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. April 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. FridayMusic Heritage Series Concert at Indiana Dunes Visitor CenterFriday, April 18 SaturdayChellberg Farm Open House at Chellberg FarmhouseEvery Saturday in April Stargazing at Kemil Beach Parking LotSaturday, April 5 Project 1966: Hike Every Trail in the Park Meet at the Trailhead Parking Lot
Hike all of the trails in the national park. The challenge will take place over the course of the summer with 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 of the guided hikes? Look on our website for a link to Project 1966. 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, including the south side of Chicago, the historic steel-making area of Northwest Indiana, and the Indiana Dunes National Park. The program is provided at no additional cost to passengers, however those riding must purchase a valid train ticket. Passengers can hop on, or off, at various locations along the route. For more information visit railrangers.org. Train schedules may change, check mysouthshoreline.com for updates. Octave Chanute: A Flying Pioneer. Meet at Paul H. Douglas CenterSaturday, April 19 Native Plant Talk with Nathanael Pilla and Steve Sass at Indiana Dunes Visitor CenterSaturday, April 26 Woodland Wildflower Hike at Heron Rookery East Parking LotSaturday, April 26 SundayMigration Birding Hike at Paul H. Douglas CenterSunday, April 6 Chellberg Farm Open House at Chellberg FarmhouseEvery Sunday in April Woodland Wildflower Hike at Heron Rookery East Parking LotSaturday, April 27
Volunteering - Drop InTrash Trekkers at Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and Douglas CenterVisitor Center - Daily, 9:00 am–4:00 pm Porter Beach Restoration at Porter Beach Parking LotSaturday, April 5 Drop-in Volunteering Chellberg Farm Care at Chellberg Parking LotSaturday, April 19 May 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. Logs to Lustrons Historic Home Tour at Indiana Dunes Visitor CenterFriday, May 2 (Lecture)
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Saturday, May 3... |
8:00 am–9:30 am ... |
Chellberg Farm Parking Lot (1.1 mi) |
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Saturday, May 10... |
8:00 am-11:00 am... |
Great Marsh South Parking Lot (4.0 mi) |
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Saturday, May 17... |
8:00 am-11:00 am... |
Pinhook Bog Parking Lot (3.0 mi) |
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Saturday, May 24... |
8:00 am-11:00 am... |
Douglas Center Parking Lot (3.4 mi) |
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Saturday, May 31... |
8:00 am-11:00 am... |
Harbor Belt/Paul H. Douglas Center (3.5 mi) |
Hike all of the trails in the national park. The challenge will take place over the course of the summer with 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 of the guided hikes? Look on our website for a link to 1966 Hiking Challenge.
Chellberg Farm Open House at Chellberg Farmhouse
Every Saturday in May
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 site to share the area’s history. This program is sponsored by Friends of Indiana Dunes. For more information on how to join, visit dunefriends.org.
Rail Rangers South Shore Train Program On the South Shore Train
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Saturday, May 10... |
8:30 am–9:41 am ... |
Millennium Station to South Bend Station |
Train # 503 |
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1:14 pm–2:27 pm... |
South Bend Station to Millennium Station |
Train # 506 |
Join The Midwest Rail Rangers on the South Shore and learn about the sights outside the window, including the south side of Chicago, the historic steel-making area of Northwest Indiana, and the Indiana Dunes National Park. The program is provided at no additional cost to passengers, however those riding must purchase a valid train ticket. Passengers can hop on, or off, at various locations along the route. For more information visit railrangers.org. Train schedules may change, check mysouthshoreline.com for updates.
Chellberg Farm Gardening at Chellberg Farmhouse
Saturday, May 10
9:00 am–11:00 am
Stop by the historic Chellberg Farm and help rangers and volunteers is the garden. This program is sponsored by Friends of Indiana Dunes. For more information on how to join, visit dunefriends.org.
Art in the National Park at Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education
Saturday, May 10
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 recreation.gov. There is a $25 fee for the program.
Dog Mom Day at Tolleston Dunes Parking Lot
Saturday, May 10
2:00 pm–4:00 pm
Celebrate being a pupper parent by spending the afternoon hiking through a black oak forest with other park loving doggos and their people. Learn about the rules of BARK and help your four-legged friend become a BARK ranger. Be prepared to pick-up and carry out your pet’s waste and have your dog on a leash no more than 6-feet in length. This program is sponsored by Friends of Indiana Dunes. For more information on how to join, visit dunefriends.org.
Feeding at the Farm at Chellberg Farm Barn
Saturday, May 24 & 31
4:00 pm-4:30 pm
Join volunteers and help feed the chickens at the historic Chellberg Farm.
Sunday
Migration Birding Hike at Paul H. Douglas Center
Sunday, May 4
9:30 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 at Chellberg Farmhouse
Every Sunday in May
1:00 pm–3:00 pm
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. This program is sponsored by Friends of Indiana Dunes. For more information on how to join, visit dunefriends.org.
Mother’s Day Wildflower Hikes at Heron Rookery East Parking Lot
Sunday, May 11
9:00 am–11:00 am and 1:00 pm 3:00 pm
Join a ranger at the Heron Rookery for a hike to see what spring woodland flowers are blooming. The Rookery is perhaps the best location in the region to see spring wildflowers.
Music Heritage Series at Chellberg Farm at Chellberg Farmhouse
Sunday, May 25
5:00 pm–6:00 pm
Come out for a night of music and song. The Save the Tunes Council is a group of local musicians devoted to preserving and passing on folk songs using a variety of traditional musical instruments.
Volunteering - Drop In
Trash Trekkers at Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and Douglas Center
Visitor Center - Daily
9:00 am–4:00 pm
Douglas Center - Daily
9:00 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. Participants can earn 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, May 3
9:00 am–12:00 pm
Team up with staff and fellow volunteers to give your local national park some extra care and attention! Equipment and protective gear will be provided - just bring your energy and love for the great outdoors. Let us know you’re coming by calling (219) 221-7098 or e-mail us.
Drop-in Volunteering Chellberg Farm Care at Chellberg Parking Lot
Saturday, May 17
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.
Yearly Main Events
These 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 March
Enjoy 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 May
From 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 May
Hosted 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 September
The 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 September
Celebrate 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 September
Join 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 Calendar
For 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: April 29, 2025