Indiana

Dunes

National Park Service logo with tree, mountain, and bison
Sign for Indiana Dunes National Park, maintained by the National Park Service, with a forest background and stone pillar.

Indiana Dunes is a National Park that is located in obviously, Indiana.

It became the nation's 61st national park on February 15, 2019.

Sand dunes surrounded by pine trees under a cloudy sky.
Sandy path through grassy dunes under cloudy sky
Sandy dunes with sparse vegetation and leafless trees under a cloudy sky.
Sand dune with tall grass and bare trees against a cloudy sky.
A leafless tree on a sandy dune with sparse grass against a cloudy sky.
Two people walking up wooden stairs in a sandy, grassy landscape with one person wearing a pink hat and shorts.

To The Water

Landscape view of a sandy beach with sparse vegetation and a body of water in the foreground, with a distant skyline under a cloudy sky in the background.

Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails lead through shifting sand dunes, quiet woodlands, sunny prairies and lush wetlands. Known for its striking plant and bird diversity, it's easy to find inspiration throughout the park’s 15,000 acres.

Sand dune with grass and bare trees under a cloudy sky.
Bare trees on a sandy beach with a wavy lake and cloudy sky in the background.
Leafless trees on a lakeside with choppy waves and distant city skyline under a cloudy sky.
Beach with tall grasses and ocean waves under a cloudy sky
Person jogging on a sandy beach with a city skyline in the background.

When I arrived I had no expectations and I had done no research. As the name of the park indicates it is in fact in Indiana and it does have dunes. I did not know it had a beautiful beach area and it has fantastic views of Chicago. You can clearly see the Sears Tower and most of the larger iconic buildings of the cityscape.

Beach with waves and cloudy sky, industrial skyline in the distance.
Lake shoreline with waves and distant skyline under cloudy sky
Ocean waves under a cloudy sky

Distance from home

Map showing route from St. Louis to Indiana Dunes National Park, passing through Chicago and Indianapolis.

307.5 Miles

Maps of the Dunes

Map of Indiana Dunes National Park highlighting beaches such as West Beach, Portage Lakefront, Porter Beach, Kemil-Dunbar-Lake View, and Central. Nearby towns include Ogden Dunes, Burns Harbor, Beverly Shores, and Chesterton. Major roads like I-94 and highway 20 are displayed.
Map highlighting Indiana Dunes National Park in northwest Indiana, with surrounding areas including Indianapolis, Kentucky, Illinois, and Ohio.