Indiana Dunes State Park
Sand, shore, and the space to breathe—over 2,000 acres of it! This isn’t your run of the mill state park, it’s a place shaped by thousands of years of shifting landscapes and Hoosier history. Since 1925, Indiana Dunes State Park has been wowing visitors with its natural terrain, three-miles of dune-lined shores, and a diverse range of flora and fauna. Splash around in Lake Michigan, bound up towering sand dunes, or explore beautiful trails on foot or on your bike. Escape the mundane on these storied shores.
Three more reasons to get outside. Put on your fitness tracker and discover the ultimate outdoor adventure. Grab your friends, family members, or pets, and take on this challenging hike up the…
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.
Join Ranger Matt in our Dunes 101 Series to explore everything you need to know about the Indiana Dunes, including how to make the most out of your beach experience, where to camp, and the…
Unplug from everyday stress and connect to nature with over 70 miles of hike-able trails, 15 miles of swim-able coastline, and over 350 species of migratory birds.
Be the change by getting more involved with the Indiana Dunes! There are many no-hassle, volunteer drop-in opportunities available for everyone. Just show up, and the organization provides the…
Indiana Dunes Events
View All EventsAnnual Juried Art Exhibition at the Art Barn School of Art
- Art Barn School of Art. Inc.
- Recurring daily
The Art Barn School of Art is delighted to announce its Annual Juried Art Exhibition. We are proud to continue the…
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…
Connections: New Objects on Display
- Porter County Museum (PoCo Muse)
- Recurring daily
Take a closer look. Gathered throughout the PoCo Muse are pairs of objects that speak to each other in surprising…
Connections: Take a Closer Look - Permanent Exhibit
- Porter County Museum (PoCo Muse)
- Recurring daily
Gathered throughout the PoCo Muse are pairs of objects that speak to each other in surprising ways. The objects may…
Exhibit Opening: New Era Guitars: Making Music in the Dunes
- Westchester Township History Museum
- Recurring daily
Born and raised in Northwest Indiana, Tony Klassen was a talented artist, furniture builder, and guitar maker. He…
Lowenstine WWII Roll of Honor
- Porter County Museum (PoCo Muse)
- Recurring daily
In November 1943, members of the Charles Pratt Post #94 of the American Legion had an idea to erect a memorial on…
Westchester Township History Museum - Permanent Exhibit
- Westchester Township History Museum
- Recurring daily
The permanent exhibit highlights local history from prehistoric times to today. Temporary exhibits celebrate…
Salamander Gander
See our short-legged long-tailed amphibian friends at the Nature Center. Then we will head out for a short walk to…
Tringo @ Cheers in Chesterton
- Cheers in Chesterton
- Recurring weekly on Tuesday
Every Tuesday it's Tringo Night at Cheers in Chesterton!!! Join them for trivia, bingo, food, and drinks. Fun for…
Coffee Creek Farmers Market
- Recurring weekly on Wednesday
The Coffee Creek Farmers Market is held every Wednesday from May through November from 3:00 - 7:00 pm. They pride…
Entertainment Trivia @ 219 Taproom
- (219) Taproom
- Recurring weekly on Wednesday
Entertainment Trivia every Wednesday starting at 6:00 p.m. Taproom is a Chesterton fine establishment for…
Floral Wine Glass Cocktails and Canvas @ Four Corners Winery
Join us in painting the beautiful floral-designed wine glasses at the gorgeous Four Corners Winery. It makes a…
Indiana Dunes Birding Festival Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Free Launch Event
Celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival with a free public launch event on Wednesday…
Indiana Dunes Birding Festival
- Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
- Recurring daily
The Indiana Dunes Birding Festival is an annual event hosted by the Indiana Audobon Society that showcases the…
Monarch Butterflies with Jim Starin @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Come learn about the magnificent monarch butterfly! Jim Starin is an avid monarch enthusiast, from tagging and…
Tales from the Dunes
Read All StoriesWhere to Eat Near the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival
- 2 minute read
The Indiana Dunes Birding Festival happens each May when migrating birds converge near the southern coast of Lake Michigan. Birders from across the country (and world!) travel to the Indiana…
Top Festivals in the Indiana Dunes
- 2 minute read
Discover the vibrant scenery of the Indiana Dunes Region through our diverse festivals! Experience maple sugar activities, bird watching, celebratory fireworks, music, food, and more! Maple…
Why We Should Try to Appreciate Spiders
- 5 minute read
Did you know that the first week of April is National Be Kind to Spiders Week? To be kind to spiders (that is, to resist all instincts to squish them), one must first appreciate spiders, which…
More Things to See & Do
Outdoor Adventures
Shaped by nature, made for adventure. In the Indiana Dunes, it’s all about fun times and tan lines—from…
Dunes Deals
Shake off the sand south of the Indiana Dunes! Dig up real savings with Indiana Dunes Deals and make the most of…
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 & Entertainment
It’s not all sand-fringed lakes and epic sunsets. Here, you’ll find a vibrant arts scene stoked by a…
Volunteer
Be the Change — Volunteer! Get more involved with the Indiana Dunes!
Book a Place to Stay
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…