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?
Shipwreck History Hike @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Learn about the state park’s shipwreck and Indiana’s first underwater nature preserve on this 1.5-mile flat hike to…
Web-making Wonders!! @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Learn a new SPIN on some of our Indiana Dunes' 8-legged wonders of nature. You’ll see some of these fascinating…
Owl Pellet Investigation @ Indiana Dunes State Park
With a Naturalist, in the Nature Center’s auditorium, use your investigative skills to uncover what an owl had for…
Beach Glass Wire-Wrapping Workshops @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Learn the art of wire-wrapping and make your own beach glass jewelry during a 1.5-hour session at the Nature Center…
Spring Wildflower Hike @ Indiana Dunes State Park
In honor of Take a Walk in a Park day, join the Naturalist on a hike from the Nature Center to explore a few…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
Experience Maple Sugar Time Festival at Indiana Dunes National Park
- 3 minute read
Just as the snow starts to melt and trees prepare to bud for spring, Indiana Dunes National Park gets ready to host the annual Maple Sugar Time Festival, March 7-8, 2026. This yearly tradition…
Top 10 Hiking Trails at Indiana Dunes National Park
- 7 minute read
Top Hiking Trails at Indiana Dunes National Park Indiana Dunes National Park is more than just a beach. It offers a variety of trails that highlight its natural beauty and unique ecosystems…
Take the Scenic Route: A Discovery Trail Road Trip Through the Indiana Dunes
- 4 minute read
During the summer, the beaches are full of families, couples, and National Park visitors looking to cool off in the beautiful waters of Lake Michigan and enjoy the views. But just beyond the…
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…
Drop-in Volunteering
Be the Change — Volunteer! Get more involved with the Indiana Dunes!
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…