Plan Your Visit

Welcome to the Indiana Dunes

With 15 miles of beaches, more than 70 miles of trails, and communities full of charm, the Indiana Dunes area is ready to surprise you. Whether you’re here for a day trip or a long weekend, we’ve gathered the best tools to help you plan. No matter where your adventure takes you, it’s bound to be unforgettable.

Start Here: Ranger Matt’s Orientation to the Indiana Dunes

Ranger Matt has the inside scoop on how to make the most of your trip. Watch his quick orientation video for tips on beaches, trails, and planning your Indiana Dunes adventure.

Top Experiences in the Indiana Dunes Parks

Looking for the can’t-miss moments? Here are a few highlights to help you start planning your adventure:

Relax on 15 Miles of Beaches

From family-friendly shores to quieter stretches of sand, there’s a perfect spot waiting for your beach day.

Paddle and Play on the Water

Kayak a quiet river, paddleboard on the lake, or simply wade in the shallows—the dunes are as much about water as they are about sand.

Watch the Skies

With over 350 bird species recorded, the Indiana Dunes is a birder’s paradise—especially during spring and fall migrations.

Step Into History

Visit historic locations like the Century of Progress homes and Chellberg Farm, where you can walk through history and learn the stories of the parks.

Beyond the Beaches and Trails: Must See & Do

The Indiana Dunes is just the beginning. Once you’ve hiked the dunes and dipped your toes in Lake Michigan, venture into our surrounding communities for even more adventures. From world-class festivals and family attractions to local dining, breweries, and shops, you’ll find experiences that make your trip unforgettable.

Explore Must See & Do Attractions

Indiana Dunes Visitor Center

Start your trip here and chat with our destination ambassadors about the parks, attractions, dining, and shopping.

View Our Guides Online

Browse detailed guides by interest and start building your itinerary.

Order Free Printed Guides

Request a copy to be mailed right to your door.

Borrow a Free Nature Backpack

Get more out of your next hike. Borrow a free Explorer Backpack with everything you need to explore the Dunes like an expert.

Finding Your Way

How to Get to the Indiana Dunes

The Indiana Dunes is easy to reach and hard to leave. Located in Northwest Indiana at the southern tip of Lake Michigan, we’re just 45 minutes from Chicago and within a day’s drive for half the U.S.

Area and Community Maps

Need directions? Download maps to help you explore the region.

Porter County 50 Mile Radius – Download Map
Valparaiso & Vicinity – Download Map
Portage & Vicinity – Download Map
Chesterton & Vicinity – Download Map
Indiana Dunes Distance Map – Download Map
National Park Services Map – Download Map

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…

How to Love & Protect the Dunes During Your Visit

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.

Festivals & Events a month ago

Christmas lights with Nightmare Before Christmas Characters

Bozak Family Christmas Light Show

2 minute read

Brace yourselves for the grand return of the Bozak Family Christmas Light Show! This dazzling yearly spectacle at 259 Lake Park Road, Burns Harbor, promises to be an unmissable celebration of…

Festivals & Events a month ago

Our Guide to Christmas and Holiday Activities in the Indiana Dunes

3 minute read

Twinkling lights, falling snow, the warmth of friends and family — there are so many beautiful things to enjoy about the holidays. If you're in the Indiana Dunes this holiday…

Best Of Lists 2 months ago

A bicycle is in the back of a pickup truck. The truck sits on a tree-lined road. The trees' leaves are various fall colors.

Top Things to Do This November in the Indiana Dunes

3 minute read

November is a wonderful time to visit the Indiana Dunes. The temperatures are mild, the leaves are starting to fall, and the holiday season is just beginning. Here are five of our favorite…

Sponsored