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?
Fall Photo Scavenger Hunt, Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring weekly on Friday
Stop by the Nature Center any time for this fun Fall game. Bring a camera or smartphone to “focus” on capturing…
JD Marshall Shipwreck History Program @ Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring weekly on Friday
Set anchor in the Nature Center’s Auditorium as the Naturalist describes one of Lake Michigan’s shipwreck stories…
Snakes-giving
Happy Thanks... I mean SNAKES-giving! Come check out a few local snakes and see what they’re having for a holiday…
Turkey Trek
Join the Naturalist at the Nature Center for this easy walk. We will look for signs of turkeys and learn all about…
Hibernate, Migrate, or Tough it Out!
Discover more about the adaptations of some of our Indiana Dunes wildlife to help them prepare for the cold winter…
Autumn Habitats in the Dunes at Indiana Dunes State Park
- Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center
- Recurring weekly on Monday
Experience a refreshing stroll on an autumn morning to appreciate the remarkable habitats of our state park at 10:00…
Opt Outside Hike!
Celebrate the outdoors with your family by joining the Naturalist for a 2-mile moderately-rugged hike to Beach House…
Feed the Birds B-I-N-G-O @ Indiana Dunes State Park
Join the Naturalist at the Nature Center on these weekday mornings to help fill all of the bird feeders and play…
Meet the Beavers, Indiana Dunes State Park
Join us for a hike from the Nature Center to explore an amazing beaver dam. It’s a great opportunity to discover the…
Winter Beach Walk, Indiana Dunes State Park
Meet a naturalist at the beach Pavilion to kick off the first day of December with a fun beach walk. Learn about how…
Dunes 5K Road Run, Indiana Dunes State Park
Get ready to kick up some sand at the exhilarating Dunes 5k Road Run! Picture this: your feet pounding the pavement…
Annual First Day Hike, Indiana Dunes State Park
Strap on your hiking boots and meet the Naturalists at the Nature Center for the first hike of the year along trail…
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…
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…
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.
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…
Zao Island: Valparaiso’s Ultimate Spot for Family Fun
- 3 minute read
The Indiana Dunes region is known for its beautiful, sandy beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan… but did you know they have an island, too? Zao Island, in Valparaiso, is an…
Become a Volunteer Indiana Dunes Ambassador!
- 1 minute read
Step into the role of a welcoming champion for the Indiana Dunes area, connecting visitors with the heart and soul of our vibrant communities. As an Ambassador, you’ll serve as the…
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…