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!
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 Trail of Scarecrows
- Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest
- Recurring daily
School groups, scouts, businesses, families, and other groups create scarecrows on display during October at the…
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…
Coffee Creek Farmers Market
- Recurring weekly on Wednesday
The Coffee Creek Farmers Market is held every Wednesday from May through October from 3:00 - 7:00 pm. They pride…
Glass Fusing @ Valpo Creates Center
Introduction to the art of fusing colored glass to make a variety of functional and decorative objects. Suitable for…
Guided Tour of "Our Heart of Hearts: The Porter County Fair" with Quinn @ Porter County Museum
- Porter County Museum (PoCo Muse)
- Recurring daily
The annual Porter County Fair is the oldest and largest event we have here; it’s so familiar that it is sometimes…
Live Music Every Sunday @ Goblin Duneside Bar & Eatery
- The Goblin Duneside Bar & Eatery
- Recurring daily
Join us every Sunday at the Goblin Duneside Eatery and Bar for a fabulous brunch and live music! We're all about…
Open Art Studio Class @ Sunset Hill Farm County Park
- Sunset Hill Farm County Park
- Recurring weekly on Wednesday
Create various works of art in the studio environment. Your choice of medium and subject matter will enhance your…
Open Mic @ Cheers in Chesterton
- Cheers in Chesterton
- Recurring weekly on Wednesday
Open mic night every Wednesday at Cheers! Stop by for a good time!! Showcase your talent at open mic night every…
Open Mic Night @ Four Corners Winery
- Four Corners Winery and Wedding Venue
- Recurring weekly on Wednesday
Hosted by Kasim Whiting. Got talent? Come show it off! Whether you sing, play, perform poetry, or have a hidden…
Public Exhibit Opening of "Our Heart of Hearts: The Porter County Fair" @ Porter County Museum
- Porter County Museum (PoCo Muse)
- Recurring daily
The annual Porter County Fair is the oldest and largest event we have here; it’s so familiar that it is sometimes…
Westchester Township History Museum - Permanent Exhibit
- Duneland History Center
- Recurring daily
The permanent exhibit highlights local history from prehistoric times to today. Temporary exhibits celebrate…
Woody Wednesdays @ Meadowbrook
This time of year, we focus on removing species with woody stems. Multiflora Rose, bush honeysuckle, oriental…
Acrylic Painting @ Sunset Hill Farm County Park
Join Susan at Sunset Hill for a 2-hour guided Acrylic Painting Project that you will take home the same day. A new…
Chamber Network Night: Game On
Get ready to level up your networking at this year's Chamber Network Night: Game On! Presented by the Valpo…
