The Best Things to Do with a Day in Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is a unique park in that it borders 15 miles of shoreline of one of the Great Lakes and encompasses four distinct ecosystems consisting of sandy dunes, prairies, deciduous forests, and wetlands. It is the fourth most biologically diverse park in the United States and is consistently one of the top 10 most visited national parks in the country.
Once a National Lakeshore, the park was established in 2019 and is one of the newest U.S. national parks. Conserving the great sand dunes, 350 species of birds, and over 1,100 native plant species, this park creates the perfect landscape for spending a day bird watching, hiking, biking, horseback riding, or relaxing on the sandy beach.
Where is Indiana Dunes National Park?
Located along the shores of Lake Michigan in northern Indiana, Indiana Dunes is just under an hour drive from downtown Chicago, Illinois. Compared to the bustle and noise of the city, visitors to Indiana Dunes enjoy a completely different experience of solitude and peace. On a clear day you can see the Chicago skyline from the park.
The closest major airports to the park are either O’Hare International or Midway International Airports in Chicago, or the regional airports in South Bend or Gary, Indiana. The park is also a 2-hour drive from Grand Rapids, Michigan, or 2½ hours from Indianapolis.
Is Indiana Dunes National Park good for families?
From easy hiking and boardwalk trails to playing in the sand at the beach, families with kids of all ages can enjoy a day in Indiana Dunes National Park. In the summer months the beaches are filled with families enjoying a day along the lakeshore. In the winter, trails are cleared for those looking to get outside and explore nature as a family.
When is the best time to spend a day in Indiana Dunes?
The most popular time to visit Indiana Dunes National Park is during the summer months. The beaches, trails, and visitor centers are open for exploring, hiking, and relaxing. When the temperature gets warm, visitors can take a dip in the chilly waters of Lake Michigan with an average summer water temperature of about 65°F (18°C).
Don’t discount a visit to Indiana Dunes in the winter though! Some of the visitor centers are closed but the public restrooms, beaches, and trails are open. There are a lot less visitors during this time and it can almost feel like you have the entire park to yourselves. Ice formations occasionally line the Lake Michigan shoreline, and cross-country skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing are great activities after a good snowfall.
Take a Hike in Indiana Dunes National Park
With over 50 miles of hiking trails throughout the park, hikers can cross over the dunes, along the sandy beaches, and through wetlands, marshes, and forests. Ranging from easy loops to more daring trails, there is a hike out there for every adventurer.
One challenging hike in the park is the 3 Dune Challenge, hiking up the three tallest sand dunes in the park: Mt. Jackson, Mt. Holden, and Mt. Tom. This 1.5 mile hike packs a punch due to the elevation gain, the deep sand, and the steep slope of the dunes. This is a great family hike that takes about an hour to complete.
The Dune Succession Trail
The Dune Succession Trail is the most popular trail in the national park. This easy 0.9-mile trail (if you like stairs) begins at the West Beach parking area and climbs upwards for a great viewpoint of Lake Michigan and the dunes. After a series of boardwalks the trail spills out onto the Lake Michigan shoreline before picking back up near the bathhouses and looping back to the parking area.
Avid hikers can add on two additional loops from this same beginning spot to complete the West Beach Trail (Loop 2, 1.2 miles) and the Long Lake Trail (Loop 3, 2.2 miles) for a total of 3.4 miles in the 3-loop trail.
Diana of the Dunes
Diana of the Dunes was a name given to Alice Mabel Gray in the early 1900’s. Having left her busy life back in Chicago Alice decided to make a home in the Indiana Dunes, living off of the land with very minimal possessions and in even less substantial housing for over 9 years. She was instrumental in beginning the protection and conservation of the great sand dunes, eventually leading to the creation of what is now Indiana Dunes National Park.
The Diana of the Dunes Dare is basically the Dune Succession Trail loop, taking hikers past “Diana’s Dune” where she first lived and following along her footsteps when she lived in the area. Those who complete the dare can share their triumph on social media with the #dianadunesdare, and can get a commemorative sticker at one of the visitor centers.
Spend Time on the Beach
During the hot Indiana summers, the best place to be is along the lakeshore. There are nine different beaches in the park including one in the Indiana Dunes State Park that is inside the national park, so there is plenty of room for the crowds of beach-goers traveling to the area. Most beaches have concession stands, accessible boardwalks to the beach from the parking areas, and allow leashed pets.
West Beach
Spending a day at West Beach in Indiana Dunes is one of the most popular things to do in the park. West Beach is located in the westernmost section of the park and has the largest parking area with over 650 parking spaces. There are changing rooms, showers, bathhouses, and picnic tables available, and lifeguards are present from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Enjoy Bird-Watching in the Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is one of the best places in the Midwest for bird-watching enthusiasts. The dunes are located in the crossroads of several bird migratory paths bringing over 350 species of birds through the area. Hundreds to thousands of hawks, Sandhill Cranes, Warblers, and herons have been seen flying through in one day. Birding platforms and viewing towers are dotted along the Indiana Birding Trail that passes through the park.
Go Bicycling or Horseback Riding Through the Park
There are 37 miles of interconnected bicycle trails spanning the length of the park, ranging from flat short trails to longer day trails with small hills. E-bikes are allowed along the bicycle trails.
Glenwood Dunes are equestrian trails open from March to mid-December, weather permitting.
Explore the Sand Dunes
To get up close and personal with the sand dunes, head to the Indiana Dunes State Park for sand dune sledding. The Devil’s Slide sledding trail is open year-round and is the only place for sand sledding in the park.
Note: Climbing the dunes in the parks are permitted on trails only in order to preserve the vegetation and habitats of the dunes.
Spending a day in Indiana Dunes National Park is a great option any time of the year and creates the perfect day trip from Chicago. With so much to do in the park for families and visitors of all ages, it’s no wonder why it is one of the most visited parks in the U.S.
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Happy Travels!
My husband grew up in Northwest Indiana and spent his summers here. I love visiting this beautiful area. I didn’t know it was a National Park now! Can’t wait to get back.
Very interesting. I bet Alice Mabel Gray was one of the first documented solo female travelers in the world. Did you spot any rare birds on your visit?
This place looks very peaceful and would be perfect to have a family day outing and relax by the beach.