Diana of the Dunes Dare
Dare to Be Different? Embrace the Dunes.
In honor of the daring and free spirit of Alice Mabel Gray, also known as Diana, a nearby sand hill has been named “Diana’s Dune.” You can now hike in a local legend’s footsteps at Indiana Dunes National Park’s West Beach. Explore the natural wonders of her beloved Dunes terrain while learning about dune development.
In 1915, 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—a legend in…
Follow this National Park trail to learn about the four stages of dune development within its one-mile length. Access it from the parking lot or the path beginning at the beach. This scenic…
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!
This project was created in collaboration with our amazing partners.
Events in the Indiana Dunes
Annie, JR
- Boys & Girls Club - Valparaiso
- Recurring daily
Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with a beloved book and score…
Brauer Museum of Art - Permanent Collection
- Valparaiso University Brauer Museum of Art
- Recurring daily
The Brauer Museum boasts a collection of more than 5,000 works of art from the mid-19th century to the present. Also…
Chellberg Farm Open House
- Recurring daily
Stop by the historic Chellberg Farm to tour the farmhouse and visit the animals. Rangers and volunteers will be on…
Connections at the Porter County Museum
- Recurring daily
Connections is currently on display in the Eunice Slagle Gallery of the PoCo Muse. Presenting our discoveries with a…
Diversified Art Visionaries @ The Art Barn School of Art
- Art Barn School of Art. Inc.
- Recurring daily
More information to come. Gallery hours: Tuesday - Friday 10 - 4 & Saturday 10 - 2 Closed Sunday & Monday
Ever Yours: Postcards From the Golden Age
- Porter County Museum (PoCo Muse)
- Recurring daily
The Ever Yours: Postcards from the Golden Age is currently on display in the Montague/Urschel Gallery of the PoCo…
Exhibit B Photo Exhibit in the Nature Center Auditorium
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring daily
This exhibit is presented by Chautauqua in the Dunes featuring the Top 25 photo submissions showcasing all things…
Fall Fun at County Line Orchard
- County Line Orchard
- Recurring daily
Family Fun at its Finest! Gather your family and come spend a day at County Line Orchard. Features U-Pick pumpkins…
Fall Harvest Festival & Antique Equipment Show
- Recurring daily
Come join the Northern Indiana Historical Power Association for our 46th Annual Fall Harvest Festival! We are happy…
Feeding at the Farm
- Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm
- Recurring weekly on Sunday
Join a volunteer or ranger and help feed the cows and chickens at the historic Chellberg Farm. This event is held…
Four Corners Winery Fall Car Show
The annual Car Show is sure to be an event worth enjoying. Last year, we had vintage cars, muscle cars, VW vans, and…
Furs to Farm Flashback
- Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Saturday
Take a self-guided hike and travel through time to meet up with rangers stationed at two of the park’s historic…
Gabis Arboretum Railway Garden Train
- Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Featuring dwarf plants and model steam engine trains, the exhibit showcases the impact steam engine trains had on…
Live Music at Anderson's Winery
- Anderson's Winery and Vineyard
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Saturday
Enjoy Anderson's with good music, good friends, and good wine. Every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, from 2:00 - 5:00…
Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor
- Porter County Museum (PoCo Muse)
- Recurring daily
In 1943, the American Legion had an idea to erect a Roll of Honor on the east lawn of the courthouse square to…
Another Amazing Trail at the Indiana Dunes.
3 Dune Challenge
Challenge friends, family, and yourself to an epic climb up the three tallest sand dunes at Indiana Dunes State Park. It’s 1.5 miles of tough trail with 552 vertical feet that’s 100 percent brag-worthy.