Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

QUICKLINKS:

Steep Sand Dunes and Magnificent Lake Views

Experience these sights at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore:

Waves crashing on sandy beaches,
Karner Blue butterflies landing on wild lupines,
Sweaty draft horses working the Chellberg Farm fields,
Peaceful silence lingering along winter trails, and
Bank swallows flying from their nest inside the dunes.

picture of a wave breaking just before a sandy beach

A Day at the Beach

Plan a perfect day at the beach! Click the word "more" below to use our beach planning guide to:

Choose your beach,
Decide what to bring,
Discover activities to do beyond the beach, and
Make your visit a safe one.

more...

Duneland Harvest Festival

Celebrate the harvest time as in the settlement days of Indiana. Since 1976, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and the Friends of Indiana Dunes have been reviving the region's heritage with:

Crafts,
Music,
Historic encampments, and
Much more

Visit with a fur trader, hop onto our hay wagon, and try your hand at a traditional craft. Join us for our 30th annual festival on September 16 and 17, 2006.
more...

Park Ranger standing in front of students next to a farm field

The Outdoor Classroom

Thousands of school children visit the dunes annually to participate in the park's curriculum-based programs. To explore the national lakeshore, the park encourages teachers to reserve one of the park's many ranger-led educational programs. To learn more about these free programs, visit the “For Teachers” section on this website.
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Cooks by a wood burning stove at Chellberg Farm

Exploring the National Lakeshore with a Park Ranger

Do sunsets from the top of Mt. Baldy, watching birds along the Little Calumet River, or smelling fresh baked cookies sound inviting? Throughout the year, activities such as these, await you at Indiana Dunes. The national lakeshore publishes a schedule of ranger-led interpretive programs.
more...

Write to

1100 N. Mineral Springs Road
Porter, Indiana 46304

E-mail Us

Phone

Visitor Information
(219) 926-7561 ext. 225

Climate

The national lakeshore's weather is greatly affected by Lake Michigan and can change quickly. Summers are generally in the mid-80sºF (30C) with lows in the mid-60sºF (18C). There are about 15 days per year above 90ºF (32C). Highs in winter are usually in the low to mid 30sºF (0C) with low temperatures in the low 20sºF (-5C). There are about 15 days per year below 0ºF (-18C). Winters tend to be cloudy except for periods of extreme cold when skies are clear.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Information