Indiana Dunes National Park is a hidden gem located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, offering visitors a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure. This park is perfect for nature enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking to escape into the wilderness without traveling too far from home.
The park's visitor center is small but well-equipped with helpful staff and resources to assist visitors in planning their trips. With ample parking available, it’s an ideal destination for a day trip, especially if you bring your own lunch as nearby amenities are limited.
Onsite services
Picnics
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Hiking
Barbecue grill
Picnic tables
Public restroom
Credit cards
Debit cards
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes
Playground
Dogs allowed
Overall a good visit for a day trip. Small visitor center but ample parking. We've gone a few times just to enjoy a day at the lake. There are a few trails we hiked which we enjoyed. There is not much in regards to accommodations or amenities in the surrounding area so plan for a day trip and packing a lunch. The dunes themselves was great to see and a fun challenge for us to climb down to the beach.
Great place for hiking, walking, running, dog walking, connecting with nature. Visited in January, and the lake was beautiful iceed up. You could easily see the outline of the Chicago skyline. I highly recommend taking a trip to see the Dunes
This is a hidden gem of a national park. It is a true treasure on Lake Michigan and a beauty that any nature enthusiast will have a hard time overlooking. It is very unique from both a scenery and geologic/formation/ecosystem standpoint, a quality that most national parks possess. It is this very quality - the diversity, uniqueness of each park, and the variation between parks - that catches my eye and makes each one so appealing. I loved my time here: picturesque, majestic, serene, peaceful, relaxing, golden prairie, rolling dunes, lakeshore pines, hardwood forests and bogs. What is not to like about this park? Bring some binoculars if you are interested in bird watching - in the winter after the leaves drop this is one heck of a place to see a plethora of different avian species.
What could be said about the Indiana Dunes National Park that I’m sure hasn’t been said yet? At first glance you don’t think much of it from the car/RV, etc. But when you get out and explore the lush rolling landscape of dunes, sand and water the only word is WOW! There is SO much to see and do at this National Park. If you like doing the Junior Ranger program, they have it here. It’s not a walk in the park to accomplish. You’ve got some real tasks, and it’s all worth it. Our RV journey took us here for two days, of which we enjoy being out in nature, and sharing the great outdoors with our kiddos and dog. If you happen to be in the area, please check out the Indiana Dunes National Park, you will not regret it. Enjoy!
This park is absolutely beautiful. The beach areas are huge and not crowded at all. The water was bright blue and it was all very clean. I was able to experience everything this park had to offer in a weekend. There’s also camping and hiking trails to hit up. Definitely worth checking out when you’re in the area!