We stopped at the Indiana Dunes National Park on our way home during our trip to the Grand Canyon.
Indiana Dunes National Park, located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, is a remarkable blend of diverse landscapes and ecosystems. Established as a national park in 2019, it spans over 15,000 acres and features over 15 miles of pristine shoreline, rolling dunes, wetlands, prairies, and forests. The park’s unique geography creates a habitat for various plant and animal species, making it a haven for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
One of the park’s key attractions is its towering dunes, some rising over 200 feet, offering breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding area. Indiana Dunes also boasts miles of hiking trails that range from strolls to challenging climbs, making it ideal for visitors of all abilities. Whether you’re interested in birdwatching, swimming, or simply enjoying the outdoors, Indiana Dunes National Park offers a natural escape just an hour from Chicago.
Indiana Dunes N.P. Location
The National Park spans three counties and fifteen cities. Therefore, you can take a few different routes to reach Indiana Dunes National Park. Interstate 94, the Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 80/90), U.S. Highways 12 and 20, Indiana State Road 49, and other state roads will get you to the Park.
The Visitor Center is located on Indiana State Road 49. From Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 80/90), take exit 31 north. From Interstate 94, take exit 26 north.
In addition, highway 12 will give you access to the majority of the national park’s facilities
Things to Do at Indiana Dunes National Park
Start at the Visitor Center
We always recommend starting at the Visitor Center. Here, you can pick up the official national park map and guide. In addition, there are uniformed Park Rangers that can answer your questions. You can also stamp your Passport and get the Junior Ranger guidebook.
The Indiana Dunes visitor center has plenty of parking for cars, buses, and, thankfully, RVs. There are great displays about Indiana Dunes National Park, Porter County. You can enjoy two short orientation videos to learn all bout the Park and surrounding area.
Since this national park covers many areas, we highly recommend starting here.
Visit the Center for Environmental Education
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is a great stop if you are looking to go hiking. It is also a great place to learn about the surrounding environment.
The Center will bring you to a great hiking trail. This trial has many options for short or longer hikes through the oak savanna, wetlands, and dune and swale habitats.
The center will connect you to the surrounding natural environment through educational hands-on exhibits, ranger-guided hikes, lectures, live animals, and nature-based arts and crafts.
Explore the Beaches | Go for a Swim
As mentioned, this was an unplanned stop for us. However, we did find time to swim in Lake Michigan. Fortunately, there are several beaches to choose from.
We will say that Western Beach is undoubtedly a great place to start. It has the largest parking lot of any of the national park beaches. There is also a bathhouse with a concession stand and outdoor picnic tables.
Below, you will find information on the different beaches to help you decide.
Regardless of which beach you choose, you won’t be disappointed
West Beach | Indiana Dunes National Park
- Fee: $6 per vehicle/$30 per bus
- Lifeguards: yes, from Memorial Day to Labor Day
- Pet-Friendly: Leashed pets are allowed on the trails, not the swimming beach. Pets may walk through the swimming beach area to get to trails but cannot remain on the beach.
Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk | Indiana Dunes National Park
- Fee: None.
- Lifeguards: None. Swim at your own risk. Be sure to check the weather and water conditions before swimming.
- Pet-Friendly: Leashed pets are allowed.
- Parking: 125 parking spaces.
Porter Beach | Indiana Dunes National Park
- Fee: None.
- Lifeguards: None. Swim at your own risk. Be sure to check the weather and water conditions before swimming.
- Pet-Friendly: Leashed pets are allowed.
- Parking: A small lot with 66 parking spaces and restrooms.
Indiana Dunes State Park Beach
- Fee: $7 for in-state plates/$12 for out-of-state plates
- Lifeguards: yes, from Memorial Day to mid-August
- Pet-Friendly: Leashed pets are allowed everywhere except for the swimming beach in the state park.
- Parking: 1800 spaces. The main lot and west lot are right on the beach.
Go For a Hike
Hiking is also a great way to explore Indiana Dunes National Park.
The park offers more than 50 miles of trails. Included below are a few of the featured trails throughout the Park.
Paul H. Douglas Trail | Located at the Education Center
- Featured hike: Moderate, 3.4 miles in length, hike time of 2 hours.
- This hike through Miller Woods winds through several habitats, including wetlands, a globally rare black oak savanna, open dunes, and a beach. The views of the lake and the dunes are incredible.
Calumet Dunes Trail
- Featured hike: Easy, 0.5 miles long, hike time of 20 minutes.
- This short hike on a paved trail features the Calumet Dunes ridge, the shoreline of Lake Michigan over 12,000 years ago.
Cowles Bog Trail
- Featured hike: Moderate to rugged, 4.7 miles in length, hike time of 4 hours.
- This hike highlights an area of such outstanding plant diversity that it was designated a National Natural Landmark. Explore several habitats, including ponds, marshes, swamps, black oak savannas, and beaches.
Glenwood Dunes Trails
- Featured hike: Moderate, 6.8 miles in length, hike time of 4 hours.
- This extensive trail system features interconnected loops in mature woods ranging from less than a mile to nearly 15 miles and is popular with hikers, runners, horseback riders, and cross-country skiers.
Camping at Indiana Dunes National Park
The National Park offers one campground for visitors.
The Dunewood Campground is a small campground with 66 campsites.
It comprises two loops containing 53 conventional drive-in sites and 13 walk/carry-in sites.
There are no hookups in the Dunewood Campground for those traveling in an Rv.
Reservations can be made at Recreation.Gov
We would love to add a review. Unfortunately, we did not stay at this particular campground. When we made the original reservations, we had not heard of Indiana Dunes and had stayed at a private campground. Unfortunately, the campground we did stay at has been sold and is no longer available.
Our Experience at Indiana Dunes National Park
Our experience at Indiana Dunes National Park was a mix of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. The park’s diverse landscapes made every moment unique, from walking along the sandy shores of Lake Michigan to exploring the towering dunes that define the area. We were especially captivated by the Dune Succession Trail, which provided breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding ecosystems.
Hiking through the park offered a refreshing variety, with forested paths, open prairies, and wetland areas teeming with wildlife. The beach was a perfect relaxing spot, and we enjoyed a peaceful picnic while taking in the scenic shoreline. Despite its proximity to the city, the park felt like a quiet retreat where we could fully immerse ourselves in nature.
Indiana Dunes National Park is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking both relaxation and adventure, with its beautiful blend of landscapes and opportunities for outdoor activities.
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