Your national park adventure begins here!Get in the know with our current programs and events listed below, which is updated about mid-month. You can also check out our yearly main events listed near the bottom of this page. All events are subject to change without notice. June, July, & August 2025 ActivitiesIndiana 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 www.recreation.gov/sitepass/indu. Veterans/Military/Gold Star Family, Access, and 4th Grade passes are available for free. For more information on national park passes visit the fees & passes page.
Roving Beach Rangers traveling park-wide at all beach locationsEvery Friday, Saturday & Sunday Lake Michigan Boat Tour — Michigan City Millennium Plaza (near the yacht club)Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday WeekdaysBeginning Birding in Indiana Dunes — Carpool from the Indiana Dunes Visitor CenterWednesday Music Heritage Series Concert at Indiana Dunes Visitor CenterFriday, June 20, July 18 & August 15 West Beach Succession Trail Hike at West Beach Parking LotEvery Friday Saturdays1966 Hiking Challenge: Hike Every Trail in the Park — Meet at the Trailhead Parking LotEvery Saturday through August 23 Chellberg Farm Open Houses & Feeding at the Farm* — Meet at Chellberg Farm
Stop by the historic Chellberg Farm to tour the farmhouse and visit the animals. Volunteers will be on site to share the area’s history. After the open house, feel free to help the volunteers feed the resident farm animals. Rail Rangers South Shore Train Program On the South Shore Train
Join The Midwest Rail Rangers on the South Shore and learn about the sights outside the window. For more information visit railrangers.org. Train schedules may change, check mysouthshoreline.com for updates. Stargazing at Kemil Beach Parking Lot
Art in the National Park at Paul H Douglas CenterSaturday, June 14 and August 9 Midsummer Celebration* at Chellberg FarmSaturday, June 21 Junior Wildland Firefighter Programs at Various locations
Mount Baldy Open House at Mount Baldy Parking LotEvery SaturdayJune 21 through August 9 4:00 pm–6:00 pm Hike to the summit of Mount Baldy on a self-guided tour, with rangers and volunteers sharing insights along the way. Call 219-395-1882 or check social media for possible summer cancellations due to construction. Chicago and South Shore Railroad Car Day in East Troy, WISaturday, July 12All Day Travel to East Troy, Wisconsin to take a ride on a historic South Shore Railroad car and learn about the history of this railroad and how it helped save the dunes. There is a fee for this program. To learn more, go to www.easttroyrr.org or call 262-642-3263. SundaysHiking With Dad at Chellberg Farm Parking LotSunday, June 15 Pinhook Bog Open House at Pinhook Bog Parking LotEvery SundayJune 15 - August 3 9:00 am–10:00 am and 10:00 am–11:00 am Take a self-guided hike into Indiana’s only quaking bog. Rangers and volunteers stationed along the trail will help you understand this unique place filled with carnivorous plants and orchids. Migration Birding Walk at Paul H. Douglas CenterSunday, June 1 and August 39:30 am–11:00 am Join a birding expert from the Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society for birding at one of the park's hotspots. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather. Chellberg Farm Open House* and Music on the Porch at Chellberg Farmhouse
Volunteering - Drop InTrash Trekkers at Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and Douglas CenterVisitor Center and Douglas CenterDaily 9:00 am–4:00 pm Join our drop-in litter cleanup! Check in at the Visitor Center for supplies, pick a beach or trail, and start collecting. Fill your bag to earn a free reusable water bottle. Please leave collected trash in on-site bins. Drop-in Volunteering Porter Beach Restoration at Porter Beach Parking LotSaturday, June 79:00 am–12:00 pm Team up with staff and fellow volunteers to help care for your national park! Equipment will be provided —just bring your energy and love for the great outdoors. RSVP at (219) 221-7098 or e-mail us. National Trails Day — ParkwideSaturday, June 7All Day Celebrate National Trails Day by challenging yourself to hike as many trails as you can or volunteer by picking up litter. Sign up at the Visitor Center or Douglas Center to volunteer. After your hike, post your mileage or a photo of the trash you collected on our National Trails Day Facebook post—the top volunteers win a prize! Drop-in Volunteering Chellberg Farm Care — Chellberg Parking LotSaturday,June 21, July 19, and August 16 9:00 am–12:00 pm Work with a ranger and fellow volunteers to help care for the park’s historic farm. Dress comfortably and get ready to roll up your sleeves—work gloves and equipment will be provided. *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 Yearly Main EventsThese are our largest park events that encompass multiple ranger-led interpretive activities and presentations, which draw thousands of visitors each year. Maple Sugar Time Festival: First weekend in MarchEnjoy a sweet taste of spring during the annual Maple Sugar Time festival. Take a self-guided tour of the sugaring operation at historic Chellberg Farm which will be bustling with maple sugaring activities. Logs to Lustrons Tour: First Saturday in MayFrom rustic landmarks to Mid-Century Modern, experience a century of architecture at Indiana Dunes National Park (IDNP) on our Logs to Lustrons tour, including log structures of early settlement days, frame homes from the Victorian period, and mid-century homes of glass, stucco, and metal. Indiana Dunes Birding Festival: Third weekend in MayHosted by Indiana Audubon, the national park plays an important role in this the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival. This incredible four-day event showcases dozens of birding spots around the region with expert led outings. Indiana Dunes Outdoor Adventure Festival: Second week in SeptemberThe OAF showcases the region’s natural and cultural significance through activities such as hiking, paddling, biking, photography, birding, and others. Duneland Fall Festival: Second weekend in SeptemberCelebrate autumn with a festival at historic Chellberg Farm. Fun is the weekend theme interweaved with the celebration of the fall harvest. Learn about sustainable practices that you can do at home. Enjoy lots of seasonal activities such as tractor-pulled wagon rides, a Kid's Corner with games and crafts, and even apple pressing. Century of Progress Homes Tour: Last weekend in SeptemberJoin national park rangers for a two-hour tour of five historic homes from the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. Advance reservation only. There is a fee. Visit IndianaLandmarks.org or call (317) 822-7923. Tickets go on sale early in August and usually sell out within one hour. For more information on events and other programs at Indiana Dunes National Park, contact us or call (219) 395-1882.Park CalendarFor a different view of upcoming park events, visit our Calendar page.❤ 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: July 8, 2025