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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October 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:

Date: Tuesday, October 27, Theodore Roosevelt’s Birthday

Important Notices

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

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Weekday Activity

Super Kids Scavenger Hunt

• Location: Paul H. Douglas Center
• Dates: Wednesdays through Sundays in October
• Time: 9:30 AM–3:30 PM
• Explore the Nature Play Zone, view dune-related artwork, and hike the Pollinator Trail as part of this activity.

Friday Activity

Music Heritage Series Concert

• Location: Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
• Date: Friday, October 16
• Time: 7:30–9:00 PM
• Enjoy an evening of folk music with The Save the Tunes Council, local musicians who keep traditional songs alive with classic instruments.

Saturday Activities

Chellberg Farm Open House

• Location: Chellberg Farm
• Dates: Every Saturday in October
• Time: 1:00–3:00 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.

Miller Woods Hike

• Location: Paul H. Douglas Center vestibule
• Dates: Every Saturday in October except October 24
• Time: 1:00–3:00 PM
• Meet at the Paul H. Douglas Center for a ranger-led hike through Miller Woods on the Paul H. Douglas Trail to the shore of Lake Michigan.
• The hike passes through a globally rare black oak savanna and around towering sand dunes and interdunal wetlands.

Fall Colors Hike

• Location: Chellberg Farm parking lot
• Dates: Saturday, October 24, and Saturday, October 31
• Time: 3:30–4:30 PM
• Meander through the historic landscape with a ranger to learn about the vibrant fall colors of the region’s hardwood forests.

Bailly Cemetery History Hike

• Location: Chellberg Farm parking lot
• Date: Saturday, October 31
• Time: 5:00–6:00 PM
• Join volunteers and staff for an evening hike through the grounds of Bailly Cemetery and learn about the cemetery’s history.

Sundays

Critter Time Open House

• Location: Paul H. Douglas Center
• Schedule: Every Sunday
• Time: 1:30–2:00 PM
• Learn about the ambassador animals at the Douglas Center, including why they are special, what they eat, where they live, and how park staff cares for them.

Breakfast with the Birds

• Location: Paul H. Douglas Center
• Schedule: First Sunday of the month—October 4
• Time: 9:30–11:00 AM
• Join the Dunes-Calumet Audubon Society for a casual morning of learning about birds, their habits, and their habitats.

Chellberg Farm Open House*

• Location: Chellberg Farm
• Schedule: Every Saturday
• Time: 1:00–3:00 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.

Bailly Homestead Furs to Farm Flashback*

• Location: Chellberg Farmhouse and Bailly Homestead
• Schedule: Every Sunday in October
• Time: 1:00–3:00 PM
• Take a self-guided hike through time and meet rangers and volunteers stationed at two of the park’s historic sites.
• At the Bailly Homestead, view the main house, chapel, and fur traders’ cabin while learning about the area’s early settlers. At the historic Chellberg Farm, tour the farmhouse and visit the animals.
• Rangers and volunteers will be available at each location to share the area’s history.

Education and Outreach

• Ranger-Guided Education and Outreach Programs
• Location: Paul H. Douglas Center
• Schedule: Dates and times vary by request in October, November, and December
• Schools and organizations can request a ranger-guided program in the park or ask a ranger to visit their location.
• Visit our Education Page for more information and instructions on requesting a program.
• Ranger-led programs are available only on Wednesday afternoons, Thursdays, and Fridays.
• For questions, call 219-395-1824. Scheduling cannot be completed by phone.

Volunteering—Drop In

Trash Trekkers

• Locations: Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and Paul H. Douglas Center
• Visitor Center schedule: Daily
• Visitor Center hours: 9:00 AM–3:30 PM
• Douglas Center schedule: Wednesday–Sunday
• Douglas Center hours: 9:00 AM–3:30 PM
• Join the drop-in litter cleanup. Check in at the Visitor Center for supplies, choose a beach or trail, and start collecting.
• Fill your bag to earn a free reusable water bottle. Place collected trash in on-site bins.

Porter Beach Restoration

• Location: Porter Beach parking lot
• Date: Saturday, October 3
• Time: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
• Work with staff and fellow volunteers to care for your national park.
• Equipment will be provided. Bring your energy and love for the outdoors.
• RSVP: 219-221-7098 or [e-mail]

Drop-In Volunteering: Chellberg Farm Care

• Location: Chellberg Farm parking lot
• Schedule: Every third Saturday of the month—October 17
• Time: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
• Work with a ranger and fellow volunteers to care for the park’s historic farm.
• Dress comfortably and be ready to roll up your sleeves. Work gloves and equipment will be provided.

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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.

 

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