Dunes 101
Join Ranger Matt in our Dunes 101 Series to explore everything you need to know about the Indiana Dunes, including how to make the most out of your beach experience, where to camp, and the perfect hiking trail for your skill level.
Getting Here
Before you lose yourself in the beauty of the Indiana Dunes, you’re going to want to find us. Of course, finding us is easy. The hard part will be leaving.
Indiana Dunes National Park
When it comes to our newly minted national park, it’s a numbers game. It’s 15,000 acres of unadulterated adventure; 1,100 flowering plants; 350 species of birds; 50 miles of trails over dunes, bogs, prairies, and serene forests; 15 miles of Great Lake shoreline; and so much more.
Indiana Dunes State Park
Serving up adventure since 1925. With over 2,000 acres of stunning terrain to explore, discover our Hoosier landscape from beaches and sand dunes to wetlands and ancient forests.
Explore Our Communities
Find it in the friendly streets of small towns like Hebron, the charming downtown festivals and markets of Chesterton, the world-class arts scene of Valparaiso, and warm summer days spent on Lake Michigan in Portage. It’s the rich tapestry of history, scenery, and daily life that weaves together the Indiana Dunes—it’s our communities.
Visitor Center
The best way to live like a local is to learn from a local. Our Visitor Center offers everything you need to learn more about the Indiana Dunes area with the added assistance of our super knowledgeable destination ambassadors.
Explore the Area
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Outdoor adventure trifecta: Hiking, biking and paddling in Indiana Dunes
By Joe Lyon
The Indiana Dunes had been our radar for a while. It’s not often you can drive to a national park (the Indiana Dunes National Park) within an hour of a metropolis. Tall trees, forested hills and wide open spaces were a welcome change from our downtown place.