Rate Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Lakeshore
Operating Hours & Seasons
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore general areas
Park areas are open 6:00 am to 11:00 pm unless otherwise posted. Note that West Beach and Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk locations have different visitation hours (call the visitor center at 219-395-1882 for hours). The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is open everyday with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Summer hours are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Central Time (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend). Winter hours 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Central Time.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:6:00 AM-11:00 PM
- Monday:6:00 AM-11:00 PM
- Tuesday:6:00 AM-11:00 PM
- Wednesday:6:00 AM-11:00 PM
- Thursday:6:00 AM-11:00 PM
- Friday:6:00 AM-11:00 PM
- Saturday:6:00 AM-11:00 PM
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $6.00 – West Beach Entrance Fee
$6 per car per day, $30 per bus per day (Expanded Amenity Fee). Fee is collected from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend. 50% discount with Senior and Access Passes. - $18.00 – Dunewood Campground
$18 per night (Expanded Amenity Fee). Campground is open April 1 through October 31. 50% discount with Senior and Access Passes.
Entrance Passes:
- $80.00 – Annual Pass
Yearly pass available to the general public that provides free access to, and use of, federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee. Valid for one full year from the month of purchase (through last day of that month). No discount for Expanded Amenity Fees. Admits the pass holder and three adult passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. See https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/fees.htm for details. - $20.00 – Senior Annual Pass
Yearly pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents, age 62 or over. Valid for one full year from the month of purchase (through last day of that month). The annual senior pass can be upgraded to a lifetime senior pass by exchanging up to four annual passes from the same person and paying the difference between the combined value of the annual passes ($20 each) and the $80 purchase price of the lifetime senior pass. The annual pass has the same benefits of the lifetime senior pass. - $10.00 – Senior Lifetime Pass
Lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents, age 62 or over. Provides free access to, and use of, federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee. Provided a 50% discount for select Expanded Amenity Fees (park specific). Admits the pass holder and three adult passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and per person fee areas. Children under 16 are admitted free. See https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/fees.htm for details. - $0.00 – Access Lifetime Pass
Lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Documentation is requested, but not required, to obtain the pass. Provides free access to, and use of, federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee. Provided a 50% discount for select Expanded Amenity Fees (park specific). Admits the pass holder and three adult passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle. See http://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/fees.htm for details. - $0.00 – Active Military Annual Pass
Yearly pass available to US military members and the dependents of deployed military in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, as well as most members of the US Reserves and National Guard. Proper military ID is required (CAC Card or DoD Form 1173). Covers Entrance Fees at Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service sites and Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation sites. Admits the pass holder and three adult passengers. - $0.00 – Volunteer Annual Pass
Volunteers acquiring 250 service hours on a cumulative basis. Provides free access to, and use of, federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee. Valid for one full year from the month of earning the pass (through last day of that month). No discount for Expanded Amenity Fees. Admits the pass holder and three adult passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and per person fee areas. See http://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/fees.htm. - $0.00 – Annual 4th Grade Pass
Available to U.S. 4th graders (including home-schooled and free-choice learners, 10 years of age) with a valid Every Kid in a Park paper voucher. The pass is valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year through the following summer (September through August ). Covers Entrance Fees at Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service sites and Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation sites. See http://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/fees.htm.
About
Sand and Solitude
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore hugs 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer. Whether you enjoy scouting for rare species of birds or flying kites on the sandy beach, the national lakeshore’s 15,000 acres will continually enchant you. Hikers will enjoy 50 miles of trails over rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers and peaceful forests.
Directions
Visitors can access the National Lakeshore via Interstate 94, the Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 80/90), U.S. Highway 12, U.S. Highway 20, Indiana State Road 49, and various other local roads. The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is located on Indiana State Road 49, between U.S. Highway 20 and Interstate 94 (1215 North State Road 49, Porter, IN 46304). For a driving map to the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center or other locations, check out our maps page.
Visitor Centers
Indiana Dunes Visitor Center (Dorothy Buell Visitor Center)
View lobby displays and pick up brochures about Porter County, Indiana Dunes State Park, and the National Lakeshore. View the Artist-in-Residence exhibit. Enjoy the Activity Room. Watch two short orientation videos. Shop in the Eastern National bookstore. The Visitor Center is open everyday with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Summer hours are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Central Time (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend). Winter hours 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Central Time. Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Eduaction
Visitor activities include attending scheduled programs for groups presented by the national lakeshore or hike the Miller Woods Trail. The Paul H. Douglas Center is open everyday with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Summer hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Time (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend). Winter hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Central Time.
Weather
On average, the warmest month is July and the highest recorded temperature was 105F in 1934. The coolest month is January, with the lowest recorded temperature of -25F in 1985. June sees the most precipitation with an average rainfall of 4.66 Inches.
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