Beaches

Indiana Dunes Beaches

Explore the Indiana Dunes’ beaches any time of year! In the summer, the sand is warm, the breeze is cool and Lake Michigan is sparkling and inviting. During the winter, the stark beauty of the lake and the shelf ice that forms on it will take your breath away. Spring breathes new life into the shoreline and the dunes, and in the fall, the stunning array of colors will astound you.

Notice from the National Park

In order to keep the beaches, trails, and restrooms safely open, visitors need to practice responsible recreation. To do that, the park has developed tips based on the guidelines outlined by the CDC and state public health officials.

• Wear a mask when you cannot stay six feet from other visitors. Face masks are expected at the beach, as crowds make it difficult to maintain this six-foot distance. 
• While on the beach, taking a few minutes to walk east or west of the beach access point allows you to have a more secluded beach experience.
• Consider the best time to visit: weekdays, early mornings and late afternoons are least crowded.
• When in doubt, take a hike or picnic instead.

Indiana Dunes State Park Beaches

The Indiana Dunes State Park provides three miles of enticing beaches.

• Open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• The park offers a swimming beach manned by lifeguards in the summer.
• A pavilion on the beach provides shelter, bathhouses, and a concession stand.
• The rest of the beach area is available for wildlife watching, beachcombing or kite flying.
• A variety of hiking trails are available, several of which traverse Mount Tom and offer a spectacular view of Lake Michigan.
• A nominal fee is charged to enter the park, which offers plenty of parking.

Photo credit: Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park Beaches

The Indiana Dunes National Park maintains an array of magnificent beaches, which are open year-round from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Parking and bathroom facilities are located near all of the beaches. At the National Park, lifeguards are only available at West Beach.

• West Beach - This popular beach was named one of the 10 Best Beaches for Families by Parents Magazine in 2011. Covered picnic shelters and grills make this southernmost tip of Lake Michigan a great spot for a picnic. Fishing is available at nearby Long Lake and the 2.5 miles of easy to moderate trails entice hikers. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, lifeguards are on duty and a small fee is charged for parking.
• Dunbar Beach - This beach, as well as Lake View, is located near the historic Century of Progress homes, which were built for the 1933 World’s Fair to showcase modern architectural design and new technology. This beautiful beach has limited parking.
  
  
   
• Kemil Beach - Traveling to Kemil Beach in Porter takes you on one of the most scenic drives in Porter County. Quiet and secluded, this little gem of a beach offers access to Dune Ridge Trail. 
• Porter Beach - Sharing its eastern border with the Indiana Dunes State Park, Porter Beach is a favorite with the locals. It’s a great place to enjoy some water sports or simply sit and relax. 
   
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• Mount Baldy - The beach is open at Mount Baldy, however, the dune at Mount Baldy remains closed for public safety and dune protection. The trail to the beach is about 1/2 mile long and somewhat strenuous. This is a very popular beach area and the parking lot fills up quickly. 
• Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk - This 57-acre site is jointly managed by the National Park Service and the City of Portage. The site has a narrow beach and features an enclosed pavilion with seasonal food service, restrooms, a handicapped-accessible trail, and a fishing pier. It’s also a great place to launch a kayak. 

More Beaches On Lake Michigan's South Shore

Hammond Lakefront Park has lifeguards during the summer as well as the bird sanctuary trail to hike along. 

There are a number of beaches in the City of Gary along Lake Michigan. Marquette Park is an exceptional lakefront park offering a gorgeous beach and spacious pavilion. Marquette Park features the historic Aquatorium, which houses a museum honoring Octave Chanute, the father of flight. At Wells Street Beach you can park steps from the beach for a nominal fee and enjoy food and drinks on the patio. Lake Street Beach offers plenty of parking, lifeguard, restrooms and boat launch.

The following beaches are closed until further notice as of 9/14/20:

• Whihala Beach
• Jeorse Park (due to erosion)
• Lake View (due to erosion)
• Central Ave. (due to erosion)
• Washington Park - Reopening 8/28/20, but ONLY for residents of LaPorte County, who possess a valid 2019 or 2020 beach sticker.
• Hammond Lakefront Beach
• Portage Lakefront (due to construction)
• Wells Street Beach

Plan Your Trip to the Dunes

• Hotels and cabins near the dunes
• 61 things to do at the Indiana Dunes
• Restaurants in the area