Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Custom Search Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, authorized by Congress in 1966, is located approximately 50 miles southeast of Chicago, Illinois in the counties of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte in Northwest Indiana. The national lakeshore runs for nearly 25 miles along southern Lake Michigan, bordered by Michigan City, Indiana on the east, and Gary on the west. The park contains approximately 15,000 acres, 2,182 of which are located in Indiana Dunes State Park and managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Miles of beaches, sand dunes, bog, wetlands, woodland forests, an 1830's French Canadian homestead, and a working 1900 era farm combine to make the national lakeshore a unique setting for studying humans and their impact on the environment. Dr. Henry Cowles conducted his landmark ecological studies in the Indiana Dunes. Indiana Dunes is ranked 7th among national parks in native plant diversity. Research conducted over the last two decades has revealed 1,418 vascular plant species within park boundaries, of which over 90 are on the state of Indiana's threatened or endangered list.     CONTACTS Email - INDU_Interpretation@nps.gov Fax- 219-926-7561 Write to 1100 N. Mineral Springs Road Porter, IN 46304 Phone Visitor Information - 219-926-7561 x225 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Park Headquarters: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center: 8:00am - 6:00pm daily - Memorial Day through Labor Day 8:00am - 5:00pm daily - Labor Day through Memorial Day, except for special events as posted or announced. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Bailly/Chellberg Visitor Center: 11:00am - 4:30pm daily - Memorial Day through Labor Day, weekends only Labor Day through October. West Beach Bath House: 9:00am - 9:00pm - during the summer Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education: Open Monday - Friday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Programs are provided to scheduled groups. Getting There PLANE - The surrounding communities are serviced by the Gary Regional Airport, South Bend Airport, and Chicago's Midway and O'Hare Airports. CAR - Visitors can access the national lakeshore via Interstate Highway I-94, the Indiana Toll Road, I-80/90 U.S. 20, or Indiana State Hwy 12 and various state roads. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - The Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad stops at several stations throughout the park. Weather & Climate The national lakeshore's weather is greatly affected by Lake Michigan and can change quickly. Summers are warm and humid with high temperatures generally in the mid-80s (30c) and low temperatures in the mid-60s (18c). There are about 15 days per year above 90 (32c).Warm periods are occasionally interrupted by frontal action descending from Canada. This generally brings days of pleasant, dry weather. Sunshine is abundant in summer. Highs in winter are usually in the low to mid 30s (0c) with low temperatures in the low 20s (-5c). There are about 15 days per year below 0 (-18c). Winters tend to be cloudy except for periods of extreme cold when skies are clear. Accessibility The major sites in the park are accessible with assistance. The West Beach Bathhouse, the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education and the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center buildings are fully accessible by wheelchair. Accessible parking and restroom services are available throughout the park. Free use of a standard wheelchair is available at the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center, Bailly/Chellberg Visitor Center, and the Paul H. Douglas Center. Indiana Dunes has made significant achievements in providing access to beach areas. However, access to the waters of Lake Michigan pose challenging accessibility problems. Presently, three beach areas are considered accessible: West Beach, Lake View Picnic area and Porter Beach. The Golden Access Passport, a free life-time entrance permit for individuals who have medically been determined to be blind or permanently disabled, is available from the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center. Getting Around Visitors can travel park roads in personal vehicles. Bicycles are permitted on the main roads but are prohibited on all hiking trails except: Calumet Bike Trail, Long Lake Trail, Marquette Trail, and the Lake Michigan shore line from Lake Front Drive to Central Avenue Beach. Bycycles are strictly prohibited off-trail or on sand dunes. Dunewood Campground The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore has one campground facility, Dunewood Campground, with campsites available on a first come first serve basis. Reservations are not accepted at Dunewood Campground. Check out time is 12 noon. There are 79 sites: 54 drive-in and 25 walk-in. Four fully accessible sites are available. Hot water showers are provided. Wood gathering is prohibited. Wood can be purchased at local convenience stores. Indiana Dunes State Park also has a campground and reservations are accepted. The state park's phone number is (219) 926-1952. For More Information on this campground please call (219) 926-7561 ext 225 FACILITIES CENTRAL BEACH Phone - (219) 926-7561 ext 225 Location - Central beach is 4 miles east of the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center on U.S. 12 to Central Ave; north on Central Ave for one mile. See map for more details. http://www.nps.gov/indu/maps/ Closures - Central Ave Beach is closed every winter from November 15th to April 1st Available Facilities - Parking, access to Central Beach, restrooms, and limited picnic facilities. CHELLBERG FARM Open All Year 8:00am till sunset Location - Park at the Bailly/Chellberg Visitor Center located on Mineral Springs road between highway 20 and Oakhill road in Porter Special Programs - Feeding Time at Chellberg Farm. Meet at the Chellberg Farm barn and help the farmer feed the animals. Every saturday and sunday from May thru September at 4:00pm, October - April at 3:00pm Available Facilities - Farm barn open daily with typical 1900 farm animals. COWLES BOG Open All Year 6 am to sunset Phone - (219) 926-7561 ext 225 Location - Located 5 miles west of Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center on U.S. 12 to Mineral Springs Rd, north on Mineral Springs Rd a quarter mile to one parking area and another half mile to a second parking area. See park map for further details. http://www.nps.gov/indu/maps/ Available Facilities - Trails, parking, pit toilet, and access to Bailly Beach. DUNBAR PARKING LOT Phone - (219) 926-7561 ext 225 Location - 1 mile north of Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center on State Park Rd, east a quarter mile on Lake Front Dr to corner of Lake Front Dr and Dunbar Ave. See map for more details. http://www.nps.gov/indu/maps/ Closures - Closed November 15 through March 31 Available Facilities - Parking and access to Kemil Beach INDIANA DUNES ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER Open All Year Phone - 219-395-9555 Location - From north, east, or west the Learning Center can be reached via the Indiana Toll Road, or Interstates 90 and 80/94. Locally it can be accessed from U.S. Highways 12 or 20. From the south the Learning Center can be reached from Indiana Highway 49 or Interstate 65, which connect with all east/west roadways. Special Programs - Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center continues a legacy of education established more than a century ago. At Indiana Dunes, in the late 1800s, Henry Chandler Cowles made significant contributions to the emerging science of ecology. Cowles' ideas regarding plant succession excited the world's scientific community. Often heralded as the birthplace of ecology, Indiana Dunes continues at the forefront of environmental research and education. For additional information about the learning center see http://www.nps.gov/indu/learning Available Facilities - Participants are housed in modern group style cabins. We have 10 cabins with central heating and air conditioning, restroom and shower facilities. Each cabin has sleeping for eight. We can accommodate groups with 70 students and 10 chaperones. A spacious multi-purpose building houses a full service kitchen and dining area. Its interior design provides flexible indoor space for large group activities. Central heating and air conditioning allow year-around program opportunities. The multi-purpose building and residential cabins are designed for wheelchair accessibility. INLAND MARSH Open All Year 8 am to sunset Phone - (219) 926-7561 ext 225 Location - 9 miles west of Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center on U.S. 12 to Inland Marsh trail head. Continue another mile west for Inland Marsh Overlook. Available Facilities - Parking and access to overlook, trails, and pit toilet. KEMIL BEACH Open All Year Phone - (219) 926-7561 ext 225 Location - 1 mile north of Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center on State Park Rd to the Dune Ridge Trail Head. For details see park map. http://www.nps.gov/indu/maps/ Available Facilities - Parking, restrooms, trails, and accessiblbity to Kemil Beach. LAKE VIEW Open All Year 6:00 am to 11:00 pm Phone - (219) 926-7561 ext 225 Location - 1 mile north of Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center on State Park Dr, then east half a mile on Lake Front Rd. See park map for details. http://www.nps.gov/indu/maps/ Available Facilities - Parking, picnic facilities, restrooms, interpretive exhibits, and wheel chair accessibility to Kemil Beach. LY-CO-KI-WE HORSE AND HIKING TRAIL Open All Year 8:00 am to sunset Location - Half a mile south of Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center on Kemil Rd to U.S. 20. Half a mile west on U.S. 20. See park map for futher details. http://www.nps.gov/indu/maps/ Available Facilities - Parking, restrooms, and horse and hiking trails. (Horses not available for hire within the Park). Ly-co-ki-we is used by cross-country skiers during periods of adequate coverage. During the winter when there is snow the trail is used for cc-sking. MT. BALDY Open All Year Phone - (219) 926-7561 ext 225 Location - 5.5 mile east of the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center along U.S. 12. See park map for more details. http://www.nps.gov/indu/maps/ Available Facilities - Restrooms, vending machines, parking, trails, and informational exhibit. PORTER BEACH Open All Year Phone - (219) 926-7561 ext 225 Location - 4 miles west of Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center on U.S. 12 to Waverly Rd. 1 and one half miles north on Waverly Rd. For more details see park map. http://www.nps.gov/indu/maps/ Closures - Lot may remain closed during times of plowable snow. Available Facilities - Parking and access to Porter Beach. TREMONT PICNIC AREA Location - 3 mile west of Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center on U.S. 12. See park map for further details. http://www.nps.gov/indu/maps/ Closures - Closed from November 15 through April 1. Available Facilities - Picnic facilities, restrooms, and parking WEST BEACH Open All Year Phone - (219) 926-7561 ext 225 Location - Located 12 miles west of Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center on U.S. 12 to County Line Rd. North on County Line Rd for one quarter mile. For detailed park map see http://www.nps.gov/indu/maps/ Closures - Bicycle and foot traffic permitted Labor Day to Memorial Day from 6 am to 9 pm. Available Facilities - Parking, trails, bath house, picnic facilities, vending machines, restrooms and access to West Beach. Visitor Centers BAILLY/CHELLBERG VISITOR CENTER Saturdays & Sundays May 26 & 27 and June 2,3,9,10 11:00am - 4:30pm Phone - (219) 926-7561 ext 218 Location - On Mineral Springs Road south of U.S. 12, 1.5 miles west of Indiana 49. Available Facilities - Staffed information desk, book store, museum, accessibility to Little Calumet River trail, and restroom facilities, as well as Bailly Homestead and Chellberg Farm. DOROTHY BUELL MEMORIAL VISITOR CENTER Open All Year Phone - (219) 926-7561 ext 225 Location - Located on Kemil Road at U.S. 12, 3 miles east of Indiana 49. Closures - Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Exhibits - Houses displays of information dealing with the lakeshore features, and an informative video on the park called 'Child of the Northwest Wind'. Available Facilities - Staffed information desk, book store, access to Ly-co-ki-we and Calumet Dune trails, 30 minute parking, and restroom facilities. PAUL H. DOUGLAS CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION Open All Year Monday - Friday Phone - (219)926-7561 ext 225 Location - I94 to IN 51 north. West on 20 about 2 miles to Lake Street. North on Lake Street one mile. Closures - Closed Holidays and weekends Special Programs - The Douglas Center acquaints and educates students in the disciplines of ecology and environmental science. Outdoor hikes, indoor classrooms, audio-visual media, live animals, pond studies, and other innovative activities teach environmental awareness and stewardship. Available Facilities - The Douglas Center is available for scheduled group programs about the environment. Reservations are required. For a listing of current educational programs visit http://www.nps.gov/indu/education/eebroch.htm   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.   Campgrounds Near Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: Sand Creek Campground, Chesterton, 3 miles away Mink Lake, Valparaiso, 8 miles away Michigan City Campground, Michigan City, 9 miles away Yogi Bear's Jellystone Camp, Portage, 12 miles away Candy Stripe Camp Site, Valparaiso, 13 miles away Ralph Nehmelman, Kouts, 19 miles away Judy's Motel and Campground, New Buffalo, 19 miles away   Marinas Near Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: Westerman Marina, Portage , 10 miles away Marina Shores Harbor, Portage , 10 miles away Burns Harbor Marina, Portage , 11 miles away Treasure Chest Marina, Lake Station , 15 miles away   Hotels Near Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: Best Western Indian Oak, Chesterton , 1 miles away Waterbird Inn and Spa, Chesterton , 1 miles away Hilton Garden Inn Chesterton, Chesterton , 3 miles away Springhouse Inn, Porter , 4 miles away Comfort Inn & Suites Porter, Porter , 5 miles away Super 8 Valparaiso, Valparaiso , 8 miles away Inn at Aberdeen, Ltd., Valparaiso , 8 miles away   Beaches Near Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: Marquette Park Beach, Lake County , 16 miles away   Ski Areas Near Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: Four Lakes, Illinois , 73 miles away, 100 foot drop, 7 lifts, 7 runs Villa Olivia, Illinois , 85 miles away, 180 foot drop, 6 lifts, 9 runs Swiss Valley, Michigan , 85 miles away, 225 foot drop, 7 lifts, 11 runs Raging Buffalo Snowboard Park, Illinois , 91 miles away, 180 foot drop, 3 lifts, 5 runs Wilmot mountain, Wisconsin , 92 miles away, 260 foot drop, 11 lifts, 25 runs Timber Ridge, Michigan , 95 miles away, 240 foot drop, 9 lifts, 15 runs Bittersweet, Michigan , 98 miles away, 350 foot drop, 6 lifts, 17 runs   Public Lands Near Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor, Lockport - IL , 68 miles away Indiana Dunes State Park, Indiana , 3 miles away Warren Woods State Park, Michigan , 30 miles away Warren Dunes State Park, Michigan , 34 miles away Bass Lake State Beach, Indiana , 38 miles away   Golf Courses Near Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: Brassie Golf Club, Chesterton , 4 miles away Mink Lake Golf Course, Valparaiso , 5 miles away Valparaiso Country Club, Valparaiso , 6 miles away Robbinhurst Golf Club & Driving Range, Valparaiso , 8 miles away Creekside Golf Course and Training Center, Valparaiso , 8 miles away   Lakes Near Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Long Lake, Porter County , 5 miles away Flint Lake, Porter County , 6 miles away Lake Louise, Porter County , 12 miles away Lake Minnehaha, Porter County , 13 miles away