The park itself was nice and clean. It is definitely an "urban" National Park. Being a family that lives 40 miles from Lake Erie and has spent a lot of time there, on various parts of its coast, Lake Michigan was so much nicer and appeared cleaner. We stayed a few hours and enjoyed the change of scenery from the Utah deserts we came from. We try to hike at least one trail at every National Park and we hiked the Dune Succession Trail here, which had over 200 steps and went through forest-like parts of the park. Kind of surprising it was more than just a beach park. It changed elevation often. At it highest points, you can see all the huge sand dunes and Lake Michigan. When you aren't on a boardwalk or steps, the trail is deep, dry sand which makes it difficult to hike on. Definitely a work out fighting that sand! Lastly, they do not take the National Park Pass, you have to pay that entrance fee. Keep that in mind when you come here as well.

Beautiful park with plenty to explore on a long weekend! The beaches are nice and well maintained. We enjoyed driving around Beverly Shores and seeing the Century of Progress homes. We hope to come back and observe the night sky next time.

This place is amazing. We initially went to the town instead of to the dunes and we were disappointed because we thought we had miscalculated. As it turns out we found the dunes and the state park. Pro tip. Enter through the free entrance which is just down from the park entrance. The park entrance cost seven dollars. There is a Pavilion and nice clean restrooms. The people are extremely friendly. It says dogs are prohibited however we brought our dog out there because everyone else had their dog out there. It seemed as though as long as the dog was on a leash nobody minded. The parking was free. The beach has the softest Sand you’ve ever felt on your feet. The water was cold. You can see the skyline of Chicago off in the sunset. The most beautiful night!

A fun time in the sun! Some moderate hiking trails. Walking for a long time in the sand is a challenge. Well worth it. Be prepared that it gets very busy later in the afternoon. Good luck with parking if you arrive later in the day.

Awesome lakefront park and beach! Porter beach area (south) had lots of parking, restrooms, and a grille and vending area. Line to enter can get long! The Beverly Shores beach area (north) has less parking and amenities, perhaps less busy. Both are dog friendly.

Is this place "worthy" of being designated as a national park -- on the same level as Yellowstone, Yosemite, or the Grand Canyon? That's debatable however, this place is really amazing and should be checked out. It's only an hour drive from downtown Chicago and has plenty of places to explore. Get out of your car and go on a hike or else you won't see much.

The dunes are awesome! During covid we have been taking day trips to places we can social distance while enjoying the outdoors and this national park was the perfect destination. There are multiple trails with interesting scenery and delightful beaches with plenty of room to enjoy the sun, lake, and dunes while staying distant from other groups. The water was beautiful and we had a lovely time hiking on the beach and checking out cool rocks. All the other people were respectful of social distancing and it was over all a pleasant experience. Don’t forget to stop at the visitors center to get you stamp but bring a mask as they are required to go inside (you don’t have to go inside to get your stamp).

Very busy place but fantastic! Multiple places to stop and see beautiful scenery. Lots of hiking trails with varying difficulties, along with handicapped accessible ones. Expect crowds and the visitor center (and gift shop) and West Beach, but once outside, there's room to spread out and relax! Staff is very well trained and knowledgeable...a must see!

Indiana Dunes National Park is a beautiful park with lots to see! Plenty of easy parking. Walking from the parking lot to the shore line was a easy walk. Tons of walkable trails 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️ Fun facts: Indiana Dunes National Park 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 park'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. 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 park'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.

Wow! What a beautiful park. I went just before sundown to hike and catch the sunset on the beach. Then as I was exiting I saw the full moon rise as well — such a treat! There were quite a few people there to witness the sunset when I was there and it’s understandable why. Lovely colors and view of Chicago on the horizon. The dunes were gorgeous as well. I truly enjoyed the hike to the beach and around. There are a lot of stairs, both up and down, whichever direction you decide to complete the loop, but worth the views if stairs would typically deter you. So grateful to have seen this area and had the chance to explore.

From the hike through the peaceful forest, to the stunning dunes and calm blue waters... I've traveled the world, and this is still one of my favorite beaches. I love it best out of season when there are no noisy jet skis zipping back and forth.

It’s my first hike along Lake Michigan. It’s beautiful and you can see Chicago in the distance. There are also come challenging dune hikes for those who are up to it!

It’s my first time visiting and it was definitely worth it. This park is huge and has very well managed trails. You will get sand in your shoes and the wind off Lake Michigan can be strong. The view was clear enough at the West Beach we could see the Chicago skyline. Just double check where the bathrooms are located and make sure they are open, hard to enjoy a hike if you have to go and you’ve seen signs letting you know there’s cameras keeping watch to make sure people don’t go off trail and damage the delicate environment.

I decided to go here because of the close proximity to Chicago and because it’s another national park off the list. I would recommend stopping at the visitor center and grabbing a map and a pass $25. (I got lost at first and I believe if I didn’t get a map the park would’ve been mediocre.)After that, I would head to West Beach and explore the dunes etc. around there. Then I would continue down the highway/shore and stop at every significant location marked. Around dinner time I would stop in Michigan City, which is about ten minutes outside the park. The city offers so many food options and you can see the lighthouse there. After dinner head back in to one of the beaches to witness the sunset. West Beach allows views of the Chicago skyline. I would say this park offers amazing views of unique ecosystems and nature. However, I thought the views of human pollution and human industry took away from some of the delight (there was a steel mill and coal smoke stack visible all times). The hikes were challenging and also prepare for sand everywhere. The beaches were clean and the water was clear too. Please be careful as the park takes you into Gary and some places are not safe. Overall, this park was a nice day visit for me. The park satisfied my thirst for nature and beautiful scenery. I would come back again for a day trip that’s about it.

A much less remote national park than most. It gets a lot of casual visitors from people wanting to visit the lake. It also have some hikes and informational signs for those looking for a more typical national park experience. When visiting, wear shoes that you are prepared to get full of sand as much of the hiking is on Dunes with very fine sand.

Really cool place. The one thing I thought was odd was there is the Indiana State Park right in the middle of the National Park. They charge you to get into the state park and that's where the big dunes are, but if you are walking down the beach you don't exactly know where the line is so you can still go see them and not pay. But it is really pretty. Went in March so still really cold and windy but I am sure it is much better in the summer.

I really enjoyed my time here. I know there’s some controversy around does it “deserve” the NP status; and that’s up for debate, but I will say it was very beautiful and a very unique experience that I don’t at all regret going to. The cowles bog trail in particular really stood out, but the whole park has a lot to offer.

First time my son and I have ever been. My husband hasn't been since he was a young child. We were super impressed. An amazing choice if you want to take a short day trip. Beaches are clean and beautiful. We were able to see the Chicago skyline! Will definitely be making this trip many many more times in the future. I can't find the words to describe how excited I am that this awesome place is not too far from home.

I wasn't really expecting much prior to coming here and was mostly going to do the 3 Dune Challenge, but was pleasantly surprised how nice this park was. There were a few different hiking trails to do, with a combination of climbing sand dunes to traditional nature walks through the woods. You can even access the beach at the lake. Both the visitor center and learning center were open when I was there this past summer. This was definitely a cool place to visit and a good workout.

A nice place to unwind outside the bustling city of Chicago. It’s not what you may think of when thinking of a National Park. No sweeping views from mountain tops (or mountains themselves) or big ancient trees or interesting rock formations. The dunes themselves are pretty impressive as well as the historical buildings. There are some nice costal areas with distant skyline views of Chicago. Also if you walk along the coastline far enough you can find some nice private places to take a dip into Lake Michigan. If you do find yourself here, make sure you don’t miss the sunset.

Fun that there's a beach with sand in the middle of the country! At the end of June the water was uncomfortably cold but would be great with a wetsuit. The sand is awesome but there's a line of rocks at the edge of the water. We enjoyed paddle boarding and playing games in the sand. Beautiful view!

What was a National Recreation Area is now a National Park. Like Cuyahoga serves Lake Erie, Indiana Dunes serves the millions of people living around Lake Michigan. Just 15 miles long with the tallest dune being 127 feet, we were underwhelmed after visiting Great Sand Dunes in Colorado just a few weeks before. If you’re camping, you can get the off grid, in-the-woods experience like we did, or you can drive two miles down the road and get a much better Indiana Dunes State Park experience, which is at the beach and has 134 electric sites. Overall, it’s like going to the Outer Banks or any other beach town that has marsh and dunes. Not of National Park stature in our humble opinion.

Visited the Mt Baldy Beach location and saw the iconic dune starting to encroach the small parking lot. Mt Baldy spot has a medium size lot, has a small facility there with restrooms and a couple vending machines. Also a drinking fountain for filling bottles and a spicket to rinse sand from your feet when you return from the beach. The path to loop around the dune and get to the beach is near the entrance of parking lot. Path is well cleared and sandy. About a 10 minute hike to beach. Was surprised to see the cooling tower at the power plan next door when we go to beach. Can climb the dunes from the beach side. Sand on the dunes is ridiculous soft and smooth, beach is a bit more granular and some small peddles washed over. Was overcast, but still could pick out the Chicago skyline across the lake. We got there just before sunset on a Thursday, so was only a few folks there. There was more traffic driving into the parking lot to see the dune than actually stopping and staying for the hike and beach. Overall unique experience, worth a quick detour off Interstate 90.

How is this real? WHY HAD I NEVER VISITED BEFORE ????? 😳😨😨😨 Anyways, I finally got to visit and well it’s a beautiful trail. We parked by the nature center and from there we picked out trail 9 ((which had to be the most beautiful and best trail!)) it was a place where you can breathe and soak in the views and be at peace. Def will be coming back

Absolutely beautiful. The public has done a wonderful job keeping it clean and lovely. It was storming so we got to see the storm out over the lake and the water was so loud and amazing. I loved it here so much we had to stop back on our way home, too. Absolutely beautiful!

We did the 3dune challenge, which was actually quite a challenge. Steep inclines going up soft sand is harder than you might think, especially carrying little ones. Nice short, hard, scenic hike. Which we could have explored more! (This hike was actually in the state Park part). Staff was very helpful in the visitor center. We skipped the nature center to beat the rain. Very well marked trails. Worth a visit. Summer would be fun to take a dip!

Great beaches and dunes. Free if you have the National Parks pass. Need to display it on the dash. We went to the Chellberg farm but most of the animals were not there. The West beach was amazing. Water still very cold for a swim but you can easily spend 4 -5 hours.

Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Indiana Dunes National Park in the beginning of July 2023. Our first stop was the visitor center to learn a bit before entering the park. I stamped my National Parks passport, snapped our group's picture at the sign, and briefed ourselves on the history and existence of the park. July was the perfect time to visit as it's not too hot up north in July. We started on the 3-Dunes Challenge, where we ascended three dunes with quite the incline. Even in sand, it was not very difficult. I had never been on a trail like that- sand made up the trail, but the area was wooded like any trail I've been on in the Midwest. At the bottom of Mt. Holden (I think) is a private-ish lakeshore of Lake Michigan. This view is breathtaking- clear waters, a rocky shoreline that smooths out into soft, nearly white sand, and chilled water. Swimming is not permitted in this location because there is no lifeguard, but a short walk from there is the main beach where swimming is permitted. Coming from Southern Illinois, this cool freshwater retreat in 80-degree weather was quite refreshing. The national and state park lines were a little difficult to distinguish, we spent time in both.

First time being there and I didn’t get to explore entire location but we were at the beach facing side, hiking. Friends had dogs and they loved it. Has lots of beautiful spots to experience. We went in November and it was not too cold. There are restrooms available.

A gorgeous beach that is super clean. I mean SPOTLESS. No garbage or debris anywhere. This is a very peaceful area to spend time and it is also very spacious. The water is very clean and gives you a spectacular view. The air is clear and the parking is also free! There are also a few sandy trails and steep sand dunes to venture out on. Very family friendly and dog-friendly. I will definitely be coming back very soon!

Decent park! It was pretty. There was a nice hiking path we took. There aren't many trails. There's a beautiful view of the lake if you climb several steps. For a place in Indiana, it was pretty cool.

The dunes and forest are beautiful. The forest is right next to the lake and has thousands of bird species and many species of animals that are actually endemic to the area and that aren't found in many other places. The boardwalk on the beach that leads to the forest is always a nice walk. Been going to the dunes since I was little. You are not allowed to go on the dunes anymore because you can fall into a sinkhole and get stuck. Plus they don't like you to go off the path and interfere with the wildlife that life there. There are deer, frogs, rabbits, birds (hundreds to thousands of different kinds), hundreds to thousands of different species of fish that live in the lake including perch, salmon, northern pike, muskie, lake bass, sunfish, crappie, catfish, trout, etc. Then of course there's the beach, which you can swim in during the summer or else it will be too cold. Be careful not to go out too far into Lake Michigan even if you are am experience swimmer because there is riptide and the currents can pull you under. Lake Michigan can also have 25-30 foot waves so be careful even if you are on a boat. If you are gonna smoke weed please don't do it in the forest because there is a lot of dry grass and it can start a fire. This is a beautiful area given to us by mother nature for everyone and everything that should be preserved forever.

We’ve always visited Indiana Dunes in the summertime. It was a lot of fun to see it covered with snow. The lake was iced over as far as the eye can see. The trail to the beach had been snow blown - making it easier to access.

As national parks go, this one is smaller than most, and while the scenery is maybe not as mind-boggling you spectacular as some of the more famous ones, it is certainly worth a visit for some beautiful lakeside views, hiking and kayaking. There are some really fun attractions like the Century of Progress homes that are certainly worth a look, even if only from the outside (there are tours but to most of them only once a year).

Warning ⚠️ this place is beautiful BUT just a heads up. On the 3 Dune Challenge YOU WILL BE HIKING UP A SAND TRAIL 176 ft. You go up 2 dunes that are all sand then the 3rd dune is stairs (much easier). Wear strap sandals. Shoes get filled with sand. The Lake is cold but omg so worth it at the end. It's clear and blue 💙 I fell in love with this area. It's my ocean in the Midwest.

There are many different parts in this park, I went to the west beach where you could swim in the lake. I also went to a homestead and farm that had a nice hike and very cool things to see including animals. Both places were very pretty and I would recommend.

Indiana Dunes National Park, a hidden gem in the Midwest, is a testament to nature's artistry. This park, nestled along the shores of Lake Michigan, boasts a remarkable diversity of landscapes that left me awestruck. As I explored the park's trails, I encountered the unexpected sight of prickly pear cacti thriving in a region far removed from their typical habitat. Their resilient presence added a unique charm to the landscape. Alongside these desert-like surprises, the forested areas unveiled a world of captivating mushrooms, showcasing the intricate beauty of the fungi kingdom. It was like stepping into a fairy tale. The crowning glory of this park, however, lies in its breathtaking ocean views. Gazing out over Lake Michigan, I was transported to a coastal paradise. The shimmering waters stretched as far as the eye could see, creating a sense of tranquility and wonder.

Beautiful, free National park! Due to COVID, their gift shop was closed but they still had stamps for your passport in the lobby of the visitor center so I call it a win. They were super helpful inside and recommended we do the Dune Succession trial based off of what we were looking for (great views, beach access). I highly recommend this trail! It’s almost entirely on a boardwalk (which means less walking in sand) but there are a lot of stairs. From the parking lot there is a much shorter trail that brings you straight to the beach, but in my opinion you’re missing out on the good views by taking that route. On a clear day you can see the Chicago skyline from across the lake. Absolutely a must visit.

Yeah it's nice. Big dunes. Definitely work visiting. Don't know why those from the IL have to pay more to enter. Bring shoes you don't care about, or walk in sandals. It's not fun cleaning sandy shoes after.

we camped here for the weekend it was a lot of fun very peaceful relaxed environment. If you like riding long boards/ skateboards you can most definitely come for a day and bring either🥰🌤 just don’t forget your bug spray sand flies are not fun!

Open spaces to clear your mind & reconnect with the natural elements. Hiking to the peaks of the dunes offers clarity between cutting joints or sawing wood in our shop. We are fortunate to call this place home.

It was beautiful even in frozen weather! The lady in the gift shop at the visitor center 01/10/21 was unhappy and unfriendly. It was a beautiful walk on the beach. Mt. Baldy is not accessible due to hazards inside the dune which we did not know until we got there but was still beautiful to walk the trails next to it. The trail was clean and easy to walk until the up and down part to the beach. I gave 4 stars because the rude lady in the gift shop, there is a powerplant very visible and close on the beach by mt baldy which was disappointing, A lot of glass/ garbage /metal on the beach, and the bathroom smelled heavily like cigarette smoke and was not very clean so it is not maintained well. Over all we enjoyed our times there though.

A magical place even in the middle of winter! Great hikes, diverse flora, and a lovely beach.

Great experience hiking here! As an out of state guest, it cost me $12 for the day (priced at per car). If you are from Indiana I believe it’s half the cost but not 💯 sure. When you arrive they will give you a map of all the trails, so you’ll be able to see the different route and parking options. My review is specific to trails 8,9,10. If you’re an avid hiker or fitness enthusiast, like myself, and are looking for a good challenge - you will not be disappointed! It was pretty roughy hiking up the dunes. My friend and I at one point described it as walking through the abyss 😂. For our route we parked at a lot by the Nature Center, that leads the merging of trails 8, 9 and 10. Trails are VERY well marked. As someone who’s slightly directionally challenged when I’m not using Google Maps on my phone, I was able to do the fun hike by just following the marked trails and referencing the printed map on hand (that I was given upon checking in). In total, we hiked roughly 3.5 miles and the majority of the hike (90% ish) being through the sands. Level of difficulty I would give an 7.5 out of 10. I look forward to coming back for another hike as there is still a lot of other area to explore!

Love the various dunes hikes. Had no idea there was so much diversity (sand, forests, desert, lakes and ponds) or that you could see it all on one hike. We did 3 very different trails in one day and we were bushed but had a blast!

The Dunes were just what you would expect! The park was well kept, well managed...lots of things to check out...to bad we have inconsiderate people who tear up the signs, leave trash with no regard for the millions of people who come after them...I tried to pickup! The signs were an issue... Especially for handicapped or disabled folks! There were some awesome wheelchair facilities available. This was a surprise endeavor, we really enjoyed it!

Definitely stop by the main visitor center to see the map and decide what dunes to visit. We went to the farm too and it was a typical older farmhouse. The dunes were awesome. It is surprising how close this is to the Chicago area. The hike at the West Beach was fantastic.

Stunning and Picturesque Location. Views of industry on the beach is surely an eye sore. West Beach Trail is a must as the trail gives you great visuals from the top, but be prepared to walk through the sand to reach the West Beach ⛱️ If you like serenity and avoid large crowds, go to the Lake View Beach early.

We reached at a time when wind speed was at its peak. It was pretty cold. You can actually see the Chicago downtown right across the the waterline. We had a good time there taking a walk on the beach. A perfect view with beach and sand dunes. Very calm and soothing vibes this place has.

This is a hidden gem! The beaches are absolutely beautiful and not busy (unless you go to the state park…those beaches are busy). The sand is soft and it’s a lake, so you don’t have to worry about sharks and jellyfish.

We stayed at the campground, which was very nice. This was our 10th year here in a row and always have a very relaxing time. Can see Chicago about every nite, but in the last 2 days, the beach was closed due to 3-5' waves. The beach is within walking distance from the campground, and the 3 dunes challenge was fun. Be sure to check out the boardwalk view from the walking trails in the marsh. Lots of wildlife there.

Fantastic views and peaceful environs on a stormy day a few weeks ago. Get to the entrance as soon as the park opens to avoid a long wait. Restrooms have always been clean. Handicapped accessibility is excellent. Flat, paved walking path as well as sand trails through the dunes. This makes for an excellent trip!

Great time at Central Beach. Short walk through the woods and down a small dune to the lake. The water was nice and we even found a piece of sea glass.

A small, nice, FREE national park that surrounds the state park you can pay a fee to visit. There are some nice historic houses you can visit from the world fair as well as some hiking trails.

I’ve been to a ton of the national parks rocky mnt, bad lands, Shenandoah, etc this one has great facilities but is honestly the ugliest one I’ve been too, once you get to the beach you see the smoke clouds of US Steel and all the other industrial cities around, it’s really depressing that’s what the Great Lakes looks like.

Very cool place. Will be awesome this summer

There's always plenty to do from the beach to the trails

There are beautiful trails here. There are a lot of steps but beautiful views. There are benches so you sit and rest every so often. We went when it was cold so I don't know how the beach is.

I am surprised this place is called a National Park. Compared to the other parks, this place is pretty but does not merit this distinction. The hiking trails are nice as is the lakeshore, but nothing to really write home about.

Life saver to have this gorgeous piece of land near us. In the summer It feels like a vacation to Mexico, in the colder months I love how deserted it feels. As a photographer I’ve had the pleasure to photograph a few pandemic weddings here, they were supposed to be held in Mexico, now I know you can get the same amazing beach ceremony so close to home!

Beautiful area, checking out the ice pack on the lake today. Wind was freezing, but roads and some paths were nice and clean.

Outdoors during the virus is better than inside. Bundled up; used a fire pit; masked; distanced. Great afternoon with a few friends.

Love it. Been wanting to go here years ago and finally. Very nice my son really had fun! Coming back next year for sure!

Great views of Lake Michigan! Lots of walking/hiking trails, including the 3 Dune Challenge!

It's absolutely beautiful here.

One day max at this park. If you’ve seen a great Lakeshore line you’ve seen this park. Wild that it’s a national park

Employees are very nice and sent a fax at no charge when company it was sent to claimed they didn't receive it. They also gave me extra copies free to mail if they didn't receive the fax a second time. Luv them.

I loved my trip here, it was very relaxing and I think it is a great place to have a vacation. I’m 100%sure that I will come back again and again!

I always come here. During this time it's been a hard time not to go. Hope to come here soon.

Only drove by, look for a future review when the weather warms up.

Great place

Beautiful sandy beaches, helpful guards and troopers, dog friendly and they have concessions. This place is a must visit!

(Translated by Google) Good atmosphere. (Original) Buen Ambiente.

Very cool beaches along Lake Michigan!

Needs more water front parking for people to chill out in there cars.

Great place for birding, even in the winter. Well worth my drive.

Relaxing

Beautiful

Loved it and breathtaking!

So many huge flies

Came here at the end of December 2020, the dunes is always a beautiful place to come to year round, to check out the beautiful beach, see the big dunes, hike the trails if open. And it’s kinda cool to see the frozen sand

Regarding the man who said the National Park doesn't exist - it sounds like he must have gone to Dune Acres instead. Dune Acres is a gated community. They won't let you in unless you live there or were invited to the house of someone who lives there.. They ask for the person's name you are visiting and then confirm that the person is expecting you. The entrance to the National Park is in a separate area. Cannot remember the street name you take to get to the National Park.

Wonderful weekend getaway.

Lots to do. Beautiful scenery

Great views of chicago on a clear day.

Great place to get lost! A diamond in the rough

What a treasure we have in NW Indiana! The state park trails and landscape are the true jewel of the region.

Always a gem!

Very relaxing and beautiful place to visit.

Fun place 😊

Loved it..will be back this summer with the kids..

Surprisingly fun to visit during the winter time. With the leaves down the views from the dunes are even better. But still have to pay the entrance fee.

But is it really a National park? I got too much sand in my socks

Nice place

Beautiful ....a dusting of snow made it feel like you were in a "paint by numbers" picture...

Great place to hike . Beautiful trail about 2 mi total.

Grew up here Very beautiful

Fresh air a good space to reflect.

So much fun

(Translated by Google) a (Original) Um

One of my favorite places to hike and swim. I highly recommend trail 9 as it hugs the coast and blends woodlands & sand dunes. The water is cold but refreshing after being in it awhile. May-early Sept. is the best time zone to go if you’re interested in swimming also.

This is my first National park visit and I loved it. No entrance fee, just go out and relax along the shores of the lake Michigan. Clear water, and nice waves. The trails are beautiful will leave you surprised!

This park is both beautiful and amazing. Trails of various lengths and skill levels. Miles of beautiful beach the nps staff are amazing Plenty of educational opportunities, my daughter loved becoming a Jr ranger. It was great we spent a day I wish I'd had a week to stay

My husband and I had a very nice visit to the park in July. The beaches were pretty busy (4th of July weekend), but the trails weren't and the hiking was very nice. We hiked the West Beach Loops 1&2. Forested dunes, great board walk, beach, nice flora and fauna and the beautiful Long Lake. Would definitely recommend a visit!

Absolutely love visiting the Indiana Dunes National Park. This park is dog friendly and it did not disappoint. We had a great time exploring three different trails with our dog in a day and lucked out with some gorgeous fall colors. If you're debating going for the day, definitely make the trip, it's worth the 90 min drive from Chicago. It's also a great place to visit in the summer as well, with gorgeous views of the Chicago skyline in the distance

Beautiful lake and great beaches. Dunes not very impressive if you have been to other dune areas. The section where the homes from the world's Fair were moved is worth visiting.

What a place! Lived in Indiana all my life and had no idea such a diverse and beautiful place was within my state. Beautiful beaches, tons of birds and plants. Absolutely loved the "century of progress" homes, only wished we could go inside of them.

Definitely worth seeing. Beautiful stop to just see the coast. But I saw differen hiking options too. The short walks were easy to see the water and dogs were allowed.

Place itself is pretty organized, lot of parking space (if you arrive early enough), beach is clean and wide, with picturesque dunes behind. Why not 5* then? Lake is 'open' only in specific hours (like 10am-6pm) when lifeguard is on duty, and you can't use any floaties while in water. And they remind you about it very loudly every few minutes through speaker system 📢.

We didn’t have much time, so we did the Diana dunes dare trail which was pretty easy. The landscape changed quickly from climbing up the wooden stairs, to going down the woods, and seeing some sand dunes, to entering the beach. The trail was awesome. We could even see Chicago buildings in the distance. Spent some nice quality time there. Worth it only if you’re passing by, rather that going there just for the NP.

I did not realize that this is a national park next to a state park. The national park entrance is $25 and the state park is a separate fee of $12. The two parks are around 15-20min drive from each other. I see a lot of reviews here for the neighboring state park. This park has a few trails you can choose from and a big beach and that’s pretty much it. The territory is well maintained and cleaned. I didn’t really enjoy this place because of its close proximity to steel mills and railroads everywhere. It was like a park surrounded by a huge industrial area and you don’t have any nature serenity feeling.

Absolutely beautiful. You need to drive from the different spots of interest. Baldy is a steep travel down the dune to get to an expansive beach area. The water is warm and there is so much room. Love it.