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Indiana Dunes
Indiana Dunes
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Close
Search
Indiana Dunes
Indiana Dunes
Explore the DunesExplore the Dunes
Explore the Dunes Dunes 101Getting HereIndiana Dunes National ParkIndiana Dunes State Parktwo bikers on a roadOutdoor AdventuresVisitor Center
Things to DoThings to Do
Things to Do Arts & EntertainmentAttractions & RecreationOur CommunitiesPet Friendly: Dog at the DunesPet FriendlyShoppingVolunteer
Eat & DrinkEvents
Places to StayPlaces to Stay
Places to Stay Bed & BreakfastsHotels & InnsRVs & CampgroundsVacation Homes
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Indiana DunesExplore the DunesOutdoor AdventuresBeaches

Lake Michigan National & State Park Beaches

Life in the Indiana Dunes is like a day at the beach. That’s because we have 15 beautiful miles of award-winning shoreline to explore and nine oh-so-swimmable beaches. Start your day with a hike up a sand dune overlooking Lake Michigan, and end it on the beach below. Fire up the grill and air-dry with a lakeside BBQ, cast a line from the nearby fishing pier and reel in dinner, and somewhere between the windswept tall grasses and your sand-scrubbed feet, you’ll be enchanted by the magic of the Indiana Dunes.

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Safety and Beach Closures

Nine beaches, 15 miles of coastline, and one Great Lake. There are so many elements that make the Indiana Dunes one of the Midwest’s top destinations, the most important being the safety of our shores.

Indiana Dunes Parks

The Indiana Dunes National Park and the Indiana Dunes State Park offer access to dune-lined shores and endless outdoor adventures.

Indiana Dunes National Park

A land untouched by time—this slice of paradise was etched by glaciers, preserved by research and science, and enjoyed by family, friends, and fauna for years.

Indiana Dune State Park

Shaped by thousands of years of shifting landscapes and Hoosier history, you can discover each inch of natural terrain through dune-lined shores, tree-lined trails, and sandy lakeshores.

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Central Avenue Beach

This beach is surrounded by a buried forest created when wind-blown sands inundated the trees. It is also a great place to hike flower-filled fields,…

151 Central Ave., Michigan City

Dunbar Beach

Parking is limited at this prime spot near the Lake View Picnic Area and the historic Century of Progress homes. Enjoy this beautiful beach in a…

300 W. Lake Front Dr., Beverly Shores

Indiana Dunes National Park

On February 15, 2019, Indiana was given its first national park! After 53 years as the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, the area was renamed the…

1100 N. Mineral Springs Rd. (N. 100 W.), Porter

Indiana Dunes State Park

A state park surrounded by a national park, the Indiana Dunes State Park is 2,182 acres of dunes, marshes, swamps, hardwood forests, and white pine…

1600 N. 25 East, Chesterton

Kemil Beach

Enjoy one of the most scenic drives in Porter County on your way to the Kemil Beach parking lots. Then you can enjoy a nice stretch of beach or…

27 N. East State Park Rd. (State Park Rd. and Lake Front Dr., Beverly Shores

Lake View Beach & Picnic Area

With easy access from your car to a sitting area with a stunning view, Lake View is also a popular spot for enjoying the beach, and it is the only…

50 W. Lake Front Dr., Beverly Shores

Marquette Park

This 241-acre park offers 1.4 miles of Lake Michigan beaches, inland ponds, tall dunes, and wetlands as well as a lagoon, indigenous oak savanna, and…

1 N. Grand Blvd., Gary

Mount Baldy & Beach

The largest "living" dune in the National Park, Mount Baldy moves about four feet every year, burying everything in its path, including trees. While…

101 Rice St. (US Hwy 12), Michigan City

Pine Lake

Pine Lake, sometimes referred to as North Pine Lake and South Pine Lake, is the largest and has the most recreational opportunities available to the…

908 Pine Lake Ave., LaPorte

Porter Beach

This is a popular gathering spot for splashing in the water, playing beach sports, and catching some rays. There are bathrooms and a small foot wash…

3050 Wabash Ave., Porter

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Locals Know: Outdoor Adventures

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Visitor Center

Traveling with Care at the Indiana Dunes

We are excited to share this unique place with you and ask that when you visit you take care of our environment and support our local communities.

Plants and Wildlife

If Monarch Wings Could Talk

The state of a monarch’s wings in the fall tells us a lot about what is in store for that particular butterfly in the months ahead. 

Plants and Wildlife

Nature Notes: Stem Research

But the great thing is that sometimes we learn more when we don’t know what a plant or animal is named. It causes us to look deeper and harder at…

Plants and Wildlife

Hoary Vervain: A Crowd Pleasing Wildflower

Hoary vervain grows in dry, sandy, or gravely soils in oak savannas and in prairies. This wildflower has a particular fondness for growing along…

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More Outdoor Adventures

Bicycling

Some things stick with us forever, just like riding a bike. Unforgettable vacation memories spent cruising miles of paved trail, off-road adventures, and rails to trails journeys are just to name a few.

Birding

We’ve been described as “for the birds,” and no, that isn’t an insult. The Indiana Dunes is a birders paradise. After all, where else can you see more than 350 native and migratory bird species in one place?

Fishing

Fishing season? Try fishing seasons. With this many inland lakes, creeks, miles of shoreline, and deep waters, we’re hooked on the sport all year round.

Hiking

Need a reason to get outside? We’ve got 15,000 of ‘em. That’s 15,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness to walk, climb, and hike through along old-growth forest floors, centuries-old paths, and starkly beautiful wetlands.

Paddling

Our recipe for the perfect day? Just add water. Luckily, around here there’s no shortage of lakes, creeks, and waterways to satisfy your inner aquaphile. Take it from us, it’s the best way to get to know the area.

Wandering

Take the time to wander and let your senses take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the Indiana Dunes. Explore gardens, parks, and other natural areas with serene settings.