Big Paws Only Dog Forums
BPO Get Together Forum => Meet & Greet BPOers => : GR8DAME May 22, 2006, 06:32:52 PM
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Sandcreek Campground
Reservations needed
Cost:
Water and electric sites $22.00/night
Tentsite primative $19.00/night
cabins $50.00/night
$1.00 extra per dog per campsite/cabin
One camper or tent per site 2 adults and up to 2 kids,additional charges for addition people.
Amenities
fire ring, picnic tables, showers and bathrooms, outdoor pool, playground for kids,camp store on premises, 20 minutes from Central Dog Beach by car
Impressions
A bit overgrown and rundown. Bathrooms and showers need upgrading and a good cleaning--make sure you wear shower shoes and get all your shots, LOL. Cabins are primative, have beds, stove, frig and air conditioners, but no water or lights, no cooking or eating utensils included.
The elderly managers said that although the rules say no large dogs are allowed in the campground and no dogs in the cabins, the owners may make exceptions. Nicole said she would negociate terms if this was our first choice.
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/gr8dame/6d6d9f5a.jpg)
Typical campsite at Sandcreek
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/gr8dame/100_0708.jpg)
Shower/bathrooms
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/gr8dame/100_0711.jpg)
Cabin at Sandcreek
Dunewood Federal Campground
No reservations allowed
Cost
Primitive only, no water or electric sites availible $15.00/night
One tent or camper per site
Amenities
fire ring, picnic tables, restrooms and showers, hiking trails, water stations availible, 10 minutes to Central Dog Beach by car
Impression
Fantastic campground for tenters and primative lovers. Difficult for campers/pop-ups with no electricity. Restrooms and showers newly renovated and very clean. Gorgeous wooded trails, shaded campsites.
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/gr8dame/100_0713.jpg)
Typical campsite.
Indiana Dunes State Park
Reservations needed
Cost
$10.00 non resident fee $5.00 resident fee to enter the park the first time only. Once campers are registered they get a free pass to come and go for the duration of their stay. Visitors will pay daily.
Electric hookups only $25.00/night
One camper and one tent or two tents per site not to exceed 6 people.
Amenities
water stations availible, showers, restrooms, playground for kids, hiking trails, nature center, camp store on premises, beach acess for swimming in walking distance. Dogs are allowed leashed on the beach away from the designated swimming areas. 20 minutes away from Central Dog Beach by car.
Impressions
Newly renovated bathrooms/showers were clean and had small separate private dressing area. Playground/ camping area well maintained, people swim area had dressing room, bathrooms, consession stand and life guard on duty during open hours.Hiking trails were well maintained , and mostly shaded sites
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/gr8dame/100_0714.jpg)
Typical campsite
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/gr8dame/100_0715.jpg)
Showers/bathrooms
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/gr8dame/100_0719.jpg)
Beach area
All of the campgrounds stated no alcohol, but Sandcreek said keep it discreet and it's fine. Indian Dunes said (and she will deny it to keep her job) if you don't get caught you don't get a ticket. If you are caught, it will be confiscated and you will be ticketed.
All the campgrounds also said that dogs must be leashed at all times, and of course picked up after. As long as there are no complaints from other campers, all breeds are welcome at the Dunewood federal and Indiana Dune campgrounds.
For those who wish, there are hotels available in Chesterton.
http://hotel-guides.us/indiana/chesterton-in-hotels.html
and also in Michigan City
http://www.superpages.com/hotels/michigan+city-in-hotels.html
All should be within a short driving distance of the campgrounds and Beach.
We can vouch for the Holiday Inn, Michigan city, our stay there this weekend was fantastic!
Don't forget to vote, we need to get reservations going ASAP
Stella
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I'm with Liz. I do agree to leave my igloo home this trip though. No promises on the next one..
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The other nice thing that struck me about The Indiana dune one is that it is a tad more expensive, but you can buddy up with someone on one site. Two tents can share a site, and it just got very reasonable, cost-wise.
Stella
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lol at the elderly campground managers.
Bob is a diabetic and has to be pushed to work whereas Joanne has COPD but is a work aholic they are my sisters inlaws. They are good people and the campground is usually a little cleaner, they have been back from Texas only a short while. The campground is a little run down but is very friendly.
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By the way since it is only ten minutes from the house I will probably just travel back and forth. I go regularly to Sand Creek to visit the managers.
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The Dunes you will have to get reservations quickly since it was closed all of last year for renovations. It fills up very fast. Very beautiful campground DNR comes around regulaly the park ranger does also. So if you do drink make sure it is in a cup
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One more tid bit for all out of towners. DONOT bring your own wood you will have it conviscated. They are trying to stop the gypsy moth population. THey will tell you where you can go for wood.
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http://www.nps.gov/indu/Activities/camping.htm
this is the websight for one of the campgrounds.
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A few more things that another local (me) would like to mention:
The Indiana Dunes State Park DOES allow dogs on the beach, however, the beach is VERY VERY VERY crowded in the summer. I would suggest that if we do choose this route, we still use Central Beach as our dog beach. We would not have a good time there with the dogs. Central Beach is WAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAY less crowded (usually the only people there are people with dogs).
The people at Sand Creek were very nice, but another thing about that place is that it is kind of difficult to get to and not very close to the beach. I could see people getting lost. Aaaaaand...it kind of scared me to be honest. There were also lots of wet and mucky areas, so I anticipate that the mosquitos could be bad there, too.
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The bugs are really bad at Sand Creek. And it is a little out there. Too many turns for out of towners plus the work on 49 has everything just aweful.
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Yeah, it seemed like the bugs could be bad. Lots of standing water. And yeah, it could be a mess for out-of-towners.
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BUMP for those that haven't weighed in yet....um...Li n, Emily? Or will you just be coming for the day, Emily?
April? Hmmmm....anyon e else that is coming that hasn't weighed in?
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I voted for the last campground. It looks nice, but whatever you feel will work better for us is fine with me.
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Okey-dokey!
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I voted. Showers are a must. I hate being stinky for three days.
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Just for clarification:
Both the National Park ("federal") and the State Park have very nice and clean bathrooms.
The National Park's shower houses and bathrooms were just completely redone, as well. The camp ground was closed all of last year for a complete rehab.
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Some extra clairification:
There are TWO tents allowed on each site at the National Park, not just at the State Park. A maximum of 8 people per site. So, buddying-up is also allowed there.
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OK. I also wanted to post this. Its a VERY nice Inn that is super close to the beach area.
It doesn't allow dogs, however. But, my thoughts are that if someone wanted to stay there, or any hotel that doesn't allow dogs, their dog could camp with us? Any other suggestions?
http://www.springhouseinn.com/index.php
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I also found this.
Its a vacation rental home that is VERY close to the beach where we'll be. It also ALLOWS pets! Its $150.00 per night, but I thought that if two people wanted to split it...its got 2 bedrooms and two futons.
http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/17275.html
Let me know if anyone needs me to check anything out!
I also found this one:
Its in Michigan City...so, not quite as close, but still "pretty" close. Its smaller and cheaper. ($200 for the whole weekend!) And also allows pets!
http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/3535.html
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*BUMP FOR MEL TO SEE COTTAGES*
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;D Bump ;D
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BUMP AGAIN
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WOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!! It's confirmed! Hubby is coming with me! Not sure about the skin kid tho. I'm so EXCITED!!!!!!!!
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ok, so I sort of have missed this (somehow) but can anyone fill me in on the exact date and exact place? I'd probably just come for the day---it's only 3 1/2 hr drive...that's not so far, really. Is this event going to be AT a BEACH? (sure hope so)
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The date is the third weekend in August, the 18th, 19th and 20th. There are no solid plans for activity times, but I am sure at least a good portion of Saturday will be at the Central dog Beach.
As far as camping is concerned it looks as tho we will be divided between the federal campground for the hard core tenters and the state campground for princesses like me that want more amenities ::), and a few hotel/motelers.
I would suggest that the princesses(and princes) make their reservations at the state park as soon as possible
http://www.indiana.reserveworld.com/Campgrounds/search.cfm
For the federal campground, Nicole has said she would stake out some spots for the out of towners, so PM her for more info on that.
Dale and I were looking at the east loop of the state campgrounds, and I am off to make our reservations now ;D
Stella
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Reservations completed. We have spot 90 on the east loop, arriving Friday and leaving Tuesday. Can't wait to see everyone then!
Link to the Dunes state campground map..hopefully:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c384/gr8dame/Dunes_JPG.jpg
Stella
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This is exciting. Should we exchange phone numbers so we can call eachother in case of an emergency?
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OH WOW! This whole thing is happening right before my very eyes!
Well. I would like to stay at the Federal Campground just because its closer to the beach and you don't have to pay to get in, and well, various reasons. They do not accept reservations though, so like Stella said, I will head down there at the crack of dawn and reserve spaces for those that are interested!
Lin, yes. I think that numbers would be good, and let's also try to get a tally going of how many and who are planning on attending.
Megan and Julie and I can be the offical hosts of the event, since we're local and can get lots of stuff in order and done before anyone else arrives. I'm thinking that I would like to spend a good part of Saturday at the beach. Julie and Megan and I went there this weekend, and we were planning a cook-out on the beach. Everyone could bring something to share. I can give directions on grocery stores and stuff, and I've also got an apartment in Michigan City, so we've got plenty of access to refrigeration, stove, dishes, pots, pans, etc. I'll also have chairs and plastic tables to use at the beach.
I think that I'll start a new thread for RSVPing in.
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The DNR website doesn't have "the dunes" for reservations.