Duneland.com > Directory > Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation > Indiana Dunes > Indiana Dunes State Park

Indiana Dunes State Park

1600 North 25 East
Chesterton, Indiana 46304 Map

(219) 926-1952
www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2980.htm

Hours:
7am - 11pm

The Indiana Dunes State Park consists of 2,182 acres of primitive, beautiful, historical, and amazingly unique Hoosier landscape. It lies in Porter County and includes more than three miles of Lake Michigan's south shore, all of which provides a magnificent beach. Eighteen hundred acres are wooded and contain the most diversified flora and fauna of the Midwest. Other areas made up of drifting sand hills, peculiar to the dunes region. A pavilion on the beach provides shelter, bathhouses and a complete snack bar during the summer season. Visit the Nature Center for an introduction to the unique ecosystems of the Indiana Dunes and for scheduled interpretive programs. The trails are also available for cross country skiing during the winter. Please call 926-1952 for information about winter trail conditions.

Swimming at the Indiana Dunes State Park

Swimming is permitted in designated area when lifeguard on duty. Bathhouse and beach open Saturday before Memorial Day and no later than Labor Day. Swimming permitted only when lifeguards are on duty. Clothing is required.

Camping at the Indiana Dunes State Park

Reservations are available for the 140 campsites (all with 50 amp electrical service) in its completely reconstructed campground. Two new modern restroom/showerhouses are heated to lengthen the comfortable camping season. A new shelter for programs has been added to the area. Online reservations are available at camp.IN.gov or toll free at 1-866-6CAMPIN (866-622-6746).

Dogs at the Indiana Dunes State Park

Dogs are allowed on non-swimming beaches only. Dogs are allowed in the campground and on trails. Dogs must be attended at all times except when in a camper, tent or vehicle, and be cleaned up after at all times. Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. They must have proof of current vaccinations, be well mannered, and quiet during quiet hours (11pm – 7am). Dogs are also allowed in the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Bonfires at the Indiana Dunes State Park

Bonfires are not allowed on the beach. Fires are only allowed in established campground fire rings or in cooking areas.

Grills at the Indiana Dunes State Park

Small grills are allowed at the Indiana Dunes State Park, however they must be kept out of the sand. Charcoal should not be placed in garbage cans.

Sledding at the Indiana Dunes State Park

Sledding is permitted at the Indiana Dunes State Park in only one location – Devil’s Slide. When you park at the main parking lot by the pavilion, you will see signs directing you to this dune. Devil’s Slide is located to the east (or right hand side if you are facing the lake) of the parking lot. Sledding is not permitted at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, including Mt. Baldy.

Attractions Near the Indiana Dunes

Check out hotels, shopping, entertainment, and local events! You can also view Indiana Dunes photos in the gallery >
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On the Duneland calendar:
Wed • Jun 19, 2013 • Nature Crafts on the Beach!
Wed • Jun 19, 2013 • Stories on the Ground at the Indiana Dunes
Thu • Jun 20, 2013 • Bird Banding Demonstrations
Thu • Jun 20, 2013 • Vernal Ponds at Indiana Dunes State Park
Fri • Jun 21, 2013 • Summer Solstice Stroll at the Indiana Dunes
Check out the Duneland calendar>

This listing is tagged:
bus/large group friendly
dog-friendly

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Larry BlairNovember 2, 2011, 8:59 pm:
this is our favorite place. Like fl. but no 24hr. drive and NO sharks.

Barbara YaschikFebruary 5, 2012, 10:23 am:
What's the take on dogs at this park? I'm not seeing anything on the web site. Or maybe I just missed it.

duneland.comFebruary 8, 2012, 12:26 pm:
Hi Barbara, We're sorry for the delay in replying to your question.We're still working out kinks in this new system. After some careful research we have found that dogs are allowed in the Indiana Dunes State Park in all areas except for the swimming beaches. Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times, and also not be left unattended. Dogs must be up to date on their vaccinations, and be cleaned up after at all times. If you're camping with your dog, they have to be quiet during the quiet hours of 11pm - 7am. Dogs are not allowed in swimming areas. We hope this answers your question. Thanks!

Evelyn NoblesFebruary 17, 2012, 9:27 pm:
I used to live in Stermack apartments just blocks away from I guess what is called Johnson Beach and walk the dunes for miles when I was little and actually lived in a tent for months at the Dunes State Park. Was the BEST memories. Used to pick the wild Blueberries and. Mushrooms. Of course that was back in the 1960s. Went back about 15 years ago. NOTHING looks the same. Don't know why I thought it would lol.

Mike O'RourkeMarch 12, 2012, 4:42 pm:
Does anybody know if the campground showers are open? The DNR used to have a schedule of when different campgrounds opened and when they turned their water on.

duneland.comMarch 13, 2012, 8:34 am:
Hi Mike, We called the Indiana Dunes State Park, and they said that the campground bath houses are not open yet, but will be sometime in April. The family style restrooms are open year-round however. If you'd like to check in with them, the phone number is (219) 926-1952.

Deborah Ikeda-DoreMarch 22, 2012, 11:26 am:
Informative-Brings back many years of memories!

Alex FrederickJune 1, 2012, 9:16 am:
Is offsite camping allowed, or is there a place where I can hike in and camp and not be next to RVs?

duneland.comJuly 11, 2012, 8:43 am:
Sorry we missed your post, Alex! If you want to be a little more secluded, and not feel like you're camping in a parking lot, try the Indiana Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore campground instead. They have both drive-up and walk-up sites. The walk-up sites are great -- you're really in the woods, with no RVs! It's called Dunewood: www.duneland.com/aer/indiana-dunes/dunewood-campground.html

Heather D CarronAugust 1, 2012, 4:34 pm:
Alex,there is one like over by the hill area and just go on the site indiana dunes camping,and hiking areas

Jessica Candace GillespieJune 22, 2012, 8:28 am:
what are the regulations for using the beaceh for a small wedding?

duneland.comJune 25, 2012, 1:11 pm:
Hi Jessica, Arrangements for a beach wedding must be pre-approved and reservations must be made at least 2 weeks in advance. A fee of $50 must be paid within 10 days of receiving confirmation. You can obtain an application by calling 219-926-1952. Reservations Required! Fewer than 150 guests & participants, entrance fee applies for each vehicle (prior arrangements must be made to pay entrance fees for entire guest list). Not allowed to set up before 6:00 between Memorial Day and Labor Day, no weddings before 6:30 during that time period. Private receptions are not allowed on the beach, but shelter houses and local establishments may be reserved. No section of beach partitioned or blocked off. Structures such as tents, archways, etc. are not allowed. Floral arrangements and simple decorations are allowed, but must be removed immediately after the ceremony. Amplified sound is not permitted. No balloons and rice because of environmental risks. No electricity available. Less than 20 chairs permitted for those with accessibility needs and the elderly (not provided by the property). Finally, there is no guarantee that you will be conducting the only ceremony or function on the beach at the time. Numerous activities including beach cleaning, construction, public events occur throughout the year in a variety of locations in the park.

Jessica Candace GillespieJune 25, 2012, 8:19 pm:
Thankyou Very Much

Nancy RuizJuly 4, 2012, 9:24 am:
do you know if we can take like a small carbon grill in the indiana dunes state park?

duneland.comJuly 5, 2012, 9:57 am:
Hi Nancy, Thank you for your inquiry. Small grills are allowed at the Indiana Dunes State Park, but they have to be kept out of the sand. Also, charcoal is not to be discarded in their garbage cans.

Heather D CarronAugust 1, 2012, 4:35 pm:
duneland.com is it ok to bring your pets?

Brian PestowJuly 5, 2012, 10:38 am:
Is it okay to bring 1/10th scale radio-controlled trucks?

Steven ConnerJuly 7, 2012, 9:08 am:
If it allows you to enjoy yourself the life guards will ban it. They really need to rethink their rules. We were their when it was 100 degrees, the beach didn't not open until 11am, (12am) most of Indiana's time. They were annoying with their loud speaker. They have way too many rules. We never had any issues with swiming at our own risk with the sharks and jelly fish at myrtle beach this past seasion.

duneland.comJuly 11, 2012, 8:30 am:
Hi Steven! If you don't care for the crowds and noise at the State Park beach, you might try visiting some of the other Indiana Dunes beaches - all of the ones labeled "National Lakeshore" on this page are free of loudspeakers, and for the most part, any staff (in.c lifeguards): http://www.duneland.com/aer/indiana-dunes

Sarah HighlenJuly 11, 2012, 8:35 am:
One of my favorites is Kemil beach: http://www.duneland.com/aer/indiana-dunes/kemil-beach.html No rules, no loudspeakers, no snackbar, and usually less chaos. (Technically, there are rules, but the standard ones, on a sign.) You do have to be very aware of rip currents - they can be very sneaky, and there's no one to tell you to stay shallow. There's a gas station nearby (Rt 12 & Broadway) that serves soft-serve ice cream, and the Rolling Stone Baker pizza truck at the same corner -- two more benefits of that beach!

Steven ConnerJuly 12, 2012, 3:28 pm:
Thanks for the advice. I love going up there, just don't like being restricted to certain swimming hours and I don't understand why my daughter couldn't use her life jacket. Their rules make no sense at all.

duneland.comJuly 12, 2012, 3:51 pm:
The no-life-jacket-rule certainly seems counter-intuitive! Perhaps someone has drowned in a life jacket, or chasing after a life jacket that has popped off? Maybe they're worried about the jacket providing a false sense of security? Yours truly would not want to be the one in charge of rules at a place like that. Too many lives to be responsible for, and worst-case, chance scenarios to have to avoid. I'm sure that makes things more complicated than they ought to be. Glad we were able to provide some good alternatives. Wishing a happy and safe swimming to you and your family :)

Will T SmithAugust 14, 2012, 5:35 pm:
I was there today and I witnessed a lifeguard telling two girls they could not wade in the water 15 feet past the "no wading" signs. There were NO WAVES. Two lifeguards also tried to tell me I could only go in to chin height. While swimming out near (and within) the buoys they told me I had to go back in. No such signage existed to suggest either of these were park regulations. It really sounded like the lifeguards were just making it up. BTW, I swam where it seemed reasonable, within the buoys waiting for these teenagers to try to take some enforcement against me.

Andrea RyanJune 18, 2013, 12:37 am:
All of the rules that are enforced are there for a reason. There are signs that say the rules on the back of the guard stands. You aren't allowed to swim past your shoulders (you shouldn't have even been up to your chin). The buoys aren't there to mark how far out swimmers can go, they mark where boats can't come in. The lifeguards don't make the rules, they just enforce them. The water opens at 11 because that is all the state will pay for. You can't use inflatables because people rely on them, then they pop or people blow out too deep on them. Also, parents don't watch their children as well when they are on an inflatable and you can't tell how deep they are. Life jackets that are coast guard certified are allowed, your's probably wasn't. There are announcements often because people ignore the rules or lose their children. The rules are there to ensure safety. There has never been a drowning on the property and when people decide to swim at the beaches that aren't guarded, they do stupid things and drown. The guards at the Dunes State Park then have to go save them and go way too far to do it. It's more dangerous for people that don't know what they are doing to go to a beach like Kemil or Porter. I guarded there for 3 summers, any other questions?

Joe LyonJuly 10, 2012, 8:48 pm:
How do you know when the beach is open and not?

Justin CookJuly 10, 2012, 10:00 pm:
It's open

Joe LyonJuly 10, 2012, 10:13 pm:
There were rip currents today and it wasn't. How do I know there won't be tomorrow?

duneland.comJuly 11, 2012, 8:41 am:
Hi Joe! I think the best way is to call the State Park directly before you go: (219) 926-1952. It doesn't seem like they have any sort of online notification system. You could also go to one of the National Lakeshore beaches instead (see listings on http://www.duneland.com/aer/indiana-dunes ), BUT the beach is usually closed for a good reason, so you have to be super-careful if you really want to dip your toes in those conditions.

Heather D CarronAugust 1, 2012, 4:33 pm:
We are going tomorrow,And friday we are going up to Deep River Waterpark

Christi NorthamJuly 14, 2012, 6:55 pm:
A BIG thank you to Sarah Highlen. Based on your recommendation, we went to Kemil Beach. It was beautiful. Clean, not crowded. Gorgeous day for a gorgeous beach. Thank you

Ron MartinSeptember 18, 2012, 1:58 pm:
Was at camp site 75 September 14th -16th enjoyed my time there however lost a pair of ladies script glasses. If found contact kryloncowboy@hotmail.com THANK YOU!

April RashNovember 6, 2012, 11:25 am:
My fiancée and I are looking for a Dune to get married in either on the Federal or State Side doesn’t really matter to us! We are looking for a more secluded but easily accessible area. We do want to be able to see a good view of the water for our pictures and etc. We came down Sunday but it was really hard to locate the Dunes and choose all in one day. So Sunday wasn't much help to us.. If there is anyone that could possibly help us in difficult situation, we would greatly appreciate it! Thank you in.

Carrie L. LeeNovember 6, 2012, 12:41 pm:
What happened to the beach in Florida? I have heard the dunes are really nice. How much longer?

Josh RashNovember 6, 2012, 3:03 pm:
Beach side in chicago , an hotel at sheridian

Kelly MillikanMarch 16, 2013, 2:26 pm:
where is the best place to stay(hotel) to be at the beach and do some hiking? sometime this summer.

duneland.comMarch 18, 2013, 12:07 pm:
Hi Kelly! If you look at the lodging page http://www.duneland.com/lodging/All-lodging/, you should find something suitable. Anything in Chesterton or Porter is very near the Indiana Dunes State Park. You won't actually be staying in the Indiana Dunes, but a short distance from there as there are no motels at the park. :)

Kilyssa HammMay 28, 2013, 9:01 am:
When the state park is booked, where can you camp your RV that doesn't require a vehicle to get to the beach? Have 2 young children that aren't going to want to walk miles and miles....

Leslie JonesMay 29, 2013, 12:23 am:
What would be the fee for my family to just visit the dunes and beach for one day ?

Jennifer Allen MierischJune 18, 2013, 2:09 pm:
Have you visited the dunes with your kids? We are looking to visit with our two kids next month, ages 1 and 4. What's your advice? Which beach(es)? Where to stay? Weekend or mid-week? How much time to spend?

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Indiana Dunes State Park
Reviews from
Overall Rating:

Linda L.

The hikes here are beautiful. I woke my hubby up at 6am and drove him here as a surprise picnic/beach/hike. He was excited about it, even tho it was... View Entire Review

Christian K.

I've started hiking recently so I've been checking out local trails and all that on Alltrails.com. The Dunes popped up and I said "Why not, it's close", I... View Entire Review

Laura P.

It's like Mecca. It's like California dropped off some beaches on its way out West. The lake is rough and ragged and the waves CRASH like the Pacific. The... View Entire Review

View more reviews of Indiana Dunes State Park at Yelp

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