Indiana Dunes State Park consists of 2,182 acres of primitive, beautiful, historic, and amazingly unique Hoosier landscape. It lies at the north end of State Road 49 in Porter County and includes more than three miles of beautiful beach along Lake Michigan’s southern shore. In the early 1900’s scientists, recreationists, and nature enthusiasts, recognizing the value and potential of the Indiana dunes area, fought to have the region preserved. As a result, in 1925, the State Park was established. Indiana Dunes State Park is a special place. We hope you’ll take the time to explore its many fascinating features.
ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES
CAMPING
— Campground has two comfort stations heated year round that are equipped with flush toi
lets, hot water and showers. 140 campsites with 50 amp. service that can accommodate campers up to 50 feet in length. Occupancy limited to 14 consecutive nights. Reservations are available through the Central Reservation System.
CONCESSION & CAMPGROUND GROCERY
— Open summer months. Wood, ice, picnic supplies
and groceries available.
CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRAILS —
Ski trails are provided for people with their own equipment. Ski rental is not available.
INTERPRETIVE NATURALIST SERVICE
— Explore the world of natural resources while enjoying interpretive and recreational programs. Program schedules are available on the website at www.interpretiveservices.IN.gov or call (219) 926-1390.
NATURE CENTER
—
Natural and cultural history displays, wildlife observation room, library, and audio visual presentations are available.
PICNIC AREAS
— Tables, grills, toilet facilities, playground equipment and shelters. Reservations for shelters are available through the Central Reservation System.
REFRESHMENT FACILITIES
— Fast food service and gift shop are upstairs in the pavilion during the summer season.
SMELTING
— April and May - Contact the park office for details.
SWIMMING
— Swimming permitted in designated area when lifeguard on duty. Free beach. Restrooms and beach open Saturday before Memorial Day and
no later than Labor Day. Clothing is required.
YOUTH TENT CAMPING
— For organized youth groups under adult supervision in designated areas. Advance reservations required. Reservations available THE INDIANA DUNES Visitors today can enjoy Indiana Dunes State Park in a wide variety of ways. A campground, many picnic shelters and picnic areas, over 16 miles of hiking trails, a swimming beach, and a nature center are all available for visitors’ use and are operated with visitor safety in mind. During the summer season, a pavilion on the beach provides shelter, restrooms with only outside showers, a snack bar, and gift shop. Dunes Nature Preserve, encompassing 1,530 acres and located within the boundaries of the State Park, provides visitors with an opportunity to explore some very pristine and unique landscapes. Indiana Dunes State Park features a wide variety of habitats, including beach, sand dunes, black oak forest, wooded wetlands, and a button-bush marsh. Together, these areas contain some of the most birthplace of ecology"! The dunes provide an opportunity to explore an exciting and ever changing landscape. In several areas, huge "living" or "moving" dunes are slowly being blown inland, burying forests as they go. A good example of such a "living dune" can be seen from Trail 9. Other interesting features in the dunes include "tree graveyards" (places where forests have been buried by sand and then more recently re-exposed by wind erosion). "Tree graveyards" can be seen in Big Blowout near Trail 10. The Indiana dunes area is renowned throughout to ask about good birding locations. Indiana Dunes State Park is surrounded by Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, a federally administered park comprised of approximately 15,000 acres of beautiful and diverse landscape. For more information about the National Lakeshore write: Indiana Road, Porter, IN 46304-1299; or call 219-926-7561.
through the Central Reservation System.