Put on your fitness tracker and discover the ultimate outdoor adventure. Grab your friends, family members, or pets, and take on this challenging hike up the park’s three tallest dunes.
Named one of the best places to hike in Indiana by USA Today, Trail 9 at the Indiana Dunes State Park offers incredible vistas and towering sand dunes that make you feel a thousand miles away.
Watch Ranger Matt's Dunes 101 videos to learn everything you need to know about the Indiana Dunes, including how to have the best beach experience, where to camp, and which trail to hike.
State Park Views
We love our outdoor spaces and many are fragile habitats that need to be protected! Learn how to visit the Indiana Dunes sustainably with these eco-friendly travel tips.
The Indiana Dunes is one of the most biodiverse national parks in the entire country. Over 1,100 flowering plant species and ferns make their homes here. How many flowers can YOU find?
Holiday Cookie Decorating & Hot Chocolate @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Kick off the holiday season at the Nature Center by crafting a delicious treat. Savor your masterpiece alongside a…
Nature Center's Snowshoe Rentals
- Indiana Dunes State Park
- Recurring daily
Thanks to the Friends of the Indiana Dunes, the Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center offers snowshoe rental for…
Species Spotlight @ Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park
- Recurring daily
Join us at the Nature Center as the Naturalist will introduce you to a different live animal of the Indiana Dunes…
High Dunes Hike at Indiana Dunes State Park
Strap on your hiking shoes and join a Naturalist to not only see beautiful views but also learn more about the…
Winter Wellness & Mindfulness Walk Series
Save the Dunes is hosting a series of Winter Wellness Walks to encourage you to get outside, practice mindfulness…
Beach Mysteries Hike @ Indiana Dunes State Park
This is a fun moderate 2-mile trek along Trail 7 to the beach and back. Along the way, you will discover what makes…
Annual First Day Hike, Indiana Dunes State Park
As part of a 50-state initiative, America's State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an…
Winter Scavenger Hunt @ Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park
- Recurring daily
Visit the Nature Center to grab a wintery scavenger hunt. Enjoy a hike as you work on your hunt, and once you’ve…
Youth & Family Birding Day
This is a fun-filled day with something for everyone! As a part of the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, there will be…
Beach Clean Up - Indiana Dunes State Park
Warm summer days full of beach activity are just around the corner. Along with the fun times, will come the need to…
Beach Clean Up - Indiana Dunes State Park
Warm summer days full of beach activity are just around the corner. Along with the fun times, will come the need to…
Annual Sand Sculpture Contest
- Indiana Dunes State Park
- Recurring every July 13th
Watch the sand sculptures come alive at the Indiana Dunes State Park! Each July, sculpting groups compete by molding…
Indiana Dunes Beach Clean Up
We are back for beach clean-ups in 2024 partnering with the Friends of the Indiana Dunes. We will meet at the…
Beach Clean Up - Indiana Dunes State Park
Warm summer days full of beach activity are just around the corner. Along with the fun times, will come the need to…
NW Indiana Storytelling Festival
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring daily
A night of fright awaits you in this open-air concert at the Nature Center’s Fire Ring for the 35th year in a row!…
More than just a hiking trail, this interactive experience will weave the culture of the Miami and Potawatomi Indigenous Peoples with the natural ecology of the Indiana Dunes.
You’re invited to help be a part of preserving and protecting the Indiana Dunes by volunteering during your visit. All you have to do is show up! How’s that for easy?!
Learn about a few ways you can explore the outdoors responsibly while ensuring that its beauty and resources are maintained for future generations.
Journeyman Distillery Tasting Tours: Craft Spirits & History in Valparaiso
- 3 minute read
What do popcorn, organic grains, and an old windshield wiper factory all have in common? Journeyman Distillery has turned them all into something new and unique to the Indiana Dunes region…
Kid-Friendly Lodging in the Indiana Dunes
- 3 minute read
With Lake Michigan to swim in, dunes to climb, and nature trails for hiking and biking, the Indiana Dunes are perfect for family getaways. Take the kiddos kayaking or fishing, jump in the…
Our Guide to Christmas and Holiday Activities in the Indiana Dunes
- 3 minute read
Twinkling lights, falling snow, the warmth of friends and family — there are so many beautiful things to enjoy about the holidays. If you're in the Indiana Dunes this holiday…
Outdoor Adventures
Shaped by nature, made for adventure. In the Indiana Dunes, it’s all about fun times and tan lines—from…
Dunes Deals
Shake off the sand south of the Indiana Dunes! Dig up real savings with Indiana Dunes Deals and make the most of…
Indiana Dunes Shop
Don’t just experience the Indiana Dunes; take it home with you. Find your new favorite T-shirt, hoodie, or…
Pet Friendly
There’s a reason Indiana Dunes National Park was named the #1 pet-friendly attraction in the state of Indiana…
Arts & Entertainment
It’s not all sand-fringed lakes and epic sunsets. Here, you’ll find a vibrant arts scene stoked by a…
Drop-in Volunteering
Be the Change — Volunteer! Get more involved with the Indiana Dunes!
Bed & Breakfasts
Feel like family with intimate accommodations that range from nature-inspired retreats in the woods…
Hotels & Inns
A convenient stay located near downtown? What about a country retreat heaped in Old World charm? Or…