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On a Midwest road trip, we decided to stop at Indiana Dunes State Park. Well, we went to the wrong place, and it was a pleasant surprise.
We thought we’d visit the national park, and with both closely named and located, I’m sure we made a common mistake. But we still found nice views and had a relaxing time exploring the sandy shore.
I’ll tell you about our experience, what to know and expect, and share personal photos from our trip. You might want to spend the day there too!
Getting There
We were coming from Illinois, and on the way to Michigan. So we whipped around Chicago and ended up on the I-90 East.
Then we took the I-94 East to the IN-49 North to N 25 East. The park is about 50 miles east of Chicago.
We went down a long driveway to the toll booth. After we pulled up, we presented our national parks pass. She mentioned that it didn’t work at the state park.
That’s when we realized we were in the wrong place! But we paid anyway since we were already there.
Visiting Indiana Dunes State Park
The park is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. We paid a small fee of around $12 to enter, and it’s cheaper for state residents.
We visited during a summer holiday afternoon, and everyone was there! When we pulled into the parking lot, it was almost full.
When I used to come here as a kid, I didn’t remember it being so crowded. But that was a long time ago, and we probably visited during the off times.
It’s Not the National Park
We initially planned to go to Indiana Dunes National Park. I thought I put it in the navigation app correctly, but it took us to the state park.
The state park is somewhat within the national park’s boundaries. But they are run by two different entities.
That’s why I presented my national parks pass. But the state park is run by Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources.
They both have access to the Lake Michigan shoreline and hiking trails. The state park is smaller than the national park, and in the end suited us just as well.
Walking Along the Shore
The first thing we did was walk along the boardwalk and shore. There are miles of sandy beach to walk on, but the paved sidewalk makes it nice.
So, you can still walk along pretty views without getting into the sand. It felt nice to take a stroll and breathe the fresh air coming off the lake.
After a long road trip, it was rejuvenating. We saw seagulls flying underneath the billowing white clouds above.
And if you like walking in the sand, like I do, it’s very soft. It just mushed through my toes like a nice massage.
Dunes Pavilion
After walking around a bit, we stopped at the Dunes Pavilion. By the way, they had nice, clean bathrooms to use over here.
There’s a general store and cafe where you can grab some food. I talked to some of the workers and asked what people like to do when visiting the park.
One guy told me that he didn’t know much about the park since he only worked there. And the only thing he knew about it was Devil’s Slide.
Another lady said people mostly come to hang out at the beach, and that’s about it. Well, there’s more than that!
Devil’s Slide
So after talking to them, we check out Devil’s Slide. The name alone is enough to catch someone’s attention. I don’t remember if I ran down this as a kid, but I most likely did.
Anyway, it’s a steep dune where we saw some people making the trek up. Because it was so hot out, we didn’t go all the way up this time.
From the top, you can see some nice views. The point of going down this dune is not to tumble down!
I saw a little kid running up the Devil’s slide, and he almost made it. But then he slid back down, laughing to the bottom.
Hiking Trails
They have a couple of hiking trails where you can get some steps in. Now, if you’re a hiker and are looking for a long challenge, there are more trails in the national park.
But the state park has the 3-Dune Challenge, which is not for the faint of heart. It’s trudging through sand and forest.
By this time, we found ourselves a bit tired, so we just watched other people attempt. It’s got some very steep parts and we were just too bushed to get up the inclines.
Swimming
It was a hot day, and we were looking forward to dipping our toes in the water. Many people were swimming, but we didn’t.
The water was pretty still, so there weren’t many waves. This made for a perfect day to get in the water.
I know that swimming in Lake Michigan can be dangerous. As a kid, we always had to be aware of rip currents, and that’s something to avoid here too.
Signs warned about dangerous currents in the area. They said to stay in designated swim areas and avoid swimming near piers and breakwalls.
They did have a lifeguard on duty, but I prefer to stay right at the shore and not go in too deep. I make sure I’m around other people and never swim alone in this lake.
Other Activities
Besides the hiking trails and swimming, you can relax by the water. It’s a nice place to spend the day picnicking and lying out under some shade.
People also go camping and fishing in the area. And if you’re into birdwatching and stargazing, this is a great place to do that too.
If you plan to go camping, make sure you make a reservation. We know how these state and national parks can get filled well ahead of time!
Travel Notes
Of course, I’m going to say the best time to go is in the fall. It’s not very hot and you’ll see the change of seasons.
However, the summer time is great if you like swimming. Just be sure to bring a sunhat, water, and some shade.
Winter is a great time to visit if you want to see the snow and ice on the lake.
Remember, this is a nature escape, and we want it to remain that way. So take care of the sand dunes by not leaving trash.
Also, we saw signs about water quality dotted along the boardwalk. It basically said the area is monitored for E. Coli bacteria, and if high, they’ll close the area. It also warned not to ingest lake water and to swim at your own risk.
Final Thoughts
Although we thought we had made a mistake visiting Indiana Dunes State Park, it was a pleasant time. It brought back memories of frolicking in the lake when I was younger.
Well, perhaps next time we’ll spend the day at the national park. But the state park is a great place to relax if you like hanging out at the beach.
More Travel Adventures
I have many other related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- Another place to visit in Indiana is Shipshewana, a thriving Amish community.
- We spent some time in Dowagiac, a small historic town in Michigan, with many little lakes.
- And Silver Beach is another nice place to visit off Lake Michigan.
I’d love to hear about your adventures!
Originally published: October 11, 2025
