Porter, IN 46304
Visitors can access the National Lakeshore via Interstate 94, the Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 80/90), U.S. Highway 12, U.S. Highway 20, Indiana State Road 49, and various other local roads. The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is located on Indiana State Road 49, between U.S. Highway 20 and Interstate 94 (1215 North State Road 49, Porter, IN 46304). For a driving map to the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center or other locations, check out our maps page.
On average, the warmest month is July and the highest recorded temperature was 105F in 1934. The coolest month is January, with the lowest recorded temperature of -25F in 1985. June sees the most precipitation with an average rainfall of 4.66 Inches.
Entrance Fees:
West Beach Entrance Fee - $6.00
$6 per car per day, $30 per bus per day (Expanded Amenity Fee). Fee is collected from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend. 50% discount with Senior and Access Passes.
Dunewood Campground - $25.00
$25 per night (Expanded Amenity Fee). Campground is open from April 1 through November 1. 50% discount with Senior and Access Passes.
Entrance Passes:
Annual Pass - $80.00
Yearly pass available to the general public that provides free access to, and use of, federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee. Valid for one full year from the month of purchase (through last day of that month). No discount for Expanded Amenity Fees. Admits the pass holder and three adult passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. See https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/fees.htm for details.
Senior Annual Pass - $20.00
Yearly pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents, age 62 or over. Valid for one full year from the month of purchase (through last day of that month). The annual senior pass can be upgraded to a lifetime senior pass by exchanging up to four annual passes from the same person and paying the difference between the combined value of the annual passes ($20 each) and the $80 purchase price of the lifetime senior pass. The annual pass has the same benefits of the lifetime senior pass.
Senior Lifetime Pass - $10.00
Lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents, age 62 or over. Provides free access to, and use of, federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee. Provided a 50% discount for select Expanded Amenity Fees (park specific). Admits the pass holder and three adult passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and per person fee areas. Children under 16 are admitted free. See https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/fees.htm for details.
Access Lifetime Pass - $0.00
Lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Documentation is requested, but not required, to obtain the pass. Provides free access to, and use of, federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee. Provided a 50% discount for select Expanded Amenity Fees (park specific). Admits the pass holder and three adult passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle. See http://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/fees.htm for details.
Active Military Annual Pass - $0.00
Yearly pass available to US military members and the dependents of deployed military in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, as well as most members of the US Reserves and National Guard. Proper military ID is required (CAC Card or DoD Form 1173). Covers Entrance Fees at Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service sites and Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation sites. Admits the pass holder and three adult passengers.
Volunteer Annual Pass - $0.00
Volunteers acquiring 250 service hours on a cumulative basis. Provides free access to, and use of, federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee. Valid for one full year from the month of earning the pass (through last day of that month). No discount for Expanded Amenity Fees. Admits the pass holder and three adult passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and per person fee areas. See http://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/fees.htm.
Annual 4th Grade Pass - $0.00
Available to U.S. 4th graders (including home-schooled and free-choice learners, 10 years of age) with a valid Every Kid in a Park paper voucher. The pass is valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year through the following summer (September through August ). Covers Entrance Fees at Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service sites and Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation sites. See http://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/fees.htm.
View lobby displays and pick up brochures about Porter County, Indiana Dunes State Park, and the National Lakeshore. Enjoy the Activity Room with educational displays. Watch two short orientation videos. Shop in the Eastern National bookstore. The Visitor Center is open everyday with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Summer hours are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Central Time (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend). Winter hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Central Time.
Visitor activities include attending scheduled programs for groups presented by the national lakeshore or hiking the Miller Woods Trail. The Paul H. Douglas Center is open everyday with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Summer hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Time (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend). Winter hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Central Time.
