News Release

June 2024 Programs and Events

Date: June 4, 2024

Cherish and enjoy these programs and events offered at Indiana Dunes National Park in June 2024.
Indiana Dunes National Park has an entrance fee of $25 per car for a 1–7-day pass. A $45 annual pass for the national park is also available. Please purchase passes or pay the entrance fee at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, Paul H. Douglas Center, West Beach Entrance Station or at recreation.gov. Veterans/Military/Gold Star Family, Access, and 4th Grade passes are available for free. For more information on national park passes visit Fees & Passes.
 

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Weekend Activities

Lake Michigan Boat Tour at Michigan City Millennium Plaza

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in June,
11:00 am–12:30 pm and 2:00 pm-3:30 pm
Experience the Dunes from Lake Michigan on a ranger guided, 90-minute boat tour with Harbor Country Adventures. There is a fee and reservations are required. Visit www.harborcountryadventures.com for details.

Chellberg Farm Open House* at Chellberg Farmhouse

Friday, June 21 & 28
Saturday, June 15 & 29
Sunday June 9, 16, 23, & 30 
1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Stop by the historic Chellberg Farm to tour the farmhouse and visit the animals. Rangers and volunteers will be on hand to share the area’s history.

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Saturday

1966 Hiking Challenge: Hike Every Trail in the Park
Meet at the Trailhead Parking Lot

Time: 8:00 am–11:00 am
Saturday, June 8 at Tolleston Dunes Parking Lot (2.9 mi)
Saturday, June 15 at Mount Baldy Parking Lot (2.0 mi)
Saturday, June 22 at Glenwood Dunes Parking Lot (2.6 mi)
Saturday, June 29 at Glenwood Dunes Parking Lot (7.1 mi)
Hike all the trails in the national park. The challenge will take place over the course of the summer, each week featuring a new trail. There will be a total of 19 hikes covering 66 miles to honor the year the park was established. Can’t make all the ranger guided hikes? Look on our website for a link to Project 1966.

Art in the Park at Paul H. Douglas Center

Saturday, June 8
1:00 pm-3:00 pm
Learn how to paint your own dunes-inspired painting with local artist from the Art Barn. Reservations are required at www.artbarnschool.org. There is a $15 fee for the program.

Nature Play Date* at Paul H. Douglas Center

Saturday, June 15, 22, & 29
1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Visit the Paul H. Douglas Center for a day of family friendly fun. Enjoy the free nature themed crafts set up in the art room, visit the live animal room, or build a fort in the Nature Play Zone.

Stargazing at Kemil Beach Kemil Beach Parking Lot

Saturday, June 8
9:00 pm–11:00 pm
Join Michiana Astronomical Society and fellow astronomy lovers to enjoy our night sky from one of the darkest spots in Indiana Dunes National Park. Telescopes will be provided for your viewing pleasure. Please plan to arrive early to ensure parking and the safety of other visitors.

Midsummer at Chellberg Farm

Saturday, June 22
1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Celebrate the longest day of the year and learn about the traditions of the Swedish immigrants at Chellberg Farm. Enjoy the music, dance and food associated with this special day.

Miller Woods Hike at Paul H. Douglas Center

Sunday, June 9, 16, 23, & 30
1:30 pm–3:30 pm
Hike with a ranger through a globally rare black oak savanna, by beautiful wetlands, and around sandy dunes.

Pinhook Bog Open House at Pinhook Bog Parking Lot

Sunday, June 9, 16, 23, & 30
9:00 am–11:00 am
Experience this unique ecosystem with a ranger. Get a glimpse of the carnivorous plants and rare orchids.

Critter Talk at West Beach

Sunday, June 9 & 30
10:00 am-11:30 am
Join a ranger and learn about the animals that make the Indiana Dunes their home. Discover how and where they live throughout the park’s many ecosystems.

Mount Baldy Open House at Mount Baldy Parking Lot

Sunday, June 9, 16, 23, & 30
1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Meet at the Mount Baldy parking lot for a ranger-led hike to the top of the beautiful and famous Mount Baldy. Since the dune is closed for general public use, this ranger-led tour is the only safe way for visitors to experience the beauty and spectacular views from the top of one of the tallest dunes in the national park.

Feeding at the Farm* at Chellberg Farm

Sunday, June 9, 16, & 23
3:30 pm-4:00 pm
Join a ranger and help feed the animals at the historic Chellberg Farm. This program is sponsored by Friends of Indiana Dunes. For more information on how to join, visit dunefriends.org.

Music at the Farm at Chellberg Farmhouse

Sunday, June 9 & 23
5:00 pm–6:00 pm
Unwind with the Save the Tunes Council at the Chellberg Farmhouse for a relaxing evening of folk music and fun. The performance will take place outside on the lawn. Bring a blanket or folding chair.
 

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Weekday Activities

Birding for Beginners

Locations, Dates & Times:
Great Marsh Parking Lot, Wednesday, June 19, 1:30 pm- 3:30 pm
Paul H. Douglas Center, Thursday, June 27, 1:30 pm- 3:30 pm
Join a ranger and learn some basic birding techniques while enjoying a scenic dunescapes and wetlands. Binoculars will be provided.

Mondays

Birding at the Farm at Chellberg Farm Parking Lot

Monday, June 10, 17, & 24
11:00 am–12:00 pm
Join a ranger and learn some basic birding techniques while enjoying a scenic farmland and wetlands. Binoculars will be provided.

Wednesdays

Fireside Chat at Portage Lakefront Pavilion

Wednesday, June 12, 19, & 26
8:00 pm–9:00 pm
Join a ranger and watch the sunset from the pavilion. Bring marshmallows to roast in the pavilion's fireplace.

Thursdays

Paddling at Marquette Lagoon Marquette Park

Thursday, June 13, 20, & 27
3:00 pm–4:00 pm
5:00 pm–6:00 pm
7:00 pm–8:00 pm
Join a ranger for a sunset adventure, paddling in the tranquil Marquette Lagoon. Rangers will lead 3 groups of 10 paddlers into the lagoon. Make reservations at 219-395-1882. Reservations can be made as early as two weeks before the program.

Mount Baldy Summer Solstice Hike at Mount Baldy Parking Lot

Thursday, June 20
7:30 pm–9:00 pm
Meet at the Mount Baldy parking lot for a special summer solstice ranger-led hike to the top of the famous Mount Baldy.

Fridays

Lake Michigan Boat Tour at Michigan City Millennium Plaza

Friday, June 7, 14, 21, and 28th
11:00 am–12:30 pm and 2:00 pm-3:30 pm
Experience the Dunes from Lake Michigan on a ranger guided, 90-minute boat tour with Harbor Country Adventures. There is a fee and reservations are required. Visit www.harborcountryadventures.com for details.

Beach Fun Friday at West Beach

Friday, June 14, 21, & 28
Beach Activities: 1:00 pm–4:30 pm
Ranger Guided Hike: 6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Fire with a Ranger: 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Make it a beach day! Join staff for activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking and a fire in the evening.

Mount Baldy Summit Hike at Mount Baldy Parking Lot

Friday, June 14, 21, & 28
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Meet at the Mount Baldy parking lot for a ranger-led hike to the top of the beautiful and famous Mount Baldy. Since the dune is closed for general public use, this ranger-led tour is the only safe way for visitors to experience the beauty and spectacular views from the top of one of the tallest dunes in the national park.

Science Fridays Series at Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Pavilion

Friday, June 21
5:30 pm-6:30 pm
Calling all nerds! Expand your knowledge and join fellow nature enthusiasts for a night of education and wonder. A series of presentations will be given by local experts each month covering a different topic. For more information and a list of topics, visit www.nps.gov/indu or call 1-219-395-1882.

Friday June 21 - Join Mary Ann Best from the Miller Beach Water Safety Social Group and the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium on Friday, June 21st from 5:30-6:30pm at Portage Lakefront Park and Riverwalk as she shares tips on how to stay safe in the big waters of Lake Michigan. Learn about beach hazards that swimmers can anticipate and how to prepare yourself for a safe day at the beach. This family-friendly event has tips and activities for beachgoers of all ages activities for kids. You are welcome, and encouraged, to dress for the water...

Where: Join us in person in the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk pavilion.

Full Moon Hike at Paul H. Douglas Center

Friday, June 21
7:30 pm–9:30 pm
Meet at the Paul H Douglas Center parking lot for a full moon ranger-led hike to learn about nocturnal animal sounds through the rare oak savannah of Miller Woods. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight.

All Inclusive Fishing at Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk

Friday, June 28
10:00 am–12:00 pm
Anglers of all backgrounds and experience levels are invited for an evening of fishing and fun with Indiana Dunes rangers. Fishing equipment is limited. Individuals over 18 years of age must have a valid Indiana fishing license.

Volunteering - Drop In

Trash Trekkers at Indiana Dunes Visitor Center

Daily 8:30 am–4:00 pm
Lend a hand in our drop-in litter cleanup program. Simply check in at the Visitor Center to receive trash bags, then choose from one of our many beach areas or hiking trails to collect trash. Visitors are awarded with a free, reusable water bottle for filling up their bags. Please leave trash at a trash can on the site you hiked.

Porter Beach Restoration at Porter Beach Parking Lot

Saturday, June 15
9:00 am–12:00 pm
Join staff and fellow volunteers in helping to care for your local national park. Wear comfortable clothes; work gloves and equipment will be provided. Please contact the volunteer office at [phone] or email [e-mail] if you are planning on attending.

Chellberg Farm Care at Chellberg Parking Lot

Saturday, June 15
9:00 am–12:00 pm
Meet up with a ranger and fellow volunteers to help care for the Chellberg Farm. Equipment and protective gear will be provided.
 

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*These programs are sponsored by the Friends of Indiana Dunes, a non-profit group that is dedicated to enhancing and foster understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the Indiana Dunes through the sponsorship of special educational programs and events throughout the park. For more information on how to get become a member, visit dunefriends.org