Things to Do in Indiana Dunes National Park: Top Sights, Best Hikes, Tips, and More!
Are you looking to visit Indiana Dunes National Park and wondering what there is to do? In this Indiana Dunes guide, we’ll share some fun things to do at Indiana Dunes National Park, including some of the best hikes, and give you tips for visiting, such as the best time to go to Indiana Dunes, what it costs, what to pack, and more!
Fifteen miles of Lake Michigan shore nestled in an urban setting just outside of the bustling metropolis of Chicago... it might not quite be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re thinking about visiting a National Park, but this indeed describes Indiana Dunes National Park- the 61st National Park of the U.S. It’s one of the newest National Parks to be established, earning this designation in 2019.
At first glance, there might not seem to be too many things to do at Indiana Dunes that make it worth visiting, especially considering all the other arguably more epic national parks of the country, like the jagged snow-capped peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, or the stunning canyons of Yosemite National Park in California. At least that’s what we thought anyway.
But it turns out there’s more to Indiana Dunes National Park than meets the eye, and there’s a reason for its newly designated park status. In this article, we’ll share some of the top things to do in Indiana Dunes National Park, the best places to visit and things to see at Indiana Dunes, camping in the park, what to pack, and more. And we’ll also answer the question that was definitely on the top of our minds before we visited the park…is Indiana Dunes National Park even worth visiting?
So, let’s get right to it!
Article Contents
Indiana Dunes National Park versus Indiana Dunes State Park
The tall dunes on the beach of Indiana Dunes National Park
First things first. Before we get into the best things to do at Indiana Dunes, you might have noticed that the Indiana Dunes area can get a little confusing, and there’s one important detail that you should know before you visit Indiana Dunes National Park.
There is actually a state park within a national park. Yea, we said it was a bit confusing.
So, what’s the difference between Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana Dunes National Park? Although the national and state parks are contiguous with each other, it is important to know they are governed by two different entities, which means they have different entrances, campgrounds, and fees. A pass for the National Park won’t get you into the State Park, and vice versa.
Each of the parks offer a different selection of activities, but just make sure when you do your research you know whether your desired destination likes within the National or the State Park so you can plan accordingly! Below, we’re sharing some of the best places in Indiana Dunes National Park, but we’ll also give you some suggestions about what you can do in the state park as well if you have the time.
Below is a map of Indiana Dunes National Park to give you a clearer idea of how Indiana Dunes National vs. State Park are laid out.
Map of Indiana Dunes National Park
As you can see in the Indiana Dunes map above, the green areas represent the National Park, which is scattered in a piece meal way throughout the area, and completely encloses the State Park.
How long does it take to drive through Indiana Dunes National Park?
As you can see in the Indiana Dunes map above, the park is long and thin, running along the shore of Lake Michigan. To get from Mount Baldy, one of the easternmost points of the park, to West Beach, one of the westernmost points of the park, it’s about 18 miles along route 12, or 25 minutes.
Where is Indiana Dunes National Park?
Industrial plants can be seen from the beaches of Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is located along the southern shores of Lake Michigan, on the northern edge of Indiana. It can be found right off of I-90, which makes it an easy stop on a road trip from east to west (what we did!) or vice versa. Most of the best places to see in Indiana Dunes are easily accessed off of route 12 which runs east to west and parallels I-90.
The closest major city to Indiana Dunes is Chicago. Indiana Dunes National Park is just 40 miles (50 minutes) away from Chicago, making this a great day trip if you’re in the area. The Chicago O’Hare International Airport is your best bet for flying into this area. There are also smaller regional airports nearby Indiana Dunes in Gary and South Bend.
To get to Indiana Dunes National Park, you’ll need to rent or have your own car to get around, or, a convenient option is to use the local Chicago and South Shore train system, which makes multiple stops throughout the park! Check out this page for more information on the different train stops in Indiana Dunes National Park.
What Makes Indiana Dunes National Park Special?
One of the best things to do in Indiana Dunes is to stroll along a relaxing trail and take in the park’s surroundings!
You might be wondering why Indiana Dunes was given National Park designation in the first place. After all, it doesn’t seem like a typical National Park. But after we did some research, we realized that Indiana Dunes is definitely special, and very much worthy of park status!
We didn’t realize before we visited the park, but Indiana Dunes National Park is actually ranked fourth in biological diversity among all the National Parks! Yea, that fact certainly surprised us, too! I definitely wished I had known that before going, because I feel like it would have given us a greater appreciation for where we were, so, if you’re reading this, you’re already one step ahead of us! Go you!
Where is all this diversity? Well, this park doesn’t just have dunes, though that’s what it’s known for and what people associate with it. It also has ponds, marshes, oak savanna, prairies, rivers, swamp, bogs and forest, not to mention the 15 miles of lake shore and beach. All of these environments combine to give home to over 1100 different plant species (including 30% of the state’s rare and endangered ones) and 350 species of birds! Because of this, it has been sometimes referred to as the birthplace of American Ecology (quite the title!) because of research done here on plant succession. Also, this area serves as sort of a “geologic record” of the retreat of the last great continental glacier and the stages of the formation of the Lake Michigan shore.
See, this park has more to it than meets the eye!
The formation of the National Park was the culmination of years of working to preserve this area and protect it from the encroaching steel mill industry.
In fact, it still has a bit of an industrial feel to it. You can see industrial plants from its beaches and as you drive along route 12 through the park from East to West and through the Port of Indiana.
Is Indiana Dunes National Park Worth Visiting?
Ok, it’s important and all, but is a visit to Indiana Dunes worth it? After all, most of us aren’t botanical experts or avid bird watchers or geology afficionados.
We would say if you are any of the above, Indiana Dunes is absolutely worth a visit! There are great places to bird watch and to learn all about the ecological significance of the park.
As for the rest of us, we would give this park a resounding “meh”, if I’m honest…
For us, we are trying to visit as many National Parks as we can in our lifetime, and we happened to be driving right by this park as part of a larger road trip, so we stopped for a short visit. After our visit, we decided that we wouldn’t have gone significantly out of our way to visit this park, or planned a trip solely around a visit to Indiana Dunes National Park. However, if you are in the area, such as visiting the nearby Chicago area, which is only about 45 miles away, Indiana Dunes is worth the short drive to get away from the city and relax on its beaches and do some short hikes to learn about the area.
But, below we’ll tell you the different things to do in Indiana Dunes National Park and you can decide for yourself whether you think a visit to Indiana Dunes is worth it!
How Much Does it Cost to Visit Indiana Dunes National Park?
It used to be that whether or not you felt like the trip to Indiana Dunes was worth it, it will have only costed you a little bit of time…not your money, because the park used to be free to visit!
Now, starting in 2022, an Indiana Dunes National Park pass is required. It costs $25 and can be bought in person at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, the Paul H. Douglas Center, or the West Beach Kiosk, or you can buy it online in advance at recreation.gov.
If you’re just driving through and not stopping anywhere in the park, this is not necessary, but if you are stopping to hike, go to beach, or visit any of the centers in the National Park, you’ll need to have a pass and can display it on your car’s dashboard.
Some extra fees for visiting the Indiana Dunes area include:
Camping: If you want to camp in Indiana Dunes National Park, that is a separate cost that we will talk about below.
Indiana Dunes State Park: There is a separate fee to get into Indiana Dunes State Park: $7 per in-state vehicle and $12 per out of state vehicle. The America the Beautiful Pass does apply here, either.
Best Things to Do in Indiana Dunes National Park
So, what’s there to do at Indiana Dunes? With miles of beaches, dunes, hiking trails, and historical locations, you can easily fill your day.
Here are some of the best places to visit and things to do in Indiana Dunes National Park. Later, we’ll talk about how much time you need at Indiana Dunes and how to fill your time here!
Hiking in Indiana Dunes National Park
It may surprise you, but there are actually over 50 miles of hiking trails in Indiana Dunes spread out over 14 different and unique trail systems, making hiking one of the top things to do in Indiana Dunes National Park. By hiking in Indiana Dunes, you can experience the several distinct ecosystems that make the park so diverse, and have the opportunity to spot wildlife.
Also, many of the Indiana Dunes hikes are easy and doable for most people! You’re not scaling mountains here…rather, you’ll be taking relatively easy walks through forests or marshes. The more strenuous hikes in Indiana Dunes National Park are the ones that climb over sand alongside the beaches and dunes, or involve lots of stairs.
One of the best things to do in Indiana Dunes National Park is to explore the dunes on foot!
Here is a sampling of some of the best hikes in Indiana Dunes National Park that we either did or that we sounded the most interesting. We recommend choosing 2-3 different trails in Indiana Dunes to get a good taste of the park and the different environments.
Tolleston Dunes Trail: 2.9 miles - This trail will take you through 4700 year old (the second youngest!) sand dunes in the park, as well as wetlands and black oak savanna. It’s a good trail in Indiana Dunes to explore the variety of the park’s flora.
Cowles Bog Trail: 4.7 miles – One of the longer hikes in Indiana Dunes National Park, you’ll walk through a handful of the park’s different habitats. It has so much diversity that it’s designated as a National Natural Landmark!
Dune Ridge Trail: 0.7 miles – This short and sweet Indiana Dunes trail goes over a forested dune.
Great Marsh Trail: 1.3 miles – This Indiana Dunes hike takes you through a marshy landscape (the largest wetlands in the Lake Michigan area (that’s great for bird viewing. We did this Indiana Dunes hike, so you’ll find more about it in our Indiana Dunes hiking post!
Heron Rookery Trail: 3.3 miles – Following a river, this trail is good for birding and wildflowers. However, the name is a little misleading – the herons that once nested here no longer call this their home, but you can still find a variety of other birds in the area.
Mount Baldy Beach: 0.75 miles – This short Indiana Dunes hike climbs along the side of the Mount Baldy sand dune to the Lake Michigan shore. Check out more about this hike in our Indiana Dunes hiking post.
Dunes Succession Trail: 0.9 miles – Located at the popular West Beach area, this Indiana Dunes hike takes you up and down over 500 stairs along the dunes of Lake Michigan, with great views over the lakeshore and even out to Chicago. This was our favorite hike in Indiana Dunes National Park.
Calumet Dunes Trail: 0.5 miles – This is an easy paved path that runs along what was once the shoreline of Lake Michigan about 12,000 years ago.
Beaches in Indiana Dunes National Park
A favorite thing to do in Indiana Dunes National Park is to hit the beach!
Setting your eyes on the shore of Lake Michigan and its beaches are a must-do in Indiana Dunes National Park, but you can also swim there as well! There are 8 beaches in Indiana Dunes National Park spread out over the 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, so if you’re looking for a relaxing beach day, you have plenty to choose from!
Beaches in Indiana Dunes are open from 6 am to 11 pm, and all have restrooms and water.
Which Indiana Dunes beaches should you visit? Here is a list of beaches in the park, and below is a list of some suggestions that we were able to experience while in the park.
West Beach is the most popular beach area in Indiana Dunes National Park. It’s really big, with concession stands, showers, locker availability and lifeguards during the summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The Dunes Succession Trail is also located here. There used to be a separate parking fee for West Beach, but now it’s just covered under your Indiana Dunes or America the Beautiful Park pass.
West Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Indiana Dunes National Park
Mount Baldy Beach is accessed by the Mount Baldy Beach Trail in Indiana Dunes, which is about .75 miles round trip. It involves hiking through sand, with some uphill sections, with a steep sandy down climb to the beach. The restrooms, water, and picnic area, are found right in the parking lot, though.
Mount Baldy Beach in Indiana Dunes National Park
The Riverwalk Beach is a popular area and seems like a really cool place to spend some time. It has an easy Riverwalk Trail with views over the lake and opportunities to see the migrating birds in the area.
No matter which you choose, visiting one of the many beaches is definitely one of the best things to do in Indiana Dunes National Park.
Tips for visiting the beaches in Indiana Dunes
The beach parking lots tend to fill up early – by mid- morning, especially on summer weekends. West Beach has a huge lot so that would be your best bet if the park is busy.
The park has a convenient beach parking information line that is an automated recording updated throughout the day in the summer. Be sure to call ahead and check it! Or you can check beach parking status online, too.
While you can certainly swim at the beaches in Indiana Dunes National Park, definitely be cautious. Even though it’s a lake, the waves and rip currents here can get pretty strong! Make sure to check the conditions and forecast before you head out.
On a related note, sometimes the water quality might not be the greatest for swimming, so pay attention to signs at the beach and again, check conditions ahead of time if you’re looking to swim.
Some beaches require shorter (or longer) walks to get to from the parking area, so check to see if that applies to your beach of choice so you know if you have to lug a lot of beach gear a long way!
Have a Picnic in Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes has plenty of picnic spaces along the beaches, but also several sheltered picnic areas. Two of these sheltered areas can be reserved in advance up to six months ahead.
These are great to know about because in this park it’s ideal to pack your lunch and enjoy the views in between hiking and exploring!
Map of picnic areas in Indiana Dunes National Park (taken from the Indiana Dunes National Park website)
Visit Historical Sites and Visitor Centers
Some of the best places to visit in Indiana Dunes National Parks are the many historical and education sites located throughout the area.
There are actually over 60 historical sites here that celebrate the area’s early history. Some of the best historical places to see in Indiana Dunes include:
The Bailly Homestead – This is a national historic landmark and an 1820s fur trading post. It honors one of the earliest settlers in Indiana and showcases some unique architectural features. It’s located midway through the park off of county road 1350 near the Dunes Learning Center.
World’s Fair Century of Progress Homes – These are a series of five homes currently being restored but were built for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. That year, the theme was “A Century of Progress” and was meant to showcase modern appliances and innovative design to give hope and optimism for people in light of the Great Depression. In fact, they were built in a manner so ahead of their time, they look modern even today. To visit these homes, a tour is required. These last two hours and are $35 per person. They are given on the last weekend of September but go on sale usually in early August and sell pretty quickly. For more information, check out this site.
Indiana Dunes National Park Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education – This is a great place to find guided tours and hikes, exhibits, and lectures. It’s also a good spot to bring kids in Indiana Dunes National Park as there are places to play, partake in crafts, and observe animal exhibits.
If you’re interested in a guided tour or even a boat tour of the lake, check out the park’s calendar here.
Go Birdwatching at Indiana Dunes National Park
If it’s your thing, birdwatching is a great thing to do in Indiana Dunes National Park. Birding is good here any time of year, especially because many birds migrate through the area.
There is also a birding festival held here every year during the third week in May, with outings lead by birding experts!
Biking in Indiana Dunes National Park
If you have your bike on you, hop on one of the park’s several bike trails and go for a ride! Just like hiking, the bike trails will take you through several different habitats and ecosystems in the park.
Visit Indiana Dunes State Park
As we described above, there is actually a state park within Indiana Dunes National Park!
If after your visit to the national park you haven’t yet had your fill of beaches and dunes, you can head over to the state park for even more. Remember, the state park requires a separate fee that is not covered by any national park pass. This fee is $7 for in-state plates and $12 for out of staters.
While we didn’t get to visit here, there was one thing that I wish we had time to do…the Three Dunes Challenge!
This is a short but strenuous hike to the top of the three tallest dunes in the entire area…it looks fun and you also get a badge of honor after you finish! Plan for a few hours for this activity.
How Much Time Do You Need in Indiana Dunes National Park?
I would say that one day is all you really need to visit Indiana Dunes. Really, you can get a lot done and see some of the best places in Indiana Dunes in just a quick visit of just a few hours to a half day, which is what we did! I think it makes a great side trip on a longer road trip if you need a break from driving for a few hours. Or, you can make it a weekend trip by camping, relaxing on the beach, and hiking a few of the trails.
Suggested Indiana Dunes National Park itineraries
Now that you know all the cool things to do in Indiana Dunes National Park, below we give you some ideas of how to make your Indiana Dunes itinerary based on the amount of time you plan to devote to the park!
Half day in Indiana Dunes National Park
Choose 1-2 short trails to hike in the morning. The Dunes Succession Trail or the Mount Baldy Trail are good Indiana Dunes trails to see the dune landscape. Tolleston Dunes Trail or the Great Marsh Trail are good Indiana Dunes hikes to see the other variety of habitats in the park.
Have a picnic lunch and walk the Riverwalk Trail to get nice views over the lake and learn about dune ecology.
One day in Indiana Dunes National Park
Follow the itinerary above in the morning.
In the afternoon, add on exploration of some of the park’s historical sites, like the Bailly Homestead, in the afternoon if you want to learn more about the cultural history of the area, or stop into the Douglas Center for a guided ranger talk or hike if you prefer more time on the trails and learning about the natural history of the park.
Spend a few hours relaxing on one of the park’s many beaches.
A weekend in Indiana Dunes National Park
With a full weekend at Indiana Dunes, you have a whole second day to either add in more beach time, hike a few more trails, and also visit Indiana Dunes State Park to complete the Three Dunes Challenge!
Best Time to Visit Indiana Dunes National Park
Many people would say that summer is the best time to visit Indiana Dunes when you can visit the beaches!
Indiana Dunes National Park is honestly a year round destination, but of course, the best time to visit Indiana Dunes depends on what you’re looking to see and do. Just so you are aware, the visitor and learning centers are open year round, though certain facilities, especially beach facilities, may be closed in the winter months. The campground is also only open April through the end of October.
The weather at Indiana Dunes follows your typical Midwest weather…hot and humid summers and cold and snowy winters. In the summer, the temperatures are in the 80s to 90s (when we were there mid-July we had low 90 degree weather) and very sunny. It’s a good time of year for beach-goers and hikers.
The spring and fall months can bring a bit more milder temperatures, which might make hiking a little more tolerable. In the middle of summer, we definitely felt the heat and humidity of midday, which slowed us down a bit.
In the winter, it can get down into the 30s with snow, but there are still things to do in Indiana Dunes National Park in the winter, such as skiing, sledding, and viewing the ice shelf that forms at the lake shore. We don’t have experience with this but check out the park’s website for more information if you are interested in visiting Indiana Dunes National Park in the winter!
Camping in Indiana Dunes National Park
There is one campground in Indiana Dunes National Park, the Dunewood Campground, located towards the eastern end of the park, and has 66 sites that are all reservable on recreation.gov. If you camp here, you will be ideally located next to many of the best places in Indiana Dunes National Park! Sites cost $25 per night with showers and are RV friendly (but no hook ups are available). The campground is typically open April 1st to October 31st.
You can also camp in Indiana Dunes State Park (again, you’ll also have to pay the entrance fee for this park in addition to camping fees), and there are some campgrounds and RV parks in the surrounding area. Check out this site for some more information on these.
What to Pack for A Visit to Indiana Dunes National Park
Here are some of our recommended things to bring to Indiana Dunes, whether you’re visiting for just a few hours or the weekend!
Reusable water bottle or water jug – many places throughout the park have water bottle filling stations, so bring your water bottle and drink up! Especially in the summer, it gets hot and the sun gets strong.
Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses– If on the beach or hiking (especially on the dunes), you’ll need sun protection in the hot summer months.
Bug spray – The bugs can get annoying here, especially on the trails that go through the marshy habitats.
Bathing suit and towel - just in case you want to hit the beach after a day of hiking!
Water shoes or beach shoes for walking on the hot sand
Sneakers for hiking the trails. You don’t necessarily need any hiking boots here.
Lunch! Bring a packed lunch to eat by a scenic picnic area or on the beach.
Some Extra Tips for Visiting Indiana Dunes National Park
Check conditions before coming for any trail closures, rip tide warnings, and water quality alerts.
Consider saving hikes for earlier in the day or in the evening if visiting Indiana Dunes in the summer to avoid the hot midday heat.
Call the parking hotline ahead of time to make sure there is parking available. This helps reduce congestion in busier areas of the park and smaller beach lots.
Don’t feed any animals you encounter, including seagulls and other birds on the beach.
After hiking, especially any trails involving marshes and bogs, check for ticks. They are prevalent along some of the trails.
We really hope this guide helps you plan a visit to Indiana Dunes National Park! Despite its small size and the fact that it’s a bit different from other National Parks, there really is a lot of cool things to do at Indiana Dunes. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions or if you would add anything else to this list!