Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, United States

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, located in the state of Indiana in the United States, is a stunning national park that offers visitors a unique combination of natural beauty and recreational activities. With its diverse landscapes, including sandy beaches, towering sand dunes, lush forests, and serene wetlands, this park is a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.

One of the main attractions of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is its pristine beaches along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Stretching for 15 miles, these sandy shores provide the perfect setting for sunbathing, picnicking, or simply taking a leisurely stroll. The clear blue waters of Lake Michigan also offer opportunities for swimming, kayaking, and boating, allowing visitors to cool off and enjoy the scenic surroundings.

For those who love hiking and exploration, the park is home to a vast network of trails that wind through its diverse ecosystems. The trails vary in difficulty and length, catering to both casual walkers and experienced hikers. One popular trail is the 3.5-mile Cowles Bog Trail, which takes visitors through a unique wetland habitat teeming with wildlife and vibrant plant life.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is also renowned for its towering sand dunes, which offer a thrilling experience for those seeking a bit of adventure. The park's highest dune, Mount Baldy, stands at a towering 126 feet and provides panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Climbing to the top of Mount Baldy is a memorable experience that rewards visitors with breathtaking vistas of Lake Michigan and the rolling dunes below.

In addition to its natural wonders, the park also offers opportunities for cultural exploration. The Chellberg Farm, a historic homestead dating back to the late 1800s, provides a glimpse into the region's agricultural past. Visitors can explore the farmstead, interact with costumed interpreters, and learn about traditional farming practices.

Alternative names: Established: 1966 (58 years ago)Visitors per year: 2.13 mil. (2019)Elevation: 666 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 41°39'22"N, 87°4'16"W

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IndianaUnited States

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Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Top Attractions

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Attractions - What to See and Explore

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Pinhook Bog, Joseph Bailly Homestead, Florida Tropical House, Wieboldt-Rostone House. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Natural attraction • Nature • Sand dune
Pinhook Bog
Pinhook Bog is a unique bog in Indiana that has been designated a National Natural Landmark. It is part of Indiana Dunes National Park, an area that many citizens, scientists, and politicians fought hard to preserve.
Natural attraction • Nature • Sand dune
Joseph Bailly Homestead
The Joseph Bailly Homestead, also known as Joseph Bailly Homestead and Cemetery, in Porter, Indiana, is a U.S. National Historic Landmark. The Bailly Homestead is preserved by the National Park Service in Indiana Dunes National Park in Porter, Indiana.
Natural attraction • Nature • Sand dune
Florida Tropical House
The Florida Tropical House is a beach house located on Lake Michigan's shoreline in Beverly Shores, Indiana. It was built in 1933 as part of the Homes of Tomorrow Exhibition at the 1933 World's Fair in nearby Chicago.

Natural attraction • Nature • Sand dune
Wieboldt-Rostone House
The Wieboldt-Rostone House is a historic building in the Century of Progress Architectural District in Beverly Shores, Indiana. The home was built in 1933, framed in steel, and clad with an artificial stone called Rostone. Billed as never needing repairs, it only lasted without renovations until the 1950s.
Natural attraction • Nature • Sand dune
Armco-Ferro House
The Armco-Ferro House, in the Century of Progress Architectural District in Beverly Shores, Indiana, was originally constructed for the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago. "The...
41°41'14"N • 86°59'42"W
Lake View Beach
Beach
Lake • Natural attraction • Nature
Long Lake
Long Lake is a large interdunal wetland in the Indiana Dunes region of Northwest Indiana. It was originally approximately 8 miles in length, but has been shortened due to development and drainage.
41°40'56"N • 87°0'29"W
Kemil Beach
Beach
41°39'37"N • 87°4'16"W
Porter Beach
Beach
Cemetery
Bailly Cemetery
Bailly Cemetery is a cemetery located at Indiana Dunes National Park in Porter, Indiana, USA. The cemetery is three-quarters of a mile north of the Joseph Bailly Homestead on the edge of a sand ridge. The first recorded burial was Robert, the son of Joseph Bailly, in about 1827.
Natural attraction • Nature • Sand dune
Mammals of the Indiana Dunes
Thirty-seven species of mammals have been identified at Indiana Dunes National Park. Four other species are thought to inhabit the park, but have not been documented: the northern long-eared myotis, the Indiana bat, the hoary bat, and the southern bog...
Natural attraction • Nature • Sand dune
House of Tomorrow
The House of Tomorrow is a historic building in the Century of Progress Architectural District in Beverly Shores, Indiana. The house was originally part of Chicago's 1933-34 Century of Progress Exposition.
Natural attraction • Nature • Sand dune
Cypress Log Cabin
Both the Cypress Log Cabin and the Cypress Guest house are historic buildings in the Century of Progress Architectural District in Beverly Shores, Indiana. The houses were sponsored by Southern Cypress Manufacturer's Association, Jacksonville, Florida.
Natural attraction • Nature • Sand dune
Invertebrates of the Indiana Dunes
Indiana Dunes National Park is a National Park Service unit on the shore of Lake Michigan in Indiana, United States. A BioBlitz took place there on May 15 and 16, 2009. During that time, a list of organisms was compiled which included invertebrates.
41°41'57"N • 86°57'44"W
Solomon Enclave
Solomon Enclave is three historic homes located at Beverly Shores, Porter County, Indiana. The three two-story, International Style flat-roofed dwellings were built in 1948. They are rectangular in plan and are built into the sides of dunes. The houses features cantilevered concrete decks that overlook Lake Michigan.
41°38'40"N • 87°2'52"W
Read Dunes House
Read Dunes House is a historic home in Westchester Township, Porter County, Indiana. It was built in 1952, and is a one-story, Prairie School style dwelling. It measures 58 feet by 29 feet, and has a low-sloped gable roof. The house was built for Philo Benham Read and his wife...
41°40'24"N • 86°59'12"W
Bartlett Real Estate Office
The Bartlett Real Estate Office, also called the Frederick Bartlett Real Estate sales and administration building, was built in 1927 at 500 S. Broadway, Beverly Shores, Porter County, Indiana. It is Mediterranean Revival style. Bartlett also chose this style for the houses in his new development of Beverly Shores.
41°39'10"N • 87°5'48"W
Dune Acres Beach
Beach
41°38'32"N • 87°5'34"W
Cowles Bog National Natural Landmark
Park

Day trips

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Michigan Avenue (Chicago), Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago), Field Museum (Chicago).

33 milesNW
Street, Shopping, Shopping district
Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Michigan Avenue, often referred to as The Magnificent Mile, is an iconic boulevard in the heart of Chicago, United States, renowned for its vibrant shopping district. This prestigious segment of the avenue, running from the Chicago River to Oak Street, boasts an...
32 milesNW
Renowned art museum with global works
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago, nestled in the heart of Chicago's Grant Park, stands as a beacon for art lovers and cultural enthusiasts alike. This premier museum, renowned for its extensive collections, spans across various epochs and regions of the world, offering an...
32 milesNW
Museum, Natural history museum, Specialty museum
Field Museum, Chicago
The Field Museum, a beacon of natural history and culture, stands proudly in Chicago, Illinois. Established in 1893 as the Columbian Museum of Chicago, it later took the name of its first major benefactor, Marshall Field, and has since become one of the largest such...
32 milesNW
Home to numerous Downtown attractions
Grant Park, Chicago
Grant Park, often referred to as "Chicago's front yard," is a lush urban oasis nestled in the heart of the city's bustling downtown. Spread across 319 acres, it is a verdant retreat that offers locals and tourists alike a respite from the concrete jungle.
33 milesNW
Street, Shopping, Shopping district
State Street, Chicago
State Street, a vibrant artery in the heart of Chicago, is renowned as a bustling shopping district that beckons locals and tourists alike. This iconic thoroughfare has a storied history that dates back to the city's earliest days and has evolved into a shopper's...