Indiana Dunes
National Lakeshore

Visit our Resource Management section about fire, geology, animals, and restoration.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, authorized by Congress in 1966, is located approximately 50 miles southeast of Chicago, Illinois in the counties of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte in Northwest Indiana. The national lakeshore runs for nearly 25 miles along southern Lake Michigan, bordered by Michigan City, Indiana on the east, and Gary on the west. The park contains approximately 15,000 acres, 2,182 of which are located in Indiana Dunes State Park and managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Miles of beaches, sand dunes, bog, wetlands, woodland forests, an 1830's French Canadian homestead, and a working 1900 era farm combine to make the national lakeshore a unique setting for studying humans and their impact on the environment. Dr. Henry Cowles conducted his landmark ecological studies in the Indiana Dunes. Indiana Dunes is ranked 7th among national parks in native plant diversity. Research conducted over the last two decades has revealed 1,418 vascular plant species within park boundaries, of which over 90 are on the state of Indiana's threatened or endangered list. INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE MAP

VISITATION:

The period between mid-May and mid-September receives the highest number of visitors. In 1998 over 2 million visitors came to the lakeshore.

 

LOCATION:

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is located approximately 50 miles southeast of Chicago, Illinois in the counties of Lake, Porter and LaPorte in Northwest Indiana.

 

ADDRESS:

Headquarters:
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
1100 North Mineral Springs Road
Porter, Indiana 46304

TELEPHONE:

(219)926-7561 voice/TDD/fax

 

OPERATING HOURS:

For information about the operating hours of a facility, select it from this table

Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center	Park Headquarters
Bailly/Chellberg Visitor Center	West Beach Visitor Center
Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education	West Beach Bath House

 

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

The national lakeshore's weather is greatly affected by Lake Michigan and can be unpredictable. Summers are warm and humid with high temperatures generally in the mid-80s (30c) and low temperatures in the mid-60s (18c). There are about 15 days per year above 90 (32c).Warm periods are occasionally interrupted by frontal action descending from Canada. This generally brings days of pleasant, dry weather. Sunshine is abundant in the summer. Highs in the winter are usually in the low to mid 30s (0c) with low temperatures in the low 20s (-5c). There are about 15 days per year below 0 (-18c). Winters tend to be cloudy except for periods of extreme cold.

 

DIRECTIONS:

Visitors traveling east or west on I-94, U.S. 20 or Indiana Toll Road I-80/90 can exit at Indiana State Highway 49 North. Follow Indiana 49 north until you reach U.S. 12. Follow the signs directing you to the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center and other park sites.

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park:
Visitors can access the national lakeshore via Interstate Highway I-94, the Indiana Toll Road, I-80/90 U.S. 20, or Indiana State Hwy 12 and various state roads. The surrounding communities are serviced by the Gary Regional Airport, South Bend Airport, and Chicago's Midway and O'Hare Airports. The Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad stops at several stations throughout the park.

In Park:
Visitors can travel through the park in personal vehicles. Bicycles are permitted on the main roads but are prohibited on all trails except as follows:
- Calumet Bike Trail between Mineral Springs Road and U.S. 12 at the Porter/LaPorte county line.
- Long Lake Trail between Ogden Dunes and West Beach.
- Marquette Trail between West Beach and Grand Boulevard in Gary, IN.
- Lake Front Drive to Central Avenue, on the flat portion of the beach only.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

There are no entrance fees. Donations are accepted at the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center. A user fee is charged in the West Beach area of the national lakeshore during the summer swimming season; $3.00 per car load and $.50 per person for walk-ins, bicyclists, and bus groups. A camping fee is charged at the Dunewood Campground.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

The lakeshore has many different facilities and opportunities. Select the topic that you want information on.

 

Visitor Center/Exhibits	Trails and Roads	Programs and Activities	Volunteers
Lodging and Camping	Food and Supplies	Other Concessions	Accessibility

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

There is a large variety of activities visitors can do at the lakeshore, select a topic from the table below for more information.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Maple Sugar Time Festival, held annually on the 1st two weekends of March,

(March 4, 5 & 11, 12, 2000), and the Duneland Harvest Festival, held each year during the 3rd weekend in September, (September 18 & 19, 1999), celebrate seasonal changes and the lifestyle of Northwest Indiana settlers. Both festivals are held at the Chellberg Farm and Bailly Homestead and feature music, storytelling, craft demonstrations, and food.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Information concerning closing of certain beaches due to high waves, rip currents or other unsafe swimming conditions is provided at the visitor center and by signs at each designated beach.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

The Indiana Dunes State Park lies within the boundaries of the national lakeshore and is managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

The State of Indiana has 2 other National Park Service sites. Follow their links to find out more about them. George Rogers Clark National Historical Park is in Vincennes, Indiana and Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is in Lincoln City, Indiana.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Latest News Releases from the Office of Communications
Current Quarterly Operations Report from Superintendent Dale Engquist.

 

Write to the Superintendent, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 1100 North Mineral Springs Road, Porter, IN 46304, or call the information desk at (219)926-7561, extension 225.

SELECTED LINKS: