Indiana Dunes National Park
Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails lead through shifting sand dunes, quiet woodlands, sunny prairies and lush wetlands. Known for its striking plant and bird diversity, it's easy to find inspiration throughout the park’s 16,000 acres. — nps.gov
Indiana Dunes National Park at a glance
- State
- Indiana
- Established
- February 15, 2019
- Size
- 16,268 acres
- 2025 visits
- 2,629,497
- Busiest-park rank
- #13 of 63
- Entrance
- $25 / vehicle
Best time to visit
When is Indiana Dunes quiet?
Indiana Dunes is busiest in July and quietest in January. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, September is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.
In 2025 the park logged 2,629,497 recreation visits, the #13 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.
Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Indiana Dunes open right now? →
Average visits by month
2021–2025 · NPS IRMAQuietest: JanuaryBusiest: July
Fees & passes
What it costs to visit Indiana Dunes
From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026. Fees on nps.gov
Visiting several parks this year? The pass calculator shows whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off.
Reservations · 2026
No park-wide reservation
The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Indiana Dunes National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
Things to do
Things to do in Indiana Dunes
- Become an Indiana Dunes Junior Ranger30 Minutes · All year
Indiana Dunes National Park has a lot to explore, both in the park and online. Check out this page for fun things to do to explore the park virtually. Become a Junior Ranger Today!
FeePets OK - Diana Dunes Dare40-100 Minutes · All year
What is the Diana Dunes Dare? It is a hiking challenge! It is a ghost story re-told! We are daring you to be like dune advocate Alice Mabel Gray, also known as Diana of the Dunes. She hiked and lived in the dunes on her…
FeePets OK - 1966 Hiking Challenge1-5 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall
The 1966 Hiking Challenge is comprised of 19 hikes that cover 66 miles of trail in the park, celebrating the park’s founding in 1966. We will offer 19 weekly ranger led hikes every Saturday at 8:00 am starting on May 11…
FeePets OK - One Hour Excursions1-4 Hours · All year
Whether you have an hour, a half day, or a full day, the beaches, dunes, and trails of the Indiana Dunes offer relaxation, inspiration, and fun adventures.
FeePets OK - Swimming at Indiana Dunes West Beach1-3 Hours · Summer
Fifteen miles of sandy beach along the southern shore of Lake Michigan offer a wide variety of recreational activities. Whether it's enjoying a summer sunset stroll or marveling at the arctic beauty of Lake Michigan's…
FeePets OK - Half Day Adventures2-8 Hours · All year
Whether you have an hour, a half day, or a full day, the beaches, dunes, and trails of Indiana Dunes offer relaxation, inspiration, and fun adventures. This list highlights some of the must-see sights in the park. This…
FeePets OK - Full Day Expeditions6-24 Hours · All year
Whether you have an hour, a half day, or a full day, the beaches, dunes, and trails of Indiana Dunes offer relaxation, inspiration, and fun adventures. This list highlights some of the must-see sights in the park. This…
FeePets OK Located at the southern tip of Lake Michigan, the national park is an important feeding and resting area for migrating birds. Lake Michigan influences the migration patterns of bird species. During the fall migration,…
FeePets OK
Show all 12 things to doShow fewer
- FeePets OK
- FeePets OK
- Horseback Riding at Indiana DunesSpring, Summer, FallReservation/permitFee
- Reservation/permitFeePets OK
From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.
By activity
- Arts and Culture26
- Astronomy44
- Auto and ATV33
- Biking44
- Birdwatching48
- Boating27
- Camping60
- Canoeing19
- Cross-Country Skiing20
- Cultural Demonstrations12
- Fishing41
- Food46
- Freshwater Swimming6
- Guided Tours54
- Hiking60
- Horse Trekking32
- Kayaking23
- Paddling32
- Picnicking34
- Playground2
- RV Camping28
- Scenic Driving30
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto19
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking22
- Skiing23
- Snow Play17
- Snowshoeing24
- Stand Up Paddleboarding12
- Stargazing39
- Swimming17
- Wildlife Watching53
The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.
Weather
Weather at Indiana Dunes
On average, the warmest month is July and the highest recorded temperature was 105F in 1934. The coolest month is January, with the lowest recorded temperature of -25F in 1985. June sees the most precipitation with an average rainfall of 4.66 Inches.
From the National Park Service.
Getting there
Getting to Indiana Dunes
Visitors can access the national park via Interstate 94, the Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 80/90), U.S. Highway 12, U.S. Highway 20, Indiana State Road 49, and various other local roads. The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is located on Indiana State Road 49, between U.S.
Highway 20 and Interstate 94 (1215 IN-49, Porter, IN 46304). For a driving map to the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center or other locations, check out our maps page.
1215 IN-49, Porter, IN, 46304 · Directions on nps.gov
Nearby
National parks near Indiana Dunes
- Gateway Arch National Park265 mi~6 h drive (est.)
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park287 mi~7 h drive (est.)
- Mammoth Cave National Park311 mi~7 h drive (est.)
- New River Gorge National Park & Preserve415 mi~10 h drive (est.)
- Isle Royale National Park449 miIsle Royale is not reachable by road
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park460 mi~11 h drive (est.)
Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.
Closest big cities: Chicago (33 mi) · Milwaukee (108 mi) · Indianapolis (138 mi) · Detroit (211 mi)
Indiana Dunes is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Photos of Indiana Dunes National Park
FAQ
Indiana Dunes, quickly
- When is the best time to visit Indiana Dunes National Park?
- If you want fewer people, go in September, the quietest shoulder-season month. July is the busiest month on average, and January the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
- How much does it cost to visit Indiana Dunes National Park?
- $25 / vehicle. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.
- Do you need a reservation for Indiana Dunes National Park in 2026?
- The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Indiana Dunes National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
- What are some things to do in Indiana Dunes National Park?
- The National Park Service lists 12 things to do in Indiana Dunes National Park, including Become an Indiana Dunes Junior Ranger, Diana Dunes Dare, 1966 Hiking Challenge, One Hour Excursions, Swimming at Indiana Dunes West Beach. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
- When did Indiana Dunes National Park become a national park?
- Indiana Dunes National Park was established as a national park on February 15, 2019.
- What is the closest national park to Indiana Dunes?
- Gateway Arch National Park, about 265 miles away in a straight line (roughly 6 hours' drive, estimated).
Sources · 3
- 1.Indiana Dunes National Park — official site · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 3.Indiana Dunes National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)
About this page
Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/indu.
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