Reviews

KE Abney

I went there the first time in my life and I did the 3 dune challenge and it was good exercise to do that and see the scenery and the view and it was worth it. Then you have a exhibits in the visitor's center and that was good to see.

Jessica Powell

A beautiful hidden gem in Indiana. This was our first time here, and I'm glad we made the trip. Who knew you could drive 4 hours, and be at a beach in Indiana! The trails, and campground were very nice. The trails were great, and peaceful. I wish they were marked a little better. BE WARNED the mosquitoes here are crazy on the trails so come extra prepared for that! I had many bites especially on my feet. I will definitely come better prepared for next time. The trails were beautiful, and well maintained. The beach was beautiful, and clean. The bathrooms at the beach were very dirty is my only complaint. Great for some nighttime photography as well! Overall we can't wait to come back and visit!

Tiffany Pulkowski

August 2025: Awesome place to spend a day. Weather made it impossible to get in the water when we were there but the beach was beautiful. Good hiking trails and the 3 Dune Challenge is really fun! (Although I definitely don't recommend forgetting your shoes/boots like I did. Started out in flip flops, did most of it barefoot). Nature Center had some interesting things to look at and clean restrooms. Plenty of picnic tables. Depending on the day of your visit, be prepared to wait in line to drive into the park.

Arun Y

Great beach with amazing amenities- roof top restaurant right next to beach, clean bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, cafe with quick bites at reasonable prices and ice cream shop. Beautiful trails to hike. Only bummer is they get you out of water at 6 PM. That’s didn’t make sense. Probably you can go beyond the beach border and get into water at your own risk. Not sure!

Samantha Cochran

If you’re planning a trip to Indiana Dunes, don’t skip the area around the Pavilion—it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the park. The Pavilion itself is this beautifully restored historic building that sits right on the beach. It kind of gives off a nostalgic, almost vintage boardwalk vibe, but with updated features that make it perfect for a beach day break. You’ve got options—grab a bite to eat downstairs, cool off with some ice cream, or head up to the rooftop bar (my favorite part) and take in the views of Lake Michigan. If you catch it near sunset, it’s chef’s kiss. We ordered food from the café downstairs—think burgers, salads, simple grill stuff. I had the Italian beef and it was great and had plenty of meat. It’s not five-star dining or anything, but it hits the spot after hiking dunes or laying in the sun all day. I will say it was a little pricey for what it was, and service was a bit slow, but to be fair it was a packed weekend afternoon. The staff was doing their best, and everyone was friendly. The rooftop though? Worth it. Great breeze, amazing views, and it just feels relaxing up there. It’s the kind of place where you can sip a drink and lose track of time watching the waves. One thing to note: it does cost $12 if from out of state and $7 if you're from Indiana per vehicle to enter the State Park, which gets you access to the beach, trails, and of course the Pavilion area. Totally worth it in my opinion, especially if you make a full day of it. The beach right outside the Pavilion is wide and beautiful, with plenty of space (though it can get crowded in peak summer). It’s perfect for families, couples, or even a solo recharge day. And if you're up for a little adventure, the dune trails nearby are gorgeous and offer some killer views of the lake. My tips: – Try to go on a weekday if you can, it’s less crowded. – Bring sunscreen and flip flops – Definitely plan to catch the sunset. – And if you’re into photography, this place is a dream around golden hour. The Indiana Dunes Pavilion is one of those spots that makes you want to slow down and just enjoy where you are. It’s not perfect but it doesn’t need to be. The views, the breeze, the beach, it all adds up to a really special experience. Would I go back? Absolutely. And next time, I’m saving room for that ice cream.

CT Blogs

The dunes, beach, and woods are so beautiful! I went here on a chilly windy day just to check it out during my visit in March and I'm SO glad I did. Glad I found a walking stick at the foot of the dune for the hike up too.

David Carter

It really is the best kept secret beach of Indiana. I'm from the East Coast, and I know the beaches. I was working in "landlocked" Indiana when, much to my happy surprise, I found out about Indiana Dunes. I was drawn by the claims of the Great Lakes being better than the ocean, with "no salt, no sharks" being s favorite tag line. I was not disappointed. I was traveling with my little dog, a Westie named Harley. In spite of the roaring good name he has, he is such a baby. Dogs are allowed, leashed, in all of the park as far as I could tell. We went up into the dunes, and walked along the beach. Harley is an earth dog and as such, always has his nose to the ground. As we were walking along the edge of the water, he gets hit in the face by a small wave, probably got some up his nose too. He backs away quickly and stands there. I try to coax him back into the water, but he was having none of it. I sat down in the shallow water and had him sit next to me, but no. He wanted to sit up in my lap where the water could not even touch him! I was not expecting the beach to be composed of millions of smooth, flat rocks of every size that were light enough to be picked up by the waves. The natural scenery was amazing at the Dunes, but take time to drive out to the surrounding countryside as well. And I didn't get to go swimming either, because of Harley

Donna Clease

Lovely beach. We stayed at the campsite so only a short walk down to the beach. Unfortunately we were out of season so the cafe was shut but it was a clear day and you can just make out chicago in the distance of the lake. We were also lucky enough to watch an Eagle glide through the trees on our walk back to our RV.

Jacob Hunt

This was a great experience at a state park. The visitor center personnel were very friendly and helpful. The parking was very abundant (although, we went on a cold week day). The trails and beach were maintained very well.

Nolan James Brown

Fantastic scenery along the shore of Lake Michigan. Neat history behind the efforts to protect this land from industry and pollution, which would have inevitably destroyed it, and its beauty would have been lost forever. This park is a gem in Indiana!