It offers hikers and bird watching enthusiasts enough opportunity to enjoy and explore. Whether it is the peaceful forests, meandering rivers, sunny prairies, mysterious wetlands, and rugged dunes, hiking trails are available everywhere.
This park hugs 15 miles (24.14 km) of Lake Michigan’s southern shore, offering stunning scenery and many things beyond your imagination. In addition to thousands of acres of adventure-filled wilderness, Indiana Dunes National Park enables you to witness tight-knit communities, 9,000 years of indigenous culture, and a home for European immigrants for hundreds of years.
Where is Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is located in the US state of Indiana’s northwestern region.
Places to Visit Nearbt
There are many attractions near Indiana Dunes National Park, including:
- Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm
- Washington Park
- Chesterton’s European Market
- Lighthouse & Pier
- Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve
- Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets
- Cowles Bog
- Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk
- Barker Mansion
- Washington Park Zoo
- Michigan City Beach and many more
The closest cities and towns to Indiana Dunes National Park are:
- Beverly Shores
- Porter
- Beverly Shores & Lakefront Communities
- Burns Harbor
- Chesterton
- Hebron
- Valparaiso
- Portage
- Kouts, and many more
Things to Do
- Beach-Going and Swimming
- West Beach
- Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Beach
- Porter Beach
- Kemil Beach
- Dunbar Beach
- Lake View Beach
- Central Avenue Beach
- Mount Baldy Beach
- Biking
- Bird Watching at Lake Michigan’s southern tip
- Explore biological diversity in the park
- Full-Day Expeditions
- Half-Day Adventures
- One Day Excursions
- Camping: 67 campsites
- Paddling Lake Michigan and Waterways at Indiana Dunes
- Fishing and Boating
- Fishing
- Sailing
- Powerboating
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Hiking
- Diana Dunes Dare
- Geocaching
- Traditional Geocaches
- EarthCaches
- Lab Caches
- Virtual Caches
- Historical Sites
- Bailly Homestead
- Chellberg Farm
- Good Fellow Youth Camp
- Armco-Ferro House
- Cypress Log Cabin
- Florida Tropical House
- House of Tomorrow
- Wiebolt-Rostone House
- Horseback Riding
- Interpretive Programs
- Picnicking
- Bailly Chellberg
- West Beach
- Glenwood Dunes.
- Lake View Beach.
- Mount Baldy.
- Tremont
- Winter Activities
- Hiking
- Cross-country skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Sledging
- Guided Tours
- More than 400 interpretive programs as well as ranger-led walks-talks
- Become an Indiana Dunes Junior Ranger
Hiking
Indiana Dunes National Park has 50 miles (80.5 km) of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails to enjoy.
Best Hiking Trails
-
Cowles Bog Trail
It is a moderately challenging loop trail near Indiana’s Dune Acres. Cowles Bog Trail is 4.3 miles (6.92 km) long, taking around two hours to complete. You can explore this beautiful-to-visit trail round the year, and it is best for trail running, snowshoeing, and hiking.
-
West Beach – Dune Succession Trail
West Beach – Dune Succession Trail is a loop trail near Indiana’s Portage. It is 1.1 miles (1.77 km) long, taking around 30 minutes to complete. The best time to visit this trail is April to October. It is best for walking, hiking, and other nature trips.
-
West Beach 3-Loop Trail
West Beach 3-Loop Trail is also a loop trail near Indiana’s Portage that is 3.5 miles (5.63 km) long, which will take you more than one and a half hours to complete. You can visit this beautiful trail any time of the year. It is best for nature trips and hiking.
-
Little Calumet River and Mnoke Prairie Trail
Little Calumet River and Mnoke Prairie Loop Trail near Indiana’s Chesterton have a moderately challenging route, 3.9 mi (6.28 km) long. It remains open all year round and is best for nature trips, trail running, and hiking. It will take you more than one and a half hours to complete.
-
Paul H. Douglas (Miller Woods) Trail
This is another popular hiking out and back trail near Indiana’s Gary. It is a moderately challenging route of 3.5 miles (5.63 km), taking around one and a half hours. You can visit this beautiful trail any time of the year.
All Hiking Trails
-
Hiking Trails
- Bailly Homestead, Chellberg Farm, Little Calumet River and Mnoké Prairie Trails
- Calumet Dunes Trail
- Cowles Bog Trail
- Dune Ridge Trail
- Glenwood Dunes Trails
- Great Marsh Trail
- Heron Rookery Trail
- Hobart Prairie Grove Trails
- Mount Baldy Beach Trail
- Paul H. Douglas Trail (Miller Woods)
- Pinhook Bog Trails
- Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Trail
- Tolleston Dunes Trail
- West Beach Trails
-
Horseback Riding
- Glenwood Dunes Trails
-
Biking Trail System
- Calumet Bike Trail
- Dunes Kankakee Bike Trail
- Porter Brickyard Bike Trail
- Prairie Duneland Bike Trail
- Marquette Bike Trail
- Oak Savannah Bike Trail
Facts
- The Indiana Dunes National Park is spread across 15,349 acres (23.98 sq mi or 62.12 sq km).
- It was established as:
- National Lakeshore on October 1, 1961.
- National Park on February 15, 2019.
- Two million two hundred ninety-three thousand one hundred six people visited Indiana Dunes National Park in 2020.
Best Time To Visit
The best times to visit the Indiana Dunes National Park for:
- Camping: April to October
- Big crowds: June to Early September
- Swimming: July and August
Visiting Hours
Indiana Dunes National Park remains open throughout the year.
Visiting hours are:
- All Park Hours:
- Sunday to Saturday: 6 am to 11 pm
- Park Entrance – West Beach
- Sunday to Saturday: 7 am to 9 pm
- Indiana Dunes Visitor Center (Dorothy Buell Visitor Center)
- Sunday to Saturday: 9 am to 4 pm
- Paul H. Douglas Center For Environmental Education
- Sunday to Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
Ticket Prices
-
Entrance Fees:
- 7-Day Park Entrance Pass (Motorcycle Pass – valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase): US$20
- 7-Day Park Entrance Pass (Family-Size Vehicle Pass – suitable for 1-7 days from date of purchase): US$25
- 7-Day Per Person Entrance Pass (Organized, non-commercial groups): US$15.00 (For those people who enter the park by boat, bicycle, feet, or with a non-commercial group)
- Commercial Tour Fee – Sedan (1-6 persons): US$25
- Entry for commercial sedans with six or fewer people: US$25 + US$15 per person (not to exceed the next highest rate)
- Commercial Tour Fee – Van (7-15 persons): US$40
- Commercial Tour Fee – Mini Bus (16-25 persons): US$40
- Commercial Tour Fee – Motor Coach (26+ persons): US$100
US National Parks Map
