National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park
- Midwest
- 9 hikes
- 8 places to see
- 9 current alerts
Current alerts
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Closure
Partial 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.
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Closure
Partial 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.
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Closure
Closure - Hobart Woodland Trail
Closed. The Woodland Trail is closed indefinitely, and no reopening date is available. However, the paved Oak Savannah Trail remains open.
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Closure
Partial 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.
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Closure
Closure - 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.
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Closure
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.
From the National Park Service, as of October 30, 2026, 5:14 am. Check nps.gov before you go.
About Indiana Dunes
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.
From the National Park Service.
- Region
- Midwest
- State
- Indiana
- Designation
- National Park
- Entrance fee
- $25, private vehicle
- Hikes on this page
- 9
- Places to see
- 8
- Articles
- 4
Know before you go
Fees, hours, weather and getting to Indiana Dunes.
Entrance fees
- $25 Private Vehicle 7-Day Park Entrance Fee - Family-Size Vehicle Per private family-sized vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase).
- $20 Motorcycle
- $15 Per Person
Passes
- $45 Annual Entrance - Park
Hours
Indiana Dunes National Park general areas
- Mon
- 6:00AM - 11:00PM
- Tue
- 6:00AM - 11:00PM
- Wed
- 6:00AM - 11:00PM
- Thu
- 6:00AM - 11:00PM
- Fri
- 6:00AM - 11:00PM
- Sat
- 6:00AM - 11:00PM
- Sun
- 6:00AM - 11:00PM
The general areas of the park are open year-round. Please check individual areas for specific hours of operation.
Weather and when to go
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.
Getting there
Visitors can access the national park via Interstate 94, the Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 80/90), U.S. Highway 12, U.S. Highway 20, Indiana State Road 49, and various other local roads. The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is located on Indiana State Road 49, between U.S. Highway 20 and Interstate 94 (1215 IN-49, Porter, IN 46304). For a driving map to the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center or other locations, check out our maps page.
- Gateway towns
- Chesterton, IN · Michigan City, IN
- Nearest airports
- O'Hare International Airport (ORD) · Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) · South Bend International Airport (SBN)
Contact the park
- Address
- 1215 IN-49, Porter, IN 46304
- Phone
- (219) 395-1882
- Official site
- nps.gov/indu
From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.
Trip planner
A day-by-day plan for Indiana Dunes
Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.
The trails and places you save below go into your plan as must-sees.
Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.
Where to stay for Indiana Dunes
The gateway towns, closest first. Add your dates in the planner to search for your own nights.
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Chesterton, IN Closest
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Michigan City, IN
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Guided tours and trips
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Things to do in Indiana Dunes
The park service's own list, with how long each takes.
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1966 Hiking Challenge
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. We will offer 19 weekly ranger led hikes ever…
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One Hour Excursions
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.
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Half Day Adventures
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 o…
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Full Day Expeditions
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 o…
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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. Try…
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Swimming at Indiana Dunes West Beach
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 a…
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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 tra…
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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 t…
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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. Traverse over 50 miles of trail…
Campgrounds in Indiana Dunes
Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.
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Dunewood Campground
Campground consists of two loops containing 66 camp-sites (53 conventional drive-in sites and 13 walk/carry-in sites). Four sites are wheelchair accessible (nu…
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Dunbar Group Site
The Dunbar Group Site holds up to 30 people and is located less than 500 feet from the beach. The site overlooks the Great Marsh and Lake Michigan. Parking and…
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Central Avenue Walk-in Sites
The Central Beach Walk-In Sites has 5 sites, and you will walk a distance to get to your campsite. There is a primitive toilet (porta-potty) by the Central Bea…
What to pack for Indiana Dunes
Gear & Essentials
Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:
The basics
Worth having in the car whatever the park.
For this trip
Traveling with kids
Bringing a pet
RVing
Backcountry
Winter conditions
On the water
Photography
Accessibility
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