Indiana Dunes National Park Overview
Indiana Dunes National Park protects about 15,349 acres of Lake Michigan beaches, dunes, wetlands, oak savannas, prairies, forests, and historic sites along the southern shore of the lake. The park recorded 2,629,497 recreation visits in 2025, reflecting both its strong regional draw and its location near Chicago and northern Indiana communities. Its habitats are surprisingly diverse and can change quickly from beach to dune to woodland.
Visitors come for swimming, birding, hiking, wildflowers, historic farm sites, and lake views. Because the national park is spread across separate units near roads, rail lines, towns, and Indiana Dunes State Park, good planning helps connect the right beaches, trailheads, and parking areas for the season.
Indiana Dunes was first protected as a national lakeshore in 1966 and became a national park on February 15, 2019. The park's story includes Indigenous homelands, conservation advocacy, industrial development, lakefront recreation, and one of the most biodiverse landscapes in the National Park System.
For more information see the park's Wikipedia page.
For official park information, visit the official NPS page.
Top Hikes
Use the NPS Hiking page for current Indiana Dunes trail information. Routes cross sand, wetlands, oak savanna, forest, and historic landscapes, so conditions can vary by season.
Dune Succession Trail is a 0.9-mile (1.4 km) loop with about 81 feet (25 m) of elevation gain on stairs and sand near West Beach.
Cowles Bog Trail is about 4.7 miles (7.6 km) with roughly 200 feet (61 m) of elevation gain through wetlands, forest, dunes, and Lake Michigan shoreline.
West Beach Loop is about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) with roughly 250 feet (76 m) of elevation gain across dunes, stairs, and beach-area habitat.
Bailly Homestead, Chellberg Farm, and Little Calumet River Trail is about 3.4 miles (5.5 km) with roughly 85 feet (26 m) of elevation gain through historic farm and woodland areas.
Glenwood Dunes Trail is the longer trail system, with loops up to about 6.8 miles (10.9 km) and roughly 100 feet (30 m) of elevation gain through rolling dunes and forest.
Indiana Dunes National Park Backpacking
Backpacking is not a standard activity in Indiana Dunes National Park. Overnight visitors usually use Dunewood Campground, nearby state park facilities, or regional lodging, then build day hikes around beach conditions, bird migration, and trail access.
Things to Do in Indiana Dunes National Park
Use the NPS Things To Do page for current activity ideas, seasonal guidance, accessibility notes, and park alerts before planning your visit.
Beaches are the most popular things to do in Indiana Dunes National Park, especially in summer. West Beach, Lake View, Mount Baldy access areas, and other Lake Michigan shoreline stops offer swimming, walking, sunsets, and dune views when conditions allow.
Birding and wildlife viewing are strong activities because the park sits along Lake Michigan migration routes and protects several habitat types. Spring migration, fall migration, and wildflower seasons can all shape a visit.
Biking nearby regional trails, visiting historic farm sites, camping at Dunewood Campground, and pairing the national park with Indiana Dunes State Park give visitors more ways to build a full weekend.
Indiana Dunes National Park Camping and Lodging
Dunewood Campground is the main NPS campground in Indiana Dunes National Park, with drive-in and tent-only sites near Beverly Shores and Lake Michigan access. It does not have electric or water hookups at individual sites, so campers should review amenities before reserving.
Central Avenue walk-in sites offer a quieter, more tent-focused camping option when available through the park's campground system. Nearby state park, regional campground, and lodging options add more choices during beach season.
Dunewood Campground reservations are handled through Recreation.gov.
Official Indiana Dunes National Park Resources
Use the official NPS page, park map, and current alerts, plus reservation links when planning a trip to Indiana Dunes National Park.