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?
Centennial Challenge Hike @ Indiana Dunes State Park
You can earn a sticker for taking photos of historically significant locations in the park! A naturalist will guide…
Crazy Legs Race Series & Friends of the Dunes Beach Clean-up @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Crazy Legs Race Series and the Friends of the Indiana Dunes are joining to clean the beach this summer. Please join…
Phenology Fun Walk @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Join a naturalist for a 1-mile walk to study the seasons and how things change. We will look for birds, mammals…
Critter Dinner @ Indiana Dunes National Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring weekly on Monday
Hop, slither, or turtle trot on over to the Nature Center’s Auditorium to see our resident reptiles and amphibians…
JD Marshall Shipwreck History Hike @ Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring weekly on Tuesday
From the Nature Center, come along for a 1.5-mile flat walk to the beach and back, describing one of Lake Michigan’s…
Breakfast with an Ambassador @ Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring weekly on Thursday
A variety of animals reside at the Nature Center. These creatures serve as educational ambassadors, helping to…
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…
Roving Naturalist in the Campground @ 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, and be sure to ask…
Beach Mysteries Hike @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Come along for this moderate hike to the beach and back. Visitors will learn to identify the mysteries that wash up…
Bird Window Bingo and the Explore Pin Quest @ Indiana Dunes State Park
We have so many birds at our feeders, you’re sure to get a bingo! By playing, you can check off the Explore Pin…
Monster Challenge!!! 19.2 miles @ Indiana Dunes State Park and it ends with the 3 Dune Challenge
***THIS IS NOT A RACE!!!*** We go SLOW and observe nature. Read that sentence 3 times and comprehend it at least…
High Dunes Hike @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Strap on your hiking shoes and join a Naturalist to not only see beautiful views, but to learn more about both the…
Spider Show N' Tell @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Learn a new SPIN on some of our Indiana Dunes 8-legged wonders of nature. You will see some of these fascinating…
Snakessssss Alive @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Slither to the Nature Center to see some of our snakes up close and learn more about these misunderstood creatures…
Frog and Toad and Salamander Too! @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Leap over to the Nature Center auditorium to learn the identification and adaptations of our local amphibians at…
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.
Celebrate the Fourth of July in the Indiana Dunes Area
- 2 minute read
Welcome to the Indiana Dunes, where the Fourth of July is celebrated second to none! Join us for our region’s patriotic celebrations while enjoying the beauty of Lake Michigan during…
Interesting Facts About the Indiana Dunes
- 5 minute read
What is the Indiana Dunes Known For? There's more to the Indiana Dunes than warm sand, blue water, and miles of hiking trails. For example, as of 2021, it's the fifth most biodiverse…
Beyond the Binoculars: Things to Do Near the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival
- 4 minute read
Each spring, birding enthusiasts from across the country flock to the shores of Lake Michigan for the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival—a celebration of one of the most biodiverse birding…
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…