Indiana Dunes National Park

* “At the beach – time you enjoy, is not wasted.”

Indiana Dunes National Park sits along Lake Michigan’s shoreline and protects 15 miles of dunes and wetlands and consists of 167 square miles which makes it the 5th smallest national park. It serves as a prime area for endangered species , such as the Karner blue butterfly. There are many bird species, as many as 285 have been identified there.

Its focal point is the beaches and there are 9 of them. Not sure which one to visit? This guide does a great job of helping you choose. The park also has a unique feature; inside the national park, is a state park (with its own entrance fee) Also the NP site for Indiana Dunes has a map. Most of the beaches and trails are accessible by driving rt 20 and rt 12.

We visited West Beach which is wheelchair accessible beach that has a bathhouse. There is a lifeguard on duty when swimming, but we went for sunset.

Passes are needed to be at the beach and they are not interchangeable with the state park pass. Research to see what you want your experience to be like.

Sunset at Indiana Dunes Nationa; Park is a unique sight as you can see the Chicago skyline in the background. The background is far away; do not expect the background to be as striking as the New York skyline appears in many pictures, but it is there and visible .

There are many trails you can use to climb over the dunes. Look into the length and difficulty and choose what you have time for. We made it there later in the evening and only walked the beach.