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?
Campground Rove: Weekday Program on Fridays Only
- Indiana Dunes State Park
- Recurring weekly on Friday
Be on the lookout in the campground for a Park Naturalist. They may have something fun with them, and be sure to ask…
Naturalist Table at the Nature Center @ Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring weekly on Friday
Be on the lookout at the Nature Center for a naturalist with some fun items to learn about! They may have a fun game…
Salamander Gander @ Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring weekly on Friday
Come see our short-legged, long-tailed amphibian friends at the Nature Center. Then we will head out for a short…
Drum Circle on the Beach @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Whether you're an experienced drummer or just want to check it out~ your beat is welcome. Instruments provided…
Hike Through the Great Marsh @ Indiana Dunes State Park
From the Nature Center, we will hike Trails 10 and 2, our 3-mile, flat loop trail. While walking over the boardwalk…
Snakes are Great! @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Slither over to the Nature Center to see our ambassador snakes up close and learn all about the Indiana Dunes’…
Clay, Community + Place: A Panel Discussionat the Historic Dunes Pavilion @ Indiana Dunes State Park
As part of Beale Pottery’s annual Summer Camp Celebration, Clay, Community & Place brings together five…
Phenology Fun Walk @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Join the naturalists for a 1-mile walk to study the seasons and how things change. We’ll look for birds, mammals…
Wetland Wander @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Walk with a naturalist from the Nature Center to see up close the small plants and animals that call our park’s…
Feed the Birds B-I-N-G-O @ Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring weekly on Wednesday
Fly to the Naturalist at the Nature Center’s Bird Window to help fill the feeders and play this fun game where you…
Turtle Time @ Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring weekly on Thursday
Turtles have so many adaptations for surviving in their habitats. Come to the Nature Center's auditorium to meet our…
Sensory Night Hike @ Indiana Dunes State Park
A stroll through the forest on a warm summer evening! Discover how certain animals have evolved to thrive in…
S'mores and Smokey Bear Celebration! @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Celebrate National S’mores Day AND Smokey Bear’s Birthday with the Indiana Dunes State Park! There will be a whole…
The 3 Dune Challenge @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Hey AF family, here's a new physical event coming your way! The 3 Dune Challenge is a rugged 1.5-mile hike at…
Annual Perseid Meteor Shower & Stargaze @ Indiana Dunes State Park
This is an annual shooting star event that marks the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower. Telescopes for deep sky…
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.
Plan a Creative Weekend at the Indiana Dunes with the Chesterton Art Fair
- 3 minute read
One of the best things about visiting the Indiana Dunes is discovering experiences beyond the beach. Just a few miles from the shoreline, the annual Chesterton Art Fair invites visitors to…
Indiana Dunes: Your Guide to the Best Places to Visit Any Season
- 7 minute read
The Indiana Dunes pack more variety into one place than many larger destinations. Strung along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, this stretch of national and state parkland ranks among the…
Sunset Hill Farm County Park: A Family-Friendly Park Near Indiana Dunes
- 3 minute read
Looking for free family fun near Indiana Dunes? Sunset Hill Farm County Park in Valparaiso is one of Northwest Indiana's favorite outdoor destinations, offering accessible playgrounds…
Dunes Deals Coupons
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
There’s a reason Indiana Dunes National Park was named the #1 pet-friendly attraction in the state of Indiana…
Arts, Culture, & Entertainment
It’s not all sand-fringed lakes and epic sunsets. Here, you’ll find a vibrant arts scene stoked by a…
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…