The winds and waves of 10/31/19 have really damaged the walkway along Lake Michigan.

Updates for Lake View Beach and the National Park restrooms and parking at this site. As of our visit at the beginning of September, the beach is open. Well, the northeast half of it is a Perched Beach using a rock revetment with a protected area of beach and trees artificially held about 5 or 6 feet above the water line (see photos). Along the southwest section, the rock revetment is closer to the road and the beach naturally forms here thanks to the perched beach sticking out and capturing the littoral drift and setting up a shoreline of revetment protrusions and protected / cove beaches. Despite the old nearby sea wall protrusions into the lake being an impediment to easy beach walking, they are creating the beaches that exist in the spaces between them. Parking here consists of 2 separate lots: The Beverly Shores (northeast) lot is for local residents who live here (permit required), and if off limits for most visitors. The National Park side (southwest lot) now requires a pass with fees paid either online or at the National Park visitor center / headquarters. There are a few days of free parking throughout the year for special events and some holidays (schedule is posted online at the park website), but most visitors for 2022 and going forwards should expect to pay $25 per vehicle for a 7-day pass $45 for an annual vehicle pass, or $15 for a 7-day cyclist / pedestrian pass. The free parking at this beach from 2021 is gone. Note that the parking spots are smaller in length and any vehicle larger than 17' (such as a minivan) will either hang out into the road or cause an obstruction to the sidewalk immediately behind it. If you have a longer vehicle such as a Suburban or longer pickup truck, please consider parking at the Dunbar beach lot instead (more parking spaces, longer vehicles do not cause issues, and also has restrooms). Beach combers visiting will find quite an assortment and variety of smooth rocks on the shore near the water and in the scup just offshore of the beach (the shallow trough of rocks and sand that exists as the beach turns into water and where the shoreline waves reach the shore). Restrooms were well maintained at the time of our visit, accommodating 2 men and 2 women. Charcoal cooking pedestal grills were also available near the picnic benches in the upper area adjacent to the parking lot. We hope you and your family enjoy this segment of our National Parks as much as we did. God bless and travel safely.

Buy an Indiana Dunes National Park pass to visit this beach. It's $25 for 7 days and you can visit several beaches. You can buy the pass online but you have to print it out. You can buy a pass here during open hours or at the visitor center or a couple other locations. We went to the visitor center to buy ours and get a couple maps. Don't know how the State park compares as we didn't want to spend money for both. This beach was a nice one for watching the sunset. We could see the Chicago skyline.

Lakeview is always an interesting stop. Currently (2021) high water in Lake Michigan has shrunk the beach to a tenth of what it was a decade ago. But the lake level cycles with the years. In 1990, the beach was about where it's at now and it grew to ten times the size. You have to keep coming back to enjoy the changes.

Great place to watch a sunset, swim and enjoy the lake. Not a bad spot to put in a kayak or paddle board. There are a few stairs, but it's not bad. Overall great spot on lake Michigan

Beautiful Location, the rocks are amazing! Not over crowded, with many different options to park and the beach access you are looking for.

LOVE this place! My wife Linda and I go every chance we get . Even if it is for just a few minutes to regain our sanity. Really enjoy catching the incoming storms!

Beautiful Beach! Pet friendly as well.

Best in the northwest Indiana region

We enjoyed a very pleasant picnic at the shelter with wonderful lake views. Bathrooms were clean and there was easy access to picnic tables from the parking area.

A must visit serene beach. Visit early as public parking is limited and city parking requires a permit. The beach is near Dunewood Campground. We started our journey to explore Indiana Dunes National Park from this beach. You won't be disappointed!

Love this beach but the people can be very ignorant to the wildlife. Keep the beaches clean and respect wildlife please!

Beautiful beach with free parking. Parking is limited which is kind of nice because the beaches don't get too crowded. Sand is beautiful with some sparkle. There are rocks that can hurt when stepping on them but their beauty makes up for that. Is definitely a beach I will be regularly be visiting.

Great location for watching sunset! There was a lot waves that day and I couldn’t swim since the rocks hurt my feet so bad. I wouldn’t recommend swimming here, but it’s great for tanning, sunsets, and chilling.

Very nice place for the sunset

Nice beach out of view of street level. Free but limited parking. Nice look out points with seating. Handicap parking. A real gem for sunset enthusiasts.

I loved our time here! I have been looking for property to purchase here ever since we returned! What a gem!!!