Discover Indiana Dunes National Park - A Visitor's Guide

There are a million plus reasons to visit The Hoosier State. You’ve been to the iconic Indy 500. You’ve had a close-up view of the 18th-century golden dome of Notre Dame University. But have you hiked the rolling sand dunes of Indiana Dunes National Park?

As its name suggests, this park is best known for its dunes. But that’s just the beginning. The desert-like landscape on the shores of Lake Michigan has loads of outdoor fun activities worth experiencing when road-tripping around Chicago. From hiking to sunbathing and camping under the stars, find inspiration for what to do in Indiana Dunes National Park from our favorites. 

Key Takeaways

• Indiana Dunes National Park is a 15,000-acre park located on the south shore of Lake Michigan between Gary and Michigan City. 
• The closest airport to fly into Indiana Dunes National Park is South Bend International Airport, 43 minutes away. O’Hare International Airport is 1 hour and 10 minutes from the park. 
• A car, motorcycle, or bike is necessary to get around Indiana Dunes Park. There are bike rentals inside the park. 
• Camping is the only option for staying inside Indiana Dunes National Park. The park has two campgrounds: Dunewood Campground and Dunbar Group Site. 
• Indiana Dunes State Campground offers full hookups near Indiana Dunes National Park. 

Visiting Indiana Dunes National Park

Best Time to Visit Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park is open throughout the year, and there are things to do and see any time you visit. There are better times to visit, depending on your interests. 

The best time to visit Indiana Dunes National Park for swimming, sunbathing, and watching beachy sunsets is between May and September. Not surprisingly, these warmer months and the refreshing breeze across Lake Michigan attract big crowds, particularly from Chicago. So, be ready to share the shores with other visitors.

Hiking is a year-round attraction at Indiana Dunes National Park. However, visitors may want to take advantage of the milder temperatures of spring and fall months. The spring months of March through May also offer the best time for birdwatching. 

This park is also a marvel during winter when the snow has fallen and covered the sandy dunes. Things to do at Indiana Dunes National Park during winter include cross-country skiing, skating, snowshoeing, and museum wandering. 

Indiana Dunes National Park - Where to Stay

The only option for staying inside Indiana Dunes National Park is camping. The park has two campgrounds: Dunewood and Dunbar Group Site. 

Dunewood Campground

Dunewood Campground is located in the quaint town of Beverly Shores, around 1.3 miles from the closest Indiana Dunes Beach. The double-loop campground has 66 sites, including 53 drive-in sites, 13 walk-in sites, and four wheelchair-accessible sites. Each site can accommodate up to 8 people and has a picnic table and fire grill. Other amenities at the campground include potable water, flush toilets, modern showers with hot water, and a dump station. Dunewood Campground is open seasonally from April through October. There are no electrical and water hookups. 

Dunbar Group Site

Dunbar Group Site is the best place to stay in Indiana Dunes National Park as a group. This tent-only campground is within walking distance from Dunbar Beach, overlooking the Great Marsh. Each site at Dunbar Group Site can accommodate up to 30 people and has a picnic table and fire ring. Dunbar Group Site operates from 1st April to 31st October. 

Indiana Dunes State Campground

For visitors who prefer RV camping and want a campground with full hookups, this may be it. This campground is inside Indiana Dunes State Park, surrounded by the national park. 

Indiana Dunes States Campground puts you less than a mile from the beach. It’s open year-round and has 140 campsites with full electric hookups.

Hotels and Lodges Near Indiana Dunes National Park

If the campgrounds are full or sleeping under an open sky isn’t your thing, the towns near the park have other accommodation options. 

Consider these towns if you’re looking for a hotel or lodging near Indiana Dunes National Park:

• Chesterton 
• Beverly Shores
• Dune Acres
• Porter, Porter County
• Burns Harbor 

Indiana Dunes National Park Itinerary

One day is enough to hit most of the popular spots and sand dunes in Indiana National Park. But if you want to hike several of its popular trails, have a good time in the water, and make all the cool spots inside the national park, we recommend 2-3 days. Here’s how to make the most of your one-day sand dunes trip. 

Indiana Dunes National Park Visitor Center

Start your dunes trip at the National Park in Indiana by going to the visitor center. The visitor center is located just outside Chesterton on Indiana State Road 49. The visitor center (also known as Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center) is open every day from 9 AM except Thanksgiving Day. This is a great place to grab a map of the park and a guide to all its attractions. Also, check out the educational displays and videos about the plants and animals that call this park home. 

3-Dune Challenge 

Next, drive to the 3-Dune Challenge trailhead, about 3.9 miles (or 13 minutes drive) from the visitor center. 

The 3-Dune Challenge is one of the best hiking trails in the National Park of Indiana Dunes because it lets you summit three of the park’s tallest dunes: Mt. Jackson, Mt. Holden, and Mt. Tom.

This is a relatively short hike at only 1.5 miles. But don’t let its short length deceive you. The 3-Dune Challenge is a moderately challenging hike with 552 feet of climbing in deep sand. Nevertheless, this hike is fun for all ages and takes roughly 55 minutes.

A Century of Progress Historic District

The Century of Progress Homes are another must-see when visiting National Park Indiana Dunes. These are five historic homes originally built in 1933 for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair: House of Tomorrow, Cypress Log Cabin, Armco Ferro, Florida Tropical, and Wieboldt-Rostone House. 

The homes were built to demonstrate modern architectural designs, such as lots of glass and open spaces and modern appliances like air conditioners and dishwashers. Except for the Cypress Log Cabin, it’s amazing that the other four were designed and constructed almost a century ago. 

The Century of Progress Homes are a 15-minute drive from the 3-Dune Challenge parking lot. They are open to tours only once a year, on the last weekend of September. Other times, you can only view them as you drive or walk past them. 

Lake View Beach

Wondering where you can cool off and have some snacks? Lake View Beach is a one-minute drive northeast of the Century of Progress District. This is among the Indiana Dunes National Park beaches, thanks to its shaded sitting area with picnic tables overlooking Lake Michigan.

Its location and convenient parking area make it a great spot for taking a dip and having a picnic. If you don’t have any other plans for the day, Lake View Beach is also a great spot to catch a beachy sunset from the top of a sand dune. 

Best Things to Do and See in Indiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park Things to Do

Hiking

If you’ve never hiked a sand dune, this is the place for you. The heavy sand can make hiking up a dune challenging and fun. But this park has other trails traversing through forests and extensive wetlands, making it easy to pick a hike right for you or the entire family.

These are some of the best hiking trails in Indiana Dunes National Park:

• Dune Succession Trail (1-mile loop trail, easy)
• Great Marsh Trail (1.3 miles, easy)
• Mount Baldy Beach Trail (0.75 miles, moderately challenging)
• Cowles Bog Trail (4.7 miles, moderately challenging)
• 3-Dune Challenge (1.5 miles, moderately challenging)

Swimming, Sunbathing, and Beach Strolling

Indiana Dunes National Park boasts over 15 miles of sandy beaches. These beaches are a popular summer destination as they allow all types of water activities. From swimming to boating and soaking up the sun on the soft sand, Indiana Dunes beaches are sure to please. 

What are the best Indiana Dunes National Park beaches?

• West Beach
• Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Beach
• Mount Baldy Beach
• Central Avenue Beach
• Porter Beach
• Lake View Beach

Must-See Places To Visit at Indiana Dunes National Park

Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm

These two historical landmarks take you on a trip back in time, showcasing the life of a typical family in the early 1900s. The Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm are best explored on a 1.1-mile loop trail that takes 45 minutes to 2.5 hours to complete. Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm are on Highway 20, about 2.8 miles from the visitor center. 

Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk 

The Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk site was recently reclaimed from industrial use and designed for visitor enjoyment. The family-friendly location features an accessible fishing pier, kayak launch, a riverwalk, and a handicap-accessible trail. 

Beachy Sunsets

There’s no debate that Indiana Dunes National Park has some of the best sunset viewing points in the state. As the sun sinks into the horizon with the picturesque beaches and dunes as the backdrop, sunsets along Lake Michigan’s southern shore will surely stick in your memory for a long time. 

Which Indiana Dunes beaches have the best sunsets?

• Lake View Beach
• Michigan City Beach
• Washington Park Beach

Final Thoughts

Believe it or not, these suggestions of the best things to do in Indiana Dunes National Park are just a glimpse of what this park offers. Indiana Dunes National Park has everything you need to make your trip to the southern shore of Lake Michigan fun and memorable. Whether you’re a hiker looking for challenging trails, a biker, or just a nature lover, this beautiful place is worth the visit. Check Indiana Dunes National Park off that bucket list!

Featured image by: EJRodriquez.