For fun things to do in northwest Indiana that go beyond a day at the water, the Indiana Dunes deliver on fitness and adventure.
Fifteen miles of Lake Michigan shoreline connect to more than 50 miles of trails, a paved bike route linking small downtowns, paddling routes along the shore, and dune climbs that double as a workout.
Discover more than sand at Indiana Dunes: spend a weekend moving through prairie, wetland, old-growth forest and small-town Indiana. These ten active experiences will inspire you to get outside and explore.
1. Take on the 3 Dune Challenge
At Indiana Dunes State Park, the 3 Dune Challenge climbs Mount Jackson, Mount Holden and Mount Tom in 1.5 miles, gaining several hundred feet of elevation in loose sand along the way. Think of it as a stair-stepper built by nature, with a reward at the top of Mount Tom: a clear line of sight over the tree cover to Lake Michigan. Tackle it for time if you're training, or treat it as a slower, three-summit hike with plenty of stops to catch your breath.
2. Bike the Prairie Duneland Trail
The paved Prairie Duneland Trail follows a former rail corridor between Chesterton, Porter, and Portage, giving cyclists a flat, tree-lined ride that connects three of the Region's downtowns without a car. It's one of the more established bike trails that Indiana Dunes has to offer, wide enough that you can bring the whole family, and popular with local commuters, too. Ride out and back for an easy afternoon or link it with a stop in one of the small downtowns along the way.
3. Explore Gabis Arboretum
Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest pairs cultivated gardens with several miles of trails through hardwood forest, wetland, and prairie. Stick to the shorter garden loops near the visitor center if you want an easy walk, or head farther out for a longer, quieter trail under tree cover. Its collection of cultivated grounds makes it one of Indiana's more distinctive gardens to build into an active day, especially during spring bloom or fall color.
4. Paddle Along the Indiana Dunes Shoreline
Kayaking and paddleboarding take you beyond the beach, with routes along the Lake Michigan shoreline and on calmer inland water like the Little Calumet River. Local outfitters rent boats and boards for visitors without gear. Experience the shoreline from a different angle, gliding across the water at your own pace. Paddling adventures around the Indiana Dunes stay human-powered, with no motorized watercraft, which keeps the water quiet for wildlife and paddlers alike.
5. Swim and Relax at a Lake Michigan Beach
For a slower stop between more active outings, Central Avenue Beach offers one of the best stretches of sand in the Indiana Dunes for swimming or laying out under the sun. Behind the shoreline, a forest long buried by shifting dunes gives this beach a backdrop unlike the open horizons elsewhere along the lake. Bring a towel and stay a while, or take a short break before the next trail or paddle.
6. Run the West Beach Trails
West Beach offers a trail that combines dune climbing and lakeside walking. The Dune Succession Trail takes you up staircases through shifting dunes, then drops you onto the beach for a flat final stretch along Lake Michigan. It's a favorite loop if you're training on sand and stairs, where you'll notice the landscape shift from open dune grass to shaded forest in under a mile.
7. Hike Cowles Bog
Named for botanist Henry Cowles, the 4.7-mile Cowles Bog Trail cuts through some of the most varied terrain in Indiana Dunes National Park, moving from wooded uplands to marsh, prairie and dune before ending at the beach. It remains one of the park's more demanding hiking trails because of the distance and the sand underfoot. Plan for close to half a day if you want time to stop and look around without rushing back.
8. Discover Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm
A short, wooded trail connects Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm, turning a walk in Indiana Dunes National Park into a stop through two centuries of regional history. Bailly Homestead preserves the log buildings and cemetery of an early 19th-century fur trader's family. Chellberg Farm shows how Swedish immigrant farmers worked this same land a few generations later, with a farmhouse, barn, and sugar shack still standing. It's an easy, mostly flat walk, so bring the family or use it to lower the pace between longer trail days.
9. Explore Coffee Creek Preserve
In Chesterton, Coffee Creek Preserve blends restored prairie and wetland with a network of trails close to downtown, drawing walkers and birders throughout the year. Herons and other wetland birds are a common sight along the boardwalk sections, and the preserve connects into the town's other green spaces for a longer walk if you want one. Recent storm cleanup has closed sections of trail at times, so check current conditions before you go.
10. Camp Near the Indiana Dunes
Camping keeps you close to the trailheads for an early start, with campground and RV options at Dunewood Campground in Indiana Dunes National Park and the campground inside Indiana Dunes State Park, along with private campgrounds nearby. Fall asleep within walking distance of a trailhead, or a short drive from the beach, and you'll spend less time in the car and more time outside, ready for an early start on the next climb or paddle. It's a practical way to stretch a single active day into a full weekend.
Plan Your Active Indiana Dunes Getaway
Ten stops are a starting point, not the whole list — there are more fun things to do in northwest Indiana, from trails and beaches to gardens and quiet corners, than a single weekend can cover. Spring and fall bring cooler temperatures for dune climbs and trail runs, while summer adds warmer water for swimming and paddling, so the best time to visit depends on which of these activities you want most. Refuel afterward at one of the area's restaurants, and choose a place to stay close to the trailheads you plan to hit the next day again.
Need help planning your getaway? Check out our Plan Your Visit page.
