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A valid entrance pass or reciept is required for all visitors, including permit holders. For more information on fees and passes, including locations to purchase, go to the fees and passes page.
Most common reservation inquiries:
All 67 sites at the Dunewood Campground are reservable in advance at www.recreation.gov starting six months in before the check-in date. Sites are reservable beginning on November 15 for the following camping season. For more information call (219) 395-8138.
The Dunbar Group Site is reservable in advance at www.recreation.gov starting six months before the check-in date. The site can hold up to 30 people and 10 tents. For more information call (219) 395-8138.
Picinic Shelters have both reservable and first come, first served based locations. For more information call (219) 395-8138.
Special Park Use Permits (SUP) are for activities that take place within a national park outside typical and ordinary visitor use. These events may include gatherings and activities such as sports events, pageants, regattas, public spectator attractions, entertainments, ceremonies, and other similar events. Special Park Use activities inside the park require written authorization from the National Park Service in the form of a Special Use Permit, or a Commercial Use Authorization before the event or activity takes place.
Please contact the Permit Office by e-mailing us with any questions.
A valid entrance pass or reciept is required for all visitors, including permit holders. For more information on fees and passes, including locations to purchase, go to the fees and passes page.
Permit applicationsmust be submitted at least 30 days, and up to twelve (12) months, before the proposed event. Your application must include a non-refundable payment for the costs of processing the application. Please submit your payment as a check or money order made out to the National Park Service. The payment is $65.00 for simple activities and $200.00 for more complex events. Additional charges may also apply. Submitting an application does not guarantee the activity will be approved.
All completed permit applications, including film, photography, and special use requests can be sent either electronically to e-mail us or mailed to:
Indiana Dunes National Park
ATTN: Commercial Services Office
1100 N. Mineral Springs Road
Porter, IN 46304
Special Use Permits
Special Use Permit activities can include, but are not limited to:
Whether you are planning a small intimate wedding or the extravagant wedding of your dreams, Indiana Dunes National Park offers many unique locations with one of a kind scenery.
Our park sites provide both an indoor and outdoor setting for magical moments while enjoying the beautiful vistas Lake Michian has to offer.
Special events include but are not limited to aid stations, corporate events, family gatherings, festivals, parties, large picnics, public spectator attractions, trail runs, basecamps or vehicle parking, car shows and other non-visitor activities on park land.
Additional Information
A group size of 25 or more people and/or 10 vehicles requires a permit.
Events with fewer than 25 people may require a permit.
Any type of gathering with catering, or significant equipment will require a permit, regardless of size.
You will require a permit If you want to enter a closed building.
All picnic tables in the park are first come, first served and cannot be reserved.
Same day set up and clean-up are required.
If the requested dates and activity can be accommodated, the cost recovery will be based on the total number of people and complexity and time needed for the event, set-up and clean up.
Sites are available from 8:00 a.m. until sunset.
A ranger will be assigned to monitor the event. Depending on the size/complexity of the event additional monitors may be required.
Rangers services are from $60.00/hr to $100.00/hr for one monitor plus administrative and maintenance recovery costs.
The applicant is responsible for cleaning the event areas and parking lot at the event’s conclusion.
Directional signs must be free standing and not interfere with traffic or safety signs.
Additional documents may be required for complex events:
Traffic Control
Emergency Medical Plan (EMS)
Event Schedule
List of vendors
List of equipment and supplies
List of event personnel (i.e. name, position, title, phone number)
Event Plan
Map of event setup (race course route, event layout, etc.)
The scattering of ashes requires a permit, there are no fees but the Office of Special Park Uses will set conditions according to 36 CFR §2.62(b) such as:
Ashes from Cremated Human Cremains must be scattered in a manner so as to disperse their identity.
Ashes must be pulverized before being scattered.
The placement of any monument or marker recognizing the scattering of cremated human remains is prohibited.
must be away from developed areas (facilities, buildings, parking lots, trailheads, campgrounds, picnic areas);
cannot be on any trail or road;
must be at least 25 feet from any trail or road; and
must be at least 100 yards from any body of water including the Little Calumet River and Lake Michigan.
You must provide the park's Permit Coordinator with the exact area where the cremated remains will be scattered (GPS Coordinates are preferred), as well as the date and time the activity will take place.
Group size will be limited to no more than 25 people.
You cannot go off trail/road to scatter cremated remains in park areas where Marram grass is planted.
You cannot move or remove any park resources, including soil, rocks, branches, or plants, to scatter the cremated remains.
Birds, butterflies, balloons, or other objects, either natural or artificial, may not be released in conjunction with the scattering of cremated remains within the park.
36 CFR §2.62(a) Authorization from the Director of the National Park Service is required to install a monument, memorial, tablet, structure, or other commemorative installation in a park area.
First Amendment activities such as public assemblies, meetings, gatherings, demonstrations, parades and other public expressions of views and opinions are managed and regulated under 36 CFR § 2.51, DO/RM-53 and the Indiana Dunes National Park Superintendent's Compendium. Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are rights protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. People may exercise these rights peacefully in national parks, but the National Park Service retains as its highest priority the protection of park visitors and resources. Therefore, the National Park Service requires a permit for most First Amendment activities in order to establish the location, time, number of participants, and other general conditions under which such events may occur. Demonstrations are allowed within park designated areas. The content of First Amendment activities is not regulated, and the opinions expressed by permittees do not necessarily reflect the vision, mission and/or policy of the National Park Service.
Please email us regarding any questions or comments related to First Amendment permits.
A permit is required for First Amendment activities that meet any of the following criteria:
Groups larger than 25 participants
Utilizes significant equipment including generators, platforms, tents, etc.
A group of 25 people or less is not required to obtain a First Amendment Permit if they do not meet the criteria above, but they are encouraged to get one as a permit will prevent another group from reserving the area.
Examples of First Amendment Activities:
Religious services
Political speeches
Press conferences
Public demonstration, picketing, assembly or rally expressing opinions and views
Type of Activities Not Covered by the First Amendment:
Church picnic or social gathering
Wedding ceremonies or receptions
Political fundraiser or other invitation-only political activity or event
Solicitation of donations
Community parades, athletics, or sporting events
First Amendment permits are issued at no cost to the permittee. Many of the activities not covered by the First Amendment can be accommodated through a Special Use Permit for which cost recovery will be charged. Please fill out the First Amendment Demonstration and Distribution Application.
Due to ongoing dune restoration efforts, flight permits are suspended. New permits are not available and current permits are suspended. We will post updated information as conditions change.
Smelt fishing fire permits are no longer available and fires are no longer allowed in the park except in places designated in the Superintendent's Compendium. Visitors are still able to smelt fish during posted hours at various locations throughout the park.
Filming and Photography
Filming & Still Photography Permits
The National Park Service conserves and protects areas of untold beauty, grandeur and historical importance for current and future generations. The tradition of capturing images of these special places started with explorers who traveled with paint and canvas or cameras. Sharing these images helped inspire the creation of national parks. Today, visitors to national parks continue to memorialize their visits through filming and photography.
On January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law (Public Law 118-234) and has been codified at 54 U.S.C. 100905. Section 125 of the Act changed how the National Park Service will manage filming, photography, and audio recording in park areas.
Key elements of the new law include:
In most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individuals. In order to avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming, still photography, or audio recording must meet all of the following conditions:
Occurs in areas open to the public;
Uses hand-carried equipment only;
Does not require exclusive use of a site;
Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and
Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the National Park Service.
Permits and fees are never required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that is associated with an activity or event that has been authorized under a written instrument (e.g., permit or agreement), such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.
All filming, still photography, and audio recording is treated the same under the new law. It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
When a filming, still photography, or audio recording permit is required, the National Park Service will charge location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including application fees.
Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording remain subject to all other laws and regulations applicable to visitors to park areas, including those requiring permits for certain activities (e.g., special events or demonstrations) and those prohibiting disturbance or other negative impacts to natural or cultural resources.
Individuals and groups conducting filming, still photography, or audio recording are subject to entrance and/or recreation fees that may apply in park areas even when a permit is not required.
Permit applicationsmust be submitted at least 30 days, and up to twelve (12) months, before the proposed filming activity.
No, provided the filming, still photography, or audio recording activity involves eight or fewer individuals and meets all of the following conditions:
Occurs in areas open to the public;
Uses hand-carried equipment only;
Does not require exclusive use of a site;
Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and
Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the National Park Service.
If you believe that your filming, still photography, or audio recording activity may require a permit, please contact the park you are visiting before you conduct your activity for more information.
You may need a permit if your group is more than eight individuals, or the activity does not meet any of the following conditions:
Occurs in areas open to the public;
Uses hand-carried equipment only;
Does not require exclusive use of a site;
Does not adversely impact park resources, values, or other visitors; and
Is not likely to result in additional administrative costs for the National Park Service.
If you believe that your filming, still photography, or audio recording activity may require a permit, please contact the park you are visiting before you conduct your activity for more information.
Please send your completed application to e-mail us.
No. A separate permit and fee payment is not required for filming, photography, or audio recording that is associated with a permitted event, such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.
All filming, still photography, and audio recording is treated the same under the new law. It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, for content creation, by a student, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
You do not need a permit if the activity involves eight or fewer individuals and meets all of the following conditions:
Occurs in areas open to the public;
Uses hand-carried equipment only;
Does not require exclusive use of a site;
Does not adversely impact park resources, values, and other visitors; and
Will not result in additional administrative costs for the National Park Service.
If you believe that your filming or photography activity may require a permit, please contact the park you are visiting for more information.
When a permit is required, the National Park Service will charge location fees and fees to recover its costs to administer the permit, including application fees.
Permit applications are available at the top of this page. You can email completed applocations to e-mail us
If you are planning a photography workshop as a business, you may need a commercial use authorization. Contact the park for more information.
Yes, you may request and the National Park Service may issue a permit even when one is not required.
Last updated: September 11, 2026
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Contact Info
Mailing Address:
1100 North Mineral Springs Road
Porter,
IN
46304
Phone:
219 395-1882
Indiana Dunes Visitor Center phone number.
