Current Programs and Events

 

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.

Just looking for something else to do here at the park? Visit our Things To Do page to learn about many of our outdoor activities. Remember, safety is of upmost importance. Please take all necessary precautions when venturing outdoors. For more information, visit our Safety page.

National Park passes are required. For more information, visit our Fees and Passes page.

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August 2026 Activities

Indiana 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 Rec.gov. Veterans/Military/Gold Star Family, Access, and 4^th Grade passes are available for free. For more information on national park passes visit the fees & passes page.

Fee Free Day:

August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service

Fee free days only apply to locations within Indiana Dunes National Park, NOT Indiana Dunes State Park.

Important Notices

• Programming subject to change or cancellation due to inclement weather or staffing levels.
  

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Thursday

Rangers are stationed at Chellberg Farm, Bailly Homestead, and Portage Lakefront throughout the day. Visitors may stop by for Junior Ranger assistance.

Super Kids Scavenger Hunt

9:30 am–3:30 pm, Douglas Center
Explore the Nature Play Zone, view dune-related artwork, and hike the Pollinator Trail as part of this activity.

Points on the Compass: Story of your National Park

August 6 and 13
10:00–11:30 am, Portage Lakefront Pavilion
Join a Ranger to learn how Indiana Dunes became a National Park.

Crossroads in the Wilderness: A Homestead Walkthrough*

1:00–3:00 pm, Bailly Homestead
View historic cabins and learn about the area’s early settlers. The Bailly house is closed due to ongoing restoration.

Chellberg Farm Open House*

1:00–3:00 pm, Chellberg Farmhouse
Stop by historic Chellberg Farm to tour the farmhouse, grounds, and learn about the area’s rich history.

Fireside Chats

6:30–8:30 pm, Portage Lakefront Pavilion
Join a Ranger to learn about the park and watch the sunset next to a campfire.

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Friday

Rangers are at West Beach and Mt. Baldy with programs throughout the day. Drop by to chat about and get help with the Junior Ranger Program as you work to complete the booklet.

Super Kids Scavenger Hunt

9:30 am–3:30 pm, Douglas Center
Explore the Nature Play Zone, view dune-related artwork, and hike the Pollinator Trail as part of this activity.

Succession Trail Hike

August 7 and 14
9:00–10:00 am, West Beach Succession Trailhead
Join a Ranger to learn about the father of ecology, Henry Chandler Cowles, while exploring the Succession Trial.

Mt. Baldy Open House

5:00–7:00 pm, Mt. Baldy Parking Lot
Learn from rangers or NPS volunteers along the trail to view the restricted summit of Mount Baldy.

Music Heritage Series

August 21
7:30–9:00 pm, Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
Experience an exceptional night filled with music and harmonies with local musicians, Save the Tunes.

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Saturday

Rangers are at Chellberg Farm/Bailly Homestead, West Beach, and Portage Lakefront with programs throughout the day.Drop by to chat about and get help with the Junior Ranger Program as you work to complete the booklet.

Super Kids Scavenger Hunt

9:30 am–3:30 pm, Douglas Center

Succession Trail Hike

9:00–10:00 am, West Beach Succession Trailhead

Points on the Compass: Story of your National Park

10:00–11:30 am, Portage Lakefront Pavilion

Critter Feeding Time

1:00–1:30 pm, Douglas Center
Come learn about the Douglas Center’s ambassador animals, see how they are cared for, and help feed them.

Crossroads in the Wilderness: A Homestead Walkthrough*

1:00–3:00 pm, Bailly Homestead

Chellberg Farm Open House*

1:00–3:00 pm, Chellberg Farmhouse

Indigenous Cultural Trail

3:00–4:00 pm, Visitor Center Fire Ring Patio
Explore with Rangers to learn about the Miami and Potawatomi Native Americans in our area.

Feeding the Chickens*

4:00–4:15 pm, Chellberg Farm
Help feed the chickens at Chellberg Farm!

1966 Hiking Challenge Series

August 1 – Calumet Dunes (4.4 miles)
August 8 – Cowles Bog Trail (north parking lot) (4.7 miles)
August 15 – Glenwood Dunes (6.0 miles)
August 22 – Mt. Baldy (2.0 miles)
August 29 – Chellberg Parking Lot (1.7 miles)
Complete all 66 trail miles across 19 systems. Pamphlets available at the Visitor Center or Douglas Center. All scheduled hiking times, 8:00–10:00 am.

Stargazing (Cancelled due to unfavorable weather conditions)

August 1
8:30–10:30 pm, Kemil Parking Lot
Join Michiana Astronomical Society to learn about stars in our park. Please arrive early. Limited parking.

Art in the Park

August 8
1:00–3:00 pm, Douglas Center
Learn how to paint your own dune-inspired painting. Please register at recreation.gov.

Dunes After Dark

August 15, 22, and 29
7:30–8:30 pm, Bailly Contact Station
Join us for our Ranger Choice Night Hikes, where you can explore the beauty of the park after hours and learn fascinating facts about local wildlife and habitats.

Nature Play Zone Dedication

August 15
1:00–1:30 pm, Douglas Center
Discover and learn about the achievements of local Scouts through an Eagle Scout project at the Nature Play Zone.

Junior Ranger Archeology

August 15
1:30–2:30 pm, Douglas Center
Join a ranger at the Nature Play Zone for a mock archeology dig and earn a Junior Ranger Archeology book and badge.

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Sunday

Rangers are at Chellberg Farm/Bailly Homestead, West Beach, and Portage Lakefront with programs throughout the day. Drop by to chat about and get help with the Junior Ranger Program as you work to complete the booklet.

Super Kids Scavenger Hunt

9:30 am–3:30 pm, Douglas Center

Into the Bog Open House

9:00–11:30 am, Pinhook Bog Parking Lot
Join a Ranger at Pinhook Bog, one of Indiana’s few quaking bogs. Parking is limited and trails may be muddy or wet.

Breakfast With the Birds Open House

August 2
9:30–11:30 am, Douglas Center
Join the Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society for a casual morning of learning about birds, their habits, and habitats.

Crossroads in the Wilderness: A Homestead Walkthrough*

2:00–4:00 pm, Bailly Homestead

Chellberg Farm Open House*

1:00–3:00 pm, Chellberg Farmhouse

Octave Chanute Program

August 16
12:30–3:30 pm, Douglas Center
Celebrate National Aviation Day and the anniversary of Octave Chanute’s first flight with a special presentation by Simine Short. After the program, participants are invited to take a hike to visit Chanute’s statue in Marquette Park.

Music on the Porch

August 2, 16, and 30
5:00–6:00 pm, Chellberg Farmhouse
Join the Save the Tunes Council at the Chellberg Farm for a relaxing evening of folk music and fun, bring a blanket.

Indigenous Cultural Trail

3:00–4:00 pm, Visitor Center Fire Ring Patio
Explore with Rangers to learn about the Miami and Potawatomi Native Americans in our area.

Succession Trail Hike

9:00–10:00 am, West Beach Succession Trailhead

Mt. Baldy Open House

5:00–7:00 pm, Mt. Baldy Parking Lot

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Additional Notes

*These programs are sponsored by the Friends of Indiana Dunes.
More information at dunefriends.org.

• Visit our calendar page or use the NPS app for the online calendar.
• Program offerings are subject to change depending on conditions and staff availability.
• Check listings at the Visitor Center, Douglas Center, and other information centers daily for additional programs.

• Questions? Call 219-395-1882.

 

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: Early September

The OAF showcases the region’s natural and cultural significance through activities such as hiking, paddling, biking, photography, birding, and others.

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 [phone]. Tickets go on sale early in August and usually sell out within one hour.

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For more information on events and other programs at Indiana Dunes National Park, contact us or call [phone].

 

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.