Discover the Best Beaches in the Indiana Dunes

9 Beautiful Beaches, 15 Miles of Shoreline, and Pure Lake Michigan Adventure

Life in the Indiana Dunes really is like a day at the beach. That’s because along miles of award-winning Lake Michigan shoreline, you'll find nine scenic, swimmable Indiana Dunes beaches to explore, each offering its own mix of sun, sand, and serenity.

Start your morning with a hike up a windswept dune, cool off with a freshwater swim, or unwind with a lakeside picnic as the sun sets. Whether you're casting a line from a fishing pier, grilling at a nearby shelter, or simply enjoying the ocean-like breeze, the beaches of the Indiana Dunes offer the perfect mix of nature, beauty, and relaxation.

Browse Indiana Dunes Beaches

National Park and State Park Beaches

The Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park offer some of the most beautiful—and accessible—beaches in the Midwest. While both parks share the same stretch of shoreline, each has its own character and amenities:

Indiana Dunes National Park features multiple beach access points along its 15,000+ acres, including local favorites like West Beach, Portage Lakefront, Kemil Beach, and Central Beach.
Indiana Dunes State Park is home to a large, centralized beach with lifeguards during the summer, a historic beach house, and access to the famous 3 Dune Challenge trail.

Together, these parks cover over 17,000 acres of protected land, where you can explore not just beaches and dunes, but also prairies, oak savannas, wetlands, and forests. With nearly 2,000 plant and animal species, the Indiana Dunes area is one of the most biodiverse areas in the U.S.

Which Beach to Choose?

With nine different beaches along 15 miles of Lake Michigan's southern shoreline, it's not easy to choose! This guide will help you decide which Indiana Dunes beach is best for your visit.

Two lifeguards sit atop a tall white lifeguard stand on a sandy beach, scanning the area. One has a whistle around his neck, while the other lounges with legs outstretched on a colorful towel. A yellow rescue board rests below, and sand dunes with green trees rise behind them under a partly cloudy sky.

Beach Closures and Safety

Be beach ready. Stay up-to-date on lake conditions, beach closures, and general water safety warnings with our helpful tips, tricks, and links.

Indiana Dunes Parks

The Indiana Dunes National Park and the Indiana Dunes State Park offer access to dune-lined shores and endless outdoor adventures. Here you can explore beaches, dunes, prairies, oak savannas, wetlands, rivers, bogs, and forests. In the two parks' combined 17,000+ acres, nearly 2,000 different species of plants and animals have been identified. That makes Indiana Dunes one of the most biodiverse areas in the United States!

Indiana Dunes National Park

Walk on glacial sands, pushed and pulled by time into dunes nearly 250 feet high. Paddle across a 300-mile-long lake with waves and scenery that rival the Atlantic.

Indiana Dunes State Park

Sand, shore, and the space to breathe—over 2,000 acres of it! This isn’t your run of the mill state park, it’s a place shaped by thousands of years of shifting landscapes and…

A white dog sits next to its owner on a log in the sand.

Discover Pet Friendly Places

We believe lakeside fun shouldn’t just be reserved for the two-legged kind. Here, you and your furry friend will find plenty of sites, attractions, and accommodations.

Indiana Dunes National Park 10 days ago

A man in a blue shirt and light cap hikes on a sandy trail with hiking poles. Lake Michigan can be seen in the background.

Top Eight Reasons to Go to the Indiana Dunes Outdoor Adventure Festival

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Each fall, local organizations come together to lead over 100 events in ten days to celebrate the wide variety of outdoor adventures you can have in Northwest Indiana. The Indiana Dunes…

Indiana Dunes State Park 19 days ago

Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center Gift Shop Now Open

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There’s a new reason to stop by the Nature Center on your next visit to Indiana Dunes State Park. The Indiana Dunes State Park Gift Shop is now open! This shop is more than just…

Best Of Lists a month ago

Three people sit at a picnic table. Plates of burgers, corn on the cob, and other food is on the table.

Best Picnic Spots in the Indiana Dunes

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The Indiana Dunes is a place where a simple picnic can become the highlight of the day. Set up steps from the lake, or enjoy shade from the forest canopy near quiet trails. Here are a few of…