News Release

Erosion Forces Closure of Beach Access at Portage Lakefront

Date: November 2, 2018

Recent storm waves eroded away a portion of a sand dune and the only designated trail to the beach at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk area. With no safe path available, the National Park Service has temporarily closed access to the beach until a safe way to the beach can be reestablished.  
 
Despite the closure of the beach access, all other areas of Portage Lakefront remain open to the public, including the pavilion, trail, riverwalk and breakwater. Portage Lakefront, one of the most popular sites in the national lakeshore, is operated by the City of Portage in partnership with the National Park Service.
 
At more than 580 feet above sea level, Lake Michigan’s water level remains well above the long-term average. The higher lake level, in combination with recent storm waves, has resulted in continued erosion and narrower beaches along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Despite the erosion, all beach access, except at Portage Lakefront, remains open along the 15-miles of shoreline within the national lakeshore.
 
For more information on beach access at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, contact the park’s information desk at 219-395-1882 or go to the web page at www.nps.gov/indu.