I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about Indiana Dunes National Park, maybe that there’s nothing much to do there, or that there are so many better places to visit. But I’m about to change your views, and yes, I’m confident about it!
See, not every national park needs to be as grand as Yellowstone or Yosemite. Every national park exists for a reason: protecting something unique and fragile. And that’s exactly what Indiana Dunes National Park is about. You can also watch our complete Indiana Dunes video on YouTube to get a better idea about this place!
What is Indiana Dunes?
Indiana Dunes is basically a stretch of sandy shoreline along Lake Michigan that hosts a variety of habitats, from dunes, wetlands, prairies, to forests. Plus, more than 1,100 plant species, 350+ birds, reptiles, and other animals call this place home, including this Fowler’s Toad that hiked with us on the 3 Dune Challenge.
There are several trails along the southern shoreline that are part of both Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park that you can explore. Plus, the beaches are beautiful and offer stunning views of the Chicago skyline.
Think of it this way: these dunes are a work of Mother Nature, formed by wind, water, and glacial activity over thousands of years. So how cool would it be to time-travel through these forests that grow on sand dunes and explore one of the most biodiverse places in the U.S.?
Reaching Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is just ~50 miles from Chicago and makes a great day trip spot from the city. The drive is about 50 minutes to an hour depending on the traffic and gets you a stunning view of Chicago skyline and a change to experience one of the most biodiverse place in the US. Moreover, you can also take the Lakeshore Corridor train from downtown straight to Dune Park station, and hike the Calumet Trail that connects all major trails in the park.
Difference between Indiana Dunes National Park and the State Park
One thing that confused me while I was planning activities in Indiana Dunes was understanding the National Park and State Park regions. So, in this section, I’ll share more details about what the two are, the fee structure, and more. However, to give a quick summary: there are two separate parks with similar names adjacent to each other.
One is Indiana Dunes National Park, and the other is Indiana Dunes State Park. Both are similar (practically the same when it comes to habitat and things to do); the only difference is who is responsible for maintaining them, the governing body. So, don’t worry about which one you need to visit, because you’ll end up visiting both!
| Feature | State Park | National Park |
| Size | 2,000 acres | 13,000–16,000 acres |
| Coastline | 3 miles of prime beach | 15 miles along Lake Michigan |
| Trails | 16+ miles of hiking trails | 50+ miles of rugged trails |
| Main Attraction | 3 Dune Challenge (3 tallest dunes: Mt. Jackson, Mt. Holden, Mt. Tom) | Diana’s Dune Dare + diverse ecosystems (wetlands, prairies, old-growth forest) |
| Biodiversity | Sand dunes focus | Most biodiverse NPS unit: 1,960 plant/animal species across marshes, savannas, prairies, bogs, dunes |
| Amenities | Swimming beach, nature center, historic pavilion (food/sundries), birding tower, bathhouse, playgrounds, campgrounds | 8 different beaches, historical sites, visitor centers, campsites (Dunewood) |
| Entrance Fee | Doesn’t accept America the Beautiful and has a separate fee
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Accepts America the Beautiful
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Top Things to do in Indiana Dunes National Park & State Park
I know you’re convinced, so without further ado, here are my favorite hikes that you can do in the park. Don’t get fooled by the length; you’ll be literally climbing a sand dune, so it will be more strenuous than a normal mountain hike. So, prep your calf muscles hard before this trip.
Tip: If you only have a day, I recommend only doing these two challenges, because both cover everything that this park is about.
3 Dune Challenge
3 Dune Challenge is the iconic, most popular hike where you climb Indiana’s three tallest sand dunes: Mt. Jackson, Mt. Holden, and Mt. Tom. The hike is not too long, but it’s surely challenging, especially Mt. Holden. This will challenge you both physically and mentally, and you might second-guess your idea of a vacation, but hey, the feeling you’ll get once you reach the top is unmatched. So, I’d recommend going for it, and you’ll have a blast climbing (and slipping down occasionally) on the sand dune.
- Parking: Indiana Dunes State Park Campground Store Parking lot
- Distance: 1.5 mile, loop with 552 feet elevation
- Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
- Hike Time: 1-1.5 hours
The Diana Dunes Dare
The Diana Dunes Dare one is not so popular but was one of my favorites in the park. Don’t think of this as an “alternative challenge” but consider this as THE challenge. Although the trail is pretty easy, it’s the changing terrain every few miles that makes it interesting. You’ll pass through old-growth forests, climb dunes using stairs (which makes it easier than the 3 Dunes Challenge), and ultimately reach a gorgeous beach (West Beach). This is diverse, whereas the 3 Dunes tests your endurance. The hike is part of the Dune Succession Trail (staircase part), which is one of the most popular hikes in the park.
- Parking: Indiana Dunes West Beach Trail Parking
- Distance: 1-3 miles, loop (depending on the trail you take) with 150-200 feet
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Hike Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Other Easy Hikes
Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Trail
Best trail for bird watchers and offers the best views of Lake Michigan. You walk along the beach edge in the winter. Two key stops on this trail are Portage Dune Overlook and Porter Lighthouse Overlook.
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- Parking: 100 Riverwalk Road, Portage, IN 46368
- Distance: 2 miles loop, with 108 feet elevation gain
- Difficulty: Easy
- Hike Time: 30 min to 1 hour
Central Avenue Beach Trail
A scenic hike that’s a mix of dune climb and lake views, a combination of the 3 Dunes Challenge and Diana Dune Dare. You start by climbing through the sandy dunes that opens up to wide views of Lake Michigan. You’ll get a mix of elevated lake views, shifting sand, and open beach, giving it a distinct coastal vibe.
- Parking: Central Beach Parking Lot
- Distance: 2.4 miles Out & back, with 357 feet elevation gain
- Difficulty: Easy
- Hike Time: 1–1.5 hours
Bailly Homestead & Chellberg Farm Trails
If you love forest hikes, this one is for you! The trail follows a stretch of the Little Calumet River, passes by the Mnohé Prairie, leading all the way to the historic Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm. This is a mix of history and nature that makes it so unique.
- Parking: 1100 N Mineral Springs Rd, Porter, IN 46304
- Distance: 5.5 miles loop
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Hike Time: 2–2.5 hours
Top Beaches
West Beach
This is the most accessible beach in Indiana Dunes National Park, located right off US Highway 12. It’s the endpoint of the Diana Dunes Dare and Dune Succession Trail. West Beach features a large parking lot, bathhouse facilities, and stunning views of the Chicago skyline. The beach is wide and perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or watching the sunset over Lake Michigan. In winter, you can walk along the frozen beach edge for a unique experience.
Porter Beach
Located in Indiana Dunes State Park, Porter Beach is a pristine 3-mile stretch of sandy shoreline along Lake Michigan. This beach is less crowded than West Beach and offers more secluded spots for relaxing. It’s directly accessible from the 3 Dunes Challenge trail, making it the perfect reward after conquering the dunes. The beach has picnic areas, restrooms, and shallow waters that are great for families. In summer, the water is inviting for a refreshing dip after your hike.
Michigan City Beach (West Beach Access)
Just east of the national park boundary, Michigan City Beach offers a more local, less touristy experience. This beach is part of the Indiana Dunes landscape but feels more like a hidden gem. It’s accessible via the Dune Succession Trail Loop 2 or through Michigan City’s public beach access points. The beach features soft sand, gentle waves, and fewer crowds. It’s also a great spot for photography, especially during golden hour when the Chicago skyline glows in the distance.
Where to Stay near Indiana Dunes?
Portage is the closest big city near Indiana Dunes National Park where you can stay. We stayed at the Days Inn by Wyndham Portage/Indiana Dunes National Park, which was just an 11-minute drive from the visitor center.
This was our third stay at a Days Inn property, and like all our previous stays, we had a comfortable time. The check-in process was quick and smooth. We enjoyed a complimentary hot breakfast and the sheer convenience of staying close to the national park. For food, we just stopped by Domino’s next to the hotel (a 5-minute walk) as we were extremely tired from all that hiking.
Overall Thoughts About Indiana Dunes
As I said earlier, each park has its own quirks and reasons for being protected. What I loved most was exploring how diverse a sand dune landscape can be. We always associate sand dunes with dry, arid landscapes, but here in Indiana Dunes, it was thriving, with old-growth forests, birds, wildlife, and humans enjoying everything nature offers.
The beaches here are absolutely stunning. The water was soothing, even if the wind was cold, and we got to witness one of the most stunning sunsets in the U.S.
Therefore, if you ask me, “Should I visit Indiana Dunes National Park?” I’d say absolutely YES! Watch my YouTube video to get a view of this unique landscape and my honest reactions about the hike (if you can hear with all that heaving 🤣).
