Wandering & Exploring Activities

Why hurry? Take the time to wander and let your senses take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the Indiana Dunes. Listen to the waves on the shore. Feel the gentle breeze on your cheeks. Watch the sunlight dancing through the leaves in the forest. The Indiana Dunes area offers plenty of places where you can leisurely stroll, explore or simply sit and relax in nature.

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The 3 Dune Challenge

Three more reasons to get outside. Grab your friends, family, your furry friend, and a fitness tracker and discover the ultimate outdoor adventure with a challenging walk or run up the park’s three tallest dunes.

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Indiana Dunes Visitor Center

Want to create a personalized tour of the Indiana Dunes area? Stop by the Visitor Center where our front desk destination concierges will help you…

1215 N. State Road 49, Porter

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Alyea Park

Playground equipment, tennis courts, basketball courts, and picnic shelters available.

Church St. and Adams St., Hebron

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Ambler Flatwoods Nature Preserve

Search these large woods for small things. More than 40 rare Indiana plants are contained within the dense trees—salamanders hide under logs,…

8364 Meer Rd., Michigan City

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Aukiki Wetland Conservation Area

This 650-acre parcel conserves a mix of wetlands, black oak barrens, and sand prairie, offering wildlife viewing, hiking, and hunting. Aukiki is part…

State Rd. 49, Wheatfield

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Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm

These two historic sites sit nearly side-by-side. Bailly Homestead is named for Joseph Bailly, the first known non-native region resident, who set up…

618 N. Mineral Springs Rd., Porter

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Barker Woods

Tucked away in Michigan City, in plain sight, is a 30-acre nature preserve. Barker Woods, a Shirley Heinze Land Trust property, is a rare gem in an…

444 Barker Rd., Michigan City

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Bicentennial Park

Bicentennial Park is tucked-away park with two unlit Babe Ruth softball fields, bleachers, parking, restrooms, recreational tennis court, playground,…

175 Burlington Beach Rd., Valparaiso

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Brincka Cross Gardens

Once a private residence, this architecturally unique home and garden includes a wide variety of trees and plants—including 400 different types of…

427 E. Furness Rd., Michigan City

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Brookdale Park

This small developing park has mowed pathways circling an agricultural field that lead back to a large catch-and-release fishing pond. The pond is…

919 N. 50 West, Chesterton

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Butterfly Meadows & Caterpillar Crossing

This butterfly-themed playground with a unique music station is nestled among a small prairie and is a designated Monarch waystation. Restrooms are…

3210 Campbell St., Valparaiso

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More Outdoor Adventures

Beaches

With 15 miles of award-winning shoreline to explore, nine oh-so-swimmable beaches, and many towering dunes, you’ll be enchanted by the magic of the Indiana Dunes.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Featured Accommodations

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Vacation Homes

Best Western University Inn at Valparaiso

When you stay at Best Western University Inn, you'll be conveniently located near Valparaiso University and the Indiana Dunes. Make yourself at home…

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Vacation Homes

Woodland Village RV and Mobile Home Park

Woodland Village offers 70 spacious RV lots within its mobile home park. It is open year-round for daily, weekly, or monthly rentals near the Indiana…

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Vacation Homes

Quality Inn & Suites – Portage

Be close to everything you want to see in the Indiana Dunes area. Located at the intersection of I-90 and I-94, this hotel is an excellent home base…

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Dunes Deals

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Casual Dining

Sunrise Family Restaurant

Sunrise Family Restaurant – Coupon

Buy one entree with a drink and get one entree and drink free of equal or lesser value Family owned and run restaurant serving all types of…

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Fine Dining

Goblin & The Grocer

Goblin and the Grocer – Coupon

Friends & Family Discount - 20% OFF the regular price This cafe, market, and pub proudly serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, and…

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Cultural Dining

Ivy's Bohemia House & Catering

Ivy’s Bohemia House – Coupon

FREE bruschetta or chips & salsa appetizer with the purchase of two entrees (no substitutions). Stop in and see their eclectic menu filled with…

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Wandering & Exploring Activities

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The 3 Dune Challenge

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View Wandering Spots

Indiana Dunes Visitor Center

Alyea Park

Ambler Flatwoods Nature Preserve

Aukiki Wetland Conservation Area

Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm

Barker Woods

Bicentennial Park

Brincka Cross Gardens

Brookdale Park

Butterfly Meadows & Caterpillar Crossing

Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm

Aukiki Wetland Conservation Area

Barker Woods

Zona Wildlife Sanctuary

Wykes Plampin Nature Preserve

Woodland Park

Whiting Lakefront Park and Whihala Beach

West Beach

Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Wells Street Beach

Washington Park Beach & Zoo

Veterans Memorial Park

Thomas Centennial Park & Chesterton Bandstand

Thomas S. Drazer Memorial Park

Sunset Hill Farm County Park

Stoney Run County Park

Soldiers Memorial Park

Seidner Dune and Swale

Rogers-Lakewood Park

Porter-Brickyard Trail

Prairie Duneland Trail

Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk

Pinhook Bog & Upland Trail

Pine Lake

Penncy Park

Paul H. Douglas Trail (Formerly Miller Woods)

Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education

Ogden Gardens Park

Monon Trail

Meadowbrook Conservation Center and Nature Preserve

Keith Richard Walner Nature Preserve

Kankakee Sands Efroymsom Family Prairie Restoration

Karwick Nature Park

Kankakee Sands

Indiana Dunes Visitor Center

Indiana Dunes State Park

Indiana Dunes National Park

Heron Rookery Trail and Reynold’s Creek

Hawthorne Park

Haven Hollow Park

Hammond Lakefront Park and Bird Sanctuary

Great Marsh Trail

Grand Kankakee Marsh County Park

Gordon & Faith Greiner Nature Preserve

Glenwood Dunes Trail

Gibson Woods Nature Preserve

Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest

Friendship Botanic Gardens

Founders Square Park and Hannah’s Hope Playground

Foundation Meadows Park and Butterfly Meadows

Forest Park

Flint Lake

Erie Lackawanna Trail

Dunes Kankakee Trail

Downtown Valparaiso Walking Tours

Dale B. Engquist Nature Preserve

Cressmoor Prairie Nature Preserve

Creek Ridge County Park

Countryside Park and Alton Goin Museum

Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve

Central Park Plaza

Calumet Park

Butterfly Meadows & Caterpillar Crossing

Brookdale Park

Brincka Cross Gardens