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 Campground Shelter @ Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring weekly on Friday
Visit the campground shelter to see what fun things a park naturalist has to show and tell! They may even have an…
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! This…
Annual Duneland History Center History Hunt @ Indiana Dunes State Park
All participants must begin the hunt at the Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center before 2:30 pm to get their first…
Dune Grass Planting @ Indiana Dunes State Park
National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the largest single-day volunteer effort in the nation! Meet at the campground…
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…
Mushroom Meander @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Meet local mycologist Rob Hallock at Wilson’s Shelter for a slow walk to learn to better identify the fungi in…
Splendid Spiders! @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Come meet our 8-legged friends in the Nature Center Auditorium. You will learn some fascinating facts about the…
Critter Dinner @ Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park
- Recurring weekly on Monday
The Nature Center is home to many cold-blooded critters! Stop in to see an amphibian or reptile up close and see…
NW Indiana Storytelling Festival
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring daily
Friday, October 16, 7:00-8:00 pm: “Campfire Stories & Sweet Treats” Northwest Indiana Storytellers celebrate…
"Howl"ween in the Dunes!
Mark your calendar to get spooked and thrilled this Halloween at Indiana Dunes State Park. Join us for our…
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…
Bigfoot Half Trail Run @ Stoney Run County Park
-Race starts at 8:00 am central time, and packet pick-up begins at 7:15 am -We will be selling old Crazy Legs Race…
Happy OWL-idays @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Join us at the Nature Center’s Auditorium for some OWL-iday cheer with Humane Indiana Wildlife’s live owl…
Annual First Day Hike @ Indiana Dunes State Park
As part of a 50-state initiative, America's State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an…
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.
4th Street Print Fest Brings Printmaking, Art and Hands-On Fun to Chesterton
- 2 minute read
Printmaking takes center stage in Chesterton this fall with the inaugural 4th Street Print Fest at Chesterton Art Center. The free community event takes place Saturday, October 3, from…
Fireflies Fun Zone: A Hidden Gem for Family Fun in Chesterton
- 2 minute read
This summer in the NWI, it seems that we're all on the search for that perfect nostalgic break. I keep hearing that inner voice calling louder and louder to return to the simple, to the…
A Fall Weekend Worth Writing Home About
- 4 minute read
Fall has a way of bringing out a different and unexpected side of the Indiana Dunes. The air turns crisp, autumn colors fill the forests, and miles of trail lead to sweeping views of Lake…
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…