Despite its beautiful scenery, Indiana Dunes National Park remains relatively unknown compared to other popular United States national parks. This park, the only national park in Indiana, is located just a little over an hour away from Chicago and offers a variety of activities.
My family decided to take a detour and spend a day here during our road trip to Minnesota to visit family. The hiking was fantastic, although it was a bit chilly in June when we visited. We wished we could have spent more time enjoying the beaches, but even without swimming, my kids had an absolute blast playing in the sand!
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How to Spend One Day at Indiana Dunes National Park
If you are short on time, one day is enough to see many of the highlights of Indiana Dunes National Park.
Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is the best place to start your visit to the park. The visitor center has information about the park, including a map and a guide to the different areas of the park. The visitor center also has exhibits about the plants and animals that live in the Indiana Dunes National Park.
Junior Ranger Program
If you are traveling with kids or are interested in participating yourself, be sure to pick up a free Junior Ranger Program booklet at the visitor center. It is filled with fun activities like scavenger hunts, matching games, and other educational opportunities to learn about the park.
The number of activities to be completed is based on age. Once finished, go back to the Visitor Center to take the Junior Ranger oath and receive a speical park badge.
Century of Progress Homes
An unusual attraction for a national park is the Century of Progress Homes. They are a collection of homes that were originally built for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.
They were moved in 1935 to their current locations. Four of the house were brought to the dunes by barge. These homes were modern and ahead of their time both in the materials used and the design.
The houses were leased from the National Park Service to a nonprofit organization called Indiana Landmarks. They, in turn, leased four of them out to families or individuals to live in them.
As a result of the private leases, the homes are only open to tour on the last weekend of September. Tickets are available in early August. They cost $35 per person and typically sell out within an hour.
If you aren’t visiting during this weekend, you can walk or drive along the road to view them. But, you cannot get up close or see the inside of them.
Bailly Homestead & Chellberg Farm
The Bailly Homestead was an important meeting place in the early 1800s for Native Americans and Euro-Americans to conduct business. There are signs posted around the property that explains its history.
The Bailly Homestead is a National Historic Landmark. Walk around it and imagine what it was like to live here two hundred years ago.
The nearby Chellberg Farm was added to the park in 1972 and is named after Swedish immigrants, Anders and Johanna Chellberg (Kjellberg), who purchased the land in 1869. The farmhouse was built in 1885.
In the 1930’s they began tapping maple trees on the property for maple syrup production. You can see an interesting display explaining the process. The family operated the farm until 1972 when it was sold to the National Park Service.
You can tour the farm and see how a turn-of-the-century Swedish-American farm operated. There is a vegetable garden and a chicken coop near the house.
Both of these sites are open for tours throughout the year during special events and during ranger-guided tours. Check with the visitor center for availability.
Beaches at Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is a popular summer destination due to its many beaches along Lake Michigan. There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to locating your perfect spot on the sand.
West Beach
West Beach is the most popular in the park. The west beach area includes a bathhouse and a lifeguard in the summer. Other beaches in the park offer fewer amenities and less parking but also fewer crowds.
Lake View Beach
Lake View Beach is another popular beach for swimming. It is located on the eastern side of the park. It has facilities year-round, but it does not have a lifeguard.
Hiking Trails
Indiana Dunes National Park has a wide variety of hiking trails to explore. The trails are spread out throughout the park. Here are a few of the many hiking trail options. Choose a couple to enjoy during your one day in Indiana Dunes National Park.
Dune Succession Trail
The Dune Succession Trail, one of the West Beach trails, is a must while visiting the park. It is about a mile long and takes you over the dunes on a boardwalk to the beach. The trail has information about the history of the dunes along the way. Climb the 270 stairs before taking a break on the beach.
Bailly/Chellberg Trail Loop
As highlighted above, the Bailly/Chellberg Trail Loop is a little over a mile long and passes by the Chellberg farm and the Bailly homestead with information about the family that lived here. This area is surrounded by towering trees and covered with dark soil, very different than other areas of the park.
Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Trail
The Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Trail is a great trail to get views of Lake Michigan. It is about a mile-long loop and takes you through the dune habitat and a boardwalk.
Mount Baldy Beach Trail
Mount Baldy Beach Trail is a featured hike, spanning 0.75 miles. It takes about an hour to complete the out-and-back trail, starting from the parking lot trailhead and following the staircase along the entrance road. Hikers will continue on the west side of Mount Baldy. The Mount Baldy trail then leads to the dune’s edge, offering scenic views of Lake Michigan.
Tolleston Dunes Trail
The Tolleston Dunes Trail is a 2.9-mile hike that takes about 2 hours to complete. It features diverse terrain, including former sand mining areas, rolling ancient sand dunes, oak savanna, and wetland habitats. Stick to the outer loop, which includes a boardwalk. This hike offers beautiful views and educational opportunities for hikers of all abilities.
Dune Ridge Trail
The Dune Ridge Trail near the Kemil Comfort Station is a nice short hike to explore the diversity of the dunes. This 0.7-mile loop takes you from sandy soil to oak savanna until you are rewarded with views of the Great Marsh.
Paul H. Douglas Trail
The Paul H. Douglas Trail is a 3.4-mile hike through wetlands, oak savannas, and sand dunes. This scenic trail takes about two hours to complete and offers opportunities to spot wildlife. The terrain is mostly sandy with some sections of packed soil, gravel, and a boardwalk.
Cowles Bog Trail
Cowles Bog Trail is a 4.7-mile hike offering diverse plant and wildlife views including fantastic bird watching opportunities. The loop takes around 4 hours to complete, passing through black oak savanna, interdunal ponds, and ending with a scenic view of Lake Michigan and a beach.
3 Dune Challenge Loop
3 Dune Challenge Loop is a popular hike in the nearby Indiana Dunes State Park. This 1.5-mile hike summits the three tallest sand dunes in the park. The park charges $7 for Indiana plates, $12 for out-of-state plates, and an annual pass is available.
Watch the Sunset
Indiana Dunes National Park is a great place to watch the sunset. Settle in at the beach and watch the sun slowly dive below the horizon to finish off your fun-filled day at the park.
Indiana Dunes National Park FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Indiana Dunes National Park.
What is the best time to visit Indiana Dunes National Park?
The best time to visit Indiana Dunes National Park is in the summer months of June, July, and August when the park’s beautiful beaches are open for swimming and sunbathing. You can also comfortably explore the historical buildings and hiking trails throughout the park during these months.
How much does it cost to visit Indiana Dunes?
The parking pass to enter the park is $25 which is good for 7 days. Passes can be purchased at the Visitor Center, Paul H. Douglas Center, and seasonally at West Beach.
There isn’t a typical ranger station collecting money except for at West Beach. Make sure that you stop in to pay and get your pass before parking in the park. There are rangers that patrol the parking lots.
You can also choose to buy an Indiana Dunes annual pass for $45 or purchase an annual national park pass such as the $80 America the Beautiful Annual Pass that allows access to over 2,000 Federal recreation sites.
Is Indiana Dunes National Park worth visiting?
Indiana Dunes National Park is certainly worth visiting! The park offers a variety of activities for all ages including swimming and sunbathing on the park’s beautiful beaches in the summer months. There are also several hikes and historical sites to explore such as the Century of Progress Homes, Bailly Homestead, and Chellberg Farm.
How much time do you need at Indiana Dunes?
You need one day to see the highlights of Indiana Dunes National Park. Add on another day or two if you want to hike multiple trails, explore more areas of the park, or enjoy more time at the beach.
Which part of Indiana Dunes is best?
Indiana Dunes National Park offers a wide variety of attractions and activities, making it difficult to decide which part is best. The park’s pristine beaches are certainly a must-see and offer plenty of swimming and sunbathing. West Beach is the most popular.
Where to Stay Near Indiana Dunes National Park
There are camping and hotel options near the park.
Hotels Near Indiana Dunes
Chesterton
Chesterton is located near Indiana Dunes National Park. It has a few inexpensive options like the Best Western Indian Oak and the Quality Inn Chesterton. There is also the Hilton Garden Inn Chesterton which costs a little more but is nicer.
Valparaiso
Valparaiso is about a 25-minute drive south of the park’s visitor center. It has shops, restaurants, and attractions. It also has more accommodation options such as the Hampton Inn & Suites Valparaiso, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Valparaiso, and the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Valparaiso.
Portage
Portage is about a 20-minute drive from the park’s visitor center and is located on the west side of the park. It has sufficient restaurant and accommodation options. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Portage and the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson are both well-rated hotels with indoor pools and free breakfast.
Camping in Indiana Dunes National Park
If a campground is more your style, there are two worth looking into.
The Dunewood Campground offers non-electrical hookups with restrooms and showers nearby. Indiana Dunes State Park, which charges an admission fee, has a campground with more amenities including electrical hookups, water/dump stations, and a campground store.
Things Do Near Indiana Dunes National Park
If you are looking to extend your visit to the area, there are some things to do near Indiana Dunes National Park to entertain the entire family. Most of these attractions are located in the nearby town of Valparaiso which is about 30 minutes from the park.
Indiana Dunes State Park
Indiana Dunes is a state park located directly next to Indiana Dunes National Park. It spans 2,182 acres. The park has over three miles of stunning beach along Lake Michigan’s southern shore.
One of the main attractions of Indiana Dunes is its large sand dunes that have taken thousands of years to form. These dunes stand nearly 200 feet tall above Lake Michigan’s shoreline. Just as in the national park, visitors can enjoy swimming during the summer months and hiking the dune trails year-round.
Coffee Creek Preserve
For more opportunities to get outdoors and experience the nature of the area, head to the nearby Coffee Creek Preserve. The 157 acres are a paradise for nature lovers; preserving wetlands, woodlands, and prairies.
The preserve has over 5 miles of hiking trails including some that are accessible. Keep an eye out for deer and birds on your walk.
Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest
Another outdoor attraction worth exploring is the Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest. It is 300 acres of gardens and trails.
The main attractions are the Railway Garden with garden scale model trains and dwarf plants, the Native Plant Garden, and Rose Gardens. Kids will love the TreeSong Music Garden and seeing the animals at the Adventure Garden.
There are almost 6 miles of trails at the arboretum. Each of the six trails is named after a bird that lives in that habitat.
The Railway Garden is typically open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from May through October.
Zao Island
A family-friendly place to visit is Zao Island. It has go-karts, an elaborate miniature golf course, laser tag, batting cages, and a game room.
Brauer Museum of Art
If you are into art or need something to do indoors, stop by the free Brauer Museum of Art. It exhibits an impressive library of over 5,000 artworks from the mid-19th century to the modern day.
Final Thoughts on Spending One Day at Indiana Dunes
If you’re looking for a fun summer destination, Indiana Dunes National Park is perfect. With plenty of activities to choose from, you can spend an enjoyable day exploring everything the park has to offer.
- For information on other United States National Parks, check out these posts.
