Ready for a workout with bragging rights? Tackle the 3 Dune Challenge, a steep 1.5-mile hike up the three tallest dunes in Indiana Dunes State Park with 552 feet of elevation gain.
Named one of the best places to hike in Indiana by USA Today, Trail 9 at the Indiana Dunes State Park offers incredible vistas and towering sand dunes that make you feel a thousand miles away.
Watch Ranger Matt's Dunes 101 videos to learn everything you need to know about the Indiana Dunes, including how to have the best beach experience, where to camp, and which trail to hike.
State Park Views
We love our outdoor spaces and many are fragile habitats that need to be protected! Learn how to visit the Indiana Dunes sustainably with these eco-friendly travel tips.
The Indiana Dunes is one of the most biodiverse national parks in the entire country. Over 1,100 flowering plant species and ferns make their homes here. How many flowers can YOU find?
Amphibians @ Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring weekly on Monday
Hop on over to the Nature Center, where we will explore the differences and similarities between some awesome Dunes…
Salamander Gander @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Come and learn all about these fantastic creatures at the Nature Center! We'll discuss their lifecycle, feeding…
Campground Rove @ Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park Campground
- Recurring weekly on Friday
Be on the lookout in the campground for a Park Naturalist. They may have something fun with them. Be sure to ask…
Photo Scavenger Hunt @ Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring weekly on Friday
We have prizes and a fun list of nature objects to hunt for! You bring your camera or phone for this fun game! Time…
Meet the Beavers @ Indiana Dunes State Park
From the Nature Center, we will hike over to one of the state park's largest beaver dams. Come and learn all about…
Singing Sands Star Gaze @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Bring a blanket and join us at the West Lot parking lot and beach for an annual event with local astronomers from…
Dunes Prairie Wild Edibles Hike @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Meet at the West Lot parking lot to travel the steps up to Trail 3. While hiking through the Dunes Prairie Nature…
Splendid Spiders! @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Meet our 8-legged friends in the Nature Center Auditorium. You will learn some fascinating facts about the…
Full Moon Hike @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Enjoy the beautiful full moon and night sky on this special event hike from the Nature Center to Lake Michigan and…
NW Indiana Storytelling Festival
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring daily
Friday, October 17th 7:00pm-8:00pm: “Campfire Stories & Sweet Treats” Northwest Indiana Storytellers celebrate…
Saw-Whet & S'Mores @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Burn the midnight oil with the Indiana Audubon as they bring the 17th season of Northern Saw-whet Owl research with…
Saw-Whet Owl Banding: All Access Field Night
- Indiana Dunes State Park
- Recurring daily
Go behind the scenes of Northern Saw-whet Owl research with Indiana Audubon, in partnership with the Indiana Dunes…
Saw-Whet Owl Banding: All Access Field Night
- Indiana Dunes State Park
- Recurring daily
Go behind the scenes of Northern Saw-whet Owl research with Indiana Audubon, in partnership with the Indiana Dunes…
Saw-Whet Owl Banding: All Access Field Night
- Indiana Dunes State Park
- Recurring daily
Go behind the scenes of Northern Saw-whet Owl research with Indiana Audubon, in partnership with the Indiana Dunes…
Holiday Craft Creation Extravaganza @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Stop in the Nature Center auditorium, any time during these hours. We will have a variety of crafts to make to add…
More than just a hiking trail, this interactive experience will weave the culture of the Miami and Potawatomi Indigenous Peoples with the natural ecology of the Indiana Dunes.
You’re invited to help be a part of preserving and protecting the Indiana Dunes by volunteering during your visit. All you have to do is show up! How’s that for easy?!
Learn about a few ways you can explore the outdoors responsibly while ensuring that its beauty and resources are maintained for future generations.
Top Eight Reasons to Go to the Indiana Dunes Outdoor Adventure Festival
- 3 minute read
Each fall, local organizations come together to lead over 100 events in ten days to celebrate the wide variety of outdoor adventures you can have in Northwest Indiana. The Indiana Dunes…
Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center Gift Shop Now Open
- 1 minute read
There’s a new reason to stop by the Nature Center on your next visit to Indiana Dunes State Park. The Indiana Dunes State Park Gift Shop is now open! This shop is more than just…
Best Picnic Spots in the Indiana Dunes
- 3 minute read
The Indiana Dunes is a place where a simple picnic can become the highlight of the day. Set up steps from the lake, or enjoy shade from the forest canopy near quiet trails. Here are a few of…
Outdoor Adventures
Shaped by nature, made for adventure. In the Indiana Dunes, it’s all about fun times and tan lines—from…
Dunes Deals Coupon Pass
Dig up real savings with Indiana Dunes Deals and make the most of your vacation. Discounts ranging from a free scoop…
Indiana Dunes Shop
Don’t just experience the Indiana Dunes; take it home with you. Find your new favorite T-shirt, hoodie, or…
Pet-Friendly Adventures
There’s a reason Indiana Dunes National Park was named the #1 pet-friendly attraction in the state of Indiana…
Arts & Entertainment
It’s not all sand-fringed lakes and epic sunsets. Here, you’ll find a vibrant arts scene stoked by a…
Drop-in Volunteering
Be the Change — Volunteer! Get more involved with the Indiana Dunes!
Bed & Breakfasts
Feel like family with intimate accommodations that range from nature-inspired retreats in the woods…
Hotels & Inns
A convenient stay located near downtown? What about a country retreat heaped in Old World charm? Or…