Beaches

There are miles of beautiful beaches in Northwest Indiana along the South Shore of Lake Michigan!

Delight in the warm sand and sparkling water of the beaches that are part of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and the Indiana Dunes State Park. Family-friendly West Beach is the southernmost tip of Lake Michigan. Lake View is the perfect place for a waterfront picnic and Kemil Beach is quiet and secluded. Dunbar, Central and Porter beaches are also part of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. The 3-mile-long beach at Indiana Dunes State Park is a family favorite along the South Shore.

Whihala Beach gives visitors a great view of the Chicago skyline and is just a short walk from downtown Whiting. Surfing is popular on this beach, as is kayaking, swimming, kite boarding and boating. Jet ski rentals are also available. Michigan City’s Washington Park features a beach, park and family-friendly zoo.

The newly refurbished Marquette Park in Gary and Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk (beach access temporarily closed) both exceptional lakefront parks offering gorgeous beaches and spacious pavilions. Marquette Park features the historic Aquatorium, which houses a museum honoring Octave Chanute, the father of flight. Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk, operated in partnership with the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, offers a fishing pier, 900-foot breakwater, seasonal snack bar and a glass-walled classroom/meeting space.

The beaches along the South Shore are perfect for swimming, sunning, boating, hiking and relaxing! Experience the beauty and diversity in Indiana that make up the area between Chicago, Illinois and New Buffalo, Michigan.

Safety note - Do not swim when Rip Current warnings are posted or in large crashing waves, which can cause rip currents. These strong currents rushing out into Lake Michigan can carry even the strongest swimmer with them. 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.