National GeographicJul 21, 2026
Everything you should know about Indiana Dunes National Park
Discover one of America’s most biodiverse landscapes, where towering dunes, rare orchids, sandy beaches, and more than 60 miles of trails create an unexpectedly rich escape along Lake Michigan.
25 things in this story
- Three Dunes ChallengeTrailclimbs three of the tallest dunes, 1.5 miles
- Indiana Dunes State Park campgroundPlace147 sites, bulk offer electric service
- Elsewhere
- Mount BaldySightIndiana Dunes National Park, United Statessummit accessible only on ranger-led programs
- Miller WoodsNeighborhoodIndiana Dunes National Park, United Statesone of the park’s most biodiverse areas
- Paul H. Douglas TrailTrailIndiana Dunes National Park, United Stateswinds through oak savanna, wetlands, and dunes
- Diana Dunes DareTrailIndiana Dunes National Park, United Statesoffers sweeping lake views and landscape evolution
- Cowles Bog TrailTrailIndiana Dunes National Park, United Stateswinds through marshes, swamps, and black oak savanna
- Heron Rookery TrailTrailIndiana Dunes National Park, United Statespopular in spring for wildflowers and bird sightings
- Indiana Dunes Birding FestivalFestivalIndiana Dunes National Park, United Statesmigratory bird count peaks in May
- Great MarshSightIndiana Dunes National Park, United Statesbest for scenery and bird viewing
- Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental EducationMuseumIndiana Dunes National Park, United Statesgreat place for families and first-time visitors
- Pinhook Bog hikeTrailIndiana Dunes National Park, United Statestakes visitors through the bog to see ferns and orchids
- Century of Progress homesSightBeverly Shores, United Statesfuturistic houses from 1933 World's Fair
- Chellberg FarmSightIndiana Dunes National Park, United Statesbuilt in 1860s, families can volunteer
- 49er Drive-In Movie TheaterSightIndiana Dunes National Park, United Statesfamily-friendly way to wind down
- Dunewood CampgroundPlaceIndiana Dunes National Park, United States66 primitive sites, including four wheelchair-accessible
- Central Avenue walk-in campsitesPlaceIndiana Dunes National Park, United Statesprimitive tent-only sites near Lake Michigan shoreline
- Dunbar Group CampsitePlaceIndiana Dunes National Park, United Statesaccommodates groups of up to 30 people
- West BeachSightIndiana Dunes National Park, United States
- Dune Succession TrailTrailIndiana Dunes National Park, United States
- Portage LakefrontSightIndiana Dunes National Park, United States
- Dune Ridge TrailTrailIndiana Dunes National Park, United States
- Kemil BeachSightIndiana Dunes National Park, United States
- Dunbar BeachSightIndiana Dunes National Park, United States
- Lake View BeachSightIndiana Dunes National Park, United States