Know Before You Go, Indiana Dunes National Park

Start Planning! 

You’re about to go on an epic adventure at Indiana Dunes National Park! Here’s what you need to know before you go. 

• The tour has three starting points:
  • I-94 West, next to the town of New Buffalo; 
  • 80/90 West, near Sherwood Forest Paintball
  • US 421 North, near the Bed & Biscuit Pet Resort
• Entrance to the park is $25 per vehicle. 
• The park is open daily from 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Please note that visitor centers and attractions have varying hours of operation, learn more here. 
• Don’t climb on the sand dunes! You can get trapped in the sand. 
• Don’t walk on the ice when Lake Michigan is frozen over! 
• Don’t park in residential area parking lots - they are monitored closely and you will get ticketed. 

Budgeting and Hours of Operation 

Budget

How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route, but here’s a breakdown of some costs. 

• Entrance to the park is $25 per vehicle.
• Entrance to Indiana Dunes State Park is $7 for noncommercial vehicles with Indiana license plates and $12 for noncommercial vehicles with out-of-state license plates. 

Hours of Operation 

Although the park is open daily from 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., the park’s facilities have varying hours of operation. Some of the major attractions are listed below: 

• Century of Progress Historical District: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Visitor Center: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; winter hours (September 4–May 27) 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Bailly Homestead: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Chellberg Farm: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• West Beach: 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Marquette Park: Beaches are open from dawn to dusk daily - Sunday before Memorial Day through Labor Day. Lifeguards are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; The Aquatorium is open 24 hours a day.
• Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education: Summer hours are every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend); winter hours are from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday only; the trail is open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Get Packing!

Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day. 

• Hiking shoes
• Water shoes
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Hat 
• Sunglasses
• Windshield sun shade
• Binoculars (for bird watching)
• Water bottle
• Snacks/lunch
• National Park pass
• Cooler with drinks and snacks (if relaxing at the beach)
• Beach towel
• Beach umbrella

Best Time to Visit 

The best time to visit Indiana Dunes National Park is in the spring and summer, when it’s warm, to enjoy the beaches and water activities.

The park can also be enjoyed year-round, as some trails allow cross-country skiing. 

Leave No Trace

A serene trail in the woods, surrounded by lush green plants and tall trees.Shutterstock Image

While exploring, we encourage you to abide by the leave-no-trace principles. Embrace the outdoors responsibly with our commitment to preserving natural wonders.

Respect wildlife habitats, minimize your footprint, and carry out memories, not waste. By following Leave No Trace principles, you contribute to the longevity and beauty of our planet's most stunning landscapes.