Top Things to Do This Spring Break in the Indiana Dunes: 2025

Spring in the Indiana Dunes means you can experience a perfect mix of hiking in natural beauty alongside family-friendly festivities and activities. As the landscape blooms with native wildflowers and the days grow warmer, here are our top things to do during spring break in the Indiana Dunes area.

A close-up of a meadow covered in bright yellow flowers with dark centers, their slender green stems stretching toward the sky. Soft sunlight highlights the petals, while a dark, out-of-focus background contrasts with the vibrant foreground.

Spring Festivals & Events

Celebrate the arrival of spring festivals like the Maple Sugar Time Festival, held on March 1 and 2, 2025, at Chellberg Farm. This annual event provides a hands-on look at the history of maple sugaring, from Native American techniques to modern methods. Visitors can explore the sugaring operation, sample recipes featuring maple syrup, and meet the farm animals—including the possibility of springtime babies! Kids can try tapping a tree at the Maple Fun Zone, while adults can stock up on locally made maple products to take home.

A cozy sugar shack with wooden walls and an open-beam ceiling fills with steam from a maple syrup evaporator. Two people, bundled in winter clothing, stand nearby, watching the process. A metal chimney pipe reflects the warm light, adding to the rustic atmosphere

The Indiana Dunes Birding Festival runs from May 15–18, 2025. Hosted by the Indiana Audubon Society, this event celebrates the Dunes’ incredible biodiversity, highlighting it as a premier destination for bird watchers. The festival includes guided walks, workshops, and keynote presentations.

A person with glasses and a beanie enjoys a quiet moment with a small brown bird perched on their hand. The relaxed setting, with thermoses and bags in the background, suggests a nature excursion or birdwatching experience.

Best Wildflower Hikes

With over 1,100 species of flowering plants, spring is prime time for exploring the wildflower trails in the Indiana Dunes. The Cowles Bog Trail will lead you along distinctive ponds and marshes, home to fascinating blooms like pitcher plants, skunk cabbage (yes, they are smelly!), and Joe-Pye weed.

Skunk cabbage plants sprouting in a wetland, with curved, speckled spathes and fresh green leaves rising from the water. The scene captures early spring growth, with floating leaves and bubbles on the water's surface.

The West Beach Trail Loop will reward you with views of Lake Michigan. Hiking in the springtime will reveal prickly pear cactus and springtime blooms while walking through sandy oak savannas.

A close-up of a green prickly pear cactus growing among tall grass, its spiny pads standing out against the soft, blurred background. A dried, shriveled cactus pad lies nearby on the dark, damp soil.

The Heron Rookery Trail’s colorful carpet of wildflowers—including trillium, Virginia bluebells, and Dutchman’s breeches—lines the path along the Little Calumet River. For more wildflower hikes, check out the Indiana Dunes Flower Quest.

Spring Outdoor Activities

As winter thaws to spring in the Indiana Dunes, a host of activities open up! Camping at Indiana Dunes State Park features 140 sites equipped with electrical hookups, heated restrooms, and access to nearby trails. Trail 4 leads directly to the summit of Mt. Tom, the tallest dune in the area—perhaps you’re even up for the 3 Dune Challenge?!

A group of four friends poses at the summit of Mt. Holden, a sand dune overlooking Lake Michigan. They stand around a blue and yellow sign marking the elevation of 184 feet. One person in a bright green shirt kneels in the sand, pointing at the sign with enthusiasm, while the others strike playful poses. The background features lush green trees and a clear blue lake under a bright sky.

Did you know fishing opportunities abound in the Dunes during spring? Especially with the salmon returning to local waterways, just make sure to get your license properly stamped before hitting the water. From the calm waters of inland lakes and creeks to the expansive shores of Lake Michigan, anglers will find plenty of options for casting a line.

A cheerful moment between two people on a fishing boat, with the open water behind them. The woman, wearing a cowboy-style hat and sunglasses, holds onto the boat's railing, while the man, dressed in a button-up shirt and sunglasses, laughs. The fishing rods in the background hint at a day of adventure on the water.

Kayaking and canoeing are great ways to explore the region’s waterways, including the Little Calumet River. Beginners can paddle along calm river sections, while experienced adventurers might take on the more challenging Lake Michigan Water Trail.

A young kayaker in a red and black boat paddles through a peaceful river, creating ripples in the water. The lush green surroundings and floating logs add to the wilderness atmosphere. His intense focus suggests determination and adventure.