Indiana Dunes

National Park Notice: Whether you are vaccinated or not, masks are now required in all buildings within the Indiana Dunes National Park.

Enjoy a family camping trip, an ecological study or just a relaxing day at the beach. Stretching 25 miles east along the south shore of Lake Michigan, the Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park welcome nearly four million guests to their sandy beaches and beautiful trails each year.

Head to the beach and dip your toes in Lake Michigan. Walk or bike miles of trails. Hike along the sunny prairies, peaceful forests and towering sand dunes. The landscapes along the southern shores of Lake Michigan are some of the most biologically diverse in the nation. Keep your eyes open for the more than 350 bird species and hundreds of animal species that call the Indiana Dunes home. There are also more than 1,400 species of ferns and flowering plants that grow here.

Learn about more activities with our list of 61 Things to Do at the Indiana Dunes!

Indiana Dunes National Park

The Indiana Dunes National Park is comprised of more than 15,000 acres of dunes, oak savannas, swamps, bogs, marshes, prairies, rivers and forests, offering a wide variety of activities year-round.

Visitors can take advantage of beautiful beaches, unique hiking trails and the historic sites of Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm.

The national park is a beautiful spot for hiking, with 11 trails throughout the park of varying lengths and difficulty levels.

At the Indiana Dunes State Park, large sand dunes, located beyond the entire shoreline, have taken thousands of years to form, and tower nearly 200 feet above Lake Michigan.

Three miles of beach run along Lake Michigan’s southern shore. The park also offers 16.5 miles of trails, several that traverse Mount Tom. Enjoy everything the park has to offer with a stay at their campground.

There is a small fee for parking at the state park.

Beach Safety Warning: Although deadly rip currents can occur any time of year, they occur more days than not after August 1st in Lake Michigan. Do not swim in large crashing waves, which can cause rip currents or when rip current warnings are posted. These strong currents rushing out into Lake Michigan can carry even the strongest swimmer with them and cause a number of fatalities every year.

If you get caught in a rip current, do not try to swim against it. Instead, swim parallel to the shoreline until you are out of the current. Check for beach hazard warnings before you go - visit the National Weather Service website or view a map of swim risks on the Great Lakes here. Learn more on the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project site.

Indiana Dunes Things to Do

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61 Things to Do at the Indiana Dunes

The Indiana Dunes is a popular destination for almost four million visitors each year. Starting in Gary, Indiana and stretching 25 miles east along...

Events Calendar

Every season at Indiana Dunes National Park and the State Park is full of events. From Maple Sugar Time to tours of the old Bailly Homestead and...

Indiana Dunes Trails

The Indiana Dunes has an impressive trail system which can be used for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and horseback riding.

Century of Progress Homes

Originally built for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, these five historic Century of Progress Homes are part of the Indiana Dunes National Park....

Download Indiana Dunes Brochure

Download information in the Indiana Dunes including beaches, activities, history and more!

Shelf Ice in the Winter

Freezing temperatures bring with them the formation of shelf ice, a natural occurrence that mimics the landscape of arctic regions.

Fishing

Fishing opportunities abound at the Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park. Anglers will enjoy fishing along the shores of Lake...

Bird Watching at the Dunes

The wide variety of habitats - beaches, marshes, forests, wetlands and dunes - make the Indiana Dunes one of the best areas in the Midwest for...

Camping at the Dunes

Camping in the Indiana Dunes is a fantastic way to get away from it all. Visitors can enjoy Lake Michigan's magnificent beaches and the natural...

Climbing Dunes

The dunes along Lake Michigan's South Shore are the center of beautiful views and rich nature hikes at Indiana Dunes National Park.

Pinhook Bog

The Indiana Dunes National Park's amazing Pinhook Bog has been designated a National Natural Landmark. Pinhook Bog is about 580 acres; a quarter...

Beaches

The Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park offer 15 miles of beautiful sandy beaches. Whether you want to frolic in the waves,...

Horseback Riding

Bring your horse to the Indiana Dunes National Park and spend a relaxing day meandering through forested dune ridges, prairies and wetlands on the...

History of the Indiana Dunes

13,000 years ago, during the last Ice Age, glaciers retreated leaving behind the Great Lakes along with the ground, boulders, gravel and sand of the...

Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm

Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm, located in the Indiana Dunes National Park, provide a glimpse of Northwest Indiana's settlement history.

Last Minute Updates

For beach and park updates at the National Park, follow them on facebook.

You can also call 219-395-1003 to get recorded information on available parking at Indiana Dunes National Park beaches and the nearby Indiana Dunes State Park.

Request a Visitors Guide

Request More Information

Would you like more information about the South Shore and the Indiana Dunes? Use the links below to request a visitor's guide be mailed to you, download our Indiana Dunes brochure, join our e-newsletter list or sign up for text alerts.

• Mail me a Visitor's Guide

• Email me the South Shore Explorer Newsletter

• Download the Indiana Dunes Brochure

• Send me Text Alerts

Beach Hazard Alert