Indiana Dunes National Park
Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails lead through shifting sand dunes, quiet woodlands, sunny prairies and lush wetlands. Known for its striking plant and bird diversity, it's easy to find inspiration throughout the park’s 16,000 acres.
About under an hour from Chicago by car.
Alerts
- ClosurePartial Trail Closures on Bailly / Chellberg Trail
Portions of Bailly / Chellberg Trail (with stairs) will be closed through October (10/30/26), to allow completion of boardwalk replacement project.
- ClosurePartial Trail Closure - Dunewood Trace
Partially open. Persistent flooding west of the campground currently limits access to the entire trail. Hikers may not always be able to traverse the full length.
- ClosureClosure - Hobart Woodland Trail
Closed. The Woodland Trail is closed indefinitely, and no reopening date is available. However, the paved Oak Savannah Trail remains open.
- ClosurePartial Closure - Upland Trail
The middle boardwalk was lost due to a tree strike, making the full loop inaccessible. At this time, there is no timeline for replacement.
- ClosureClosure - Heron Rookery Trail
Closed. The trail is undergoing tree removal and rerouting due to riverbank collapse. It is expected to reopen in the fall, after mosquito activity decreases.
- ClosureNPS ↗Partial Closures to Little Calumet River Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail
Marquette Greenway construction will require closing sections of the Glenwood Dunes Trail (April–December 2026) and Little Calumet River / Mnoké Prairie Trail (May–December 2026). Closure dates may shift as work progresses. Please follow all posted closures and check the park website or NPS App for updates.
- CautionNPS ↗Water Safety Alert
After recent storms, E. coli levels are likely to reach above safe swimming standards. Entering the water after heavy rainfall is never recommended. Know before you go and always check our Beach Safety page before heading to park beaches.
- CautionPartial Trail Closure at Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk
Closed portion of Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Trail along Burns Waterway due to unsafe conditions from erosional damage. This trail portion will remain closed while funding is sought for repair work. Pier access remains open on either side of closure.
- InformationNPS ↗Other Park Conditions and Updates
For more information on storm related repairs and other park conditions like beach and hiking safety visit our park status page.
Fees & passes
| Type | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| MotorcycleValid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. | $20 | |
| Private Vehicle7-Day Park Entrance Fee - Family-Size Vehicle Per private family-sized vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase). | $25 | |
| Per Person7-Day Per Person Entrance Fee (Organized, non-commercial groups) Visitors 16 years of age or older who enter on foot, bicycle, boat, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour. | $15 | |
| Commercial tours · by vehicle capacity | ||
| SedanEntry for commercial sedans with 6 or less people. Cost is $25.00 plus $15 per person (not to exceed next highest rate). | $25 | |
| VanCommercial Tour Fee - Van (7-15 persons) - $40.00 Entry for commercial vans with 7-15 people. | $40 | |
| Mini-busCommercial Tour Fee - Mini Bus (16-25 persons) - $40.00 Entry for commercial mini bus with 16-25 people. | $40 | |
| Motor CoachCommercial Tour Fee - Motor Coach (26+ persons) - $100.00 Entry for commercial motor coaches with 26+ persons. | $100 | |
| Passes | ||
| Annual Entrance - ParkIndiana Dunes National Park Annual Pass This pass provides entry for the pass owner(s) and passengers in a family-sized vehicle. This pass only works at the Indiana Dunes National Park and is not accepted at the Indiana Dunes State Park. Passes can be purchased from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, seasonally at the West Beach kiosk, or online at recreation.gov. | $45 | |
Indiana Dunes is home to both a national park and a state park. Both are incredible parks that offer countless recreation opportunities. However, Indiana Dunes National Park is owned by the federal government and Indiana Dunes State Park is owned by the State of Indiana. As such, each park has fees and passes that are separate and unique. None of the passes and fees work between the two parks.
Hours
| Indiana Dunes National Park general areas | Daily · 6:00AM - 11:00PM |
| West Beach | Daily · 6:00AM - 9:00PM |
When to go
July draws the most visits here and January the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Campgrounds
| Dunewood Campground | 67 sites | |
| $25 a night · Open April 1 through October 31. | ||
| Dunbar Group Site | 1 site | |
| $100 a night · Open April 1 through October 31. · 1 reservable | ||
| Central Avenue Walk-in Sites | 5 sites | |
| $25 a night | ||
Every campground here has its own page on Campsite Atlas, with site counts, hookups, rig limits and booking windows. All of them on one page → How park camping works
Visitor centers
- Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center (Indiana Dunes Visitor Center) ↗Passport stamp
View lobby displays and pick up brochures about Porter County, Indiana, Dunes State Park, and Indiana Dunes National Park. Enjoy educational displays and watch two short orientation videos. Shop in the Eastern National bookstore.
- Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education ↗Passport stamp
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is your gateway to the stunning Paul H. Douglas Trail through Miller Woods. This facility connects you to the natural environment through educational hands-on exhibits, ranger-guided hikes, lectures, animals, crafts, and a Nature Play Zone.
Explore
Things to do
- 1966 Hiking Challenge1-5 Hours
The 1966 Hiking Challenge is comprised of 19 hikes that cover 66 miles of trail in the park, celebrating the park’s founding in 1966.
Opens on the Park Service site - Diana Dunes Dare40-100 Minutes
What is the Diana Dunes Dare? It is a hiking challenge! It is a ghost story re-told! We are daring you to be like dune advocate Alice Mabel Gray, also known as Diana of the Dunes.
Opens on the Park Service site - One Hour Excursions1-4 Hours
Whether you have an hour, a half day, or a full day, the beaches, dunes, and trails of the Indiana Dunes offer relaxation, inspiration, and fun adventures.
Opens on the Park Service site - Half Day Adventures2-8 Hours
Whether you have an hour, a half day, or a full day, the beaches, dunes, and trails of Indiana Dunes offer relaxation, inspiration, and fun adventures. This list highlights some of the must-see sights in the park.
Opens on the Park Service site - Full Day Expeditions6-24 Hours
Whether you have an hour, a half day, or a full day, the beaches, dunes, and trails of Indiana Dunes offer relaxation, inspiration, and fun adventures. This list highlights some of the must-see sights in the park.
Opens on the Park Service site - Paddling Lake Michigan and Waterways at Indiana Dunes
Kayaking is increasingly popular on Lake Michigan since the inception of the Lake Michigan Water Trail and in area waterways like the Little Calumet River and Burns Waterway.
Opens on the Park Service site
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- Swimming at Indiana Dunes West Beach1-3 Hours
Fifteen miles of sandy beach along the southern shore of Lake Michigan offer a wide variety of recreational activities. Whether it's enjoying a summer sunset stroll or marveling at the arctic beauty of Lake Michigan's shelf ice, you can enjoy the…
Opens on the Park Service site - Horseback Riding at Indiana Dunes
Enjoy an equestrian ride through ancient dune formations on the Glenwood Dunes Trails system. These trails are the only horseback trails and you must bring your own horse. The trail is host to almost 15 miles of interconnected loops.
Opens on the Park Service site - Become an Indiana Dunes Junior Ranger30 Minutes
Indiana Dunes National Park has a lot to explore, both in the park and online. Check out this page for fun things to do to explore the park virtually. Become a Junior Ranger Today!
Opens on the Park Service site - Explore Biological Diversity in the Park
The park is comprised of over 15,000 acres of dunes, oak savannas, swamps, bogs, marshes, prairies, rivers, and forests. It contains 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline spanning the distance from Gary to Michigan City.
Opens on the Park Service site - Hiking Indiana Dunes
Indiana Dunes is home to one of the most biologically diverse habitats in the nation. Hiking is a great way to explore these fascinating landscape.
Opens on the Park Service site - Birding at Indiana Dunes National Park
Located at the southern tip of Lake Michigan, the national park is an important feeding and resting area for migrating birds. Lake Michigan influences the migration patterns of bird species.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Events
- 09:00 AM · runs through Oct 31 · freePaul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education, 100 North Lake Street, Gary, IN 46403 (WEEKENDS ONLY)
- 09:00 AM · runs through Oct 31 · freeIndiana Dunes Visitor Center, 1215 IN-49, Porter, IN 46304
- 09:30 AM · runs through Oct 31 · freeIndoor theater at the Paul H. Douglas Center, 100 North Lake Street, Gary, IN 46403
- 09:00 AM · runs through Oct 31 · freeIndoor theater at Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, 1215 IN-49, Porter, IN 46304
- 09:30 AM · runs through Oct 31 · freePaul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education, 100 North Lake Street, Gary, IN 46403
- 07:30 PM · runs through Dec 18 · freeThe Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is located on Indiana State Road 49, between U.S. Highway 20 and Interstate 94 (1215 IN-49…
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- Miller Woods Hike10/1701:00 PM · freePaul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education, 100 North Lake Street, Gary, IN 46403
- Chellberg Farm Open House10/1701:00 PM · runs through Oct 31The Bailly Homestead / Chellberg Farm parking lot is located at 618 N Mineral Springs Rd, Porter, IN 46304.
- Chellberg Farm Care10/1709:00 AM · freeBailly Homestead / Chellberg Farm, 618 N Mineral Springs Rd, Porter, IN 46304
- 01:00 PM · runs through Oct 25Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farmhouse
News
- Indiana Dunes National Park Waives Miller Woods Trails Entrance Fees ↗2026-10-14
PORTER, Ind. — Indiana Dunes National Park has waived the entrance fee for the Douglas Center Loop and Paul H. Douglas Trail at Miller Woods, both accessible from the Paul H.
- Indiana Dunes National Park Releases 1600 Lab Grown Native Mussels into the Little Calumet River to Improve Water Quality ↗2026-10-01
PORTER, Ind. — Indiana Dunes National Park recently celebrated the release of more than 1,600 native fatmucket mussels (Lampsilis siliquoidea) into the East Branch of the Little Calumet River.
- Indiana Dunes National Park Welcomes Alumni to Celebrate Newly Restored Good Fellow Camp Lodge ↗2026-08-29
Restoration Made Possible by Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund - PORTER, Ind. — Indiana Dunes National Park today celebrated the completion of the Good Fellow Camp Lodge rehabilitation project, part of…
- New federal report highlights scale and breadth of recreation at Indiana Dunes National Park ↗2026-07-15
PORTER, Ind. — A newly released federal report highlights both the scale of visitation and the wide range of recreational experiences at Indiana Dunes National Park.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
Historic landmarks nearby
Indiana guidebooks
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Wildlife
Seen this monthSandhill Crane 3× · Belted Kingfisher 1× · Bald Eagle 1× · Coyote 1× · Eastern Fox Squirrel 1×Research-grade observations within 25 km, last 30 days, via iNaturalist
Full checklist: 270 birds, 46 mammalsHide
Raptors & owlsAmerican Kestrel · Bald Eagle · Barred Owl · Broad-winged Hawk · Cooper's Hawk · Golden Eagle · Great Horned Owl · Hen Harrier · Long-eared Owl · Osprey · Peregrine Falcon · Red-shouldered Hawk · Red-tailed Hawk · Sharp-shinned Hawk · Turkey Vulture · eastern screech-owl · merlin · northern saw-whet owl · short-eared owl · snowy owl
Waterfowl & wadersAmerican Bittern · American Black Duck · American Coot · American White Pelican · American Wigeon · Black-crowned Night Heron · Black-necked Grebe · Blue Goose · Blue-winged Teal · Bufflehead · Canada Goose · Common Goldeneye · Common Loon · Common Merganser · Common Teal · Double-crested Cormorant · Great Blue Heron · Greater Scaup · Harlequin Duck · Hooded Merganser · Horned Grebe · Lesser Scaup · Mute Swan · Northern Pintail · Red-breasted Merganser · Red-necked Grebe · Ring-necked Duck · Ruddy Duck · Sandhill Crane · Tundra Swan · Virginia Rail · Wood Duck · Yellow Rail · great egret · green heron · little blue heron · long-tailed duck · pied-billed grebe · western grebe · yellow-crowned night-heron
Shorebirds & seabirdsAmerican Avocet · American Woodcock · Baird's Sandpiper · Black-bellied Plover · Black-headed Gull · Bonaparte's Gull · Buff-breasted Sandpiper · Caspian Tern · Common Snipe · Common Tern · Dunlin · European Herring Gull · Forster's Tern · Franklin's Gull · Glaucous Gull · Great Black-backed Gull · Greater Yellowlegs · Gull-billed Tern · Hudsonian Godwit · Iceland Gull · Killdeer · Laughing Gull · Least Sandpiper · Lesser Black-backed Gull · Lesser Yellowlegs · Little Gull · Long-billed Dowitcher · Long-tailed Jaeger · Marbled Godwit · Pectoral Sandpiper · Piping Plover · Pomarine Jaeger · Purple Sandpiper · Red Phalarope · Red-necked Phalarope · Ring-billed Gull · Ruddy Turnstone · Sabine's gull · Sanderling · Semipalmated Plover · Semipalmated Sandpiper · Short-billed Dowitcher · Solitary Sandpiper · Spotted Sandpiper · Stilt Sandpiper · Thayer's Gull · Western Sandpiper · White-rumped Sandpiper · Willet · Wilson's Phalarope · american golden-plover · black tern
Gamebirds & dovesCommon Pheasant · Mourning Dove · Northern Bobwhite · Wild Turkey · rock pigeon
WoodpeckersBlack-backed Woodpecker · Downy Woodpecker · Hairy Woodpecker · Northern Flicker · Pileated Woodpecker · Red-bellied Woodpecker · Red-headed Woodpecker · Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Hummingbirds & swiftsChimney Swift · Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Also on the checklistAcadian Flycatcher · Alder Flycatcher · American Crow · American Goldfinch · American Redstart · American Robin · American Tree Sparrow · Arctic Redpoll · Arctic Skua · Baltimore Oriole · Barn Swallow · Bell's Vireo · Belted Kingfisher · Black Scoter · Black-and-white Warbler · Black-billed Cuckoo · Blue Grosbeak · Blue Jay · Blue-gray Gnatcatcher · Bobolink · Brant · Brewer's Blackbird · Brown Thrasher · Brown-headed Cowbird · Bruant de LeConte · Canvasback · Carolina Wren · Cedar Waxwing · Chipping Sparrow · Chuck-will's-widow · Clay-colored Sparrow · Common Grackle · Common Moorhen · Common Nighthawk · Common Redpoll · Common Starling · Common Yellowthroat · Connecticut Warbler · Dark-eyed Junco · Dickcissel · Eastern Bluebird · Eastern Kingbird · Eastern Meadowlark · Eastern Phoebe · Eastern Towhee · Eastern Wood Pewee · Eurasian Whimbrel · Evening Grosbeak · Field Sparrow · Fox Sparrow · Gadwall · Golden-crowned Kinglet · Golden-winged Warbler · Grasshopper Sparrow · Gray Catbird · Gray-cheeked Thrush · Great Crested Flycatcher · Great Grey Shrike · Harris' Sparrow · Henslow's Sparrow · Hermit Thrush · Horned Lark · House Finch · House Sparrow · House Wren · Indigo Bunting · King Eider · Lapland Longspur · Least Flycatcher · Lincoln's Sparrow · Loggerhead Shrike · Mallard · Marbled Murrelet · Marsh Wren · Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow · Northern Cardinal · Northern Goshawk · Northern Mockingbird · Northern Rough-winged Swallow · Northern Shoveler · Orchard Oriole · Pacific Diver · Philadelphia Vireo · Pine Grosbeak · Pine Siskin · Prothonotary Warbler · Purple Finch · Purple Martin · Red Crossbill · Red Knot · Red-breasted Nuthatch · Red-eyed Vireo · Red-throated Diver · Red-winged Blackbird · Redhead · Rose-breasted Grosbeak · Roughleg · Ruby-crowned Kinglet · Rusty Blackbird · Sand Martin · Savannah Sparrow · Scarlet Tanager · Sedge Wren · Snow Bunting · Song Sparrow · Sora · Summer Tanager · Surf Scoter · Swainson's Thrush · Swamp Sparrow · Townsend's Solitaire · Tree Swallow · Two-barred Crossbill · Varied Thrush · Veery · Velvet Scoter · Vesper Sparrow · Warbling Vireo · Western Meadowlark · Western Tanager · Whip-poor-will · White-breasted Nuthatch · White-crowned Sparrow · White-eyed Vireo · White-throated Sparrow · Willow Flycatcher · Winter Wren · Wood Thrush · Yellow-bellied Flycatcher · Yellow-billed Cuckoo · Yellow-breasted Chat · Yellow-headed Blackbird · Yellow-throated Vireo · american pipit · black-capped chickadee · black-legged kittiwake · blue-headed vireo · brown creeper · cliff swallow · northern gannet · olive-sided flycatcher · ovenbird · tufted titmouse
Small mammalsAmerican Beaver · House Mouse · Meadow Vole · Norway rat · Pine Vole · Prairie Vole · Southern Flying Squirrel · Star-nosed Mole · bee shrew · eastern chipmunk · eastern cottontail · eastern fox squirrel · eastern gray squirrel · eastern mole · masked shrew · meadow jumping mouse · mole shrew · muskrat · prairie deer mouse · red squirrel · southern bog lemming · thirteen-lined ground squirrel · white-footed mouse
PredatorsAmerican Mink · Coyote · Least Weasel · Long-tailed Weasel · Striped Skunk · american badger · gray fox · raccoon · red fox
Hoofed mammalswhite-tailed deer
BatsBig Brown Bat · Black Bat · Cluster Bat · Eastern Pipistrelle · Eastern Red Bat · Evening Bat · Hoary Bat · Little Brown Bat · Northern Bat
Also on the checklistCaucasian wildcat · Groundhog · Virginia Opossum · domestic dog
Activities
Activity guides for this park Birdwatching in the national parks · Camping in the national parks · Canoeing and kayaking in the national parks · Fishing in the national parks · Hiking in the national parks · Horseback riding in the national parks · Skiing in the national parks · Stargazing in the national parks · Wildlife watching in the national parks
All 33 activitiesHide
Weather & climate
On average, the warmest month is July and the highest recorded temperature was 105F in 1934. The coolest month is January, with the lowest recorded temperature of -25F in 1985. June sees the most precipitation with an average rainfall of 4.66 Inches.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Indiana Dunes?
Entrance is $25 per private vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bike. 7-Day Park Entrance Fee - Family-Size Vehicle Per private family-sized vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase).
Source: National Park Service
Which passes work at Indiana Dunes?
The $80 America the Beautiful pass covers the entrance fee here, and a Indiana Dunes-only annual pass is $45.
Source: Is the pass worth it
Can I pay the entrance fee in cash?
No. Indiana Dunes takes cards only at the entrance.
Source: National Park Service
When is entrance to Indiana Dunes free?
Next on October 27, Theodore Roosevelt's birthday. 2 fee-free days are left this year, for US residents only.
Source: Free entrance days
Do I need a reservation to enter Indiana Dunes?
No. There is no timed-entry or entrance reservation at Indiana Dunes. Camping and some tours have their own reservations.
Source: National Park Service
What are the hours at Indiana Dunes?
Standard hours are 6:00AM - 11:00PM, every day.
Source: National Park Service
Can I camp in Indiana Dunes?
Yes. The Park Service lists 3 campgrounds in Indiana Dunes: Dunewood, Dunbar Group Site, and Central Avenue Walk-in Sites. 3 take reservations through Recreation.gov.
Which Indiana Dunes campgrounds have showers, hookups, or a dump station?
Showers: Dunewood. Dump station: Dunewood.
Source: Campgrounds
Do camping fees at Indiana Dunes include the entrance fee?
No. Camping is charged per night on top of the entrance fee or a pass; Dunewood is $25 a night.
Source: Campgrounds
Is anything closed at Indiana Dunes right now?
9 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: Partial Trail Closures on Bailly / Chellberg Trail; Partial Trail Closure - Dunewood Trace; and more.
Source: Alerts
How busy is Indiana Dunes?
2,629,497 recreation visits in 2025, number 36 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Is there cell service at Indiana Dunes?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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