Places To Go

Visitor Centers

 
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center
Indiana Dunes Visitor Center

Indiana Dunes Visitor Center

A great place to find all of your visiting needs. Talk to a ranger and learn about the park's locations, activities, programs, and nearby attractions. View two short films about the park and the region. Spend some time in the activity room.

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Paul H. Douglas Center
Paul H. Douglas Center

Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education (Temporarily Closed on Weekdays)

Educational programs and activities can be found here. The Paul H. Douglas Trail through the spectacular Miller Woods allows hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Children can also explore the center's outdoor Nature Play Zone area.

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Scenery

 
Beach Sunset

15 Miles of Beaches

The main attraction of Indiana Dunes National Park is the 15 miles of beaches along the southern tip of Lake Michigan. There are many different parking lots and each beach has its own look and feel.

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Trails

50 Miles of Trails

Diverse trails extend throughout the Indiana Dunes National Park. Visitors can find a location to hike, jog, bike, bird watch, cross-country ski, snowshoe or ride their own horse.

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West Beach

West Beach

The clear and open vista of West Beach showcases some of the park's large scaled dunes. Hike the Succession trail to the top of a dune and overlook the land and Lake Michigan to see the Chicago skyline.

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Heron Rookery Wild Flower

Heron Rookery

A lavish display of spring wild flowers surrounds the Heron Rookery trail. This woodland trail follows a portion of the Little Calumet River where you may also witness spawning salmon, migrating birds and woodland animals.

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Great Marsh Egret

Great Marsh

Bring your binoculars and follow the Great Marsh trail. This location is a popular feeding and resting area for migrating wetland birds. It also features a wheelchair-accessible trail leading to an overlook of the marsh.

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Glenwood Horse

Glenwood Dunes

Let your horses enjoy the scenery too! The Glenwood Dunes trail allows horseback riding, hiking, and cross-country skiing. During your winter hiking and cross-country skiing visits, get cozy in the nearby warming hut.

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Historical Buildings

 
Bailly Homestead

Bailly Homestead

Explore the Homestead of the independent fur-trader Joseph Bailly. View an unusual combination of vernacular architecture, late 19th century detail, rustic log and brick structures, and the unusual family cemetery.

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Chellberg Farm

Chellberg Farm

During the early 20th century, a hardworking Swedish immigrant family, lived and worked here for three generations. The Chellberg's gave other immigrants a place to stay and helped them find work.

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Century of Progress Home - Florida Tropical

Century of Progress Homes

These houses were built for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair to demonstrate modern architectural design, experimental materials, and new technologies.

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Pavilion

Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk

This 3,500 square foot public pavilion includes restrooms, a seasonal snack bar, and a glass walled classroom/meeting space. Enjoy the paved trails and fishing pier.

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Support your park.

Donate to the Indiana Dunes National Park. Donations will be used to fund maintenance projects and enhance activities at the park.

Last updated: March 14, 2024

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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.

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