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The "Pool Barn" w/Pool, Hot Tub, Billiards & more near Indiana Dunes

Photo gallery for The "Pool Barn" w/Pool, Hot Tub, Billiards & more near Indiana Dunes

The "Pool Barn" offers plenty to do inside, outside, and in the area.
The Sand beaches of Indiana Dunes on Lake Michigan only 3 miles away
The 20 x 40 heated pool is open May 1 to Oct 31 weather permitting.
Hot tub open all year!
Chat w/ family & friends around a campfire. Wood & roasting sticks provided

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Porter, IN
  • Place, Indiana Dunes National Park
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, Bailly Homestead - American Indians and Fur Traders
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, Chellberg Farm
    ‪13 min walk‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 10)

Bedroom

6 Queen Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

The "Pool Barn" w/Pool, Hot Tub, Billiards & more near Indiana Dunes

More than a place to sleep! Only 5 minutes to beaches of Indiana Dunes on Lake Michigan. Dunes National Park & hiking along the Little Calumet River only 1 block away. Plenty to do at our space too! Air hockey, billiards, ping-pong, darts, basketball shot, foosball, & board games! Comfy beds & full kitchen! Enjoy the campfire, grill, & playground too. The pool opens Memorial Day weekend. Sun, swim, play, relax & volleyball. Please read House Rules prior to booking.

The space
We have been hosting this listing for over 3 years on another popular platform with over 500 reviews averaging 4.85 stars. We are excited to now offer the Pool Barn on many platforms. We are glad you found us!

***We are taking the extra precaution to sanitize everything between every stay***

Please read this full description and 'House Rules" prior to booking.

IndianaDunes website is a great resource for why visit our area. The Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana Dunes National Park have over 3.5 million visitors each year!

The Pool Barn
We built a 35x70 pole barn and finished half as additional garage space and the other half as a recreation space. Then we added a 20x40 in-ground heated pool, hot tub, gas grill, shaded picnic area, swings, slide, treehouse, and campfire area. We also have cornhole bag toss for outside. Our Camper is also in the driveway. It is listed separately as "The Pool Barn Camper". Outside spaces are shared with our family and the Camper guests.

The Pool Barn inside is ONE BIG SPACE of about 1200 sq ft. It includes a full bath/shower. There is a full-size kitchen with stove/oven, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, and Keurig. The kitchen is stocked with cookware, dinnerware, and silverware. We have 5 regular queen size beds, 5 of which are set up all the time and 1 spare. It is all one big open space that in addition to the kitchen and beds also includes 2 large couches and TV, movies, stereo speakers, wifi, darts, ping pong, pool table, air hockey, foosbal, golf putting, and basketball pop a shot. The inside of the Pool Barn is all yours. It is private during your stay. Our home is a separate building on property.

The pool has several loungers. It is only 5 foot at the deepest so not suited for diving, but great for children, water volleyball and just relaxing throughout. We have floaties, goggles, and snorkels too. The pool area has night lighting while enjoying an evening swim. The Hot Tub is open and enjoyable 365 days a year! We provide bath towels. It is a good idea to bring your own towel for the pool, hot tub, and beach.

The campfire area has plenty of seating space and abundant firewood available at no additional charge. If we are home we'll even get it started for you. As a matter of respect for our family, neighbors, and Camper guests, all must remain inside during outside quiet hours of 10pm to 8am.

Bring your bikes! We are on the Duneland Prairie Bike Trail. Great trails next door in the Indiana Dunes National Park for hiking or running too.

Guest access
The Pool Barn is separate from our home with keypad lock so you have private access to come and go as you please. The Pool Barn driveway is at 210 Howe Rd, Porter IN 46304. It will be ready and unlocked for you at time of check-in. The inside is all yours. Remember that all outside amenities are shared with our family and guests and the guests in the Pool Barn Camper. Outside amenities are open from 8am to 10pm.

Other things to note
This is our home and we live in a residential area. We strictly enforce outside quiet hours. Outside amenities are closed 10pm to 8am out of respect and consideration for our family and neighbors. All must remain inside during quiet hours. Inside you can play music, games, talk and laugh and stay up all night if you'd like as long all remain inside and doors and windows remain closed.

We charge for each person on property and charge no cleaning fee regardless of how many stay overnight. We are just asking you to cover our costs. We wash the bed linens, towels, and make sure everything is clean and sanitized between every stay. We want you to enjoy the same cleanliness (or better) that you expect in a nice hotel. Our large space and recreational amenities are the primary attraction. More people means more expense for upkeep, wear and tear, and amenity replacement both inside and out.

We have another listing, the "Pool Barn Camper" The camper is parked in the driveway of the Pool Barn. Guests staying in the camper share the use of the outside amenities such as the pool, hot tub, grill, and campfire. They will have no access to inside your space in the Pool Barn.

We have a dog. He stays in our house which is separate from the Pool Barn. Remington is a black German Shepherd. His bark can be a bit scary but he loves people. He gets let out on occasion and may bark for a minute, but he is friendly if you are too. If you don't like dogs, the Pool area is fenced and you can shut the gates to keep him away from you.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
- Only registered number of guests permitted on property
- To respect our neighbors, quiet hours 10pm - 8am. All should remain inside with doors and windows closed - No glass in or around hot tub or pool

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

About the area

Chesterton

Located in Chesterton, this apartment is on a river. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Indiana Dunes National Park and Lake Michigan. Travelling with kids? Consider Beverly Shores Depot Museum and Art Gallery and Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts.
View more Apartments in ChestertonOpens in a new window
Map
Porter, IN

What's nearby

  • Indiana Dunes National Park - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Bailly Homestead - American Indians and Fur Traders - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Chellberg Farm - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Indiana Dunes Visitor Center - 3 min drive - 4.2 km
  • Indiana Dunes State Park - 4 min drive - 4.9 km

Getting around

  • Portage - Ogden Dunes Train to Chicago - 9 min drive
  • Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) - 65 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪TravelCenters of America - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Wagner's Ribs - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Leroy's "Hot Stuff - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪The Original George's Gyros Spot - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does The "Pool Barn" w/Pool, Hot Tub, Billiards & more near Indiana Dunes have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

How much does it cost to stay at The "Pool Barn" w/Pool, Hot Tub, Billiards & more near Indiana Dunes?

As of 7 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The "Pool Barn" w/Pool, Hot Tub, Billiards & more near Indiana Dunes on 25 May 2026 start from NZ$483, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is The "Pool Barn" w/Pool, Hot Tub, Billiards & more near Indiana Dunes pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at The "Pool Barn" w/Pool, Hot Tub, Billiards & more near Indiana Dunes?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The "Pool Barn" w/Pool, Hot Tub, Billiards & more near Indiana Dunes?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The "Pool Barn" w/Pool, Hot Tub, Billiards & more near Indiana Dunes?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The "Pool Barn" w/Pool, Hot Tub, Billiards & more near Indiana Dunes located?

This family-friendly Chesterton apartment building is located on a river, within 1 mi (2 km) of Bailly Homestead - American Indians and Fur Traders and Indiana Dunes National Park. Lake Michigan is 2.8 mi (4.6 km) away.

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

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. 13 out of 17 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 17 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 17 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 17 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 17 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

9.0/10

Location

8.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jane H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to stay with kids.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary A.

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

Great stay

Great property. Close to the dunes and an amazing amount of hospitality from the owners, who are local enough to assist with any issues. Definitely would stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Paul P.

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

Great for family visiting Beaches and State Park

Quiet..Secure...LOCATION IS AWSOME TO Dunes State Park and the Town of Chesterton, IN. Restaurants and everything you need.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer T.

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

Quick getaway

Good location to towns and restaurants. Quiet neighborhood. Close to beach and hiking trails. Host was very helpful and kind.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Greg K.

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

Exactly what we wanted

Great overnight with Boy Scouts traveling back from a log camp. The Pool barn was a very welcome change of pace for the kids and adults alike. Wonderful facility and host.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tim F.

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

Game night

We stayed for the games. It was a blast.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany S.

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

Fun and convenient

Clean property, manager was available for any questions, the pool and games were fun. Would recommend. We will most likely be back in the future and bring the grandparents next time.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jane H.

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

Christmas experience gift

We loved it. We had our five grandkids with us and they were entertained the entire time we were there. We all enjoyed the pool, hot tub and the game room. It's a short drive to Indiana dunes. Would highly recommend this place. Hoping to return next year. Kim and Don were great hosts.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

4/10 Poor

Kyla W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Disliked: Location, listing accuracy
Upon arrival, we were a little taken aback because the photos made it look as if the property was outside of town, closer to beach access. Unfortunately, the entrance to the beach is an 11-mile walk... but the beach itself is an hour and 15-minute walk. The driveway is tiny due to the camper, and if you are staying in the "Pool Barn," you have to park on the right side of the driveway, while the camper parking is on the left side. This makes it a tight squeeze, and you have to maneuver your way out. The camper smells of sewage and it lingers in the air. The inside was clean, which we were thankful for.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Abbie R.

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

It’s cute

It was cute! And nice it is just one huge room tho
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa M.

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

Very Communicative and Helpful

Property was clean and exactly what we expected when we rented it out for the night. I contacted the property owners several times to ask questions and they responded very quickly. Though it was small, the place was suited to our needs for the night. Overall, we were very happy with everything!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin D.

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

A Unique & Fun Time

Place was nice with pool & hot tub access. Neighborhood rules are to be inside by 10pm which was kind of a buzz-kill since night swimming, hot tub or fire pit sitting are all enjoyable night-time activities. But it sounds like this isn't the hosts' rules but imposed upon them. If you want a private getaway this isn't it since the pool is shared with the house & camper. But it is just a couple minutes from the dunes & there is a pizza place literally around the corner.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Caleb G.

Liked: Check-in, location

Great barn and amenities if everything works

Owners are nice, but failed to let us know that one of the major amenities, the hot tub, was not working due to a pump leak the day prior so we didn’t have that for our weekend stay. Barn had lots of game tables but found trash upon our arrival under the beds and stained sheets on a mattress. Make sure if going on the kayak trip that the river has been cleared because it was not for us and had debris and blockages/dams all along it. Overall we had fun just a few amenities weren’t available for a duration of our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Kate D.

Disliked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Disgusting

We booked this place after reading nothing but great reviews. However, the last review was a year ago and a lot can change. We arrived and there was a run down camper in the driveway that they also rent out, a bunch of raised garden beds and mini greenhouses surround the driveway making it next to impossible to park. There was a rusty exercise bike on the porch. We go inside and upon first look it was clean and looked like a neat place to stay. We unloaded and quickly spent some time in the pool. When it was time to cook dinner there were mouse droppings in the skillet and the utensil drawer. We washed everything and didn’t let it ruin our evening. The next morning there were mouse droppings on top of a covered pan of brownies, the cover was pulled back and a chunk was missing out of them with mouse droppings on them as well. We contacted the host to which he replied basically that we should expect this in a wooded area. The rental is in a subdivision, we were not camping. We packed out things and left. That combined with a shower curtain that had about 6 inches of orange mildew stained on the bottom, a hand soap that had visible mold in the pump and toothpaste splatter on the outside was enough. The host also advertises safety bands for kids that alarm if they fall in the pool since the pool is so close. The host said he would try to find them. We didn’t hear back from him. We have now had to contact vrbo in an effort to at least get refunded part of our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Wendy F.

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

Amazing Hang Out for Yeen Party

Our son and his high school friends enjoyed a night of birthday festivities and winding down after winter break in Dec. 2022, Don & Kim were available to answer all of our questions (many as this was our first vrbo) and kept everything so well stocked and accessible. The boys had an amazing time playing games (there were even boars games in the event the tired of the tables!), hot tubbing in the snowfall and hanging out for the night! Thank you so much, we would definitely recommend and I'm sure we'll be back!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah W.

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

Had a lovely time

Well stocked, tidy spot. The owners were responsive and helpful. We would recommend to any visitors to the area.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

About the host

Hosted by Don & Kim Johnson

Host profile image
We have been married for over 28 years. We have three incredible children and 1 precious granddaughter. Our son Donnie is married, lives locally and works with Don. Don and Donnie teach Protective Tactics seminars throughout the country. Our daughter Amber is a senior at Indiana University Bloomington. Our Daughter Olivia is a Junior at University of Louisville. We've lived in our home over 22 years. We enjoy the outdoors, an active lifestyle, movies and dining, and time with family and friends. We enjoy our area and "Pool Barn" activities. We look forward to sharing them with you.

Why they chose this property

Our property offers plenty to do with the pool, hot tub, firepit, grill, swings, and playground area. Inside the Pool Barn offers a lot to do too with all the table and board games. The Indiana Dunes National Park is only 1 block away. The sand beaches of the Indiana Dunes National and State Parks are only 3 miles away. There are abundant hiking and biking trails beginning at our driveway. Next door is also the Bailley homestead and Chelburg Farm offering trails and a bit of history. Our small town also offers a European market on Saturdays, and plenty of dining and shopping.

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