Indiana Dunes National Park guides
11 in-depth guides to Indiana Dunes National Park, in reading order: what to see, how to get around, and what to know before you go. Back to the Indiana Dunes National Park overview.
Getting There: Visitor Center, Route 49, US 12
Coming from Interstate 94, take exit 26 north. The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center sits on Indiana State Road 49, between U.S. Highway 20 and Interstate 94, at 1215 Indiana State Road 49 in Porter.
Lake-Effect Seasons: Summer Swims to Pack Ice
Lake Michigan steers the weather here, and it can change quickly. Summer highs usually sit in the mid-80s and lows fall into the mid-60s, with plenty of sun and humid air.
Choosing Among the Park's Nine Beaches
The park's main draw is 15 miles of Lake Michigan beaches, and each stretch has its own feel.
Hiking 50 Miles of Dune and Woodland Trails
Hikers at Indiana Dunes National Park can choose from 15 trail systems covering more than 50 miles.
Biking the Calumet Trail and Marquette Greenway
Biking at Indiana Dunes National Park happens on designated bike trails that form an interconnected system spanning 37 miles across the length of the park.
Paddling Lake Michigan's Big Water Safely
Paddling on Lake Michigan is unlike paddling on most other waters. The lake never stays the same for long, and its weather can shift quickly.
How Lake Michigan Built the Indiana Dunes
Lake Michigan has shaped this shore for thousands of years, and its changing levels are written into the land.
1,100 Plant Species: America's Biodiversity Hotspot
More than 1,100 flowering plants grow within the park's 15,000 acres, which puts Indiana Dunes fourth for biodiversity among the national parks.
World-Class Birding and the May Migration
More than 350 bird species have been recorded within the park's boundaries, and its position explains much of that.
Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Trails History
Bailly Homestead is a National Historic Landmark within Indiana Dunes National Park. It belonged to Joseph Bailly de Messein, a fur trader and one of the earliest settlers in the area.
West Beach and the Dune Succession Trail
West Beach is the most visited beach in Indiana Dunes National Park, and its facilities help explain why.
