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Indiana Dunes
Indiana Dunes
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Close
Search
Indiana Dunes
Indiana Dunes
Explore the DunesExplore the Dunes
Explore The Dunes Dunes 101Getting HereIndiana Dunes National ParkTwo people kayakingIndiana Dunes State ParkOur CommunitiesVisitor Center
Things to DoThings to Do
Things to Do Arts & EntertainmentAttractions & RecreationDrop-In VolunteeringFamily Funtwo bikers on a roadOutdoor AdventuresPet FriendlyShopping
Eat & DrinkEventsPlaces to Stay
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Indiana DunesExplore The DunesIndiana Dunes National Park

Indiana Dunes National Park

Walk on glacial sands, pushed and pulled by time into dunes nearly 250 feet high. Paddle across a 300-mile-long lake with waves and scenery that rival the Atlantic. A place unlike anywhere else on Earth? We’re not just putting wind in your sails. It’s a haven for hikers. A beacon for birders. A tenement for tenters. With an unparalleled position along 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 50 miles of rugged trails, and a diverse ecosystem of dunes, wetlands, prairies, and old-growth forest, Indiana Dunes National Park is a destination for outdoor adventurers of all kinds.

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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 experience.

Drop-In Volunteering

We offer no-hassle volunteering through our drop-in program. Just show up — we provide the gear and training. Opportunities are available every day, so come lend a hand in preserving this beautiful place!

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National Park Listings

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Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm

These two historic sites sit nearly side-by-side. Bailly Homestead is named for Joseph Bailly, the first known non-native region resident, who set up…

618 N. Mineral Springs Rd., Porter

Central Avenue Beach

This beach is surrounded by a buried forest created when wind-blown sands inundated the trees. It is also a great place to hike flower-filled fields,…

151 Central Ave., Michigan City

Cowles Bog Trail

This is where Henry Chandler Cowles conducted his landmark study of the dunes’ vegetation succession. Pass through wooded dunes and wetlands until…

1450 N. Mineral Springs Rd., Dune Acres

Dunbar Beach

Parking is limited at this prime spot near the Lake View Picnic Area and the historic Century of Progress homes. Enjoy this beautiful beach in a…

300 W. Lake Front Dr., Beverly Shores

Dune Succession Trail

The Dunes Succession Trail links with two others in the national park system, covering a total of 3.6 miles. As the name suggests, this trail is a…

376 N. County Line Rd., Gary

Dunes Learning Center

The Dunes Learning Center gives kids a chance to learn about the Indiana Dunes by being out in nature with the experts. Visit indianadunes.com/events…

700 Howe Rd. (N. 150 W.), Chesterton

Glenwood Dunes Trail

Cross over two ancient dune ridges created as Lake Michigan receded 11,000 years ago. This trail is used for hiking, horseback riding…

1475 N. Brummitt Rd., Chesterton

Great Marsh Trail

Just a short stroll to an accessible observation platform provides a great view of this recently restored wetland. Wading birds like herons and…

500 S. Broadway Ave., Beverly Shores

Heron Rookery East

The Heron Rookery Trail was a Great Blue Heron nesting ground for 60 years. The Great Blue Herons have moved on, but the 3.3-mile trail is a great…

1336 N. 600 East, Michigan City

Heron Rookery Trail and Reynold’s Creek

Though the heron rookery is no longer active, the 1.6-mile trail is a good spot for viewing other bird species. In springtime, the woods along the…

1320 N. 600 East, Michigan City

Showing Results 1-10 of 27

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Indiana Dunes National Park Events

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Exhibits

The Bizarre Bazaar

Saturday, September 26, 2020

Come one, come all to the Bizarre Bazaar! From taxidermy and specimens to vintage oddities, horror collectibles, and nerdy home decor; the Bizarre…

Fairs

Annual Nativity Fest

Sunday, July 12, 2020

Four nights of homemade food, live music, carnival games, rides, pull tabs, and bingo. There will also be a big-money raffle, a beer garden, and…

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Visitor Posts

Sedges Are a Buffet for Bison in the Indiana Dunes

Kankakee Sands bison spend much of their grazing time consuming sedges; allowing a young bison calf born at just 40 pounds to mature to a 1600-pound…

Places to Stay

Valparaiso Inn Bed & Breakfast

Each of Valparaiso Inn's suites is furnished with period antiques and private bathrooms with features like clawfoot soaking tubs or two-person…

Visitor Posts

Dung Beetles and Bison!

We often talk about the types of plants that our Kankakee Sands bison are eating, and how that will affect the prairies. What we rarely talk about is…

Top 10 Lists

Top Dunes Hiking Trails

Indiana Dunes is a wildlife-rich landscape of dunes, barrens, prairies, forests, and wetlands, packed with great sites to explore.