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Secluded, Fenced Cottage, Hot Tub, Fire Pit, Dog Friendly, Nat’l Park

Family-friendly holiday home with water park and Hot tub

Photo gallery for Secluded, Fenced Cottage, Hot Tub, Fire Pit, Dog Friendly, Nat’l Park

Terrace/patio
Living area
Living area
Dining
Living area

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6140 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Dryer

Explore the area

View map
Miller Beach, IN
  • Place, Indiana Dunes National Park
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Marquette Park
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, Lake Street Beach
    ‪14 min walk‬
  • Airport, Chicago, IL (MDW-Midway Intl.)
    ‪47 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Secluded, Fenced Cottage, Hot Tub, Fire Pit, Dog Friendly, Nat’l Park

Camp Baxter is tucked away in a tranquil, wooded section near the Indiana Dunes National Park, in Miller Beach. This 2 Bedroom/1 Bath, newly renovated, 1920’s cottage is nestled on the side of a dune and loaded with Smart Home technology, modern conveniences, and abundant amenities inside and out.

Soak up the natural surroundings from the spacious, multi-level outdoor living spaces that feature a 6-person hot tub perched near the top of the dune, firepit (firewood provided), outdoor dining and seasonal cushioned lounge furniture, seasonal outdoor heated shower, and a 6ft tall perimeter fence that surrounds the compound for ultimate privacy.

We are dog friendly and Camp Baxter is affectionately named after our departed Vizsla (Hungarian pointer) who enjoyed many years chasing birds and squirrels around the yard!

Note: An additional guest fee applies over 4 people: $25/person per night (not including children less than two years of age on Arrival Date), regardless of length of stay or purpose of visit. The maximum occupancy is 8 people.
Parking is available for up to four vehicles. There is no guest access to the garage.

Additional Amenities include complimentary Nespresso and Keurig coffee, 4 total Smart TVs with digital Comcast/Xfinity cable and video streaming, high-speed Wi-Fi, Nest Thermostat, and Washer/Dryer.
Supplies provided include paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, hand soap, dish soap and sponge, dishwasher detergent, shampoo/conditioner/body wash, trash bags, firewood, bath and beach towels, all bedding, and more.

The street leading to Camp Baxter is narrow and easy to miss upon arrival. We recently demolished a building on the adjacent lot and the foundation is still visible.
Once you enter the gated compound filled with mature black oaks, evergreens, and wildflowers, it is easy to become one with nature and experience how beautiful the Dunes are in all four seasons!

The cottage has a small but fully functional kitchen, separate dining room with a table that flips to reveal a poker top, cozy lower level media room, and a vaulted, skylighted Living Room with large windows and glass patio doors that open to the 700 sq. ft outdoor living space. The marble-tiled bathroom has heated floors and a jetted tub with a heated ledge seat.

Sleeps four (4) in two private, queen bedrooms and an additional four (4) guests on a full-size, fold-down sofa bed and deluxe, high-rise Aerobed (all bedding is provided).
............................

Add-on options (fees and taxes apply, invoiced separately after booking):
* We are dog-friendly and allow up to four adult, house-trained dogs: Per dog fees: $79 (2-night stay), $29/night (3+ night stay) or $200/week
* Guests may request an Early Check-in 1pm and/or a Late Checkout at 1pm. Each are available for a fee of $69 if Peak Season and $39 if Non-Peak Season. Due to COVID restrictions and enhanced cleaning procedures, Early Check-in and Late Checkout may not be available.
2 night minimum (observed Holidays require a 3 night minimum)
Licensee must be at least 30 years of age.
Abide by all Terms and Conditions of the signed vacation rental agreement required for rental of any Miller Beach Vacation Rentals property, regardless of booking method (direct or via a third party)
No high school, college, after-prom party, or any other underage groups allowed.
No bachelor or similar groups permitted.
Additional Guest fee applies over 4 people: $15/person per night. This covers maintenance/replacement of aerobeds, pullout sofas, extra laundry, increased utility costs, wear and tear, and more.
Maximum Occupancy is 8 individuals total not including children less than two years of age on Arrival Date
Excessive cleaning (if required)is billed at $35/hr. Repairs due to damages are $45/hour. If anything becomes ruined or missing, you will be charged accordingly. Notification is given prior to any deductions from your security deposit on file.
No smoking inside or anywhere within 15 feet of any open door or window ($1000 fine).
In certain cases, an additional Holiday Premium may apply to your dates
Care for the Premises with all due care, leave it undamaged, clean, and keep conditions safe throughout your stay.
Safely Trust and Safety Damage Waiver Fee provides up to $10,000 of accidental coverage for contents damage and up to $100,000 coverage for accidental property damage and bodily injury during your stay. Full terms provided upon booking.

Licencees agrees to identity verification and background check preformed by SafelyStay, Inc.
Neighborhood quiet hours are strictly enforced from 9PM-9AM; Parties / events, lack of decorum and disruptive noise will not be tolerated; If the neighbors are disturbed, Miller Beach Vacation Rentals reserves the right to ask the tenant to vacate the premises with no refund.
Outdoor Music is not permitted after 9PM.

Small, wireless bluetooth speakers are permitted except during Quiet Hours (9pm - 9am). Not permitted are party speakers, amps, subwoofers, stereo surround systems, or other high-powered audio equipment, etc.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
Additional fee applies
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
2 night minimum (observed Holidays require a 3 night minimum) Licensee must be at least 30 years of age.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Gary

Located on a lake, this holiday home is in Miller Beach, a neighbourhood in Gary. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Indiana Dunes National Park. Travelling with kids? Consider Team Combat LIVE and Albanese Candy Factory. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Miller Beach, IN

What's nearby

  • Paul H. Douglas Center - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Indiana Dunes National Park - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Marquette Park - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Lake Street Beach - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
  • Marquette Beach - 2 min drive - 2.1 km

Getting around

  • Portage - Ogden Dunes Train to Chicago - 9 min drive
  • Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) - 70 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Denny's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Flamingo Pizza of Miller - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Mr Fuel Travel Center - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Wrap Game - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Secluded, Fenced Cottage, Hot Tub, Fire Pit, Dog Friendly, Nat’l Park pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Secluded, Fenced Cottage, Hot Tub, Fire Pit, Dog Friendly, Nat’l Park?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Secluded, Fenced Cottage, Hot Tub, Fire Pit, Dog Friendly, Nat’l Park?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Secluded, Fenced Cottage, Hot Tub, Fire Pit, Dog Friendly, Nat’l Park?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Secluded, Fenced Cottage, Hot Tub, Fire Pit, Dog Friendly, Nat’l Park located?

This family-friendly Gary holiday home is located on a lake, within a 10-minute walk of Indiana Dunes National Park, Paul H. Douglas Center and Marquette Park. Lake Michigan is 1.5 mi (2.5 km) away.

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 22 out of 43 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 14 out of 43 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 43 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 43 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 43 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Check-in

8.8/10

Communication

7.4/10

Location

8.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Justin M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome place!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely loved the secluded area and the nice hot tub and outside area! We had our 5 year old and our dog so it was perfect for them to be able to play in the yard while we cooked dinner on the deck! Nice quiet area as well, and felt very safe!!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lauren P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Yes the driveway can be a bit tight but overall it was a great place!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Emily B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Enjoyed the hot tub with the quietness of the neighborhood it was truly relaxing. Watching for birds in the area was very enjoyable. I absolutely was in love with the heated floors in the bathroom. I appreciate an older home and could see the character it held. A few adjustments would have made it perfect and the owner tried over the phone to make the alarm stop but it continued throughout our stay so we fixed it in our own way (take out the batteries) for our time there. Shower head needs to be replaced but informed the owner of this as well. Appears to have a crack in the shower head-but did enjoy its rain shower qualities.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

James A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We spent very little time in the area, so I cannot comment on the town, shops, park, etc... It was a halfway point for us between Chicago and South Bend for a football game. The house was very comfortable and clean. We appreciated that there was coffee provided!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gina C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We enjoyed the stay and being able to bring our dogs was the best. The property is great, we did not use the hot tub, but did walk to the beach and that was great. There is also great food within walking distance so that was a plus too. Would stay here again. Just would recommend you do not try and come in a full size pickup with 8 foot bed, parking was a challenge even though they do have plenty of parking. It's a narrow lane the home is on and tricky to get the truck in and out. Next time we bring the smaller car!!! Thanks!Gina
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nillian S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Enjoyed our stay. We had no issues with the property. Really appreciated the beach towels since forgot to pack ours.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ryan C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect

This place offers very clean private secure property that makes you feel like your up in Michigan with the ease and access of the local shopping and food options and Lake Michigan beaches walking distance from the home.. oh and throw in a hot tub for relaxation .. this place offers everything you need if your staying in the area.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Abby R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice little get away

The yard is awesome, of course the hot tub at the top of the hill was the best, and we enjoyed the firepit as well. The house was a tidy little cottage at which we enjoyed our stay. It’s within a short walk to the National Park and downtown Miller Beach. The neighborhood is fine, pretty secluded, and still close to most attractions.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

Lori F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication, location

Nice place.

We had a great time. The neighborhood was very sketchy but that was expected. Right near the dunes was perfect. The house accepted dogs, we brought our injured pup. Awesome. Smaller than anticipated but all in all it was awesome. Clean and had everything we needed. With all the text messages from the rental company about checking in, they NEVER answered our text about how to turn on the outside lights. My husband and I numerous of times tried to text the number given and NO ONE bothered to call or text back. Glad we did not bring the boat, should be very clear very small entry way and alley way to house. Very protected but we think someone either the owner or rental company had come in when we left. The storage door downstairs was locked when we arrived. The day we left to the dunes, Monday it was unlocked. Also, someone must have been watching us leave because we were not gone too long, and someone had come onto the property to put the trash cans out on the street. Very aware we had to do it because it is in CAPS in the house rules, so that was a bit eerie also. All in all, great vacation and everything worked out. We were happy with the house and the fenced in yard and the space we had for the four of us and dog. Thank you.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

2/10 Terrible

Mark C.

Disliked: Check-in, communication

“Sorry” not sorry

Two bedroom - one bed is what ya get. The bed collapsed. The gate lock would not open. After thirty minutes of calling nobody back. Leaving me outside for a half hour. Mind you I called 6 PM with 7 PM, 8 PM, 9 PM, 10 PM, 11 PM midnight 1 AM, 2 AM, 3 AM, 4 AM, 5 AM, 6 AM, 7 AM, 8 AM, 9 AM, 9 AM finally I am told I’m sorry. By the manager. Not a solution just sentiment. Meaning I had to cancel the rest of my guest, because there was no bed in the rental. Six hours later I was told they could send someone over but by then it is too late. I had cancelled my family from coming. The catered food which was arriving at 11am was cancelled. And the over $2,000 spent was out the window and spent the holiday alone. They don’t care about the customer. Once the money hit their account that was the last time they cared. You will sign contract and have phone calls and pre screening but don’t expect any support from them when you don’t get what you paid for.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

2/10 Terrible

Mark C.

Disliked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy

If you have a problem - “Sorry”

First, they have a signed contract after contracts and do background checks, OK acceptable. Then the day of they call you three different times. Make sure you’re coming and go over everything you had to sign in contracts. OK acceptable. When you get there the code does not work to get in the gate and you stand there for over a half hour and you call and you call and you call and nobody returns or phone calls. No fortunately I booked the same place two days later, and I receive the code for the gate which that one did work it shouldn’t have for security reasons, but it did. I get all my stuff moved in get ready for bed sit on the bed and the bed collapses. Waiting for a phone call from 6 PM, 7 PM, 8 PM, 9 PM, 10 PM, 11 PM, 12 1 AM, 2 AM, 3 AM, 4 AM, 5 AM, 6 AM, 7 AM, 8 AM, 9 AM when I do get a phone call from the manager his response is “sorry” sorry which means the two bedroom two bed. In short, I have to cancel my party from coming which means I have to cancel the food for the week which means I am spending Thanksgiving alone and their responses. I’m sorry but thank you for sending the $2000. We’re off to the bank lol.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

4/10 Poor

stacy V.

Disliked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Not as advertised

This place served it's purpose for a girls' trip, but only because we are not high maintenance. Upon entering, it smells musty, very musty. The photos make it look fresh and modern. It is FAR from that. Notice every pic has a filter. The basement is like a dungeon and none of us felt comfortable sleeping there. So the futon upstairs was used. IT'S a rock!! (And I'm ex-military and can sleep damn near anywhere!!) The gate lock was broken when we got there. I texted immediately to let the manager know, She said she'd get a new one that night or morning. We never heard from her again, until the night before check out. We used the lock from the sprinkler system, otherwise, we would have had no gate lock the whole stay...and let's just say with that neighborhood, probably not a good idea. I seriously never write complaints, but this stay was a bit over the top. The property is EXTREMELY overpriced, pics are not accurate and the property manager was inattentive. (She did call 72 hrs after our arrival. Too little, too late.) If you're going to Miller Beach, avoid this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

David C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Nice relaxing place. Only issue was gate was to tight to pull directly in with a full size truck.

Good place & location close to beaches & dunes. Gate to tight for full size truck.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nathan O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Highly recommended !

Highly recommended!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

6/10 Okay

Jessica W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Disliked: Location

Smells like grandmas basement

Where to start… The listing says the house is in Miller Beach, IN. The house has a Gary, IN address. The town and neighborhood leading up to the rental property is really trashy. It looks like a hundred construction projects were never finished and everything in town looked really run down. I was thankful we brought the dogs and that there was a gate we could lock at the end of the driveway. The property itself looks pretty nice. We really liked the privacy/privacy fence the property has to offer. The house looks cute from the outside. The grass was long though, not sure when it was mowed last. We entered the house and noticed a very strong, musty, old basement smell (hence the title of my review). The interior is cute. Everything was fairly clean. I found a few large ants in the kitchen over the course of our stay. I also found a plastic meat and cheese wrapper by the nightstand in the bedroom to the right of the bathroom. So, that makes me wonder who’s cashing in on my cleaning fee? If it’s an outside company, maybe the rental company needs to ask for a refund. The coffee cups were dirty along with some of the silverware. The kitchen counters could use a good wipe down. It looked like something was spilled by the coffee maker and wasn’t cleaned up properly. The button to turn on the jets in the bathtub is stuck/broken. The outdoor shower doesn’t work. I was delighted to see that they provided everyday items such as shampoo/conditioner/body wash, hand soap, dish detergent and detergent for the dishwasher, trash bags, and paper towels. They provided beach towels and there are even sand toys and bag chairs at the house you could borrow for the beach, which was really nice. All of the smart home technology was pretty cool. The hot tub was ok, some sticky gunk on the edge of the hot tub. I think it was probably from some tape used to repair a possible tear in the hot tub cover. Nonetheless, it was nice to relax in the hot tub in the evenings. The heated floors in the bathroom were really nice. I’m pretty sure I need heated floors in my house now. Overall, I give it a 3 star rating. Not sure I would ever return, but that statement is mostly based on the neighborhood which surrounds the property. Driving through town made me very uncomfortable. For the most part, we had a nice time.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

sheryl b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Almost perfect

Location was a little rough, we were fien with it, but woul dhave appreciated a heads-up.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Larry V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very nice

Everything was satisfactory
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Communication
Disliked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy

Short stay.

The photographs looked amazing but the property is tired and needs some renovations and a deep cleaning. Some of furniture was new and in perfect condition, some was old and had throws to cover staining. We enjoyed the hot tub. The padlock to secure the property did not open and whilst the manager was very communicative, the issue took 30 minutes to resolve. This lock has been replaced. The shower did not work, even when we followed the instruction sheet taped to the bathroom wall. Several of the remotes had batteries missing and some of the dishes in the cupboards were dirty. When checking out I highlighted these issues and did not receive a response. The location is a short walk to the beach which was pleasant enough however the area is run down and not somewhere we would wish to return to.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Keillie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Secluded and relaxing

Great property. Lots of nature, it was cool to see the deer at night. Hot tub was nice and the outside hanging lights made for great ambiance. Big, comfy bath tub (unfortunately the jets didn't work though). Only negative... The "smart" thermostat had to be changed by the property manager every time we wanted to adjust it, which meant we had to text them and then wait for them to adjust. Super inconvenient, especially since we had an extended stay. Overall, a nice place to stay.
Stayed 21 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

James O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Delightful Winter Getaway

"Camp Baxter" was exactly what we were looking for as a quick winter getaway to decompress from our hectic life. The house was clean and beautiful. This was a perfect place for our family of four to come and play games, relax and read, and watch movies as we watched the snow fall outside. The hot tub was clean and ready for us to relax. Everything was well-stocked with everything we needed. The house manager was quick to reply to any comments or questions, the WiFi and smart TVs were fast. We'll definitely look to stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

8/10 Good

Ana B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

More expensive than it should be

This property photographs beautifully, but doesn't live up to it in person. We had some issues with cleanliness during our stay: the dining table was chipped and filthy when we arrived. Almost every rug is stained as well as pillows and the fold-out futon. The whirlpool tub jets did not work. It says it sleeps 8 but that isn't exactly true unless all members of the group are willing to sleep closely next to each other. The beds sleep 2 each, the futon sleeps 2, and the air mattress sleeps 2. If there are members of your group who aren't close, this is awkward. A member of my group stepped on something sharp near the TV and we discovered it was a toenail so it clearly had not been vacuumed recently. All in all, we had a fine time but not worth the price we paid. I reached out to give them my review first to let them fix things before I wrote a review but no one responded so here it is.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication

Short Vacation

My wife and I wanted to get away for a couple days. We selected Camp Baxter because of the location and hot tub. The hot.tib was relaxing. The location was a little sketchy. The property has a gate that must be unlocked before you can drive onto the property. This added some sense of security. The house was coY and relaxing. The beds are a little hard
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Pamela H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy, comfortable, safe

While Miller Beach was not quaint beach town we envisioned, the Camp Baxter property did not disappoint. Our family with teens was very comfortable and enjoyed all the amenities: air-conditioning, multiple televisions with cable, wifi, fire pit, hot tub, laundry, kitchen. This was a great place to kick back and relax between trips to the beaches along the shoreline. Check-in/out instructions and communication with the property manager were easy and efficient - no issues whatsoever. Thank you for a great vacation!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

4/10 Poor

Kerri P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in
Disliked: Communication, location, listing accuracy

Misleading

We were shocked upon arrival at the broken down houses next door, abandoned car next door, unkept yard and the neighborhood in general. Nothing like we expected.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

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