indiana dunes travel guide

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A Complete Indiana Dunes Park Guide for National Park Travelers

Last Updated:  2/9/24 – Complete Indiana Dunes Park Guide for Travelers

One of the newest national parks in the United States is quickly becoming known as one of the most fun parks to visit in the summertime.  With an abundance of fantastic beaches, miles and miles of great hiking and biking trails, and some of the biggest sand dunes you will find in North America, Indiana Dunes State, and National Parks are a summer hot spot in the Midwest United States.

If you are into hanging out by the lake, camping out on a beautiful summer night, and doing some challenging hiking, then you will absolutely love Indiana Dunes.  The park has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Great Lakes, which should come as no surprise as the park is known for its gigantic coastal sand dunes.  These same dunes create some of the most unique and beautiful landscapes for hiking as well.

If you would like to visit the park, I would definitely plan ahead.  Since becoming America’s newest national park in early 2019, Indiana Dunes has become inundated with visitors.  People are flocking to the park to enjoy the beautiful summer days on the park’s beautiful beaches and amazing hiking trails.

In this Indiana Dunes park guide, I am going to give you all of the information that you need to make your visit to Indiana Dunes State and National Parks a success.  I will outline the top things to see and do within the parks and give you some advice on when to visit, where to stay, and where to eat.  I will also discuss the other things to see and do on an extended trip to the area.

Indiana Dunes National Park Guide Navigation Menu

How to get to indiana dunes national park.

Indiana Dunes State and National Parks are located on the Southern end of Lake Michigan, just to the East of the city of Chicago, Illinois.  It sits just inside the state of Indiana to the East of the city of Gary and the west of Michigan City.  Because of its close proximity to the city of Chicago, Indiana Dunes is a great side trip to take on any visit to the Windy City to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.

The park is comprised of both state and national parklands, with beautiful beaches and concentrations of sand dunes in each of the park areas.  There is a fee of $7 for Indiana residents and $12 for out-of-state residents to enter the state park area and a fee of $6 to visit the West Beach section of the Indiana Dunes National Park.  To give you a better understanding of the layout of the park, I have included a park map for you to review in my Indiana Dunes park guide below.

View Larger Map

If you are planning on visiting Indiana Dunes from outside the region, I have included some information on how long it will take to drive to the park from some major metropolitan areas with large airports.  For those flying in to visit, your best bet is to fly into Chicago’s Midway International Airport , which is on the south side of Chicago.  If you aren’t able to find a flight into Midway, you can also try Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport , which is on the North side of Chicago.

Indiana Dunes National Park Resources

In addition to all of the information I have outlined in this guide, I have included some additional resources for Indiana Dunes State and National Parks that you can use to help plan your trip in my Indiana Dunes park guide below.

• Operating Hours and Seasons
• Park Fees and Passes
• Beach and Water Conditions
• Free Beach Shuttle Bus
• Outdoor Activities
• Guided Tours
• Nearby Attractions

Top Things to See and Do at Indiana Dunes

If you are into the outdoors, then there will be no shortage of things for you to see and do in Indiana Dunes State and National Parks.  Whether you are into hiking, boating, biking, swimming, or just hanging out on the beach, the parks have a little bit for everyone of all interests.  In case you need some ideas for things to see and do while you are inside the parks, I have included a list of some of my favorites for you to review in my Indiana Dunes park guide below.

And if you are looking for some things to see and do in the surrounding region, I have you covered there as well.  Below is a map and list of just some of the nearby attractions that you can add to any extended trip to the area.

Hike the Sand Dunes in the State Park

One of my favorite activities to do while in Indiana Dunes State and National Parks is to hike among the gigantic sand dunes.  When you see the size of these dunes in person, it will absolutely blow your mind.  In addition to being massive, they are also really pretty.  However, make sure you bring lots of water with you on your hikes because hiking in loose sand can be a real workout.

Hang Out at the Beach

It should come as no surprise that a park that is known for its coastal sand dunes has amazing beaches, but I think a lot of people are surprised by just how big and beautiful the beaches at Indiana Dunes are when they first visit.  Because the parks are located so close to the city of Chicago, I think many people don’t expect to see so much wild space set aside and don’t expect to see such pretty beaches. 

Believe me, they are beautiful beaches.  If you would like to spend some time relaxing on one of the many stunning beaches, I have included a map of the most popular beaches in the parks for you to review below.

Visit the Nature Center

Another great thing to do in the Indiana Dunes State Park, especially if you are visiting with children, is to visit the Nature Center.  The educational displays and learning programs teach you about all of the animal and plant life that is native to the dunes of Indiana Dunes State and National Parks.  It is definitely worth checking out on your visit to the parks.

Do the Three Dunes Hiking Challenge

My favorite activity in the parks, by far, is the Three Dunes Challenge hike inside Indiana Dunes State Park.  This roughly 1.5-mile hike may seem like a fairly easy hike, but it consists of hiking up three of the park’s tallest sand dunes. 

While these dunes aren’t extremely high when compared with mountains in other parks, the fact that you are hiking up loose sand makes the hike really challenging.  Not only is it rewarding to finish the hike, but when you make it to the top of each of the dunes the views are quite rewarding as well.

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Hike the Dunes Succession Trail in the National Park

While the Three Dunes Challenge hike is probably my favorite hike within the entirety of the state and national parklands at Indiana Dunes, my favorite hike within the national park area is the Dunes Succession Trail near West Beach.  Unlike the state park area of Indiana Dunes, you aren’t allowed to hike on much of the sand dunes in the national park areas.  The dunes have been closed off to better protect and preserve the delicate dunes.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t hike among the dunes and enjoy them.    The Dunes Succession Trail meanders through some of the prettiest areas of the dunes near West Beach and offers some absolutely stunning views of Lake Michigan and beautiful West Beach.  In my opinion, no trip to Indiana Dunes is complete without hiking the Dunes Succession trail and enjoying this beautiful area.

Best Times to Visit Indiana Dunes

Because the biggest draws of Indiana Dunes State and National Parks are the lakeside sand dunes and the beautiful beaches, it should come as no surprise that the best time to visit the parks is during the summer months.  To give you a better understanding of the weather that Indiana Dunes experiences throughout the year so that you can better determine when it would be best for you to visit, I have included some data on the average temperature and precipitation throughout the year below for you to review.

Average Temperature (°F)

If you are visiting Indiana Dunes to enjoy the beaches and the water, then you are going to want to plan your visit from May through September.  The end of May through the beginning of September typically sees the warmest temperatures and thus the best beach weather.

However, if you are just visiting to hike the dunes and explore the wilderness areas away from the coastline, then you might be better off avoiding the hot and crowded summer months and aiming to visit in late spring or early autumn instead.  The months of April and October typically have milder temperatures that are ideal for hiking and the parks are far less crowded than they are during the summer months.

Average Amount of Precipitation (Inches)

If you are going to be visiting Indiana Dunes to enjoy the beach and the water, then you are going to want to try and plan your visit for when you have the best chance of seeing sunshine.  Unfortunately, the months that see the very least amount of rainfall at Indiana Dunes are also some of the coldest months of the year (January and February).

Beginning in the Spring months of March and April, the area starts to see more rainfall and that continues into the summer months.  However, starting in mid-July through the end of August, the area does start to dry out a bit more.  If you are looking for the ideal time of year to enjoy a warm and dry visit at Indiana Dunes, I would definitely recommend planning your trip during this time.

Where to Stay Near Indiana Dunes

If you want to fully enjoy the outdoor experience and go camping while you visit Indiana Dunes State and National Parks, there are several great campsites that you can stay at in the area of the parks.  If you are interested in finding a campground, I have included a map below that highlights some of the more popular campgrounds in the area.

If you would like to enjoy the parks, but aren’t all that interested in camping, there are also plenty of hotels in the area of the parks for you to stay at as well.  The closest city with the most reasonably priced hotels is Michigan City, Indiana.  If you are interested in finding a hotel for your trip to Indiana Dunes, I have included a list of hotels at various price points for you to review below.

Where to Eat Near Indiana Dunes

Because I am recommending that you stay in Michigan City if you are going to be looking for a hotel for your trip, I am also going to focus on Michigan City for the restaurant recommendations that I am going to give you.  Michigan City is a decent-sized city with several great restaurant options.  If you are looking for a good restaurant recommendation while you are visiting Indiana Dunes, below is a list of some of the most recommended restaurants in Michigan City on TripAdvisor for you to review.

Hiking in Indiana Dunes

Hiking the sand dunes in Indiana Dunes was one of my favorite experiences during my visit to the parks.  If you would like to get a sense of what that experience is like, I have included a short video that you can watch below.

Indiana Dunes Photo Gallery

Indiana Dunes State and National Parks are some of the most beautiful parks in the Midwest United States.  It was an absolute joy to be able to visit and photograph these beautiful parks.  Below is a gallery of just some of my favorite pictures that I took during my visit.

If you would like to see more of my travel photography, I would also encourage you to give me a follow on Instagram . Putting this blog together to pass on my free guides, itineraries, and travel photography tips is a lot of work and your support in the form of a follow-on Instagram would be so very much appreciated!

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Published by Josh Hewitt

Avid traveler and photographer who loves to see new places, meet new people, and experience new things. There is so much this world can teach us, we just need to explore! View all posts by Josh Hewitt

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2 comments ›.

It looks nice, and it’s close enough that I can actually go in the off-season. It’s a miracle! Thanks for the thorough and well-presented info!

It’s such an underrated park 😀👍

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Alerts in effect, finding sand and solitude.

Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails lead through shifting sand dunes, quiet woodlands, sunny prairies and lush wetlands. Known for its striking plant and bird diversity, it's easy to find inspiration throughout the park’s 15,000 acres.

Take a new direction to enjoy the Indiana Dunes! Get expert advice about hiking, biking, paddling and more September 6-15.

Join us September 14 & 15 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Chellberg Farm for some good old-fashioned fun!

Plan your next national park excursion with this important information about preparation, conservation, safety, and more.

Know before you go! Learn about rip currents and how to escape them.

19 Hikes, 66 Miles... are you up for the challenge? If so, here is the adventure for you.

Learn about upcoming programs and events here at Indiana Dunes National Park.

Learn more about Indiana Dunes National Park's Fees and Passes

Know your beach's weather conditions and please use caution.

There is no one-size-fits-all trip to the dunes. Each season offers new and different ways to enjoy the national park.

Read about past, present, and future happenings at the park.

Explore a new world of possibilities in learning about Indiana Dunes National Park.

Video presentations and live-action tours of Indiana Dunes National Park.

Visit the Dunes Learning Center’s new activities page.

Conveniently donate to the Indiana Dunes National Park.

Last updated: August 23, 2024

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1100 North Mineral Springs Road Porter, IN 46304

219 395-1882 Indiana Dunes Visitor Center phone number.

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Indiana Dunes National Park: The Complete Guide

Things to Do

• The Best Hikes & Trails

Where to Camp

Where to stay nearby, how to get there, tips for your visit.

Indiana Dunes National Park is a sandy landscape full of dunes, wetlands, prairies, and forests covering 15,349 acres of diverse ecosystems. The park in northwest Indiana, formerly called Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, stretches for 15 miles along the shore of Lake Michigan. Expect to see plenty of creeks and rivers, dune ridges, and a plethora of rare plants like Mead’s Milkweed, Pitcher’s Thistle, Shooting Star, and Virginia Snake Root.

Visitors come to this park to hike and bike on the trails, swim in the lake, relax on the sandy beach, and camp overnight with their friends and family. Begin your adventure in the Indiana Dunes Visitors Center where you’ll find informative videos about the park, a bookstore and shop, and park rangers that can tell you about what to look for on the day of your visit.

Indiana Dunes National Park is a year-round outdoor destination for nature lovers. Hiking and swimming are best enjoyed in the warmer months while cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are fun to try in the winter. Sunsets are worth viewing any time of year. The Calumet and Porter Brickyard Bike Trails are breathtaking in the fall when the leaves from deciduous trees are changing color. Spring and fall are also when birds are migrating so be sure to bring your gaze to the skies as well as the many bird boxes you’ll see throughout the park.

Whether you’re a tent or RV camper, there are plenty of places to call home for the night from April 1 through Oct. 31 at the Dunewood Campground . Be sure to bring your fishing poles and cast a line in the Little Calumet River or off the Portage Lakefront fishing pier.

Several annual events and planned activities occur throughout the year. The Indiana Dunes Outdoor Adventure Festival is a celebration tailor-made for bird watchers, bikers, fishers, hikers, and paddlers. Regularly occurring family-friendly outings include the Mount Baldy Summit Hike, Ranger’s Choice Hike, and Sunset Around the Fire at the Pavilion. Be sure to check the park’s website or Facebook page to be up to date on other fun happenings.

The Best Hikes & Trails

You can spend days hiking the 50 miles of diverse trails in this national park on 14 different trail systems. Make sure you grab a paper map in the visitor’s center or the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education . Maps are often available at the trailheads but don’t rely on this. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks with you as well as sun protection. Sturdy hiking shoes are a must, especially if you’re planning on hiking a challenging route. Most of the trails are moderate in terms of difficulty but you can find a few easy and difficult trails as well. Below are recommended trails to experience while you’re in the park.  

• Bailly Homestead, Chellberg Farm, Little Calumet River, and Mnoké Prairie Trails: This hike is rated as easy to moderate and is 3.4 miles in length. You’ll wander through beautiful maple, beech, basswood, and oak trees before reaching the Little Calumet River, a restored prairie, and the Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm.
• Cowles Bog Trail: For a more challenging adventure, that is a great representation of the park’s ecosystems, tackle this 4.7-mile trail that meanders through black oak savannas and alongside ponds, marshes, swamps, and beaches.
• Dune Ridge Trail: Bring the family on this 0.7-mile moderate hike that will take you through wetlands and diverse forest landscapes. You’ll love the views and have plenty of places to rest as you make your way to the end of this short trail.
• Glenwood Dunes Trails: Bring plenty of water and sun protection as you venture out on this trail, which is 6.8 miles in length. You’ll likely pass other hikers, runners, and folks on horseback as you make your way on this moderate path.
• Heron Rookery Trail: For an easy trail that is ideal for multigenerational families, set out on this 3.3-mile hike, which meanders along part of the Little Calumet River. If you’re a spring hiker, you’re in for a real treat as there is a huge display of wildflowers in these woods.
• Mount Baldy Beach Trail: Steep and short, this 0.75-mile hike is more of a climb as you’ll have to contend with loose sand to make your way to Mount Baldy Beach. Bring along a picnic, if you can carry one, and enjoy it at the end of your adventure to celebrate.
• Tolleston Dunes Trail: Of course, you’re going to want to see the dunes on full display while out and about in this national park. This moderate hike, which is 2.9 miles in length, snakes around diverse ecosystems ranging from savannas to wetlands to prairies. Bonus: there’s a separate wheelchair-accessible trail that leads to an observation lookout, complete with picnic tables. 
• Dunewood Campground : This site is a great home base while you’re visiting the park, open April 1 through Nov. 1. There are two loops with 66 campsites. Each loop has restrooms and showers as well as a few wheelchair-accessible sites. Lakewood Beach is only 1.5 miles north of the campground.
• Indiana Dunes State Park Campground : Located less than a mile from the beach, this campground has an excellent location. With full electrical hookups, restrooms, and showers, this campground fills up quickly and must be booked well in advance to secure a coveted spot.
• Lakeshore Camp Resort : If you like a campsite with loads of amenities and nice accommodations, then this is the spot for you. This membership park has 125 full hookup campsites as well as 12 cabins for the general public. Located 10 miles from the park, this one is a bit further, but the lake, outdoor swimming pool, water slides, arcade, and mini-golf offerings make it worth the drive.
• Sand Creek Campground : Call and reserve your spot at this campground, which offers the classic camping and RV experience. Roast marshmallows around the fire pit, and take advantage of full electrical and water hookups.

If camping isn’t your style and you’re without an RV, you’ll need nearby accommodations. Luckily, there are many options to choose from, within a variety of price points.

• Spring House Inn : Affordable, well-reviewed, and near the park, this inn is ideal for those who are looking for a place to rest their heads without breaking the bank. Enjoy the indoor heated pool and complimentary breakfast. This woodsy haven is family friendly with a casual atmosphere and you can even borrow board games or books.
• Bridge Inn : Somewhat quirky, this colorful hotel is located in Michigan City near plenty of restaurants, shops, and beaches. You’ll be within walking distance to the marina, public beach, and Washington Park and Indiana Dunes National Park is just a short car ride away.
• DunesWalk Inn at the Furness Mansion : For accommodations that are more upscale, consider renting a room or the entire mansion. The inn sleeps 19 guests, within two suites and three guest rooms, allowing you to bring your multigenerational family. You’ll be minutes from the beach and all that Indiana Dunes National Park has to offer.

The easiest and most practical way to get to the park is by car via Interstate 94 (take exit 26 north); the Indiana Toll Road, on Interstate 80/90 (take exit 31 north); U.S. Highways 12 and 20; or Indiana State Road 49, where the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is located. There are signs throughout the park directing you to various points of interest.

For public transportation, the South Shore Railroad has stops by the park. There are also taxi and ride-hailing services, however, this mode of transportation isn’t recommended as you’ll need to get around the park and be able to explore at your leisure. Be sure to review the park's many maps to find specific beaches, hiking and biking trails, horseback riding paths, and the visitor center. 

• Pets are welcome at specific locations throughout this park. Check out the B.A.R.K. Ranger Program where your pet can join a pet-friendly hike and earn a special dog tag.
• Indiana Dunes is home to a state and a national park so there are separate admission requirements for each. Indiana Dunes National Park doesn’t have an entrance fee while the Indiana Dunes State Park charges a daily fee of $7 for in-state residents or $12 for out-of-state residents.
• Year-round educational programming can be found at the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education . Take advantage of ranger-led hikes, informative exhibits, wildlife talks and exhibits, and the kid-friendly Nature Play Zone.
• Plan ahead with the park’s Trip Ideas . There are full itineraries for brief visits or longer excursions in the park. Learn about what the park’s rangers recommend and craft an adventure that fits in your specific time frame. 

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The frozen expanse of Lake Michigan crowds against shoreline dunes at Indiana Dunes National Park.

See soaring sand dunes in America’s newest national park

With some of the country’s greatest biodiversity and recreation, Indiana Dunes National Park packs a punch.

Location: Indiana

Established: february 15, 2019, size: 15,067 acres.

After 53 years as Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, the southern shores of Lake Michigan were renamed the United States’ 61st national park. Fifteen miles of beaches give way not only to impressive sand dunes and blowouts, but marshes, wetlands, groves of black oak savanna and maple sugar trees, and fields of wildflowers that come and go with the seasons.

Don’t let its small size and recently upgraded designation deceive you: Indiana Dunes National Park’s biodiversity ranks seventh out of all 400-plus National Park Service units—and the nation’s newest park sees nearly as many visitors a year as Mount Rushmore . Here’s how to make the most of your trip.

Hit the dunes

Indiana Dunes National Park sandwiches Indiana Dunes State Park, where you can find the area’s three tallest dunes: Mount Tom (192 ft), Mount Holden (184 ft), and Mount Jackson (176 ft). Trails 8, 9, and 10 are arguably the definitive trails of the area, showcasing dune blowouts, “tree graveyards,” and forests of white pine rising above Lake Michigan. Trail 8 is the shortest route to summit each dune, otherwise known as the Three Dune Challenge.

The national park, however, lays claim to the most dynamic dune: Mount Baldy . It’s slowly eroding, or “starving,” moving roughly four feet a year. The trail to its top is regularly closed; if it’s open during your visit, go. Similarly impressive is the nearby Dune Ridge Trail —a route that takes you up above Kemil Beach and the Great Marsh—and the West Beach 3-Loop Trail , a 3.4-mile loop that displays all stages of dune development, with views that often extend to the Chicago skyline.

Most trails can be tackled on snowshoes or cross-country skis come winter, and they’re usually well-marked with wildlife tracks after any recent snowfall. Bikers should note the Calumet Bike Trail , running all the way from Mineral Springs Road to Mount Baldy.

On the water

The majority of the park’s annual visitors come for the swimming and beachcombing. Lake View, Kemil, Dunbar, and Porter beaches are all swim at your own risk, with smaller parking lots that fill up quickly in summer. West Beach (the only lot that charges, at $6 per car) has showers and lifeguards. On any beach day, consider scoping out the Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk , an impressive, eco-friendly pavilion with basic amenities and water access.

For paddlers, there’s also the 35-mile Lake Michigan Water Trail . Bring your own kayak, hug the water’s edge, and camp at designated sites as you progress along the lake. For greater nature immersion, consider the Little Calumet River or Burns Waterway.

See the flora and fauna

Over a thousand native plant species and 370 bird species make this one of the most biodiverse swaths of land in the U.S. The Great Marsh Trail and the Heron Rookery are excellent places to birdwatch for tree swallows, rusty blackbirds, kingfishers, egrets, and green herons.

In the warmer months, check out the 4.7-mile Cowles Bog Trail —plant diversity is so outstanding here the area was designated a National Natural Landmark. The Tolleston Dunes Trail , another good option, winds 2.9 miles from oak savanna and wetlands into prickly pear cactus country.

Learn the history

The Port of Indiana looms on the horizon, a reminder that this area barely escaped industrialization. In fact, the once-largest dune, the Hoosier Slide, was carried off in boxcars as early as 1916. Activists fought to preserve the dunes; their eventual success resulted in today’s landscape, a study in contrasts.

Accessible by a 3.7-mile trail system, the Chellburg Farmhouse and Bailly Homestead provide vestiges of this pre-industrial past. Here, your path follows the Little Calumet River, skirting these two pioneer remnants (and a crumbling cemetery), passing through a forested ravine, and emptying into the oak savanna.

Related: Beautiful pictures of every U.S. national park

Just east of the border between the national and state parks, you’ll find something closer to modernity: five homes from the 1933 Century of Progress World’s Fair . You can spot them on a beach stroll or cruising down Lakefront Drive—tours are held annually, usually in fall. The Florida Tropical House, in its bubblegum-pink grandeur, is hard to miss.

Year-round tips

In the warmer months, come early. It’s not uncommon for cars to line up outside the entrance gates before they’re even open. Most parking lots fill by mid-morning, though West Beach rarely fills to its 600-space capacity.

Crowds dwindle with temperatures, and winter can mean you’re alone with the birds and the beavers. Watch the ice shelf float in and out as you stroll along an empty beach. For an off-season bonus, the state park regularly lifts its $12 entrance fee.

In an afternoon

The 1.1-mile Trail 7 in the state park division—next to the Nature Center —is the most direct route combining dune hikes with beach access. Time permitting, it crosses the longer Trail 8, which takes you to the top of the park’s tallest dunes.

Spend the next few hours inland and explore the Paul H. Douglas Trail , the Little Calumet River Trail, or the Great Marsh Trail, watching for wildlife and scouting for rare plants, like the gaywing or the carnivorous purple pitcher plant. Catch sunset at a larger beach, like Kemil, Dunbar, or West, and get your feet wet in the giant puddle known as Lake Michigan, left behind by the long-gone Wisconsin Glacier.

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Complete Guide to Exploring Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles of Lake Michigan’s southern shoreline in northwestern Indiana. With top-notch beaches, rugged sand dunes, and forested trails interlaced between prairies, wetlands, oak savannas, and rivers, Indiana Dunes provides a unique National Park experience.

While some find the park underwhelming compared to the Yosemite, Zion, and Glacier behemoths that reside on the other side of the country, I’m confident that you’ll appreciate the diversity and bask in the solitude as you paddle the ocean-like waves of Lake Michigan, climb up the golden dunes, stroll barefoot through the sandy beaches, hike the quiet trails, and admire some of the last surviving oak savannas in the world.

In this Indiana Dunes National Park guide , I’ll share the top hikes, where to stay, how to get around, when to visit, and the best things to do.

Whether you’re taking a day trip to the dunes from Chicago, road-tripping the Midwest to check off the regional National Parks, driving north to escape the heat for the summer, or flying from across the country to experience the Great Lakes, Indiana Dunes is a fun destination to add to your list!

Table of Contents

Complete Guide to Indiana Dunes

Disclaimer : This   post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks so much for your support!

Quick Facts About Indiana Dunes

Location: Indiana, USA

Established: 1966 (National Lakeshore), 2019 (National Park)

Size: 15,349 acres

Annual Visitors: 2,765,892 (2023)

Fee: $25/vehicle or FREE with an annual National Parks pass

Visitor Center: Indiana Dunes

Fun Facts About Indiana Dunes

Approximately 60% of visitors come from outside Indiana.

Indiana Dunes National Park stretches across 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.

Indiana Dunes is the fifth most biodiverse park, behind Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, New River Gorge, and Yosemite.

The lowest elevation found in Indiana Dunes is 597 feet at Lake Michigan. The highest elevation is variable, depending on dune heights.

30% of Indiana’s listed rare, threatened, endangered, and special concern plant species have populations within the park.

The black oak savannas in the park are some of the last surviving and highest-quality oak savannas in the world.

There are more than 225 known archeological sites representing 10,000 years of Native American use, the American fur trade, and Swedish immigration in the park.

Best Hikes in Indiana Dunes

• Distance: 4.7 miles
• Type of Trail: Loop
• Elevation Gain: 202 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate to rugged

This trail is a popular one because of its thrilling journey up steep sand dunes.

Walk the edge of a wetland into some diverse habitats like ponds, marshes, swamps, black oak savannahs, and beaches. According to the NPS, the black oak savannas in the park are some of the last surviving and highest-quality oak savannas in the world.

On this hike, you will be rewarded with broad views of Lake Michigan and the sandy shore.

This trail can be shortened by about a mile and made slightly easier by taking the cut-off trail. You will be avoiding the steep dune climbs, but you will also miss the views of Lake Michigan.

West Beach, Dunes Succession, and Long Lake Loops

• Distance: 3.4 miles
• Elevation Gain: 223 feet
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Each of the three loops – West Beach, Dune Succession, and Long Lake – can be completed individually, but if you have time, I’d recommend combining them into one big figure-8 loop.

Though you can start from any of the trails, here is my recommended route:

Park at West Beach and climb the 270 stairs on the Dune Succession Loop. This section is rated as moderate because of the steep incline of the wooden stairs.

Once you’re at the top, you’ll be able to take in views of Lake Michigan and even the Chicago skyline in the distance as you catch your breath and prepare for the next, much easier, loop.

The Dune Succession Loop will link up with the West Beach loop, which is an easy trail comprised mainly of loose sand.

Take that until the Long Lake loop junction where you’ll be hiking along the lake and into the dunes until you loop back around to the West Beach parking area.

Tolleston Dunes

• Distance: 2.9 miles
• Type of Trail: Lollipop
• Elevation Gain: 127 feet

This trail begins in what was once a sand mining operation and enters the sand dunes of Lake Michigan about 1/3 of a mile in.

Wind through oak savannas and wetlands, cross a boardwalk, and then make the decision to take the cut-off trail or complete the entire loop. The cut-off route will shave about 0.8 miles from the route, making your total hike 2.1 miles.

Take the whole loop through the rolling dunes – 2.9 miles – if you have time!

Paul H. Douglas

• Type of Trail: Out & back
• Elevation Gain: 46 feet

Start at the Paul H. Douglas Environmental Education Center and take the counterclockwise loop around the wetland complex. Beavers are frequently spotted in this area!

Once you get to the trail junction after the wetland, the trail is an out & back to the beach. You will pass through dunes, ponds, and savannas until you reach the Grand Calumet River bridge.

The landscape changes drastically from wetlands to lofty sand dunes. Follow the dunes all the way until Lake Michigan.

Relax at the beach for a while until you’re ready to head back to the education center parking area.

Where to Stay in Indiana Dunes

Lodging (inside the park).

There is no lodging inside the park. Consider camping inside the park or staying outside the park.

Lodging (Outside the Park)

Hilton Garden Inn Chesterton – 4.5 miles from Indiana Dunes Visitor Center

Country Inn and Suites by Radisson, Portage – 9 miles from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center

At Home in the Woods Bed and Breakfast – 7.5 miles from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center

Dunewood Campground. This is the only campground located within the park boundaries. It is located off Highway 12 in Beverly Shores and about 1.5 miles from the dunes. It is secluded and doesn’t contain any electrical hookups, but there are showers and restrooms. 66 sites are available to reserve online from April-October.

NOTE: There is a campground located at Indiana Dunes State Park with 140 sites, electric hookups, water, restrooms, shower houses, a playground, and a seasonal camp store. So if the campground in the National Park is fully booked, check out the next-door state park!

Getting Around Indiana Dunes

Indiana Dunes is made up of two parks – Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park.

Indiana Dunes State Park is sandwiched in the middle of Indiana Dunes National Park and comes with its own set of fees and regulations.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) owns and operates Indiana Dunes State Park while the National Park Service manages Indiana Dunes National Park.

It can get a little confusing to navigate the area and figure out what passes you need or what fees you’ll have to pay, so here’s a breakdown of each section.

Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park is located on the east and west sides of the state park and preserves 15,000 acres along 15 miles of the Lake Michigan coastline. There are trails, beaches, and historical sites.

There are many different access points along Highway 12, each clearly marked with a large brown sign.

You will need to pay a fee or show your annual pass to enter each beach, trail, and other site of the National Park.

Indiana Dunes State Park

Indiana Dunes State Park sits in the middle of the National Park and contains over 2,000 acres of trails, a nature center, and a beach. It is home to the Hoosier-famous 3 Dune Challenge .

Access the park by taking State Road 49 north until you see the entrance gate.

The America the Beautiful pass is not valid for the State Park section, so you will need to show an annual Indiana State Parks pass or pay a daily fee to enter. The daily fee is $7/vehicle for Indiana residents and $12/vehicle for non-residents. An Indiana State Parks pass is valid for all state parks in Indiana for the entire year that it was issued.

When to Visit Indiana Dunes

Indiana Dunes National and State Parks are open year-round, so which season is the best to visit? Overall, summer is the best time to visit Indiana Dunes.

Winter is a great time to find solitude in the park, see the incredible ice shelves on Lake Michigan, and go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.

Wildflowers begin popping up and the weather starts warming.

While beach visits might be a hit or miss based on the weather, spring is the perfect time to explore the trails and climb the dunes.

Summer is the most popular season to visit because the lake and beaches are the highlights of the park.

The beaches are almost always crowded, especially West Beach, but you can usually find some solitude on the forested and dune trails.

Take caution though: the weather can get pretty hot and humid once you venture away from the water and onto the dunes or the trails.

Fall is the ideal time to see the colored leaves but it’s usually too chilly to swim, especially in October and November.

You can still take a stroll along the beach; just bring a jacket!

Best Things to Do at Indiana Dunes

Go swimming at one of the beaches.

Conveniently sorted from west to east, these beaches along the Lake Michigan lakeshore make for great spots to sunbathe, stroll, picnic, or swim.

Bathhouse, summer lifeguards, Dunes Succession Trail, pet-friendly trails, picnic area, restrooms, concession stand, large parking lot, handicapped accessible, $6 fee required.

Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk

Hiking trails, kayak launch, pet-friendly beach and trails, picnic area, seasonal food services, restrooms, handicapped accessible, fishing pier.

Porter Beach

Kayak launch, pet-friendly beach, picnic area, restrooms.

Indiana Dunes State Park Beach (not located in the National Park)

2,182 acres of dunes, marshes, swamps, hardwood forests, and white pine groves. Summer lifeguards, 16.5 miles of hiking trails (including 3 Dune Challenge), camping, picnic area, showers, snack bar, restrooms, camp store, Nature Center, pet-friendly trails, kayak launch, handicapped accessible, large parking lot, $7 in state/$12 out of state fee required.

Kemil Beach

Hiking trails, kayak launch, pet-friendly trails and beach, restrooms.

Dunbar Beach

Kayak launch, pet-friendly beach, picnic area, restrooms, limited parking.

Lake View Beach

Kayak launch, pet-friendly beach, picnic area (only spot in the national park with picnic shelters overlooking the lake), restrooms, handicapped accessible.

Central Avenue Beach

Pet-friendly beach, picnic area, restrooms, biking trail.

Mount Baldy Beach

Hiking trails (all summit hikes must be led by park rangers), pet-friendly beaches and trails, picnic area, restrooms, home of the largest dune in the national park (126 feet above Lake Michigan’s water level).

Complete the 3-Dune Challenge

While this is technically part of the Indiana Dunes State Park, not the National Park, I just had to include the Three Dune Challenge in this blog post.

If you are a fan of challenges and you want to add some park stickers to your collection, I’d recommend stopping by the State Park Nature Center, grabbing a map, and climbing up and down the three tallest dunes in the area!

After finishing the 1.5-mile, 552-foot climbing challenge, you will be rewarded with views of Lake Michigan and a free sticker for your accomplishment!

If you are an Indiana resident, you live near Indiana, or you will be in the state for a while, there is an enjoyable set of hiking and paddling challenges at eight of the Indiana state parks! In these challenges, you will paddle kettle lakes, hike through rugged ravines and canyons, glimpse waterfalls, climb ladders and cross suspension bridges, and of course, traverse sand dunes!

Bike Through the Park

There is a major, diverse biking trail system in the park, ranging from easy to challenging.

Gravel, 19 miles round-trip, flat.

Dunes Kankakee

Paved, 3.6 miles round-trip, flat.

Porter Brickyard

Paved, 7 miles round-trip, some hills.

Prairie Duneland

Paved, 22.4 miles round-trip, rail trail, flat.

Paved, 4.6 miles round-trip, rail trail, flat.

Oak Savannah

Paved, 17.8 miles round-trip, rail trail, flat.

Kayak Lake Michigan

Launch your kayak from one of the beaches (except the lifeguarded swimming section of West Beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day) and paddle the churning waters of Lake Michigan.

Sea kayaks are recommended in all of the Great Lakes due to the unpredictability of the waters. Though Lake Michigan isn’t an ocean, it can definitely act like it sometimes. Always check the weather forecast before heading out, and don’t forget your flotation device!

For a fun challenge, try paddling the Little Calumet River. You’ll need skills and portage abilities. Click here for more information.

Discover Your Next Adventure

Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!

• Hocking Hills State Park
• Chain O Lakes State Park
• Mackinaw to Pictured Rocks Road Trip
• Indiana Road Trip
• Ohio Road Trip

PIN IT AND SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER!

Hi! I'm Alexys, a hiker, camper, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park volunteer from East Tennessee. Let me help you plan your next trip!

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The Ultimate Guide to Indiana Dunes National Park

Sand dunes tower over sparkling Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes National Park, a favorite among beachgoers. But rare ecosystems and fascinating history await visitors who look closely.

Robert Annis is an award-winning outdoor-travel journalist (and certified bear guide). His work has appeared in  National Geographic, Outside, Travel + Leisure, Midwest Living, Inside Hook, AARP, Sierra, Hemispheres, Lonely Planet, Afar, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and Hidden Compass .

Plan Your Visit

What to see and do, great hikes, where to stay, where to eat, explore further, why i love this park.

So, how did tiny Indiana Dunes become a national park? It doesn't boast impressive rock towers like Yosemite or Zion. No sweeping vistas like Yellowstone or Glacier. As far as scenery goes, even its most ardent champions admit it can be a bit, well, plain.

But its charms are much more subtle. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes is the fourth-most biodiverse national park in the country, despite a relatively small footprint compared to others in the park system. Visitors come to admire wildflowers each May, but not many know the colorful spring blooms are just a few of the more than 1,100 different plant species found in the park's forests, bogs and beaches. A prickly pear cactus and a batch of ferns might live 6 feet apart, but they exist in two totally different biospheres—proof of the wonder found within the park's 15,000 acres.

There's plenty of fun for all interests, at both the national park and its neighboring state park of the same name. Scramble up a dune (where allowed), kick back on a beach or take a swim in Lake Michigan. Indiana Dunes might be the Midwest's newest national park, but its allure is as ingrained as its sandy shores. Here's everything to know about planning a trip to Indiana Dunes National Park.

Getty Images

With the Windy City less than 50 miles from Indiana Dunes, summer is the busiest time in the park as hordes of Chicagoans flood the beaches. Most visitors stay parked on their towels though, so even when the park is at capacity, the hiking trails will rarely be crowded. Late spring and early autumn are the best times to visit if you're hoping for fewer people and still-great weather. Birders might want to hit the annual birding festival each May.

What to Pack

None of the trails require much more than a pair of sneakers or trail runners. The wind coming off Lake Michigan can make it seem 10 or 20 degrees colder, so bring additional layers, particularly in winter or early spring. Of course, swimsuits, sunscreen and some sort of shade are a must for the beach.

How to Get There

Most visitors fly into Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, a 90-or-so-minute drive from the park. South Bend International Airport in Indiana is the closest option at just under an hour drive, but offers fewer flight options.

Given the park's relatively urban nature, you don't need to worry about four-wheel drive. If you want to hit one of the beaches during peak season, make sure you go early; parking lots tend to fill quickly. If you don't feel like getting behind the wheel or dealing with parking, the South Shore Line —a train that runs between Chicago and South Bend, Indiana—has four stops throughout the park, with some trains allowing bicycles on board.

Kevin J. Miyazaki

Mount Baldy

Visitors can no longer climb Mount Baldy , the park's most famous dune, except on a ranger-led hike, but the 126-foot-tall sandy monolith is still worth admiring. (Note: Ranger-led hikes are held on summer weekends.) Fun fact: It moves up to 12 feet southeast every year.

Hit the Beaches

Between the national and state park, there are eight beaches along Lake Michigan's shore. Pick one and settle in for the day. All have restrooms (some seasonal) and West Beach, Lake View Beach and Mount Baldy Beach have picnic shelters.

Bailly Homestead

More than 60 historic structures are protected by the park, including the Bailly Homestead, a National Historic Landmark. The property was home to Honore Gratien Joseph Bailly de Messein, an independent fur trader who contributed to the development of Indiana's Calumet region. The imposing 19th-century home still stands, as well as rustic log structures and the family cemetery.

Look for Wildlife

If you're lucky, you may see a river otter; the species was reintroduced here fairly recently. And keep your eyes to the sky: Nearly 400 bird species pass through or live in the dunes year-round. Look for these animals (and more) on your visit.

With more than 60 miles of trails throughout the national park and neighboring state park, visitors to Indiana Dunes can find their personal path to health and tranquility. Most trails are exceptionally family-friendly and short enough that kids won't get bored.

Cowles Bog Trail

Designated a National Natural Landmark, this nearly 5-mile trail might best represent the park's different ecosystems, winding through marshes, swamps and black oak savanna. The trail hits its midpoint on the beach, where hikers are rewarded with a gorgeous view of the Chicago skyline rising above Lake Michigan.

Heron Rookery Trail

In late April or May, wildflowers like prairie trilliums and the lovely (but toxic) Dutchman's-breeches burst into color along this 3-mile trail. If you're lucky, you might also see the aptly named spring beauties; the individual flowers bloom for only three days. Hike in the morning to catch their petals unfurling when the sun's rays first hit. The Heron Rookery name is a bit of a misnomer—the huge population of great blue herons that once nested here has moved on in recent years. However, other birds still thrive here, including kingfishers, woodpeckers and warblers.

The 3 Dune Challenge

In the neighboring state park, the 1.5-mile 3 Dune Challenge encourages visitors to climb a trio of tall dunes—a combined 552 vertical feet. The route itself isn't the most scenic in the park, so head down one of the trail offshoots to take in the beach.

Accommodations at the Spring House Inn may be a touch dated, but few spots will put you closer to the action or provide such a calming environment to relax in afterward. Rooms are fairly large and reasonably priced. Or stay in a revamped vintage motel at Al & Sally's . Larger groups can rent the motel's Guest House , which sleeps eight and has a full kitchen.

Only about a mile from the beach, the prime location of Indiana Dunes State Park's campground means sites sell out fast for the summer. While the state park campground is open year-round, the national park's Dunewood Campground (no electric hookups) is open seasonally, from April to October. Not only are the restrooms impeccably clean, but they also have hot and cold running showers.

Fuel up in nearby Chesterton, where the options suit tastes ranging from paper napkins to white linens.

Chesterton Brewery

A veteran-owned brewery with more than 20 taps of self- or locally brewed beer, this is a favorite local haunt. The pub fare is predictable (think burgers and wings) but fresh and tasty.

Ivy's Bohemia House

You'll find Mediterranean, Eastern European and Cajun influences on the menu at this eclectic cafe (one of the area's best spots for vegan and gluten-free food). Each dish is cooked from scratch with local ingredients whenever possible—the Polish sausage comes from a family recipe that's been handed down for generations.

This Italian restaurant is named after that sleepy feeling you get after a big meal. Their lobster-stuffed shells are a huge favorite among regulars.

Luna Kitchen + Cocktails

Head to the rooftop bar above Abbiocco for innovative cocktails, craft beer and shareable plates.

You can't contain all the fun to just the national park. Here's more to do in the surrounding area.

Take a Home Tour

Several futuristic homes built for the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago were purchased and shipped to Beverly Shores, Indiana, where they remain today. Driving or biking through the so-called Century of Progress Historic District is a must-do for fans of modern architecture. An annual tour is typically held the last weekend in September.

49er Drive-In

The 49er Drive-In Movie Theatre in Valparaiso, Indiana, was named one of the nation's best. The box office opens an hour before dusk.

Nick Dombroski, park ranger, Indiana Dunes National Park

One of my favorite times to visit Indiana Dunes National Park is in winter. Long before I started working here, I came out one late December afternoon and hiked the Cowles Bog Trail. Even though the air was crisp, I looked around and there was still so much biodiversity. As I made my way down the trail and onto the beach, I came across shelf ice perched on the lake. This was my first time ever seeing shelf ice, so I was sure to not get too close and instead marveled from a distance. This one winter afternoon was enough to make me fall in love with this park. It's one of the reasons why I work here today.

Explore More Midwest National Parks

• The Ultimate Guide to Cuyahoga Valley National Park
• The Ultimate Guide to Badlands and Wind Cave National Parks
• The Ultimate Guide to Isle Royale National Park
• The Ultimate Guide to Theodore Roosevelt National Park
• The Ultimate Guide to Voyageurs National Park
• The Ultimate Guide to Gateway Arch National Park

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An idyllic sandy beach with golden sand, turquoise waves, and a clear blue sky overhead.

Shaka Guide's Indiana Dunes National Park Itinerary

June 08, 2024

On the southern shore of Lake Michigan, just outside Chicago, lie the Indiana Dunes; a land of recreation, relaxation, and reflection.

On this tour, we'll guide you to all eight beautiful beaches inside the National Park, so you can decide which one’s your favorite.

We’ll explore ancient sand dunes, wandering sand dunes, ground-breaking architecture, and the birthplace of modern ecology...not to mention miles of hiking trails through wetlands, forests, and more.

Along the way, you’ll learn just how susceptible this place is to change, and how you can help guide those changes for the better.

Indiana Dunes Itinerary

1. heron rookery trail.

• Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours

The Heron Rookery trail is an easy and peaceful 3.3-mile nature walk through a bird sanctuary. A rookery is a collection of nests, high up in the trees.

Unfortunately, the Great Blue Herons who used to nest here have moved on to new grounds.

But you can still find plenty of other birds, like:

• Kingfishers
• Red-headed woodpeckers
• Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, and more.

In the spring, you may see ephemeral flowers, like Harbinger of Spring, which have small, white petals next to dark purple stamen.

Or Yellow Trout Lilies, whose flowers sorta look like banana peels.

2. Mount Baldy

• Duration: 10 minutes to 1 hour

Mount Baldy is as tall as a 12-story building! And even more impressive, is that Mount Baldy’s what’s called a wandering dune.

That means it can move up to ten feet per year. There used to be grass on the dune that held it in place. But after years of tourists climbing on it, the grass was destroyed.

Now, the wind blows the sand around, causing the dune to change position. Mount Baldy is actually starting to overtake its own parking lot!

Getting to the beach requires a half-mile roundtrip hike around the dune, and includes stairs.

3. Central Beach

• Duration: 30 minutes

Central Avenue Beach as seasonal restrooms and potable water. There are two picnic tables at the west end of the parking lot up the stairs.

The National Park strongly urges visitors to remain on the beach area and not to climb up on the dune slopes directly behind the beach.

The restrooms are wheelchair accessible. The beach and picnic tables are not wheelchair accessible.

There are no lifeguards, so swim at your own risk; rip currents and waves can make swimming hazardous.

During the spring and summer, watch the Bank Swallows come and go from their nests in the dunes.

4. Great Marsh Trail

• Duration: 1 hour

The Great Marsh Trail is a nice and easy birding hike with views of the largest wetland complex in the Lake Michigan watershed.

The trail features a separate wheelchair-accessible paved trail with quick access to an observation deck. Look for:

• warblers, and
• red-winged blackbirds

5. Lakeview Beach

• This beach has covered picnic shelters with great views of Lake Michigan, and year-round restrooms and potable water.
• Cooking fires are permitted at the picnic shelters in the provided grills or an approved carry-in grill.
• An approved grill is a non-combustible container with an enclosed bottom and enclosed sides with a minimum depth of 2 inches.
• Charcoal must be cooled and safely disposed of in a non-combustible container or removed from the area.
• The picnic shelters and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. The beach is not wheelchair accessible.
• There is a very good view of Lake Michigan from the parking lot and picnic shelters.

In the spring, it’s a great spot for catching smelt; a small, oily fish that tastes fantastic. I’d say they’re best enjoyed dusted with flour, shallow fried, and eaten whole. Delicious!

6. Century of Progress Historical District

• Duration: 20 minutes

The five houses that make up the Century of Progress Historic District originally debuted at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.

The Homes of Tomorrow Exhibit, which consisted of 12 futuristic houses, was a particular crowd-pleaser.

After the fair, a developer purchased five of the homes and moved them here. He called his new community Beverly Shores, after his daughter.

While the houses are now owned by the National Park, they’ve been leased to private residents on the condition that they keep them maintained.

That means people live in these houses, so you can’t actually go inside.

Unless you’re lucky enough to score a ticket to the annual tour every September. And we do mean lucky because tickets usually sell out within an hour.

7. Dunbar Beach

This beach has seasonal restrooms and potable water. The parking lot is paved and can fill up quickly on summer weekends.

8. Kemil Beach & Dune Ridge Trail

• Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour

This is a great beach to enjoy the night sky and nocturnal animals. This beach has year-round restrooms and potable water.

The parking lot is paved and can fill up quickly on summer weekends. There are no lifeguards, so swim at your own risk; rip currents and waves can make swimming hazardous.

There's also the Dune Ridge Trail, which might just be the most diverse short nature trail in the park.

It runs over forested sand dunes, through Black Oak Savannas, and has terrific views of The Great Marsh and Lake Michigan. Highly recommend it if you have the time.

9. Calumet Dunes Trail

This trail is popular with bird watchers in the summer, and cross-country skiers in the winter.

But, once upon a time, the Calumet Dunes Ridge was actually the shoreline of Lake Michigan! In the last 12,000 years, the water’s receded about one and a half miles.

If you hike the trail, try to imagine what the Calumet Dunes must have looked like when the lake was right here.

Just imagine everything that’s happened to transform these old sand dunes, melting glaciers, wind, water, and lots and lots of time...

10. Glenwood Dunes Trail

• Duration: Less than 1 hour to 4 hours

If you hike this trail system, popular with hikers, runners, horseback riders, and cross-country skiers, you'll definitely want to take a trail map with you.

The trails vary in length, from less than 1 mile to 6.8 miles, with extensions that take it to over 15 miles.

There are 13 trail junctions, which makes that trail map super important. Best of all, at 13,000 years old, the Glenwood Dunes are the oldest dunes in the park!

11. Visitor Center

• 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
• Winter hours (SEPTEMBER 4–MAY 27)
• 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

At the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, you can check out the educational displays, watch a few short films about the park, shop the bookstore, and talk to a park ranger.

But my favorite thing about the Visitor Center is the Indigenous Cultural Trail. The National Park wants to honor the Indigenous Potawatomi and Miami People who called this land home and educate visitors about their culture and contributions.

The Indigenous Cultural trail shows just how connected they were to the diverse ecosystems of the park, creating an educational experience like no other. If you wanna learn more, just ask a ranger!

12. Indiana Dunes State Park

• Duration: 1 to 2 hours
• Open daily from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm.
• The Nature Center is open Wednesday - Sunday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

This place is popular, and can get busy! Depending on what time of year it is, or even the time of day, the park rangers may be out directing traffic.

You may have to wait in line just to get in! Heads up: the state park requires a separate fee.

If you want to check out the 3-Dune hiking challenge, then make your way to the Nature Center. Or, head straight for the beach.

There, you'll find a large, art deco park pavilion with a general store and restaurants. There’s also a bird observatory west of the pavilion.

If it’s winter, there’s a fantastic, 100-foot sledding hill near the pavilion called, The Devil’s Slide.

And for the history fans, don’t miss the historical marker on the way to the pavilion, that marks the site of the 1780 Battle of Petit Fort.

13. Porter Beach

Porter Beach is right next to the State Park beach but offers none of the amenities.

But, you're welcome to park here and walk a quarter mile along the beach to the state park.

There are no lifeguards at Porter Beach, so swim at your own risk. Seasonal restrooms are available at the parking lot.

14. Cowles Bog Trail

• Duration: 4 hours

The Cowles Bog Trail is a moderate 4.7 miles, with 202 feet of elevation gain. The trail is rugged, with steep dune climbs in loose sand.

Cowles Bog was named after ecologist Doctor Henry Cowles. It turns out sand dunes are great for studying how plants react to environmental changes.

And that’s exactly what Doctor Cowles did! His research in the area led to the Indiana Dunes being called, the birthplace of ecology.

15. Bailly Cemetery

If you’re a history buff, or just a fan of weird, cool things, you won’t wanna skip the Bailly Cemetery. This place is totally unique.

Take our shortcut hike, less than half a mile roundtrip, to an old cemetery hidden in the woods. And hear the story about how one family took over the cemetery and made it their own.

16. Bailly Homestead

• Duration: 45 minutes to 2.5 hours

The Bailly homestead is a National Historic Landmark and was the home of Joseph and Marie Bailly.

Joseph was one of the first settlers in this region and established a trading post here in 1822.

At one point, the Bailly homestead was the only stopping point for travelers between Chicago and Detroit.

The Homestead is a collection of 5 different buildings, ranging from rustic log cabins and brick structures to the imposing late 19th century main house.

17. Chellberg Farm

The Chellbergs were Swedish Immigrants who purchased this land in 1869.

Their original wooden farmhouse burned down in 1884, and they replaced it the next year with the brick house you can see today.

And in the 1930s, they started making maple syrup. You’ll actually walk past the syrup shack on your way to the farm.

Every March, the national park holds a maple syrup festival! This is the only National Park in the country that makes its own maple syrup.

Check the national park website calendar, because there are ranger programs that allow you to tour the old farmhouse, and even feed the cows, chickens, and goats on the farm!

18. Mnoke Prairie

The Mnoké Prairie is a restored pre-settlement tallgrass prairie.

That means you can walk through this area, and see what it would have looked like before European-American settlers ever reached Indiana.

The prairie is an excellent place to spot birds, like Double-Breasted Cormorants, Rock Pigeons, and Cooper's Hawks.

19. Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk

• Duration: 45 minutes

This is a great beach and trail to observe birds in the spring and summer. And in the winter, you can see the shelf ice on Lake Michigan.

The riverwalk is just under a mile and is considered easy. You’ll also find the beach pavilion, which has snacks, gifts, restrooms, and ranger programs.

20. Tolleston Dunes

• Duration: 2 hours

The Tolleston Dunes are nearly 5,000 years old. The trail's about three miles long, and it takes you through 5,000-year-old sand dunes.

It’s moderately difficult because it goes up and down the dunes…and it can get soggy after a rain, but plenty of trees means it’s mostly shaded from the sun.

Keep a lookout for prickly pear cactus, sassafrass, and the wild blue lupine flower.

21. West Beach

Welcome to West Beach, the biggest and busiest beach in the national park.

Nestled along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, this beach provides something for everyone:

• beachcombing
• birdwatching

There’s also a picnic area near the parking lot and even a designated spot for dune climbing.

There are hiking trails, like the Long Lake Loop, which winds through lush forests, wetlands, and rolling sand dunes. And then, there’s the Diana of the Dunes Dare.

If you dare, you can take the one-mile Dune Succession Trail, which includes a strenuous climb up two hundred and seventy steps to the top of Diana’s Dune.

Year-round restrooms and potable water are available at the parking lot. Seasonal restrooms, potable water, showers, and lockers are available at the bathhouse, and seasonal restrooms and potable water at the picnic area.

Lifeguards are stationed at the swimming area in front of the bathhouse in the summer months.

Lifeguards are on duty 10:00 am - 6:00 pm including set up and take down of equipment.

There are 8 covered picnic shelters near the West Beach parking lot that are wheelchair accessible.

Cooking fires at the picnic shelters are permitted in the provided grills or an approved carry-in grill.

The parking lot is paved and has spots for 600 cars and 20 buses and RVs.

22. Marquette Park

• Beaches are open from dawn to dusk daily - Sunday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. Lifeguards are on duty from 10 am to 6 pm.
• The Aquatorium is open 24 hours a day.

Marquette Park belongs to the city of Gary, Indiana, and is outside the National Park.

The park has a playground, a concession stand, hiking trails, a disc golf course, and more.

The beach is great for swimming, walking, and just relaxing. It also has one of our favorite buildings in the area.

The Gary Bathing Beach Aquatorium was built in 1921.

Inside this beautiful neoclassical building, you’ll find restrooms, and two small museum exhibits:

• one for the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American World War Two fighter pilots
• another exhibit for an early aviation pioneer named Octave Chanute

23. Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education

• Duration: 30 minutes to 2 hours
• Summer hours are every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend)
• Winter hours are from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday only.
• The trail is open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Nestled in the Miller Woods, just outside Gary, Indiana, you'll find The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education.

The education center is a National Park visitor center with exhibits on the wildlife found throughout the park. Plus it’s got some excellent hiking trails.

We recommend the Miller Woods Loop Trail. It’s less than a mile long, meanders through several habitats, and the views of the lake are incredible.

This tour covers a lot of ground; more than you may be expecting:

• Wandering sand dunes
• miles of pristine beaches
• wetlands, and prairies
• groundbreaking architecture and designs, and
• area’s early settlements

You'll learn how the Indiana Dunes were created, and we'll invite you to contemplate what this land might look like if the dunes were lost.

While the Indiana Dunes might not resemble other national parks you may be familiar with, these "backyard" national parks are just as important.

We hope you take advantage of everything this park has to offer, and that you create a truly memorable experience with Shaka Guide!

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Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Indiana Dunes National Park Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at [email protected] .

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our  Know Before You Go article.

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Complete guide to Indiana Dunes National Park

I ndiana Dunes National Park is a northern Indiana park that offers scenic hiking trails, beautiful beaches, and biodiversity unlike anywhere else on the planet. Below you’ll find the ultimate guide to Indiana Dunes National Park, including the best things to do, where to stay, when to visit, and more. 

Indiana Dunes National Park

About indiana dunes national park.

Situated on the southern shores of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park is a diverse area with ancient dunes, rare black-oak savannas, verdant marshes, biodiverse bogs, and beautiful beaches.

Apart from the incredible scenery, there are tons of fun activities to keep visitors entertained for days on end.

From hiking and biking to birdwatching and beachcombing, Indiana Dunes National Park is an outdoor playground that entices millions of visitors to its shores each year. 

Is Indiana Dunes National Park worth visiting?

As one of the newest parks in the system, people from all across the country have been flocking to Indiana Dunes National Park - and you should too!

Not only is it one of the most biodiverse areas in the United States, but it’s also extremely small, allowing you to see a lot of its main attractions in a short period of time.

The beautiful dunes and soft sand beaches are other draws, and the park’s convenient location less than 40 miles from Chicago makes it highly accessible. 

History of Indiana Dunes National Park

Long before Indiana Dunes was dubbed a national park, this area has fascinated botanists, beach enthusiasts, and developers alike.

Luckily, the work of one botanist from the University of Chicago, Henry Cowles, saved the area from destruction.

His groundbreaking work and studies in this area earned him the nickname of “the father of modern ecology” and gained this fascinating area protection as a national lakeshore.

In 2019, the lakeshore was upgraded to a national park and has been enticing millions of visitors each year ever since. 

Things to know before your visit to Indiana Dunes National Park

Entrance fee .

The Indiana Dunes NP entrance fee covers only the national park and does not cover the Indiana Dunes State Park entrance fee. 

7-day single-vehicle park pass - $25 

7-day individual park pass - $15

7-day motorcycle park pass - $20

Annual Park Pass - $45

Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder.

Planning a National Park vacation? America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.

The park pass covers everyone in the car for per vehicle sites and for up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Buy on  REI.com  and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually. 

Time Zone 

CT - Central Time

Pets must be on a leash less than 6 feet in length. Pets are not allowed on the Pinhook Bog Trail but can be on the Pinhook Upland Trail.

Pets are not allowed on the equestrian area of the Glenwood Dunes Trail System. 

Pets are allowed on the beach year-round except in the lifeguarded swimming area at West Beach from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend to the Monday of Labor Day Weekend. 

Cell Service

There should be fairly good cell service while in the park.

The park is open year-round from 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM.

The West Beach Entrance is open from 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Note that holidays may affect these hours.

Visitor Center hours vary by season and are closed on certain holidays.   

Public Wi-Fi is available

Insect Repellent

Insect repellent is always a great idea when outdoors, especially if you are around any body of water. 

We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. 

Water Bottle 

Make sure to bring your own water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.

The park is implementing technology and guidance sensors to provide information about parking availability.

Visitors will be able to check which parking lots have spaces in real-time via congestionmonitor.com/INDU

Parking info will also be displayed in real-time at the visitor center.

Central Avenue Beach Parking Lot - 68 spaces/0 oversized

Dunbar Beach Parking Lot - 24 spaces/ 0 oversized

Kemil Beach Parking Lot - 96 spaces/ 0 oversized

Lake View Parking Lot - 25 spaces/ - 0 oversized

Mt. Baldy Parking Lot - 89 spaces/ 3 oversized

Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Parking Lot - 97 spaces/ 0 oversized

Porter Beach Parking Lot - 65 spaces / 0 oversized

West Beach Parking Lot - 655 spaces/ 50 oversized

Food/Restaurants

There are no restaurants within the park. There are multiple in the area along with major grocery stores.

There are gas stations along the entire length of the park and are clustered near Interstate 94 exits, along U.S. Highways 12 and 20, and State Road 49.

Drones are not permitted within National Park Sites.

National Park Passport Stamps

National Park Passport stamps can be found in the visitor center.

Make sure to bring your National Park Passport Book with you or we like to pack these circle stickers so we don't have to bring our entire book with us. 

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is part of the 1991 Passport Stamp Set . 

Electric Vehicle Charging

There is a 2 vehicle charging station at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center. 

There are 21 EV Charging Stations within 10 miles of Gary, Indiana

[caption id="attachment_29552" align="aligncenter" width="800"]

Credit - National Park Service, 2009 - Michelle Michael[/caption]

Details about Indiana Dunes National Park

Size - 15,349 acres

Indiana Dunes NP is currently ranked at 59 out of 63 National Parks by Size . 

Date Established  

February 15, 2019 - Congress authorized the name change from Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore to National Park.

The park was the 61st US National Park. 

Visitation  

In 2021, Indiana NP had 3,177,210 park visitors. 

In 2020, Indiana NP had 2,293,106 park visitors. 

In 2019, Indiana NP had 2,134,285 park visitors. 

Learn more about the most visited and least visited National Parks in the US

National Park Address

Dorothy Buell Visitor Center

Porter, IN 46304

National Park Map

Where is indiana dunes national park.

Indiana Dunes National Park is located in northern Indiana on the southern shores of Lake Michigan. It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Chicago - under 40 miles to be exact.

Many visitors drive into the park, but its convenient location ON the beaten path also makes it possible to get here via train and public bus (more on that below). 

The park is interrupted by Indiana Dunes State Park, which charges an entrance fee ($7 for Indiana residents and $12 for out-of-state visitors). 

Estimated distance from major cities nearby

Chicago, IL - 36 miles

Milwaukee, WI - 126 miles

Fort Wayne, IN - 120 miles

Indianapolis, IN - 153 miles

Madison, WI - 181 miles

Toledo, OH - 200 miles

Cincinnati, OH - 266 miles

Detroit, MI - 237 miles

Louisville, KY - 271 miles

Estimated Distance from nearby National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park - 305 miles

Gateway Arch National Park - 305 miles

Mammoth Cave National Park - 358 miles

Isle Royale National Park - 496 miles

New River Gorge National Park - 519 miles

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 550 miles

Where is the National Park Visitor Center?

The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is located on Indiana State Road 49, between U.S. Highway 20 and Interstate 94 (1215 North State Road 49, Porter, IN 46304).

GPS Coordinates: 41.633349, -87.053762 (Decimal Degrees).

Getting to Indiana Dunes National Park

Closest airports .

Gary Regional Airport

South Bend Regional Airport (SBN)

International Airports

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

Public Transportation

The Chicago and South Shore Train stops within the park. 

South Shore Railroad

4 stations near the park including the Dune Park Station, Beverly Shores Station, Ogden Dunes Station, and Miller Station.

Gary Public Bus

Bus Route 13 the Oak & Country Line Road passes directly in front of the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education which is close to the entrance of West Beach.

Driving Directions

The park can be reached via Interstate 94, Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 80/90), U.S. Highways 12 and 20, Indiana State Road 49, and other state roads.

Best time to visit Indiana Dunes National Park

The park is open year-round, but some seasons are better for visiting than others.

Most choose to explore the park between June and September before the frigid midwest winter sets in.

While weekends and holidays can be quite crowded, if you visit during the week, the summer season is by far the best time of year to experience Indiana Dunes National Park.

However, the park changes drastically with the seasons, and if you want to see it from all angles, be sure to come back and visit during the off-season as well. 

Weather and Seasons

Spring is a great time to visit Indiana Dunes National Park, especially if you’re hoping to avoid the big summer crowds.

Early spring may be a bit chilly for beach day activities, but the hiking trails and other points of interest are much emptier when the temperatures are cooler.

The end of May is when the temperatures really start to rise, and visitors from all across the country make their way to Indiana Dunes National Park.  

Summer is by far the most popular time to visit the park. With 15 miles of beach access, it’s not surprising that high temperatures bring large crowds to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy other beach activities.

While the weather may be perfect, if you’re hoping for a less busy park, you may want to avoid visiting during the summer months. 

Autumn/Fall

The autumn is another great season for visiting Indiana Dunes. Crowds start thinning out in mid-September, right in time for peak leaf-peeping season.

Milder temperatures, fewer visitors, and vibrant foliage all make autumn the perfect time to visit. 

While few people choose to visit the park in the winter, those that do find a winter wonderland awaiting them.

The snow brings snowshoers and cross-country skiers to the park, though few others choose to brave the bitter midwest winters.

Not only is the park almost completely empty throughout the winter, but the neighboring state park often lifts its entrance fee during the off-season as well.  

Best Things to do in Indiana Dunes National Park

Wildlife viewing.

It’s no surprise that this incredibly biodiverse area is home to a wide variety of critters. While this is one of the smallest national parks in the country, there are 46 species of mammals and 60 butterfly species living in the park. 

Junior Ranger Program 

If you’re traveling with the kiddos, don’t hesitate to sign them up for a Junior Ranger Program. This is a fun, hands-on way to learn more about the park, including its history, flora and fauna, and more.

Once they complete the program, your kids will even receive a badge to commemorate their time at the park. 

Bird Watching

With over 350 bird species flying over the park at any given time, Indiana Dunes is one of the best places for bird watching in the entire country.

Take to the trails to discover the wide variety of birds that call the park home, including green herons, egrets, kingfishers, tree swallows, rusty blackbirds, and more.

Some of the best trails for birding include the Great Marsh Trail, Little Calumet River Trail, and Cowles Bog Trail. 

Cyclists will be pleased to learn that Indiana Dunes National Park is part of a 37-mile interconnected trail system linking dunes, prairie, and forests for a mesmerizing ride.

If you don’t have time for the full jaunt, you can always pick a section or two to complete.

Some of the most popular trails include the Marquette Trail (2.1 miles) and the Prarie-Duneland Trail (10.3 miles), both of which traverse an abandoned railroad.

If you don’t want to haul your own bike along with you, there are a few outfitters in the surrounding area, one of which is conveniently located right next to the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center.

Beach-going

One of the best ways to experience Indiana Dunes National Park in all its glory is simply by plopping down on the beach.

The park boasts about 15 miles of beachfront with beautiful soft sand shores. Swimming in the chilly waters of Lake Michigan is best completed in July when temperatures are at their highest, and there are nine different beaches to choose from.

West Beach is a favorite, and there is a lifeguard posted up here in the summertime.

To escape the crowds, head to Kemil Beach or Central Avenue Beach. Even if you don’t visit at the peak of summer, the beaches are a great place for beachcombing, hiking, and watching shorebirds and waterfowl.

Hiking in Indiana Dunes National Park

Always carry the 10 essentials for outdoor survival when exploring.

Hiking is one of the top pastimes at Indiana Dunes National Park. Dune exploration is best experienced from the trail, so read on to discover some of the best hikes in the park.

Note that many of the park’s trails are strenuous uphill battles, some of which include grueling staircases. Of course, there are also some gentle trails with plenty of places to stop off and enjoy the scenery. 

Dune Succession Trail - Easy - 1.1 miles - Loop

Located along West Beach, Dune Succession Trail leads hikers up about 270 steps to a lookout point with panoramic views over Lake Michigan.

On a clear day, you can even see Chicago peaking out in the distance. As you climb, you’ll see the various stages of dune development that start at the flat beach and eventually lead into a dense forest sprouting right from the sands. 

Mount Baldy Beach Trail - Easy - .9 miles - Out & Back 

This sandy beach trail is a great option for those who don’t want to tackle big staircases or steep dune faces. Well, not very steep ones, that is.

Don’t be fooled, though. Mount Baldy is the park’s most dynamic dune, though it has been slowly eroding and losing about four feet a year.

Because of this, the trail to its peak is often closed. If it does happen to be open during your visit - don’t miss it! 

Little Calumet River Trail - Moderate - 3.9 miles - Loop

Unlike many of the other trails in the park, the Little Calumet River Trail leads you away from the dunes and into the forest.

You’ll meander past tiny bridges, forested areas, and the Mnoke prairie. This is a great hike for wildlife watching and birding, so keep your eyes peeled as you walk. 

Cowles Bog Trail - Moderate - 4.3 miles - Loop

Cowles Bog is one of the most important areas in the park. Named for the biologist who studied this area and took big strides to protect it, Cowles Bog Trail passes by the park’s wetlands.

This is the most biodiverse area in the park - and one of the main reasons it was protected from development. The trail winds past marshes, ponds, and black-oak savannas.

There is also beach access and incredible views across the shoreline. 

West Beach 3-Loop Trail - Moderate - 3.5 miles - Loop

If you’re interested in dunes, then head to the West Beach 3-Loop Trail. This trail features extensive boardwalks and displays all the stages of dune development.

The long staircase is seriously trying, but at least you’ll have views of jack pine groves, dunes, the lake, and the Chicago skyline to keep you preoccupied. 

Paul H. Douglas (Miller Woods) Trail - Moderate - 3.5 miles - Out & Back

Located on the park’s west side, the Paul H. Douglas Trail winds through Miller Woods - a 1,042-acre grassland that is sparsely populated with fire-resistant oaks.

This trail is particularly delightful in the spring and early summer when the wildflowers are in full bloom. 

Three Dune Challenge (Indiana Dunes State Park) - Easy - 1.5 miles - Loop

If you want to see the area’s three tallest dunes, you’ll have to head over to Indiana Dunes State Park. Trail 8, also known as the Three Dune Challenge, will lead you to the summit of these three dunes, Mount Tom (192 feet), Mount Holden (184 feet), and Mount Jackson (176 feet).

Note that you will need to pay an entrance fee to access the state park. 

How to beat the crowds in Indiana Dunes National Park?

Although the park is a popular place in the summertime, there are a few ways you can avoid the crowds - even in peak season. 

If you’re visiting during the summer months, plan your trip during the week rather than a weekend and get there early in the morning.

Many of the parking lots fill up by 10 AM during peak season, though if you do arrive later, the large 600+ spot parking lot at West Beach usually has a few spots available (note that there is a fee to park in this lot).

You could also plan your trip for the off-season. Winter, in particular, has the fewest crowds, and seeing the park covered in snow and frost certainly makes for a one-of-a-kind experience. 

Where to stay when visiting Indiana Dunes National Park

There are no National Park Lodges within the park. 

Thanks to its proximity to Chicago, there are tons of options in every budget for staying overnight near Indiana Dunes National Park. 

There are also various chain hotels, vintage motels, rental homes, inns, and B&Bs in the nearby towns of Gary, Michigan City, Chesterton, and La Porte. 

Best Western Indian Oak - Consider a stay at Best Western Indian Oak and take advantage of laundry facilities, a fireplace in the lobby, and a bar. For some rest and relaxation, visit the sauna or the steam room. Stay connected with free Wi-Fi in public areas, with speed of 25+ Mbps, and guests can find other amenities such as a 24-hour gym and a 24-hour business center

Comfort Inn & Suites Porter - Consider a stay at Comfort Inn & Suites Porter near Indiana Dunes and take advantage of laundry facilities, a gym, and a 24-hour business center. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi.

Waterbird Lakeside Inn - Waterbird Lakeside Inn provides laundry facilities and more. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi. All guestrooms at Waterbird Lakeside Inn have comforts such as air conditioning, as well as amenities like free Wi-Fi. Guest reviews say good things about the clean, spacious rooms at the property.

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson , Portage, IN - At Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Portage, IN, you can look forward to a free breakfast buffet, a terrace, and a library. In addition to laundry facilities and a fireplace in the lobby, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Hilton Garden Inn Chesterton - Take advantage of a grocery/convenience store, a terrace, and dry cleaning/laundry services at Hilton Garden Inn Chesterton. For some rest and relaxation, visit the sauna or the hot tub. Be sure to enjoy a meal at Great American Grill, the onsite family restaurant. Stay connected with in-room Wi-Fi (surcharge), with speed of 25+ Mbps, and guests can find other amenities such as a fireplace in the lobby and a 24-hour gym.

For hotel and lodging options near Indiana Dunes NP check out this list on  Expedia .

Indiana Dunes National Park Camping

For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans . These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss! 

Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Orlando

Dunewood Campground

Season - April 1 through November 1

Rate - $25 per night

50% discount for Senior Annual, Senior Lifetime, and Access Pass. 

If the national park campground is full, you can head over to the Indiana Dunes State Park Campground.

Season - Year-round

Rate - varies by site between $16-$65 per night

Additional campgrounds in the area include:

Weko Beach Campground - Bridgman, MI

This campground offers Lodging, RV and Tent Sites, Waterfront, canoeing/kayaking, and more

Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Camp Plymouth - Plymouth, IN

This campground offers lodging, RV and tent sites, waterfront, a pool, canoeing/kayaking, and more.

Pioneer Family Campground - Lake Village, IN

This campground offers lodging, RV and Tent Sites, beach, fishing, playground, and more. 

Check out additional campgrounds on CampSpot . 

Parks Near Indiana Dunes National Park

Pullman National Monument

Lincoln Home National Historic Site

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Effigy Mounds National Monument

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

Check out all of the Indiana National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Ohio , National Parks in Michigan , Kentucky National Parks , and National Parks in Illinois

Learn to spot and avoid scams with the AARP Fraud Resource Center.

AARP’s Guide to Indiana Dunes National Park

Everything you need to know about visiting this lakeside treasure near chicago.

by Elaine Glusac, AARP , July 19, 2021

Johnny Stockshooter / Alamy Stock Photo

En español | The nation's best-known national parks largely preserve grand landscapes with stunning, sweeping vistas. Indiana Dunes National Park (IDNP) is about the little, but no less vital, wonders of nature, including the natural succession of sand dunes over millennia, the dependency on fire to restore rare black oak savannas, and the vitality of plant biodiversity. Home to more than 1,100 plant species — from Arctic mosses to desert cactus — the park is considered one of the most botanically diverse in the national park system.

Strung along 15 miles of Lake Michigan in northern Indiana, less than 40 miles southeast of downtown Chicago, the fragmented, 15,000-acre park shares the shore with a steel plant and an industrial harbor, which make the treasures found here even more astonishing. The tensions between conservation and development are seminal here and date back to 1899, when University of Chicago Prof. Henry Chandler Cowles — a botanist whose name you'll see plenty around the park — published a study on plant succession in the dunes, helping to establish the field of ecology in the U.S. The National Park Service's first director, Stephen Mather, backed the formation of the park in 1916, but sand harvesting and the World War I-inspired rush to industrialization steamrollered the effort. Despite the loss to mining of 200-foot Hoosier Slide, the area's tallest dune, the push for the park's creation continued and the area eventually earned National Lakeshore designation in 1966 and an upgrade to National Park status in 2019.

"It was identified early on as a really outstanding natural area relatively close to the urban area of Chicago,” says Bruce Rowe, supervisory ranger and public information officer at the park, which welcomed a record 2.3 million visitors in 2020. “Sand dunes caught people's attention with their rugged and wild beauty."

The lakefront is, by far, the park's most popular attraction, but for birders, explorers and nature lovers, the woods that cover the rolling inland hills — once lakeside dunes themselves — offer refreshingly uncrowded trails presenting a different character in each season.

Getty Images/AARP

Location: Porter, Indiana

Acreage: 15,000 acres

Highest peak: Mount Baldy at 126 feet

Miles of trails and how many: 50 miles of trails across 14 trail systems

Main attraction: Sand dunes

Cost: Free; parking at West Beach in summer is $6

Best way to see it: Driving the Red Arrow Highway

When to go to avoid the crowds: Spring

Plan Your Trip

Relative to many other remote national parks, IDNP is on the beaten path, virtually in the backyard of Chicago, less than 40 miles northwest, and the starting point of many a day-tripper here. Indianapolis lies 160 miles south.

Getting to IDNP from Chicago by either Interstate 94 or the parallel toll road Interstate 90, you'll feel you've hardly left the gritty city when you exit at Gary, Indiana, the park's westernmost entryway and a city synonymous with steel mills. But proving nature's resiliency, the dunes and forests persist minutes from Gary's factories and smokestacks.

Perhaps fittingly then, IDNP is a driver's park. Though you can also reach it via railroad — the South Shore Railroad departing from Chicago has four park stations — a car helps you get around and beyond the occasional industrial pockets and to its main visitor center, focusing on orientation, and the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education, offering ranger-guided events and children's programming. The two-lane Highway 12, known as the Red Arrow Highway, is the park's 22-mile main thoroughfare, stringing together trail access points, park attractions and small towns between Gary and Michigan City (the park's eastern boundary) that would be difficult to get to on foot.

Consider visiting this park more than once, as the seasons change the experience dramatically. The beaches are busy in summer, but the park is quiet and often beautifully covered in frost or snow in winter. A snowstorm blowing down the lake brings out cross-country skiers and snowshoers. Come in fall to catch color season on the trails and in spring to see returning birds and those migrating along the Lake Michigan Flyway.

Because admission is free, it's easy to come and go frequently at the park. Being near a major city, it has good cellular service. And because it's also dispersed, the park has many picnic areas and public bathrooms, not just at the visitor centers, but at attractions and some trailheads.

Many trails over the dunes require strenuous uphill climbing, sometimes in sand, which makes it harder to gain a foothold, and sometimes via stairways erected to protect against erosion. But many of the trails are gentle and often have benches for taking breaks.

Tribune Content Agency LLC / Alamy Stock Photo

Dunewood Campground

Where to Stay and Eat

Dunewood Campground , the park's only campsite, is open April through October and hosts just 66 sites — 53 for RV drive-in stays and 13 for tents only. The cost is $25 per night and sites should be reserved well in advance at recreation.gov.

Complicating IDNP's fragmented boundaries even more, Indiana Dunes State Park occupies its own 2,200 shorefront acres surrounded by the national park. Admission to the state park ($12) is separate and its nearly 150 campsites cost $25 and $32, depending on the day of the week. Reservations open six months in advance and can be scarce in summer.

If you're not a camper, you can opt for any of the area's many chain hotels, vintage motels, inns, rental homes and B&Bs (find a list at indianadunes.com/places-to-stay). In Chesterton, each of the four rooms at the At Home in the Woods Bed and Breakfast (from $159) has a theme from a different national park. A pool, sauna and hot tub add to the B&B's appeal. Forty acres generously buffer the 12-room Brewery Lodge & Supper Club (from $79) in Michigan City, with a restaurant tucked into a 1930-vintage brick home.

You won't find any food concessions in the park, but the surrounding communities happily feed visitors with everything from fast-food stands to breweries, Mom ‘n’ Pop sandwich shops, food trucks, coffee shops and cafés (browse the list at Indiana dunes .com ). Insider tip: Given IDNP's splendor, take food into the park during the daytime for a picnic at the beach or on a trail. Stop in to Goblin & the Grocer in Beverly Shores for upscale sandwiches, such as the Caprese, and homemade clam chowder.

A Century of Progress home

Things to Do

Most visitors, especially in summer, head straight for the Lake Michigan beaches to cool off (despite the year-round chilly water). But IDNP, though small, is a rangy park and rewards explorers with many diversions from its main thoroughfare, the Red Arrow Highway, including the following highlights.

Revel in a rare oak savanna:  The “ridges and swales” of Miller Woods , as Prof. Cowles noted in the 1890s, reveal the presence of glaciers some 3,000 years ago. The undulating landscape on the park's west side — between Miller Woods and nearby Tolleson Dune — nurtures an endangered black oak savanna, a 1,042-acre sparsely wooded grassland with fire-resistant oaks in which prairie plants flourish, producing stunning wildflower blooms in spring and early summer, including bird-foot violet, lupine, mountain honeysuckle and pasture rose. The Park Service manages fires here to maintain this diverse habitat and prevent the trees from taking over, a natural process once sparked by lightning. At Miller Woods, some 3.2 miles of easy loops and interconnecting trails also reach the Lake Michigan shore and pass wetlands, which are particularly good places to bird-watch.

Do the dunes:  One of the park's signature dunes, 126-foot Mount Baldy has been moving inland rapidly as a result of human intervention in the lake, but it's still a beauty to behold. The 1.5-mile moderate round-trip trail at Mount Baldy (not wheelchair-accessible) actually goes around the giant dune, visible from the parking lot, to prevent more erosion and to protect hikers from invisible sinkholes that form around sand-covered trees. Take the short, somewhat steep descent to the beach to ogle Baldy from the lakefront.

Explore more dune succession on the 3.4-mile 3-Loop Trail at West Beach, which has extensive boardwalks and stairways that put you in and around the dunes without contributing to erosion. The stair-climbing can be exhausting, but you'll get stunning views of the lake, jack pine groves, isolated ponds and undulating dunes.

For sheer height, climb three of the coast's tallest dunes — Mount Tom, Mount Holden and Mount Jackson, at 192, 184 and 176 feet, respectively — at neighboring Indiana Dunes State Park. The pitch of the dunes and the loose sand underfoot makes these trails challenging; in fact, doing all three is known as the 3 Dune Challenge.

Get bogged down:  Named for Prof. Cowles, who studied plant evolution here, Cowles Bog is a roughly 205-acre wetland notable for its plant diversity. The moderate 4.7-mile Cowles Bog Trail takes you past its many habitats, including black oak savannas, lakefront dunes, marshes and ponds. If you're looking for a daylong hike, try this one and pack a lunch for picnicking lakeside.

Tour five futuristic homes:  You know you're in a quirky park when a flamingo-pink modernist home perched atop a lakefront dune with views back across the lake to Chicago ranks as one of the major sights. The stucco Florida Tropical House is one of five Century of Progress Homes displayed at the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago as examples of modern design and models of experimental materials. At the fair's end in 1935, a real estate developer shipped the homes across the lake by barge to attract home buyers to his new resort community of Beverly Shores, which the park now surrounds. On a self-guided tour, stroll the open-air time capsule created by this cluster of architectural icons on Lake Front Drive. Most times of the year, you can't go inside the homes, but you can read informational panels in front of them. Insider tip: The nonprofit Indiana Landmarks, which leases most of the homes to residents who pay for their leases by improving the properties, opens them for tours each September.

Meet early park residents:  Native Americans, traders and immigrant farmers populated this dunes region before it became a national park or even a botany research subject. Learn about early inhabitants of the area at the Chellberg Farm and neighboring Bailly Homestead. The house and barn built by the Swedish Chellberg family in the 1870s hosts an apple festival each September and rangers offer guided tours of the farmhouse, animals and vegetable garden weekly from late June to mid-August. Volunteers run the farm operations, including a “sugar shack” for making maple syrup from tree sap.

From the farm, it's a shady, third-of-a-mile walk through a dense forest banking the Little Calumet River to reach the Bailly Homestead , an original 1822 fur trading post and one of only two stops for missionaries, traders and travelers between Detroit and Chicago at the time, now designated a National Historic Landmark. Though their interiors are closed, the grand house and hand-hewn log outbuildings transport visitors to an earlier age when the leafy compound was a bustling center of early 19th-century life. Immerse yourself in the past through free weekly ranger-led Bailly/Chellberg History Hikes, June through August (no registration required; see the events page at the park website ).

For an in-depth experience:  Pinhook Bog preserves the region's glacial past created of a former kettle lake left behind by melting glaciers that eventually became acidic, supporting floating mats of sphagnum moss, orchids, ferns and, most intriguing, carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants and sundew. A vulnerable and rare ecosystem, the bog is only open in summer during ranger-led tours, which fill up quickly (sign up by calling the visitor center).

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Gateway Towns

IDNP has many gateways, including Gary and Michigan City at either end, smaller towns inland — including Porter and Chesterton — and, of course, Chicago nearby.

Gary:  You'll pass through Gary to get to Miller Woods via Lake Street. Though the city is highly industrialized, its small Lake Street commercial strip is worth a stop for its few galleries and gift shops (duck into Indie Indie Bang Bang for its design-centric housewares and gifts) and its eating and drinking spots. At Miller Pizza Co., order your pie Chicago deep-dish style or thin, and take advantage of its bargain weekday lunch specials. After a hike, reward yourself with one of the refreshing craft beers at nearby 18th Street Brewery.

Michigan City:  At the park's other end, Michigan City is a much more robust gateway, especially with its lavish Blue Chip Casino on Trail Creek downtown. There, besides gambling, you can check into one of its 486 rooms; dine in a steak house, sports bar or deli; and book rejuvenating spa treatments. In the downtown, pedestrian-friendly lakefront, learn about the city's history at the 1858 Michigan City Lighthouse, now a museum, and the 35,000-square-foot Barker Mansion, built in 1857 by John Barker Sr., president of a railroad freight car company, and now a museum celebrating life during the Gilded Age (now closed for renovations, but check back for opening dates).

Enjoy the breezy spirit of Bridges Waterside Grille from the deck overlooking a marina for casual pub fare (try the fried shrimp po'boys and barbecued beef brisket). Grab an 1871 American pub ale, a burger and a live music set at Zorn Brew Works.

Northern Indiana:  From Michigan City, you can also explore the many agricultural attractions in this area of the state. On the fringes of Michigan City, pick blueberries at Stateline Blueberries a few miles northeast of the waterfront, and taste-test the unoaked chardonnays made with Sonoma County grapes at nearby Shady Creek Winery. Pair them with charcuterie, cheese plates and pizzas indoors by the fire or out on the patios.

Smaller towns:  Edging the park on the inland side, Chesterton and Portage both have many chain hotels (see indianadunes.com for a list). For retro kicks, order a home-brewed root beer and a chili dog at the Port Drive-In, a 1958-vintage drive-in restaurant in Chesterton.

From Chicago:  Pay homage to Prof. Cowles at the  University of Chicago  in Hyde Park, on the Windy City's southside with a stroll on its main campus, modeled on English Gothic style (think of the University of Oxford). Stop into the tranquil Plein Air Café just off campus, next to Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, for a cold brew and a hazelnut beignet on the leafy patio. If you're a bird lover, check out the nearby Wooded Island in Jackson Park, a hot spot where the Chicago Audubon Society leads regular birding walks each Saturday morning.

From the east:  Stop in South Bend, Indiana, to wander through the  Studebaker National Museum. The 55,000-square-foot facility showcases the world's largest collection of U.S. Presidential Carriages (before they had cars), including the barouche that President Lincoln used the night of his assassination, as well as an array of Studebaker and Packard automobiles, originally made in South Bend.

Just a few blocks from the museum, dine in the mansion that a member of the auto-making family, Clem Studebaker, built between 1886 and 1889. Called Tippecanoe Place, it now houses a landmark restaurant (the French onion soup and prime rib are musts) and a more casual beer-centric lounge in which you can revel in the 19th-century architecture.

From Michigan:  The 30 or so miles of shoreline north of the Indiana border, collectively called Harbor Country, draws vacationing Chicagoans. At  Warren Dunes State Park , about 23 miles from Michigan City, delight in running down the dunes onto the beach; and in small towns, stop to shop, eat and treat yourself at ice cream parlors. Just over the Indiana-Michigan border in New Buffalo, line up for a Velveeta-topped cheeseburger at the thronged, cash-only roadhouse Redamak's, a local legend for its cheeseburgers.

PHOTO BY: D Guest Smith / Alamy Stock Photo

Boardwalk stairs lead to the overlook on the Dune Succession Trail in the West Beach section of the park.

PHOTO BY: George Ostertag / Alamy Stock Photo

Visit the Bailly Homestead, built by the Swedish Chellberg family in the 1870s.

PHOTO BY: Russell Kord / Alamy Stock Photo

Mount Baldy is the highest dune in the park.

PHOTO BY: Michael Snell / Alamy Stock Photo

One of the Century of Progress Homes that were displayed at the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago as examples of modern design, and later shipped here. 

PHOTO BY: Jim West / Alamy Stock Photo

Fall is a beautiful time to visit. 

Elaine Glusac, a Chicago-based journalist, writes the Frugal Traveler column for the New York Times.

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Indiana Dunes State Park Guide — Camping, Beach, and More 

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Table of Contents

How to get to indiana dunes state park, getting around indiana dunes state park, what to see and do in indiana dunes state park, best times to visit indiana dunes state park, where to stay in indiana dunes state park, where to eat in indiana dunes state park, indiana dunes state park facts, final thoughts.

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Indiana Dunes State Park is a stunning park in Chesterton, Indiana, an hour’s drive from Chicago. The park features vast dunes, 3 miles of beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and fantastic hiking trails. With almost 2 million visitors annually, it’s an ideal destination for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and families looking for a fun day out.

Where Is Indiana Dunes State Park?

Indiana Dunes State Park is about 40 miles east of Chicago in Chesterton, Indiana. The park covers 2,182 acres and features primitive, picturesque, historic, and unique Hoosier terrain. It’s at the north end of State Road 49 in Porter County and boasts more than 3 miles of pristine beach along the southern shore of Lake Michigan.

Indiana Dunes National Park is just a few minutes from this state park. While both parks have stunning dunes, they are 2 separate entities with unique offerings.

Indiana Dunes State Park Opening Hours and Seasons

The state park is open throughout the year from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. , but some facilities, like the Nature Center, have different operating hours. Additionally, certain activities and amenities are available only during specific seasons, so check ahead to ensure you can do everything on your list.

Nearest Airports to Indiana Dunes State Park

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is the nearest airport, about 55 miles from the park. This airport’s airlines include Allegiant, Delta, Frontier, Porter, Southwest, and Volaris.

Nonstop flights are available to domestic and international destinations, including Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Ontario, Phoenix, and San Juan. After arriving at this airport, you can rent a car or arrange a ride-share service to reach the park.

Driving to Indiana Dunes State Park

Driving to Indiana Dunes State Park is a breeze no matter what direction you are coming from. You can take I-94 and get off at Indiana 49. From there, head north, and you’ll arrive at the park quickly.

Taking the Train to Indiana Dunes State Park

South Shore Line is a commuter rail line that provides train service to Chesterton. It’s only a 2-minute drive from the train station to Indiana Dunes State Park.

Taking the Bus to Indiana Dunes State Park

Currently, no bus service is available to take you directly to the park. Plans are underway to introduce buses to this area of Indiana via the South Shore Line.

The most efficient way to explore the park is by driving around, finding a good place to park, and then continuing your adventure on foot. This way, you can cover more ground and take in all the sights and sounds the park offers. The park provides a printable map with all the major attractions, hiking trails, and scenic viewpoints to help you plan your route and make the most of your time.

Indiana Dunes State Park offers various activities, including hiking, visiting nature centers, participating in ranger-led programs, and fishing.

The 3 Dune Challenge

Indiana Dunes State Park is a wonderful destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts. One of the most sought-after experiences at the park is the 3 Dune Challenge . This challenge allows visitors to hike up the park’s 3 tallest dunes, providing spectacular views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding landscape.

The 3 Dune Challenge is a fun and exhilarating adventure that can be done alone or with friends and family. The trail is challenging, covering 1.5 miles and a 552-foot vertical climb.

Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water as climbing can be physically demanding.

Birdwatching

The park’s unique blend of diverse habitats makes it a haven for over 350 species of birds. Visitors can spot various birds, including bald eagles, peregrine falcons, sandhill cranes, and songbirds.

The park’s birdwatching opportunities are abundant year-round. During the spring and fall migration seasons, visitors can witness flocks of birds passing through the park on their way to and from breeding grounds. In the summer, visitors can catch sight of the park’s breeding birds, including the American goldfinch, eastern bluebird, and red-tailed hawk.

Cross-Country Skiing

This park is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. During the snowy months, the park’s trails offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore the winter wonderland while cross-country skiing. The well-groomed trails cater to skiers of all levels, from beginners to experts, and provide a range of terrains to suit different preferences.

As you ski through the park, you’ll be surrounded by stunning views of snow-capped trees, sparkling snowdrifts, and expansive vistas of Lake Michigan. The crisp winter air and peacefulness of the park’s surroundings offer a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

This park is a beloved destination for anglers looking to immerse themselves in a truly exceptional fishing experience. It offers many fishing opportunities, including fishing from the shore, in the lake, and even in the nearby creek. With abundant fish species available, anglers can try their luck at catching bass, bluegill, catfish, and many more.

Hiking Trails

Indiana Dunes State Park is a hiker’s paradise, with an extensive network of trails covering over 16 miles of stunning natural terrain. The trails are well-maintained and marked, making navigating and enjoying the breathtaking scenery easy. The park offers diverse landscapes, from rugged dunes to peaceful forests and serene wetlands.

The trails are designed to accommodate hikers of all abilities, from easy, flat paths perfect for beginners or families with young children to more challenging routes that test even the most experienced hikers. Along the way, you’ll encounter various wildlife, including deer, foxes, and a wide variety of birds.

Nature Center

The Nature Center is a haven for nature lovers and curious minds alike. Its wide range of informative and engaging programs offer a unique window into the park’s vibrant ecosystem. From the diverse wildlife that calls the dunes home to the geology that shapes the area’s distinctive terrain, there is much to discover and explore.

At the center of it all are the interactive exhibits, which invite visitors to explore the Indiana dunes in a hands-on and immersive way. With each discovery, the wonder and majesty of the dunes come to life, creating an unforgettable experience that will inspire and delight visitors of all ages.

Indiana Dunes State Park is a paradise for beach lovers. Its sprawling 3-mile stretch of sandy coastline allows visitors to soak up the sun, breathe in the fresh lake air, and enjoy various water activities.

The park features a designated swimming area spanning over 1 mile, where visitors of all ages can splash around in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Michigan. Whether you want to build sand castles, take a refreshing dip, or relax on the beach, the park is ideal for a fun-filled day in the sun.

Be sure to read the park swimming policies before heading out to enjoy the waters.

This park is a beautiful place to explore throughout the year. Depending on your interests, certain times of the year may be more appealing to you.

Best Time To Visit Indiana Dunes State Park in Winter

Indiana Dunes State Park is a winter wonderland for those who love outdoor winter activities. With over 15 inches of snowfall in January, this is the best month to visit for winter fun. The park offers visitors the perfect opportunity to enjoy a variety of snowy sports, such as cross-country skiing. The beautiful winter landscape also provides a picturesque backdrop for hikes and nature walks.

Best Time To Visit Indiana Dunes State Park To Avoid the Crowds

Many travelers like to visit the park when it’s not too crowded. November is the least busy month to visit this park. Planning a visit during this month will enable you to explore the park at your leisure without worrying about crowds, long lines, or traffic.

Best Time To Visit Indiana Dunes State Park for Ideal Weather

Planning a vacation can be challenging, and weather plays an important role in determining the success of the trip. If you’re planning a trip, September is the best month to consider for ideal weather. Temperatures range from the mid-50s to the mid-70s, making it an excellent time for outdoor activities. However, it may rain during September, with an average of 6 rainy days.

Cheapest Time To Visit Indiana Dunes State Park

You can enjoy an affordable trip to Indiana Dunes State Park with a little research and planning. The prime time to visit and save money is mid- to late September , when flight and accommodation prices are at their lowest point of the year.

Annual Events in Indiana Dunes State Park

This state park hosts several events regularly, such as bird and reptile programs, guided hikes, and stargazing events. Several annual activities also take place here.

Indiana Dunes Birding Festival

The Indiana Dunes Birding Festival is an annual weekend event in May. It is hosted by the Indiana Audubon Society and is dedicated to the diverse range of birds that inhabit the Indiana Dunes region. Birdwatching enthusiasts can attend the festival to enjoy unique opportunities and learn about local conservation initiatives and how the economy supports the area’s bird population.

Sand Sculpture Contest

Every year, Indiana Dunes State Park hosts the Annual Sand Sculpture Contest, where sculpting groups showcase their creativity with sand sculptures. This exciting event takes place in mid-July and has a unique theme each year. The park’s volunteers judge the sculptures, and participants can win in adult and child categories for the funniest, most creative, and most thematic creations. This contest is a great way for visitors of all ages to have fun.

There are several accommodation options available when visiting the state park. The park has a beautiful campground for nature lovers. Plenty of lodging options are available in the nearby towns for those who prefer a more conventional stay.

Inside the Park

Visitors looking for a place to stay overnight in the park can enjoy camping in the great outdoors. The park has a developed campground with 140 sites for tents or RVs. This campground is located less than a mile from the beach and is within walking distance from the South Shore Rail Station.

One of the most popular campgrounds in the area, reservations for the park’s campground fill up quickly. Visitors are advised to make reservations in advance. Amenities at this campground include full electric hookups, modern bathhouses, picnic tables, grills, and a nearby laundry area.

Towns Near Indiana Dunes State Park

There are several towns near Indiana Dunes State Park. No matter what you’re looking for, you can find a perfect home base just a short drive from the park.

Chesterton, Indiana

Indiana Dunes State Park is in Chesterton, a great place to set up a home base for visitors who want to stay near the park. From cozy bed and breakfasts to luxurious hotels, Chesterton offers a range of accommodations to suit every budget and preference.

The town’s vibrant restaurant scene serves up a variety of cuisines, ranging from traditional American fare to exotic delicacies from around the world. The town also boasts plenty of recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, and fishing.

With everything just a stone’s throw away from the park, Chesterton makes for a perfect home base for an unforgettable vacation.

Valparaiso, Indiana

Valparaiso, a picturesque town in the northwest region of Indiana, is approximately 15 miles from the park. It’s known for its quaint streets, historic architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. Valparaiso has plenty of eateries, ranging from cozy cafes and friendly diners to upscale restaurants serving gourmet cuisine.

Valparaiso has an array of lodging options to accommodate all budgets, including charming bed and breakfasts, modern hotels, and spacious vacation rentals.

Several dining options are available within the park, and plenty of restaurants are in the surrounding towns. If you get hungry while exploring, you can drive to a nearby restaurant and then return to your park explorations.

Dunes Pavilion

Dunes Pavilion is inside the park within a beautifully restored historic building from the 1930s. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily, offering a menu that features appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and customizable beach bowls. It’s a perfect spot to refuel and recharge after a day of adventures in the park without having to leave the premises.

The rooftop lounge serves a variety of options, including fine wines, draft beers, signature cocktails, and delightful Mexican dishes. You can relish great food and drinks while enjoying the sweeping vistas from this historic building’s rooftop.

Octave Grill

Octave Grill is one of Chesterton’s top-rated restaurants, around 3 miles from the park. It’s open from Thursday to Monday for late lunch, dinner, and snacks. The restaurant offers a diverse menu that includes gourmet burgers, classic favorites like lasagna and meatloaf, unique desserts, and signature cocktails.

Stacks Bar and Grill

Stacks Bar and Grill is widely recognized as one of the finest restaurants in Valparaiso. The menu offers a range of creative appetizers, soups, salads, specialty pizzas, and entrees made with fresh seafood, chicken, and high-quality steaks. It’s an excellent place to unwind and recharge after a long day of exploring the park.

1. It Was Established in 1925

In the early 1900s, the Indiana Dunes area was used by scientists, nature enthusiasts, and recreationists who fought to preserve the region. As a result, the state park was established in 1925.

2. It Features Towering Dunes

The sand dunes at this park rise nearly 200 feet above Lake Michigan and are a breathtaking sight.

3. The Park Is One of the Best Places to Hike

Indiana Dunes State Park has been recognized as one of the top hiking destinations in Indiana by USA Today. Trail 9 stands out as the most exceptional, offering stunning views and towering dunes that will leave you in awe.

4. The Park Is on the Indiana Birding Trail

This state park is part of the Indiana Birding Trail, offering fantastic opportunities to observe a wide variety of birds while exploring the park.

5. It’s Separate From Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park are 2 distinct entities with similar names. Although both parks are worth visiting, they are separate parks and require separate fees. Each year, nearly 4 million visitors are attracted to these parks. The state park boasts better beaches and hiking trails, while the national park offers historic landmarks, amazing trails, and much more.

Indiana Dunes State Park offers a plethora of activities, such as camping, bird watching, hiking, and beachgoing. It’s no surprise that this park is one of the most visited parks in Indiana. Book your trip to this state park today and discover why nearly 2 million visitors flock there each year.

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Indiana Dunes National Park

• 1.1.1 Settlement
• 1.1.2 Preservation
• 1.1.3 National lakeshore and park
• 1.2 Landscape
• 1.3 Flora and fauna
• 1.4 Climate
• 1.5 Visitor information
• 2.2 By train
• 3 Fees and permits
• 4.1 By bike
• 5.1 Nearby attractions
• 6.1 Swimming
• 6.4 Bird watching
• 6.6 Horseback riding
• 6.7 Fishing & boating
• 10.1 Lodging
• 10.2 Camping
• 10.3 Backcountry
• 11 Stay safe

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Indiana Dunes National Park is a national park located in Northwestern Indiana . The only national park in Indiana, it's popular for its big sand dunes and plentiful beaches on Lake Michigan , and for its easily accessible location near Chicago . The park is also home to a variety of ecosystems including swamps and forests, with diverse plants and wildlife.

The history of Indiana Dunes National Park falls into settlement, preservation, and park segments.

Joseph and Monee Bailly, the fur traders, settled on the banks of the Little Calumet River in 1822. The wetlands of the Indiana Dunes proved to be a good place for contacts between the Bailly family and the Pottawatomie tribe of Native Americans. In 1822, the Pottawatomie nation had already developed an established lifestyle of duneland use, including the trapping of local beaver, raccoon, and muskrat.

After the Pottawatomie people were forcibly expelled from the Lake Michigan shoreline in the 1830s and 1840s, railroads built lines through the Indiana Dunes westward to the fast-growing city of Chicago; but the Dunes themselves, with their comparatively infertile soil, were settled relatively slowly.

Preservation

After the newly formed U.S. Steel Corporation began to construct a massive mill complex within the dunes at Gary, Indiana, lovers of the Dunes began efforts to preserve them. The National Park Service offered in 1916 to protect much of the remaining duneland as Sand Dunes National Park, but many locals opposed the proposal. In the 1920s, the state of Indiana preserved 2,182 acres of central duneland as Indiana Dunes State Park. Other sections of duneland were developed as the small communities of Ogden Dunes, Dune Acres, and Beverly Shores.

World War II and the early Cold War years increased pressure upon the United States to increase its production of steel. For reasons of economical coal and iron ore supply, one of the most efficient geographic locations to make steel within the United States is on the southern border of Lake Michigan. During the 1950s and early 1960s, several additional steel mills were sited within the dunelands in areas that could otherwise have been preserved for parkland.

After the former Bethlehem Steel Corporation acquired and built its Burns Harbor mill in 1962-64, a public outcry and pressure from activists, led by Sen. Paul H. Douglas (D-Ill.) led to the creation of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, now the Indiana Dunes National Park.

National lakeshore and park

The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore was created by Congress in 1966. But it owned no land of its own, and land acquisition opportunities were limited because of previous development. Many local residents were understandably opposed to federal condemnation. By the 1980s, much of the 15,000 acres of land making up the current National Park (as of 2006) had been acquired. The federal government included the Indiana Dunes State Park within the boundaries of the national lakeshore, but has allowed the state to continue to maintain and charge a separate admission fee to the state park.

By 2006, the lakeshore had come to include eight separate parcels of Lake Michigan beachfront land, as well as numerous parcels of property inland from the lake. Because the national park was founded after much of the drier land had already been developed, many of the inland parcels that make up the current park are riverbottoms or sandy wetlands.

In 2019, the National Lakeshore was reclassified and renamed a National Park, the first national park in Indiana.

The Indiana Dunes, of which the Indiana Dunes National Park preserves a part, are a relatively recent product of sand deposition, wave erosion, and wind erosion on the southern tip of Lake Michigan. During the warming process that ended the last Ice Age, the lake at several periods rose to levels much higher than the current lake level and laid down sandy shorelines and beaches at points that are now inland from the current coastline. Today's lake waves and currents continue to bring more sand ashore from beds underneath the surface of the current lake. This sand, further sculpted by wind and foot erosion, has become today's Indiana Dunes.

Flora and fauna

Many ecosystem types can be readily recognized by amateurs. Ecosystem types, and characteristic grasses and flowering plants, that exist within the Indiana Dunes include the following:

• Sand dunes - marram grass, prickly pear, puccoon
• Wetlands (bogs, marshlands, and swamps) - marsh marigold, skunk cabbage
• Ponds - bladderwort, gentian
• Prairies - black-eyed susan, butterfly weed, goldenrod, lupine, prairie grass
• Savannas - asters, prairie grass
• Dry woods - columbines, hepatica, Solomon's seal
• Wet woods - Dutchmen's breeches, hepatica, trillium, violet

The most common large tree in the Indiana Dunes is the black oak. There are also plenty of cottonwoods. Jack pines often grow in burned-over or disturbed areas, and there are several groves of sugar maples (the Bailly/Chellberg farm operates a maple-syrup boil in early spring). A grove of paper birches on the Cowles Bog Trail is said to be the farthest-south naturally reproducing population of this species in the Great Lakes area.

As of January 2006, whitetail deer lived in quantity in the Indiana Dunes. The common North American wetland and woodland rodents, such as beavers, muskrats, and squirrels, can be easily seen.

The Indiana Dunes are part of the temperate Great Lakes shoreline, characterized by relatively even amounts of rain and snow year-round, but wide jumps in temperature. A dunes shoreline that is crowded with swimmers in August may be caked with unsafe but majestic shelves of pack ice in February.

Visitor information

• Park website
• 41.6332 -87.0543 1 Indiana Dunes Visitor Center (Dorothy Buell Visitor Center) , 1215 North State Road 49, Porter . 8AM-6PM (Summer, Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Monday of Labor Day weekend). 8:30AM-4:30PM (Winter) . View lobby displays and pick up brochures about Porter County, Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana Dunes National Park. Enjoy educational displays and watch two short orientation videos. Shop in the Eastern National bookstore. The visitor center is open everyday with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. ( updated Jun 2020 )
• 41.6063 -87.2675 2 Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education , 100 North Lake Street, Gary . 9AM-5PM (Summer, Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend). 9AM-4PM (Winter) . Visitor activities include attending scheduled programs for groups presented by the national lakeshore or hiking the Miller Woods Trail. The Paul H. Douglas Center is open everyday with the exception of federal holidays. ( updated Jun 2020 )

The Indiana Dunes area is accessible from Chicago by Interstates 80, 90, and 94; from Indianapolis by Interstate 65; from Detroit by Interstate 94; and from Cleveland and the East Coast by Interstates 80 and 90. U.S. Highways 12 and 20 go directly through the park.

The Indiana Dunes are served by the South Shore Line from Chicago , Michigan City , and South Bend . There are approximately 12 trains through the Park each way on weekends, with 9 trains each way on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. As of May 2021, the train service has been replaced by buses between Gary and South Bend due to track construction. The project is scheduled to end in May, but conductors think it could last for most of summer 2021. There are several stations near the dunes:

• Dune Park is closest to the Indiana Dunes State Park. Follow the signs out of the station and walk along a sidewalk about 20 min to the park's main entrance.
• Portage/Ogden Dunes is closest to Ogden Dunes. To get to the West Beach Recreation Area, walk North through the town to the intersection of Diana Road and Ski Hill Road (about 20 min) and enter Long Lake Park. Follow the path past the tennis courts and along the lake; at the very end it connects to the West Beach Trail in the recreation area.

You can take bikes on the South Shore Line, but they are only permitted on some trains and some stations. As of May 2021, the only station near the dunes that accepts bikes was Dune Park, but even that was not allowed due to construction.

Fees and permits

Entrance passes are required to visit Indiana Dunes National Park . If you are travelling in a non-commercial vehicle, the entrance pass costs $20 per motorcycle, or $25 per car. If you enter by bicycle, boat or on foot, the pass costs $15 per person. the entrance pass is valid for 7 days from the date of purchase. Alternatively, you can purchase an annual pass for $45 per car. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass for all national parks, it can be used to enter Indiana Dunes National Park.

Indiana Dunes State Park charges separate admissions fees, and the America the Beautiful Pass is not valid for entry into Indiana Dunes State Park. An entrance pass for Indiana Dunes State Park costs $7 per personal vehicle with Indiana license plates, or $12 per personal vehicle with out-of-state license plates. If you are entering on foot, bicycle or horseback, the pass is $2 per person.

Most of the hiking trails are closed to bikes, but the Calumet Trail runs parallel to Dunes Highway and can be used to transit between some parts of the park.

• Lake Michigan . Accessible via a short walk from any of the beach access parking areas. For visitors, who have limited mobility can view the lake from Lakefront Drive through Beverly shores or from the Dunbar Ave. Parking lot. Drive out to Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk. Here, you have a spectacular view to the north across Lake Michigan. On clear days or days when clouds hang over the water, you can see the skyline of Chicago off to the northwest.
• Mt. Baldy . While hiking to the top is a challenge, as worth the time, you can see the moving southface from the Mt. Baldy parking lot. In a windy year, it will move another foot towards the lot.
• Inland Marsh Overlook . A unique attraction is the marsh overlook. An unimposing parking area and a picnic table are the only clue that this short trail exist. It's all boardwalk and easily accessible by wheelchair or walker. You'll walk a short distance across a bridge between two tree covered dunes. From ground level to the tree tops and there are no steps. Once to the overlook, you'll see a vast inland marsh. During migration, the area can host flocks of arctic wanderers and other summer residents from the tropics.

Nearby attractions

• The Depot of Beverly Shores - South Shore Line Passenger Depot,
• Museum and Art Gallery - 525 Broadway, Beverly Shores (on U.S. 12)

The beaches, owing to the deep blue, often clear water, as well as the huge dunes and the copious sand they bring, are beautiful. Industrial vistas in the distance can lessen the bucolic impact, although with a good sense of humor and appreciation for the weird, they can add to the experience. The worst industrial offender is the big power plant to the east of the park, which is very visible from both Central Beach and the beach below Mt Baldy. A generally useful tip is that the beaches are more crowded with proximity to Chicago . The least crowded, on average, are the two at the east (Central and Mt Baldy). Going to the beach at the state park is also a good way to get more beach space since Indiana charges an entrance fee. Now of course, if you're from a more crowded section of the country on the East Coast or California, you'll feel like you have an extraordinary amount of space no matter which beach you choose.

From East to West:

• West Beach . The sole beach west of the Port of Indiana and its steel mills. It's right by Long Lake, and several nice, short trails through the woods. As it is the park's largest and most visited, it also has the most amenities.  
• Porter Beach . Just west of the state park section of the shoreline.  
• Kemil and Dunbar Beaches . Less than a half mile apart, Kemil is wheelchair-accessible.  
• Lake View . Along with Kemil and Dunbar Beaches, Lake View is one of the most isolated from industrial vistas.  
• Central Beach . As it is far enough east, Central Beach is one of the frequently visited beaches, despite being not very easy to reach — nonetheless Mt Baldy probably has claim the title of most remote.  

There are numerous picnic areas for those who wish to make a day of it. Picnicking on the beaches is allowed. No glass containers are allowed on the beach. Nearby some of the beaches you'll find picnic tables, including a large family or group picnic area at West Beach and family tables at Mt. Baldy. From the west, picnic areas include: West Beach, Bailly Homestead-Chellberg Faram, Tremont (roadside rest on U.S. 12), Ly-co-ki-we Horse and Hiking trailhead (U.S. 20), Lake View beach access point(Lakefront Dr, Beverly Shores), Central Beach Access Point, and Mt. Baldy. Fires are not permitted on any of the beaches. That includes grilling on the beaches and any beach to the East of State Park Road.

The park has several miles of dedicated hiking trails. On the dunes themselves, the trail surface can be soft sand, which is just as challenging to walk on as a sandy beach. Don't forget to empty the sand out of your shoes before you go home!

• Trail 9 in the Indiana Dunes State Park . Hike over some dunes for spectacular views of Lake Michigan and--on a clear day--the Chicago Skyline  
• 3 Dunes Challenge . Challenge your calves and climb three separate dunes in the Indiana Dunes State Park: Mount Tom, Mount Holden, and Mont Jackson. Stop by the visitor center to get your completion prize.  

Bird watching

At the southern tip of Lake Michigan, the Indiana Dunes is a natural way-station on the annual migration of birds. Over 300 species birds live or pass through the park. The greatest concentrations are during the spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) migrations.

The Calumet Trail, a multi-use, crushed-limestone trail where cycling is acceptable, also runs in a generally east-west direction through the eastern section of the park, providing access to the Indiana Dunes State Park and towns to the east. It skirts a wooded area where deer and other wildlife may often be seen, especially early in the morning. It also follows the path of several large power lines.

Horseback riding

Horseback riding is limited to the Ly-co-ki-we Horse and Hiking trail, off U.S. 20 at Schoolhouse Road. There are no stables provided in the park. Riders have to bring their own horses. On sunny Saturdays, this is a great area to watch a variety of horses. No dogs or any other animals are allowed, other than horses.

Fishing & boating

Fishing requires a State of Indiana Fishing license. Most fishing areas, are along streams and at a few of the ponds in the park. The newest fishing access is Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk. Located just west of U.S. Steel along the Burns Waterway, there is parking and a walkway along the waterways entrance breakwall. Here, you can fish in the waters of Lake Michigan. Other fishing accesses are available at Long Lake (West Beach entrance road), Burns Waterway and Lake Michigan (Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk), Little Calumet River (via the AmeriPlex access trail), and the Little Calumet in the Heron Rookery.

In the winter, cross-country skiing is possible. The park is beautiful under the snow.

There are no services in the park, but the park has numerous communities adjacent to its boundaries. Concentrations of restaurants, including fast-food and family restaurants are at the major freeway interchanges:

• I-94 and Hwy. 51-Gary/Miller/Lake Station
• I-94 and Hwy. 249-Portage
• I-94 and Hwy. 20-Burns Harbor/Porter
• I-94 and Hwy. 49-Porter/Chesterton, and,
• I-94 and Hwy. 421-Michigan City.

If you're willing to browse around, you can find many smaller local restaurants in the communities nearby.

Alcohol is allowed everywhere in the national park, except inside NPS buildings. No glass is allowed on the beach.

There are no lodging options within the state or national parks aside from camping, but the nearby towns of Chesterton and Porter have several options.

• 41.672 -86.9838 1 Dunewood Campground . 66 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. The campground is fairly open with few trees between sites. There are two large modern bathhouses with showers and several pit-toilets scattered around. The dunes area is all sand and the campground is no exception. Grass is sparse in some areas and expect to get sand in everything. The campground is often full by the Friday before most summer weekends so it pays to arrive early to secure a site. Consists of two loops containing 66 camp-sites (53 conventional drive-in sites and 13 walk/carry-in sites). Four sites are wheelchair accessible (numbers 15, 30, 41 and 55). Each loop has modern restrooms and hot/cold showers. Some sites have limited recreational vehicle length. Convenience stores and a gas station are located 1/4 mile north of the campground at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Broadway Avenue in the town of Beverly Shores. $25 Dunewood Campground Fee (2020 rates) . ( updated Jun 2020 )

Backcountry

The National Park has no wilderness area nor backcountry. Overnight stays are permitted only in Dunewood Campground, the State Park's campground or local motels which may be along the boundary of the park. All of the beach access parking lots are closed at dusk as there is no overnight use of the beaches.

Lake Michigan can have strong riptides and there are no lifeguards on several sections of the beach. Look for the warning signs at beach entrances. Sometimes they advise not entering the water at all. During the winter pack ice forms in thick chunks but is dangerous to walk on.

The area's only venomous snake, the massasauga rattlesnake, is occasionally seen in the forested parts of the park away from the beaches and dunes. However, it is not aggressive if left alone, hardly the most potent of rattlers, and the chances of running into one are nil.

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A guide to Indiana Dunes National Park: Where to visit, what to do, and more

Haven't visited the indiana dunes national park this is the guide to take you around every sandy curve.

Overlooking the southern shores of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park has long captivated visitors. In fact, it was there in the late 19th century that Henry Cowles, a botanist from the University of Chicago, studied the intricate ecosystems along the lake . His groundbreaking work established Cowles as “the father of modern ecology” in the United States. A little bit of history for your next trivia night.

Exploring the lay of the land at Indiana Dunes National Park

How to prepare for your trip to indiana dunes national park, where to stay near the indiana dunes national park, what to do during your stay, important details to know when visiting the indiana dunes national park.

Most people come to climb to the top of 194-foot Mount Tom, one of several towering dunes lording over the lakeshore. The park is home to gorgeous beaches and the biological diversity that so astonished pioneering botanists like Cowles. Meandering rivers, oak savannas, windswept prairies, and verdant wetlands are all part of the serene backdrop of one of America’s newest national parks — becoming the country’s 61st in 2019. If you haven’t made a visit yet , we have the guide to get you there.

• It’s a smaller national park
• Plenty of animals and plants to check out
• Shoreline for days
• Close to Chicago

At just under 24 square miles, the dune-filled reserve isn’t quite the smallest national park in the country (that honor goes to the 91-acre Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis). Despite its tiny stature, the park is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including 46 species of mammals and 60 butterfly species, as well as carnivorous pitcher plants, rare orchids, and 1,000 other species of flora.

Migrating birds fill the skies in April and September, while even the sands harbor life, like the six-lined racerunners (a type of lizard) and a native species of prickly pear cacti.

The placement of this national park seems rather unpromising at first. Chicago lies 40 miles to the northwest, and the remnants of an industrial corridor fringe the park on either side (the Nipsco power plant only looks nuclear). Once you’ve made peace with the setting, you’ll appreciate this protected landmark for all its surprising allure.

Another important feature to note is the noncontiguous layout of the park. It follows the shoreline, with a few small interruptions as it swerves inland near Gary and at the Port of Indiana.

The park also surrounds the smaller Indiana Dunes State Park, which, unlike the national park, has a small entrance fee. It’s worth visiting both, as the state park is home to some of the highest dunes over the lake.

• Make it a day trip
• Add it on to a tour of Chicago
• Spend a weekend taking in all of the dunes

You could immerse yourself in all the Indiana Dunes has to offer over a three- or four-day holiday, or make the national park one stop on a bigger excursion in the region. One appealing option is to spend a few days in Chicago before heading down to the dunes, then following the lakeshore east and north as it passes some gorgeous scenery in Michigan.

If you have time for a road trip, keep heading around the lake along Michigan’s western shore. Within an hour, you’ll reach the charming waterfront towns of Harbor Country, where you’ll find antique shops, galleries, fine beaches and some decent surfing.

Keep heading north for more bucolic charm, including Sleeping Bear Dunes and the Manitou Islands. If you don’t want to retrace your steps, keep going to Muskegon (a 2.5-hour drive north of the national park), and catch a ferry across the lake to Milwaukee, which is about 100 miles north of Chicago.

Chicago makes a fine base for visiting the park as a day trip, but if you’re looking to reconnect with nature, you’re better off staying in the area.

There are several decent camping options there, including the Dunewood Campground, which has well-spaced forest-shaded spots. To be even closer to the lake, book a site in the Indiana Dunes State Park. This will give you prime dune access at sunrise and sunset, which are magical times to experience the shoreline.

Four miles south of the lakefront, Riley Railhouse occupies a converted railroad freight station, and it’s a major draw for train lovers with its imaginatively furnished rooms and common areas full of vintage train memorabilia. The Upper Berth room has a small balcony overlooking the tracks where trains still trundle past.

The Brewery Lodge and Supper Club is a resort hotel with 12 boutique suites. The remote resort sits on 40 acres of wooded tract that’s surrounded by wildlife, ponds, and streams. The main house, built in 1930, was recently updated, and it now offers a beer and wine lounge and restaurant with outdoor terraces.

Basking on the beach is one of many ways to spend a sun-drenched afternoon at the Indiana Dunes. You’ll find serene nature walks amid the park’s diverse ecosystems, kayaking on forest-lined waterways, and biking the many trails in the region.

Walking trails

The Dune Succession Trail takes you up some 270 steps to a lofty perch with sweeping views — all the way to Chicago on clear days. The mile-long walk illustrates various stages of dune development, from a bare beach to a forested section growing right out of the sands.

The 3.9-mile Little Calumet River Trail leads you out past the Mnoké prairie, through the forest, and over tiny bridges, with plenty of opportunities to spy birds and other wildlife along the way.

It’s worth paying a visit to the Indiana Dunes State Park for its three-dune challenge. You’ll climb a 1.5-mile trail that takes you up the three highest peaks on the shoreline for a cumulative total of 522 vertical feet (about 55 stories) over sand and along stairs in order to reach the panoramic views atop Mount Tom, Mount Holden, and Mount Jackson.

Don’t miss a visit to the Cowles Bog Trail, a 4.7-mile path that provides a fine overview of the wetlands’ biological diversity. You’ll pass ponds, marshes, and black-oak savannas. Before heading back, make the steep descent to the beach for a tranquil view over the lakeshore.

An interconnected trail system encompasses 37 miles (60km) across the national park and goes past shimmering dunes, wind-whipped prairie, and sun-dappled forests. Memorable jaunts include the 2.1-mile Marquette Trail and the 10.3-mile Prairie-Duneland Trail, both of which follow an abandoned rail line. Various outfitters rent bikes, including Pedal Power, handily located next to the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center.

Historical sites

In 1822, Joseph Bailly established one of the first fur-trading posts in the area, and it served as a crossroads and meeting spot for Native Americans and Euro-American colonists. After checking out the rustic log and brick buildings of the Bailley Homestead, continue on the trail to the nearby Chellberg Farm to learn about a pioneering Swedish immigrant family that put down roots there in the 1880s. Out back, get your barnyard animal fix, with cows, chickens, pigs, and goats.

At Dunbar Beach, take an architectural stroll past the 1933 Century of Progress Homes. Originally exhibited for the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago, these five homes were purchased by real estate developer Robert Bartlett and brought mostly by barge to their present location on the lakeshore. Bartlett envisioned a planned resort community, called Beverly Shores, complete with a hotel, golf course, and housing developments.

Today, the entire district is a historic landmark, where you’ll get a glimpse of the future through the lens of 1930s design by checking out the once-innovative constructions along Lake Front Drive. Most eye-catching is the Florida Tropical House, painted in flamingo pink, while the glass-walled House of Tomorrow was built to include its own airplane hangar.

Beach-going

You won’t lack appealing places to relax on the shoreline, with 15 miles of beachfront along Lake Michigan. Among the park’s different beaches , a perennial favorite is West Beach, which is great for swimming if you don’t mind the chilly waters. It has a lifeguard station in the summer and an enticing expanse of sand for beachcombing and relaxing by the water’s edge. It’s also the westernmost of the park’s nine beaches, and right at the base of the popular Dune Succession Trail, making it a great place to cool off after making the trip to the top.

You’ll find fewer crowds at Kemil Beach, and getting there takes you on one of the park’s most scenic drives, which follows a winding forest-lined road. After visiting the sandy shores, hike the short (0.7-mile) Dune Ridge Trail, a wooded dune that offers views over the wetlands and forests to the south.

Further east, Central Avenue Beach is another quiet spot to enjoy nature. Come early or late in the day to see waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as bank swallows that nest in the dunes during spring and early summer.

Best time to visit

• Fewer crowds in the spring and the fall
• The middle of the week is best
• Don’t skip the winter
• May is for bird-watching

The park is open year-round, with camping available from April through October. The big crowds come from June through early September, though mid-week is much quieter. Swimming is always a chilly endeavor, though more bearable in July and August.

But don’t neglect the winter! It does get cold by the lake, but there is still so much to see, and everything else to see and places to eat are open.

If you are into birds, then go in May. There’s a whole Indiana Dunes Birding Festival every May that you won’t want to miss.

Getting there

• Drive on in
• Fly as close as possible
• The train is the most fun

The national park is a short hop from Chicago (40 miles northwest) and lies between the towns of Gary and Michigan City. While most visitors come by car, it’s easy to reach the dunes by train. From Chicago, the South Shore Line has four stops in the park: Miller, Ogden Dunes, Dune Park, and Beverly Shores.

What to pack

You might think with all of that walking that you’ll need to bust out the hiking boots . Well, you might want to. But the majority of the trails will really only need your favorite pair of sneakers. The main thing is that the weather there never gets it together, so it’s best to wear a few layers just in case. You are by the water, after all.

The Midwest has its gems, and the Indiana Dunes National Park is definitely one of them. While suggesting a trip to The Region might make some people tilt their heads, once they’ve seen the beauty that the Dunes has to offer, they’ll understand.

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Yellowstone National Park Ledain via Pixabay / Pixabay

Yellowstone National Park, renowned for its breathtaking scenery and geothermal wonders, attracts millions of visitors each year. However, this influx of tourists comes with a significant environmental cost. According to a recent study published by PLOS, tourism to Yellowstone generates nearly 2.3 billion pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually, which is a staggering figure that not many people take into account when visiting the sights. The dark side of visiting national parks

Of all the challenging long-distance thru-hikes in the U.S., few are as difficult as the John Muir Trail. Though hiking trails such as the Pacific Crest Trail or the Appalachian Trail are just as beautiful, the John Muir Trail spans 211 miles through California's Sierra Nevada mountains.

Those who undertake the trek will traverse nearly 80,000 feet in elevation change and discover alpine lakes and grassy fields among the high-altitude peaks. However, the hike offers few opportunities for resupply stops, which means most thru-hikers must be self-sufficient and self-supported. With proper planning and preparation, anyone can tackle the John Muir Trail (JMT). Hiking the John Muir Trail

When you’re out for an overnight hike in the wilderness, you need to be amply prepared for the experience. At a minimum, that means having a map for self-navigation, plus packing water, food, a good tent, and your best hiking boots — you get the picture. You’ll also want to make sure you pack things properly so you don’t create an overly cumbersome pack, which can lead to a miserable slog along the way, or worse, injury and strain that can bring your planned outdoor adventures to a sudden end.

Learning how to properly pack a camping backpack is just as important as what you put in it. Learning how to pack a tent inside a backpack will allow you to focus on the things that really matter, like spotting wildlife along the way, not tripping over tree roots, and keeping your Instagram stories fresh with new videos from the backcountry. Here's the low-down on how to pack a tent in a backpack like a pro in six easy steps. How to pack a tent in a backpack (internal frame)

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Indiana Dunes Visitor Guides

A little planning can go a long way. That’s why we have a selection of free digital and printed guides to help you navigate your next Indiana Dunes getaway.

Digital Guides

Printed guides, tales from the dunes, top things to do this fall in the indiana dunes.

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Things to Do with Kids in the Indiana Dunes

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Dunes 101: Things You Didn't Know about the Indiana Dunes

Separate passes are needed for the Indiana Dunes National and State Parks. For more information, visit the Indiana Dunes Entrance Fees page.

There's more to the Indiana Dunes than warm sand, blue water, and miles of hiking trails. For example, as of 2021, it's the fifth most biodiverse national park in the United States, right behind Yosemite! The Indiana Dunes' environment, ecology, and history are really what make it a special place.

Birthplace of ecology

The Indiana Dunes are known as the birthplace of the science of ecology—that's the study of organisms and how they relate to one another and their physical surroundings. Henry Chandler Cowles, a professor from the University of Chicago, studied ecological succession in the Indiana Dunes which led to efforts to preserve the habitats.

Unexpected plants

This whole area may look like a desert, but it is freezing and snow-covered for several months out of the year. Not exactly the ideal place for a cactus—or is it? The prickly pear cactus thrives because of the dunes' desert-like sand. For cacti to thrive, they need well-drained sand and lots of sun. We have plenty of both here at the dunes. We also have more varieties of orchids than all of Hawaii!

Another little-known fact is that the Indiana Dunes are full of unique carnivorous plants! Have you heard of a narrow-leaved sundew or a purple pitcher plant? Like the well-known venus fly-trap, these are killer plants that feed on small insects thanks to their clever adaptations. These little meat-eaters can be found at Pinhook Bog.

Conservation efforts

Environmentalist groups and individuals fought to establish the State Park and National Park. The movement began in 1899! The State of Indiana petitioned for ten years before the State Park opened to the public in 1926. After a decades-long battle, Congress established both the Port of Indiana and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. It took until 2019 for the lakeshore to officially become the Indiana Dunes National Park. 

Singing Sands

Dunes, of course, are made of sand, but what is sand made out of? The sand itself is mostly made out of quartz and silica left behind by glaciers. Its composition creates an interesting sound when you walk on it, which is why we call it "singing sands." There are only a few other places in the world that have singing sands, like Dubai and Japan.

Types of dunes

There are two types of dunes: foredunes and blowout dunes. Foredunes are close to the beach and covered in vegetation like marram grass. This makes for a more stabilized dune and allows even more plant life to thrive. Blowout dunes are caused by intense winds that rip the dunes apart. The loose sand makes a "living dune," that can move up to several feet every year! Blowout dunes can sometimes be the result of unapproved trails, or social trails, which gradually turn into bigger and bigger areas of sand. So, please check your map to make sure you are on approved trails only!

Tree graveyards

Old pieces of driftwood and fallen trees make up what the locals call "tree graveyards." Their dried, gray wood looks kind of spooky, but they're pretty cool!

Do you know what saltation means? It's the movement of sand by turbulent air and water flow, and it happens all along our beaches. The sand piles up and eventually forms larger dunes, like Mt. Tom, the tallest dune in the area at 192 feet.

Six-lined race runners dart across the sand at up to 18 miles per hour—that's almost as fast as an Olympic sprinter! Also native to the area is the gorgeous red fox. They have ears so sensitive that they can hear a mouse scratching a leaf 150 feet away. On top of that, more than 370 species of birds live or migrate through the dunes every single year. At certain times of the year, this is one of the best birding destinations in the nation. There is even a species of frog that has learned to preserve heat in its cells to make it through the frozen winters! But probably the most hard-working animal in the dunes is the dune beaver. We see them working on their dams every hour between dusk and dawn.

Something special

The French Polygala is something special. It only grows on the northern slope of one specific dune, and nowhere else in Indiana. Its common name is Gaywing because it almost looks like it could take flight! Because it's an endangered species, we keep its exact location secret.

These are just a few of the fun facts about the Indiana Dunes. If you spot a ranger while exploring the dunes, don't be afraid to ask a question! There are many more fascinating facts to learn. You can also stop by the State Park's Nature Center or the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center to speak with a ranger.

For more tips and planning tools, get a copy of our Activities Guide at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center or online here . And don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel so you can get the most out of our Dunes 101 video series!

Michelle Senderhauf

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Alert: Park phones are not working. Including emergency contact number, 1-800-727-5847 (PARK TIP).

Indiana dunes.

Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails lead through shifting sand dunes, quiet woodlands, sunny prairies and lush wetlands. Known for its striking plant and bird diversity, it's easy to find inspiration throughout the park’s 15,000 acres.

• Sunday:   6:00AM - 11:00PM
• Monday:   6:00AM - 11:00PM
• Tuesday:   6:00AM - 11:00PM
• Wednesday:   6:00AM - 11:00PM
• Thursday:   6:00AM - 11:00PM
• Friday:   6:00AM - 11:00PM
• Saturday:   6:00AM - 11:00PM

Fees & Passes

7-Day Park Entrance Fee - Motorcycle Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase)

7-Day Park Entrance Fee - Family-Size Vehicle Per private family-sized vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase).

7-Day Per Person Entrance Fee (Organized, non-commercial groups) Visitors 16 years of age or older who enter on foot, bicycle, boat, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

Entry for commercial sedans with 6 or less people. Cost is $25.00 plus $15 per person (not to exceed next highest rate).

Commercial Tour Fee - Van (7-15 persons) - $40.00 Entry for commercial vans with 7-15 people.

Commercial Tour Fee - Mini Bus (16-25 persons) - $40.00 Entry for commercial mini bus with 16-25 people.

Commercial Tour Fee - Motor Coach (26+ persons) - $100.00 Entry for commercial motor coaches with 26+ persons.

Things To Do

1966 Hiking Challenge

Description.

The 1966 Hiking Challenge is comprised of 19 hikes that cover 66 miles of trail in the park, celebrating the park’s founding in 1966. We will offer 19 weekly ranger led hikes every Saturday at 8:00 am starting on May 11 and culminating at the Outdoor Adventure Festival on September 14.

Indiana Dunes National Park has an entrance fee of $25 per car for a 1–7-day pass. A national park annual pass is also available for $45. For more information, visit our Fees & Passes page.

Paddling Lake Michigan and Waterways at Indiana Dunes

Kayaking is increasingly popular on Lake Michigan since the inception of the Lake Michigan Water Trail and in area waterways like the Little Calumet River and Burns Waterway. Try a new challenge by kayaking or canoeing the Little Calumet River Water Trail: East Branch.

See our Fees and Passes page for more details.

Swimming at Indiana Dunes West Beach

Fifteen miles of sandy beach along the southern shore of Lake Michigan offer a wide variety of recreational activities. Whether it's enjoying a summer sunset stroll or marveling at the arctic beauty of Lake Michigan's shelf ice, you can enjoy the beach in all seasons.

7-Day Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle Pass - $20.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase) 7-Day Park Entrance Pass - Family-Size Vehicle Pass - $25.00 Per private family-sized vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase). 7-Day Per Person Entrance Pass (Organized, non-commercial groups) - $15.00 Visitors 16 years of age or older who enter on foot, bicycle, boat, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour. Commercial Tour Fee - Sedan (1-6 persons) - $25.00 Entry for commercial sedans with 6 or less people. Cost is $25.00 plus $15 per person (not to exceed next highest rate). Commercial Tour Fee - Van (7-15 persons) - $40.00 Entry for commercial vans with 7-15 people. Commercial Tour Fee - Mini Bus (16-25 persons) - $40.00 Entry for commercial mini bus with 16-25 people. Commercial Tour Fee - Motor Coach (26+ persons) - $100.00 Entry for commercial motor coaches with 26+ persons. For the most current information on our fee program, see our Fees and Passes page. 

Horseback Riding at Indiana Dunes

Enjoy an equestrian ride through ancient dune formations on the Glenwood Dunes Trails system. These trails are the only horseback trails and you must bring your own horse. The trail is host to almost 15 miles of interconnected loops. Be sure to bring a map as there are 13 junctions interconnecting the loops.

See our Fees and Passes page for more details.

Become an Indiana Dunes Junior Ranger

Indiana Dunes National Park has a lot to explore, both in the park and online. Check out this page for fun things to do to explore the park virtually. Become a Junior Ranger Today!

One Hour Excursions

Whether you have an hour, a half day, or a full day, the beaches, dunes, and trails of the Indiana Dunes offer relaxation, inspiration, and fun adventures.

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Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guide for Indiana Dunes National Park Beaches - Indiana Dunes Beaches Purple Travel Guide

You may be hearing of Indiana Dunes National Park for the very first time, but hundreds of thousands of people know and love this park. Its proximity to Chicago makes it a popular summer weekend getaway for people from the windy city. This Indiana Dunes Beaches Purple Travel Guide explains the best things to see and do for a relaxing vaction in Indiana Dunes National Park.

While there are many beaches in Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park, parking is limited. While the beach is free for everyone, accessing the beach can be a headache as much of beachfront is private property and most local communities do not allow on-street parking. Having said all that, if you come in summer, and especially on a summer weekend, come early! "Early" means before 10am. If you come at 9am, chances are that you will find some free on-street parking. After these spots fill up, you will need to park at the paid parking lots. We visited over the 4th of July weekend and found that after 11am many parking lots were full and, because of that, entire beach access roads were closed. Where some parking was still available, there was a more than 1h backlog to get to the respective parking lots.

When you decide on which beach you want to visit, keep in mind that all beaches are basically sections of the same many miles long sandy shoreline and thus, all beaches are quite similar.

Here is a list of beaches of Indiana Dunes National Park.

WEST BEACH IN INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK

* find the map and more in our free travel guide *

West Beach is the most popular beach in Indiana Dunes National Park . The reasons for this are easily understood: parking is only $6 per vehicle per day, there is ample parking, the park building has restrooms, showers and a concession stand, there are beach guards and there are different hiking trails. Because of the large parking lots, this beach gets busy in summer, but if you don't mind walking a bit from the beach access to the left or right, you will escape some of the noise and get to more serene parts of the beach.

Facilities and amenities:

Parking lot: paved; 600 spots for cars and 20 for buses and RVs

Potable water

Concession stand

Covered picnic shelters: 8 near the parking lot; wheelchair accessible; 6 month advance reservation required (www.recreation.gov)

Life guards on duty: Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day

Access to West Beach Trails

Back to Beaches Overview

Our Indiana Dunes Travel Guide has detailed information about the individual destinations, links to their locations in google maps, reviews and websites (if available). Please see the Backpack and Snorkel Travel Store for more information.

Marquette park in indiana dunes national park.

If all parking lots for the beaches in the area are full, don't worry. Marquette Park will likely still have space for you. This park has some roadside parking and paid parking at $10 per day per vehicle at the time of writing. If you want to kayak, you can either do this in the lagoon or in Lake Michigan. Unlike in some other states, we did not need to have life vests and kayakers and swimmers had to share the same area. Due to speed boat activity, swimming and kayaking is only allowed within the first 200ft (50-60m) from the beach. This distance is strictly enforced by the life guards. Unfortunately, even at 200ft out, the water is only waist deep, which will likely put a big damper on any swimming activity for adults.

Paved parking lots: $10 per day

Concession stands

CENTRAL (AVENUE) BEACH IN INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK

Located west of Mount Baldy Beach . This beach is close to Michigan City and sees traffic from its residents.

Parking lot: 68 paved spots for cars

No life guards on duty

DUNBAR BEACH IN INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK

Located right between Kemil Beach and Lake View Beach , but served by a different parking lot.

Parking lots: 24 paved spots for cars

INDIANA DUNES STATE PARK BEACH

Please be advised that Indiana Dunes State Park is much older than Indiana Dunes National Park and both parks are operated by different entities and have different fee systems that are completely independent of each other. Besides access to the beach and large parking lots, Indiana Dunes State Park has 16 miles of hiking trails. The beach gets busy during summer due to the large parking lots.

Admission is $7 per vehicle with Indiana license plate and $12 for other non-commercial vehicles.

Paved parking lots: $10 per day (weekdays), $12 per day (weekends)

Concession stands during summer

Life guards on duty between Memorial and Labor Day weekends in one small area

140 camp sites

KEMIL BEACH IN INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK

This beach is just a few feet from the closest parking lot. Parking here is extremely limited and you may see some people walking long distances to get to the beach. It seems to me that the sand here is a bit whiter than on several other beaches.

Parking lot: 96 paved spots for cars

Access to Dune Ridge Trail

LAKE VIEW BEACH IN INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK

Lake View Beach has on-street parking in front of the entrance. It is known for good views of Lake Michigan. Stairs are leading down to the beach.

Parking lots: 25 paved spots for cars

Covered picnic shelters: no reservations - first come first serve

MILLER WOODS BEACH AND LAKE STREET BEACH IN INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK

Lake Street Beach sees locals from Gary, IN due to its proximity to town. Miller Woods beach can be accessed either through Lake Street Beach or through the 3.4 mile Paul H. Douglas Trail and is therefore often deserted.

MOUNT BALDY BEACH IN INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK

Located east of Central Beach and right in front of the Mount Baldy sand dune. The dunes are closed to visitors and dangerous – access only permitted via guided ranger-led tours. This is the closest beach to Michigan City and popular with locals.

Parking lot: 89 paved spots for cars, 3 for buses and RVs

OGDEN DUNES BEACH IN INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK

This beach is not very busy due to limited parking in this area. Some of the beach has been eroded away and was replaced by a beach wall. Ogden Dunes Beach can be reached by walking east on the beach from West Beach .

Limited off-street parking; TripAdvisor reviewers suggest to go to the corner of Diana and Sunset and park off the road; otherwise you may be ticketed or towed

PORTER BEACH IN INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK

This beach is located close to the 1933 World Expo homes. To access it from the street level, you will need to walk down the dune to Lake Michigan. Parking here is extremely limited and you may see some people walking long distances to get to the beach. There is a privately operated parking lot close to the beach where they tried to charge us $30 per vehicle per day. There is no on-street parking anywhere near the beach. My impression is that the sand here is a bit whiter than on many other beaches.

Parking lots: two lots – one is paved the other is gravel; 65 spots for cars

WELLS STREET BEACH IN INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK

This beach is privately operated. From here it is an easy walk east on the beach to West Beach .

Paved parking lot: $10 per day (weekdays), $12 per day (weekends)

Which part of Indiana Dunes National Park do you want to visit next?

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Indiana Dunes Beaches You Should Visit

Table of Contents

This post is going to be a travel guide covering Indiana Dunes beaches you should visit! In case you’re unfamiliar, Indiana Dunes is a national park located in the northwestern part of Indiana on Lake Michigan. It’s a 15 mile stretch of coastline, with Indiana Dunes beaches in both the state park and national park. This is a shorter blog post as there’s not a ton to do here, but this national park is gaining more popularity as a sought-out midwestern summer destination. I went here during a recent midwestern road trip after visiting Michigan and before visits to Chicago , Milwaukee , and Minneapolis . So, without further ado let’s hop into Indiana Dunes beaches you should visit!

Disclaimer: This blog post is sponsored by Tesalate , an Australian towel company. Tesalate reached out and was kind enough to send me one of their best-selling, sand-resistant beach towels in exchange for a feature on my blog. Keep reading to learn more about Tesalate, and as always — all opinions are my own!

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and book through any of these links, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for reading and supporting my little corner of the internet!

Background Information On Indiana Dunes

Before I go into detail about the Indiana Dunes beaches, I want to give some background on the area in general! As mentioned above, Indiana Dunes is located in northern Indiana on the very southern tip of Lake Michigan. The area stretches 15 miles from Michigan City, Indiana in the east to the Gary, Indiana area in the west. Aside from the multitude of sandy beaches here, there’s also rugged dunes to explore, tranquil wetlands, and a plethora of hiking trails (50 miles to be exact). With over 1,000 plant species, this 15,000 acre park is one of the most biologically rich in the USA.

Pro-tip: One of the best ways to explore the park is through this audio tour guide ! Learn more about the area’s wildlife, trails, and beaches.

In 1966, Congress authorized this area as Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. This helped bring new crowds of tourists to the beaches, making the dunes one of the most sought-after summer spots in the midwest. On February 15, 2019, Indiana Dunes became the nation’s 61st national park.

It’s a bit confusing but there’s actually a state park here within the national park. These state parks do not accept any national park passes, but instead charge per vehicle depending on whether you’re coming from out of state or not. The national park stretches along the coastline on either side of the state park. Just be aware of this when planning your trip!

Pro-tip: Plan on visiting more than one national park? Invest in the Annual America the Beautiful Parks Pass! It allows you to visit every park in the US an unlimited amount of times for a year.

How To Get To Indiana Dunes National Park

There are two ways to access the Indiana Dunes beaches. The first is by car. This is BY FAR the best option since there is 15 miles of coastline here. So that you have the most flexibility to explore the area and various beaches, I highly recommend driving here. You can rent a car from the surrounding area with DiscoverCars ! Coming from these midwestern cities…

• 123 miles (2 hour drive) from Grand Rapids to Indiana Dunes
• 40 miles (45 minute drive) from Chicago to Indiana Dunes
• 138 miles (2.5 hour drive) from Milwaukee to Indiana Dunes
• 153 miles (2.5 hour drive) from Indianapolis to Indiana Dunes

The second most direct way to access the Indiana Dunes beaches is by train. You can take the South Shore Line from Chicago into Indiana Dunes super easily! The train station you’ll want to use is Dune Park. Trains run regularly every hour or so and tickets only cost $9! This is what I did to continue on to 3 days in Chicago after spending the day in Indiana Dunes National Park.

Pro-tip: From the train station, the nearest beach is over a mile away. This walk isn’t the most enjoyable, so definitely bring a car if you have access to one!

Compared to some of the most popular national parks in the USA like Yellowstone and Yosemite, Indiana Dunes is much smaller. That’s why I’m only going to focus on the Indiana Dunes beaches here. As mentioned above, there are tons of hiking trails in the area, but I didn’t do this. I did visit a few beaches though! Lake Michigan has some of the bluest water I’ve ever seen, so definitely add this place to your list if you’re looking for a cool place to ~dip~ in the summer months!

Eight of the Indiana Dunes beaches can be found in the national park and one is the state park beach. This guide covers all of them from west to east, coming from the Chicago area. If you want to hear more background information on these areas, be sure to pre-download this audio guide !

• West Beach: The most popular beach in Indiana Dunes for swimming! As the name suggests, this beach is located on the west end of the park and has a lifeguard. Looking for an adventure? Climb up to 250+ stairs to the Dunes Succession Trail and walk along the mile-long boardwalk here.
• Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk: This area has an enclosed pavilion with food service and restrooms. There’s also a fishing pier, handicap-accessible trails, and a kayak launch here.
• Porter Beach: This beach is the closest to Dune Park station and also happens to be a part of the national park stretch! This place has massive dunes, perfect for exploring and bird watching. I also recommend this beach for young families as there’s a bathroom, foot wash area, and picnic tables.
• Indiana Dunes State Park: As the name suggests, this is the state park area and the one state park beach at Indiana Dunes. You will have to pay a fee to enter but this is where most people camp as there are campgrounds, showers, a snack bar, camp store, and nature center, along with over 2,000 acres of dunes, swamps, and marshes.
• Kemil Beach: One of the most scenic drives is right along this beach. Here you’ll also find the Lake View Picnic area, along with more restrooms.
• Dunbar Beach: Located in Beverly Shores, this area of the national park is quite residential. There are no lifeguards on duty here but there are historic homes and more picnic areas. Be aware of limited parking!
• Lake View Beach & Picnic Area:  The only area in the national park with picnic shelters overlooking the lake.
• Central Avenue Beach:  One of the best places for biking in the park. Here you’ll find most of the park’s forest, flower fields, and marshes.
• Mount Baldy & Beach:  This is the largest “living” dune in the park, meaning it moves up to 4 feet each year! The beach is open year-around, but the hike can only be done with rangers.

From this list, I recommend West Beach the most for tourists and families and the Porter Beach area out of convenience from the Dune Park station if you’re walking. The state park is also a wonderful option if you’re visiting from Indiana!

Tesalate Towels

Thank you to Tesalate for sponsoring today’s blog post! Tesalate is an Australian towel company specializing in compact, sand-free, absorbent towels! They offer a wide variety of designs and styles for both the beach and for working out. I chose the sand-free Bora Bora design in pink as my new go-to beach towel for the summer and it hasn’t disappointed. As a frequent traveler who’s always on the go, it’s important to me to have compact products that are easy to travel with. My towel came with a slip case that has a handle, making it super easy to travel with. It’s also fast-drying, meaning I can pack it up again right after a beach day! I highly recommend checking out Tesalate if you’re in the market for a new beach or workout towel, and want to bring a piece of Aussie home with you.

Photo taken from the @tesalate Instagram

Hopefully this guide helps you plan a trip to the Indiana Dunes beaches, something you should definitely plan to do as a day trip this summer.

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If you visit the Indiana Dunes National Park I highly recommend taking in the early morning tranquility of a sunrise shoreline hike. Also if weather permits there are spectacular sunsets to behold as well

Great tip! Thanks so much for sharing! -Nicole

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'Too outside-y.' Read the most absurd 1-star reviews of Indiana state parks in time for summer

Yelp reviewer "Philip B." from Highland had "no idea" why they made Indiana's famous sand dunes into a national park . While other Yelp users expressed admiration for its breathtaking scenery and diverse wildlife, he remained unimpressed.

"Very underwhelming," he wrote in June 2022. "Don't waste your time. Unless you want to spend a vacation on the beach at Lake Michigan or climb sand dunes."

Gee, who would want to do that?

We get it. People are entitled to their opinions. If petting zoos had unicorns, online reviews would include comments like:

• "The rainbows coming out of the unicorn's magic horns aren't all that impressive."
• "None of the unicorns would pose for my Instagram photos."
• "Honestly, it's just a slightly less fat rhinoceros, 1 out of 5 stars, do not recommend."

Indiana Dunes State Park is one of 23 others managed by the  Indiana State Parks System , which handles an additional seven small satellite locations, eight reservoir properties, two state forest recreation areas and two off-road riding areas. These are places where generations of Hoosiers have marveled at Indiana's natural beauty.

Of course, not everyone is dazzled, as evidenced by the following 1-star reviews, edited for clarity and length, from people who looked at these same places and thought, "Meh."

Others are reading: 10 popular Indiana state parks and what to know before visiting

Indiana Dunes State Park: 'Too sandy'

Why people go : Indiana Dunes State Park in Porter County is a popular summer destination. Its glacial sands "pushed and pulled by time" can rise nearly 250 feet, offering spectacular views of Lake Michigan's blue waters and roaring surf. Nature enthusiasts can saunter through 2,200 acres of lush, primitive landscape teeming with hundreds of species of birds. And that's the state park. There's a national park next door with 50 miles of hiking trails spread across 15,000 acres.

What the reviews say overall : The dunes have garnered upwards of 17,000 reviews between Google and Yelp, most of which are favorable. The national and state parks have earned 4.6 and 4.7 out of 5 stars on Google, respectively.

All of which failed to impress these people.

The 1-star reviews :

• "The blue water is too wet and the golden sand is too hot. Don’t waste your time. The hiking trails are sandy and too outside-y." — Jennifer Ryan, March 2024.
• "No swimming allowed due to waves that weren't that big." — Brian Reynolds, 2022.
• "The flies were eating me alive." — Geogeann Coop, 2020.
• "Our neighbor was a lunatic. He fed marshmallows to raccoons and harassed us to take part in viewing his nonsense. He taunted our lack of food supply." — Sam C., June 2019.
• "Way too many idiots from Illinois there." — Scott Cronn, 2019.

How to get to the park anyway : Drive to 1600 N. 25 E, Chesterton, IN 46304 or visit the state park's official website at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Visitors to Indiana Dunes National Park can reach it via Interstate 94, the Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 80/90), U.S. Highways 12 and 20, Indiana State Road 49 and other state roads, according to park officials. The  Indiana Dunes Visitor Center  is located on Indiana State Road 49.

Turkey Run State Park: 'Not a single running turkey'

Why people go : Moss-covered rock formations, waterfalls and verdant greenery make for an enchanting hike at Turkey Run State Park . It sits about 30 minutes southwest of Crawfordsville. Among other amenities, there's a cabin commemorating Richard Lieber,  the father of Indiana's state park system. Midwest Living Magazine called Turkey Run one of " best places to hike " in the Midwest.

Overall : Turkey Run has earned 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google from upwards of 6,700 reviews.

The 1-star review :

• "Been here about 10 times now...never seen a single running turkey. False advertising. The hiking trails were fun though." — Dimitris Valioulis, 2019.

How to get to the park : Drive to 8121 E. Park Road , in Marshall, Indiana.

Others are reading: Is this Indiana State Park in Marshall really the Midwest's best place for hiking?

Cecil M Harden Lake, Raccoon Lake State Recreation Area: You can't play your music (during quiet hours)

Why people go : Raccoon Lake State Recreation Area  is roughly one hour west of Indianapolis and nestled on Cecil M. Harden Lake. In addition to the park's forests and swimming areas, attendees can check out the historic  Mansfield Roller Mill , a flour mill from the 1880s.

Overall : The park has earned 4.6 out of 5 stars from more than 1,500 reviews on Google.

• "I'm giving it 1 star because I wish the tourists would stay away. Most don't know how to drive, which results in accidents." — xFatalPhenomx, 2020.
• "Worst camping site I have ever been to. You can't even play your music nor play corn hole after 11!" — Mikey Daugherty, 2017.

How to get to the park : Drive to 1588 S. Raccoon Parkway in Rockville, Indiana.

Scrub Hub: How are Indiana state park hiking trails designed?

McCormick's Creek State Park: The raccoons were doing what, now?

Why people go : McCormick's Creek  has the honor of being Indiana's  first state park.  About an hour away from Indianapolis outside of Bloomington, the park is known for its waterfalls, flowing creeks, limestone canyons and often hosts concerts at its amphitheater.

While the park has been closed since a deadly EF-3 tornado struck the area on March 31, 2023, crews have been busy making trails accessible again .

Overall : McCormick's Creek has upwards of 3,731 reviews on Google, most of which are favorable at 4.8 out of 5 stars. One lady's experience with raccoons, however, cost the park her 5-star rating.

• "The raccoons at this park are out of control. ...We were asleep and a raccoon tore a hole in my tent and was eating the bread beside us. There was another raccoon in our firepit and another getting into our cooler," wrote Stevie Meyer on Google in 2015. "We tried going back to bed only to have the raccoon get back into my tent right beside me, hiss at me and run back."

How to get to the park : Drive to 250 McCormick's Creek Park Road in Spencer, Indiana, but be aware that not all of its facilities have reopened to the public.

While the campground and some park trails remain closed, McCormick's Creek State Park's nature center, Canyon Inn, cabins, most shelters and some hiking trails are now open, according to DNR. The public pool is scheduled to reopen Friday, May 1, while the Saddle Barn will remain closed. 

Tippecanoe River State Park: For some, if the mosquitoes don't bug you the rednecks will

Why people go : Tippecanoe River State Park attracts canoers and kayakers who want to experience some of the best river scenery Indiana has to offer. The state park is a sanctuary for bird species and a stop on the Indiana Birding Trail . Guests to the park have spotted warblers, wild ducks and red-headed woodpeckers. In addition to 23 miles of trails — 9 hiking-only with 14 miles reserved for both hiking and horse trails — the park has a 90-foot fire tower offering visitors a surrounding view of the countryside.

Overall : The park has mostly favorable ratings on Google, earning 4.6 out of 5 stars from 974 reviews. On Tripadvisor, Tippecanoe River State Park had 42 reviews — 18 rated it "excellent," 15 called the park "very good" and seven people said it was "average." The remaining two thought the park was "terrible."

The harshest critiques both from Google and Tripadvisor cited mosquitoes and loud music.

• "The mosquitoes are like a biblical swarm." — Douglas McLanahan, May 2024.
• "The campground is crowded in the midst of all that Indiana farmland with lots of trees. Trees sound good until you try to back your camper in. All the ones around us had scrape marks. Then there were the rednecks and screaming kids. They did shut up around 10 p.m., but lots of noise until then." — Goff42, June 2017.
• "Beautiful area, but the air was swarming with mosquitoes and we had to pick ticks off our bodies and our dogs bodies for days." — Bill W. May 2014.

How to get to the park anyway : Drive to 4200 N US Hwy 35 in Winamac , Indiana.

Others are reading: Here's when every full moon shines in 2024

John Tufts covers trending news for the Indianapolis Star. Send him a news tip at  [email protected] .