Photo:
Matthew Dillon from Hollywood, CA, USA / CC BY 2.0
Indiana Dunes packs a startling amount of nature into a slice of the industrial Midwest, 15 miles of Lake Michigan beach backed by towering sand dunes, quiet woodlands, wetlands and prairie, all within sight of Chicago’s skyline and the steel mills of the lakeshore. Its improbable mix of habitats makes it one of the most biologically diverse national parks in the country.
The park layers habitats back from the water: broad sand beaches, high dunes both bare and forested, oak savanna, marsh and bog, and remnant prairie. This range of environments, compressed into a narrow band, supports over 1,100 plant species and a spectacular diversity of birds, making it a legendary spot for spring and fall migration.
Late spring through fall is the main season, warm beach days in summer, superb bird migration in spring and fall, and colorful woodlands in autumn. Summer weekends are busy at the beaches. Winter is cold and quiet, with wind-sculpted dunes and ice formations along the lake for those who bundle up.
The park stretches along the Lake Michigan shore in northwest Indiana and is easily reached by car off US-12 and US-20, or car-free from Chicago on the South Shore Line commuter train. The units are spread along the lakeshore and interspersed with towns and the state park, so a vehicle helps for moving between beaches and trailheads.
Swim and sunbathe on the Lake Michigan beaches, climb the strenuous dunes on the Three Dune Challenge, and hike woodland and wetland trails like the Cowles Bog and Pinhook Bog routes. Birdwatching is world-class during migration, and the paved Calumet and Prairie Duneland trails invite easy walking and cycling. Dunewood Campground offers a base for a longer stay.
Lake Michigan looks benign but can be deadly, cold water and dangerous rip currents form quickly, so heed beach flags and swim near guarded areas. Climbing soft-sand dunes is more strenuous than it looks, so pace yourself and carry water in the sun. Watch for ticks and poison ivy on the trails, and get off the open beach when lake storms roll in fast.
A park pass is required, the campground should be reserved, and note that the separate Indiana Dunes State Park sits within the boundary with its own entrance fee. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report; always confirm current conditions, beach status and closures with the National Park Service before your trip.
Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.
