West Beach at Indiana Dunes National Park

West Beach

Nathaniel Moreno, NPS Collection

 

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Parking and Hours

West Beach

41.622934, -87.207747
SPACES
655 Total
50 Oversized
Vehicles
From the start of Memorial Day weekend through the end of Labor Day weekend, West Beach has an expanded amenity fee to enter.
Cost: $6.00
Bus
From the start of Memorial Day weekend through the end of Labor Day weekend, West Beach has an expanded amenity fee to enter.
Cost: $30.00
Access Pass
From the start of Memorial Day weekend through the end of Labor Day weekend, West Beach has an expanded amenity fee to enter.
Cost: $3.00
Senior Pass
From the start of Memorial Day weekend through the end of Labor Day weekend, West Beach has an expanded amenity fee to enter.
Cost: $3.00
Standard Hours
Sun: From 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Mon: From 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Tue: From 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Wed: From 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Thu: From 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Fri: From 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Sat: From 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM

During the peak Summer Season, West Beach can become busy.

Amenities:
Accessible Lot: Yes
Number of ADA-designated spaces: 20
Number of ADA van-accessible spaces: 20
Number of ADA step-free spaces: 0
Total number of spaces: 655
Number of oversize vehicle spaces: 50
   
   
 
 

Getting There

West Beach Parking Lot
376 North County Line Road, Gary, IN 46403.

Need to Know

  • Facilities – Year-round restrooms and potable water at the parking lot. Seasonal restrooms, potable water, showers, and lockers at the bath house. Seasonal restrooms and potable water at the picnic area.
  • Prohibited – Glass and fires on the beach, littering.
  • Prohibited – Removing plants, rocks, shells, and fossils.
  • There are 8 covered picnic shelters near the West Beach parking lot that are wheelchair accessible. The shelters are reservable at www.recreation.gov starting six months in advance of the desired use date. The reservation is good for day use from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. The shelter reservation does not waive the West Beach car entrance fee collected during the summer months.
  • Cooking fires at the picnic shelters are permitted in the provided grills or an approved carry-in grill. An approved grill is a non-combustible container with an enclosed bottom and enclosed sides with a minimum depth of 2 inches. Charcoal must be cooled and safely disposed of in a non-combustible container or removed from the area.
  • Parking lot is paved and has spots for 600 cars and 20 buses and RVs.

Safety

  • Please stay on the trail and respect closed area signs. Going off trail damages fragile habitat.
  • Ticks are present year-round. Take precautionary measures to prevent bites.
  • Poison ivy can be present on the edges of the parking lot and on the trails to the beach.
  • In case of an emergency or to report a crime, call 1-800-PARK-TIP.

Accessibility

  • The bath house, picnic tables, restrooms, some picnic shelters, and walkway to the beach are wheelchair accessible. The beach itself is not wheelchair accessible

Visitor Activities
  • Swimming. Lifeguards are present from the Friday of Memorial Day through the Monday of Labor Day. Lifeguards are not present at other times of the year. Swim at your own risk. Rip currents and large waves can make swimming hazardous.
  • Hike the West Beach Trails. Enjoy the sweeping views of Lake Michigan from the top of the Dunes Succession Trail stairs.

Nearby Beaches

Last updated: November 2, 2020

Contact the Park

Mailing Address:

1100 North Mineral Springs Road
Porter, IN 46304

Phone:

(219) 395-1882
Indiana Dunes Visitor Center phone number.

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