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…
8 hours of the 3 Dune Challenge Fundraiser for FOID! @ Indiana Dunes State Park
I will be running the 3 Dune Challenge for 8 hours to raise money for the Friends of the Indiana Dunes (FOID). Since…
Art. Film, and History Intersect at the Dunes @ Indiana Dunes State Park
The southern shores of Lake Michigan have been an inspiration to many! From very famous artists to poets and even…
Beach Mysteries Hike @ Indiana Dunes State Park
This is a fun, moderate 2-mile trek along Trail 7 to the beach and back. Along the way, you will discover what makes…
Full Moon Hike @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Enjoy the beautiful full moon and night sky on this special hike, departing from the Nature Center and returning to…
Dunes Lion Safari @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Join a naturalist at the Nature Center to set off on a Lion Safari. Ant Lions, that is! We will search the dunes for…
Morning Beach Stroll @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Meet at the east side of the Beach Pavilion for a morning walk along the water’s edge. We’ll talk about everything…
Full Moon Hike @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Enjoy the beautiful full moon and night sky on this special hike, departing from the Nature Center and returning to…
Indiana Dunes Day @ Indiana Dunes State Park
We’re heading to Indiana Dunes State Park for a full summer day of adventure and chill vibes. Expect a perfect mix…
Annual Sand Sculpture Contest @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Watch the sand sculptures come alive at the Indiana Dunes State Park! Each July, sculpting groups compete by molding…
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…
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…
Hummingbird Presentation and Banding Demonstration @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Come experience these small flying jewels up-close with expert Allen Chartier. He will catch, band, and then release…
History Comes Alive Weekend @ Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring daily
This special event weekend welcomes guest speakers, history hikes, scavenger hunts, and more! Visitors can visit the…
Singing Sands Star Gaze @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Please bring a blanket or beach chair and join us on the beach in front of our beach's west parking lot for this…
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.
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…
Where to Eat Near the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival
- 4 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…
Antique Stores, Vintage Shops & Thrift Stores in Porter County
- 3 minute read
Some souvenirs collect dust. The good ones tell a story. Tucked between the Indiana Dunes and downtown streets of Porter County, antique shops, vintage boutiques, and consignment stores are…
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…