Lake Michigan beaches and dune trails at Indiana Dunes
Indiana Dunes National Park, IN
- Who it suits
- Families with little kids, families with teens, couples and friends
- How long
- 3, 4 or 5 days
- Getting there
- Drive. A drive from Indianapolis, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Louisville, Nashville, St. Louis, Detroit (about 8 hours or less by car).
- Seasons
- Spring, Summer, Fall
Why it works
- Indiana Dunes National Park covers 15 miles of Lake Michigan coast, with over 50 miles of trails through dunes, woods, prairie and wetlands.
- West Beach has lifeguards, locker rooms and showers from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
- Kids can work through the Junior Ranger Park Explorer booklet and visit Chellberg Farm and the Bailly Homestead.
Watch out for
- Lake Michigan has dangerous rip currents, often when the wind is out of the north, and an uneven bottom with sudden drop-offs.
- Beach parking lots fill up quickly on summer weekends and holidays, some by mid-morning.
Sources
- Indiana Dunes National Park covers 15 miles of Lake Michigan coast, with over 50 miles of trails through dunes, woods, prairie and wetlands. source (checked 2026-11-13)
- West Beach has lifeguards, locker rooms and showers from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. source (checked 2026-11-13)
- Kids can work through the Junior Ranger Park Explorer booklet and visit Chellberg Farm and the Bailly Homestead. source (checked 2026-11-13)
- Lake Michigan has dangerous rip currents, often when the wind is out of the north, and an uneven bottom with sudden drop-offs. source (checked 2026-11-13)
- Beach parking lots fill up quickly on summer weekends and holidays, some by mid-morning. source (checked 2026-11-13)
- seasons: West Beach lifeguards are on duty only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend source (checked 2026-11-13)