unique.

E

Eva

October 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Willowthorne

Absolutely loved Gosia and Mike! It was such a great experience and so close to the city!!!

D

David

October 2025

16 ft car

1 night at The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

Great place to rest and recharge. Lovely property with plenty of space. Cherisse was a great host and was quick to respond to messages.

C

Camilla

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Rocking Horse Camping Ranch

We had a wonderful stay. Nice to have a getaway like this so close to the city. We enjoyed the site- absolutely beautiful view of ponies and goats. Camper was worn and comfortable and very well stocked. There’s some highway noise but it becomes like white noise- I didn’t notice it really. The host was incredibly nice and helpful and communicative. We hope to return.

G

Gerald

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Willowthorne

Super easy and peaceful. I plan to be back. For camping.

B

Betsy

September 2025

18 ft campervan

1 night at Sleek Acres

The property is very well maintained. It is a lovely property and Earl and Lisa were very responsive checking in on me to be sure I had firewood and delivering my eggs. It was nice having a hot shower and the bathroom was squeaky clean. I would definitely recommend this Hip Camp.

j

jessica

September 2025

16 ft campervan

2 nights at Willowthorne

Wonderful little spot. Would highly recommend. Private feeling and great hosts.

Site 5 - perfect for a tent or a self-contained RV.

S

Scott

September 2025

21 ft Class B

Weekend Trip to Sleek Acres

This site was exactly what we were looking for. Beautiful, quiet, clean, and great hosts. Even though we stayed during a very busy time for the hosts, Lisa still made time to meet us and fill us in on the big local event going on. We enjoyed the event and loved our stay!

G

Guadalupe

September 2025

15 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

I loved the area and Cherisse's land was so nice and peaceful. I will definitely be recommending it for my travel trailer rental BC TRAVENTURE CO on Outdoorsy. The place is 4 min from the Warren Dunes and Molly's beach walk cafe was a cute small brunch spot. Rising Kites coffee spot on oak was also great. A ton of wine spots to try. The actual campsite was easy and very peaceful. They have wildlife we had an owl hangout at night. Overall great spot. If you want easy, laid back, low tech spot. We went to unplug for a weekend it was perfect.

Breanna

September 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Sleek Acres

Great campsite! Everything was clean and it was nice to have a bathhouse so close. We had a great time catching fish at the pond. Site 4 was nice and shady for the hot days and the trees provided nice coverage during the rain. We will be back.

s

smita

September 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Rocking Horse Camping Ranch

We had such a wonderful stay here! Derek is a very helpful and responsive host. My daughter absolutely loved all the animals — cats, dogs, horses, and goats — which made the trip extra special. The location is perfect, close to the beach and just a short drive from Chicago, so it was both relaxing and convenient. We would definitely love to come back again.

Site 2 - Early spring before the grass grew in.

B

Bryan

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Sleek Acres

Very cool little campground. You can tell they have put some work into making a beautiful space. There is a pond in the center with lots of ducks, geese, cranes, etc. they also have a shower house with flush toilets, shower, sink for dishes, and trash. They even have some nice walking trails. Sites were pretty private and even if the place was full you would still have more privacy than most state parks. There is definitely some highway noise since they are so close to 30 but if you don’t mind that I would definitely recommend staying here!

E

Ellen

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Sleek Acres

I had a great experience at Earl and Lisa’s camp! They were very quickly communicative and Lisa waited to show me to my campsite, despite me booking late at night. The camping areas were very well maintained and the bathroom was equally clean! The trails through the wooded areas were perfect to walk off a long drive and run some of my dogs energy off. Also, if you’re someone who enjoys stargazing, this is a great place for it!

R

Raven

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Once a Pond A Time Campsites

This campsite was exactly what we wanted. She gave enough information for minimal contact. She will not pester or watch you. Very enjoyable, peaceful.

C

Christine

September 2025

30 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Sleek Acres

Was a wonderful place to rest our weary bodies after 12 days on road. Last stop before home. Earl and Lisa's place is wonderful. Park like setting with duck pond, stacks of wood waiting for us, and cute out house with shower and toilet. We were only ones there due to end of season and had full hook up site and it was perfect. Little road nose but really didn't really bother us.

Alexander

September 2025

18 ft Class B

With pets

1 night at Willowthorne

Charming, peaceful place to spend the night. Warm, welcoming, and helpful hosts. Grateful to have come across this gem, I'll be back for sure!

O

Olivia

September 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Sleek Acres

Perfect for couples families or even solo camping! Host was very attentive and helpful. Very clean in all aspects. Fishing was a favorite for even my kiddos ! Can’t wait to come back!