Alice Mabel Gray left her conventional life in Chicago to settle in a crude shack along Indiana’s wild Lake Michigan shore. Here, she became known as Diana of the Dunes.
Experience the four stages of dune development within this National Park trail's one-mile length. This scenic, but strenuous, trail includes a spectacular view of Lake Michigan and Chicago.
The Diana Dunes Dare is just an hour drive from Chicago.
Start Here
Your adventure begins at the National Park’s West Beach
How to Complete the Dare
- Go to West Beach
Visit Indiana Dunes National Park’s West Beach, located off U.S. Highway 12, at 376 N. County Line Rd., Gary, IN 46403. - Hike the Trail
Dare to Be Different? Then step into the past and embrace the Dunes. Walk in Alice Mabel Gray’s (Diana’s) footsteps while learning about Dune Succession. - Share Your Dare
Stop at the West Beach Bathhouse to take a selfie in front of our Diana of the Dunes selfie station and post using #DianaDunesDare. - Get Your Badge of Honor
Visit either the Paul H. Douglas Center or the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center for a free sticker.
Celebrate Your Accomplishment
Stop by the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center or the Paul H. Douglas Center to get your free Diana of the Dunes sticker.
You can also buy a T-shirt or hoodie—you’ve earned it!
1966 Hiking Challenge: Mount Baldy Summit Trail and Kintzle Ditch
Gain perspective from Indiana's largest moving dune. Fleecy white clouds lazily drift overhead as chattering bank…
American Discovery 250 Relay
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
As part of the America250 celebrations this year, the American Discovery Trail Society will be coordinating a…
Annual 10-Minute Play Festival @ 4th Street Theater
- 4th Street Theater
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday
An evening of ten-minute plays will be performed at 4th Street Theater. These plays are selected from over 100…
Arrows of a Compass: Story of your National Park @ Portage Lakefront Pavilion
- Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk
- Recurring weekly on Saturday
Join a Ranger to learn how the Indiana Dunes became a National Park, held every Saturday from 10:00 to 11:30 pm.
Artist-in-Residence Art Display @ Indiana Dunes National Park
- Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Join us to celebrate and be inspired by a new exhibit including 21 art pieces at the Douglas Center, all inspired by…
Chellberg Farm Open House @ Indiana Dunes National Park
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Thursday, Saturday
Stop by the historic Chellberg Farm to tour the farmhouse and meet the animals. Rangers and volunteers will be on…
Chesterton European Market @ Thomas Centennial Park
- Thomas Centennial Park & Chesterton Bandstand
- Recurring weekly on Saturday
Join every Saturday from May through October in the heart of historic downtown Chesterton for a vibrant European…
Critter Feeding Time @ Paul H. Douglas Center
- Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education
- Recurring weekly on Saturday
Come learn about the ambassador animals at the Douglas Center! Find out why they're special, what they eat, where…
Crossroads in the Wilderness: A Homestead Walkthrough @ Bailly Homestead
- Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm
- Recurring weekly on Saturday
Visit historic cabins and learn about the area's early settlers. The Bailly house is closed due to ongoing…
Das' Art Gallery Art Exhibit @ Country Inn & Suites, Valparaiso
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson - Valparaiso
- Recurring daily
Experience the beauty of the Indiana Dunes through the eyes of artist Jennifer Aitchison in Glimpses Along the Dunes…
Dav Pilkey's Dog Man is coming to the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center!
Calling all Dog Man fans, dog lovers and curious kids. Join us Saturday, August 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a…
Dunes After Dark @ Bailly Contact Station
Join us for our Ranger Choice Night Hikes, where you can explore the beauty of the park after hours and learn…
Everglades of the North Paddle
Explore the Kankakee River and Bayous The event is a self-guided tour of the Kankakee River through the LaSalle Fish…
Family Karaoke with DJD @ Social Goat
- Recurring weekly on Saturday
Family Karaoke with DJD every Saturday night from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. Families of all ages are welcome! Anyone under…
Feeding the Chickens @ Indiana Dunes National Park
- Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm
- Recurring weekly on Saturday
Help feed the chickens at the historic Chellberg Farm. This program is held every Saturday from 4:00 to 4:15 pm…
