{"id":"nps-indu","slug":"indiana-dunes-national-park","name":"Indiana Dunes National Park","designation":"National Park","category":"national-park","categoryLabel":"National Park","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"INDU","designation":"National Park","sourceId":"nps-indu"}],"states":["IN"],"stateNames":["Indiana"],"location":{"lat":41.63765525,"lon":-87.09647445},"bbox":[-87.4616,41.5078,-86.8366,41.7159],"acres":{"value":18924,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails lead through shifting sand dunes, quiet woodlands, sunny prairies and lush wetlands. Known for its striking plant and bird diversity, it's easy to find inspiration throughout the park’s 16,000 acres.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=41.7159&b_tl_lng=-87.4616&b_br_lat=41.5078&b_br_lng=-86.8366","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Indiana%20Dunes%20National%20Park","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"cover":{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/9253EDFB-AAFD-E111-B985CD2747F5C48F.jpg","title":"Central Avenue Beach Indiana Dunes National Park","alt":"Michigan Lake beach with green grassy dunes in the background, under a blue sky.","credit":"NPS Photo","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm","tier":1,"source":"National Park Service"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/9253EDFB-AAFD-E111-B985CD2747F5C48F.jpg","title":"Central Avenue Beach Indiana Dunes National Park","alt":"Michigan Lake beach with green grassy dunes in the background, under a blue sky.","credit":"NPS Photo","license":"Public domain (U.S. government work)","licenseUrl":null,"filePage":"https://www.nps.gov/indu/index.htm","source":"National Park Service","cover":true},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7E4345-1DD8-B71B-0B1054DD51E7798B.jpg","title":"Central Beach","alt":"Central Beach","caption":"Central Beach","credit":"NPS Collection","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["Arts and Culture","Cultural Demonstrations","Auto and ATV","Scenic Driving","Astronomy","Stargazing","Biking","Boating","Camping","RV Camping","Fishing","Food","Picnicking","Guided Tours","Self-Guided Tours - Walking","Self-Guided Tours - Auto","Hiking","Horse Trekking","Paddling","Canoeing","Kayaking","Stand Up Paddleboarding","Junior Ranger Program","Playground","Skiing","Cross-Country Skiing","Snow Play","Snowshoeing","Swimming","Freshwater Swimming","Wildlife Watching","Birdwatching","Park Film","Shopping","Bookstore and Park Store"],"topics":["Architecture and Building","Archeology","Arts","Painting","Photography","Poetry and Literature","Animals","Birds","Dunes","Fire","Lakes","Trails"],"fees":[{"title":"Entrance - Motorcycle","cost":"20.00","description":"Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers."},{"title":"Entrance - Private Vehicle","cost":"25.00","description":"7-Day Park Entrance Fee - Family-Size Vehicle\n\nPer private family-sized vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase)."},{"title":"Entrance - Per Person","cost":"15.00","description":"7-Day Per Person Entrance Fee (Organized, non-commercial groups)\n\nVisitors 16 years of age or older who enter on foot, bicycle, boat, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Sedan","cost":"25.00","description":"Entry for commercial sedans with 6 or less people. \n\nCost is $25.00 plus $15 per person (not to exceed next highest rate)."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Van","cost":"40.00","description":"Commercial Tour Fee - Van (7-15 persons) - $40.00\n\nEntry for commercial vans with 7-15 people."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus","cost":"40.00","description":"Commercial Tour Fee - Mini Bus (16-25 persons) - $40.00\n\nEntry for commercial mini bus with 16-25 people."},{"title":"Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach","cost":"100.00","description":"Commercial Tour Fee - Motor Coach (26+ persons) - $100.00\nEntry for commercial motor coaches with 26+ persons."}],"passes":[{"title":"Annual Entrance - Park","cost":"45.00","description":"Indiana Dunes National Park Annual Pass\n\nThis pass provides entry for the pass owner(s) and passengers in a family-sized vehicle. This pass only works at the Indiana Dunes National Park and is not accepted at the Indiana Dunes State Park.\n\nPasses can be purchased from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, seasonally at the West Beach kiosk, or online at recreation.gov."}],"hours":[{"name":"Indiana Dunes National Park general areas","description":"The general areas of the park are open year-round.  Please check individual areas for specific hours of operation.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"6:00AM - 11:00PM","monday":"6:00AM - 11:00PM","thursday":"6:00AM - 11:00PM","sunday":"6:00AM - 11:00PM","tuesday":"6:00AM - 11:00PM","friday":"6:00AM - 11:00PM","saturday":"6:00AM - 11:00PM"},"exceptions":[]},{"name":"West Beach","description":"West Beach hours of operation","standardHours":{"wednesday":"6:00AM - 9:00PM","monday":"6:00AM - 9:00PM","thursday":"6:00AM - 9:00PM","sunday":"6:00AM - 9:00PM","tuesday":"6:00AM - 9:00PM","friday":"6:00AM - 9:00PM","saturday":"6:00AM - 9:00PM"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"Visitors can access the national park via Interstate 94, the Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 80/90), U.S. Highway 12, U.S. Highway 20, Indiana State Road 49, and various other local roads. The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is located on Indiana State Road 49, between U.S. Highway 20 and Interstate 94 (1215 IN-49, Porter, IN 46304). For a driving map to the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center or other locations, check out our maps page.","weatherInfo":"On average, the warmest month is July and the highest recorded temperature was 105F in 1934. The coolest month is January, with the lowest recorded temperature of -25F in 1985. June sees the most precipitation with an average rainfall of 4.66 Inches.","contacts":{"phone":"2193951882","email":"indu_communications@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center (Indiana Dunes Visitor Center)","description":"View lobby displays and pick up brochures about Porter County, Indiana, Dunes State Park, and Indiana Dunes National Park. Enjoy educational displays and watch two short orientation videos. Shop in the Eastern National bookstore. The visitor center is open everyday with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/idnlvc.htm","lat":41.63321511133379,"lon":-87.05431747075113},{"name":"Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education","description":"The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is your gateway to the stunning Paul H. Douglas Trail through Miller Woods. This facility connects you to the natural environment through educational hands-on exhibits, ranger-guided hikes, lectures, animals, crafts, and a Nature Play Zone. Open hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Central Time and is closed Monday and Tuesday.","url":"http://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/deec.htm","lat":41.60641012766287,"lon":-87.26830441167454}],"campgrounds":[{"name":"Dunewood Campground","description":"Campground consists of two loops containing 66 camp-sites (53 conventional drive-in sites and 13 walk/carry-in sites). Four sites are wheelchair accessible (numbers 15, 30, 41 and 55). Each loop has modern restrooms and hot/cold showers. Some sites have limited recreational vehicle length. Convenience stores and a gas station are located 1/4 mile north of the campground at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and Broadway Ave. in the town of Beverly Shores. Campground closed during winter, Nov 2 - Mar 31.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/258887","sites":66},{"name":"Dunbar Group Site","description":"The Dunbar Group Site holds up to 30 people and is located less than 500 feet from the beach. The site overlooks the Great Marsh and Lake Michigan. Parking and restrooms are located in the Dunbar Beach parking lot, 400 feet from the site.","url":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10177496","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10177496","sites":1},{"name":"Central Avenue Walk-in Sites","description":"The Central Beach Walk-In Sites has 5 sites, and you will walk a distance to get to your campsite. There is a primitive toilet (porta-potty) by the Central Beach parking lot for the entire season. There is no drinkable water in the area so you must bring your own water.","url":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10177495","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10177495","sites":5}],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"pullman-national-historical-park","km":43},{"slug":"kankakee-national-wildlife-refuge-and-conservation-area","km":75},{"slug":"hackmatack-national-wildlife-refuge","km":136},{"slug":"zz-fws-zz","km":186},{"slug":"zz-fws","km":247}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=indu"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.614Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Partial Trail Closures on Bailly / Chellberg Trail","text":"Portions of Bailly / Chellberg Trail (with stairs) will be closed through October (10/30/26), to allow completion of boardwalk replacement project.","url":null,"updated":"2026-09-22 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-C68F1F5F-35B8-43F4-A4D5-1DEB7756D4D9"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Partial Trail Closure - Dunewood Trace","text":"Partially open. Persistent flooding west of the campground currently limits access to the entire trail. Hikers may not always be able to traverse the full length.","url":null,"updated":"2026-09-04 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-DEB1C85B-4376-4596-AB05-26FDE5D2ABE9"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Closure - Hobart Woodland Trail","text":"Closed. The Woodland Trail is closed indefinitely, and no reopening date is available. However, the paved Oak Savannah Trail remains open.","url":null,"updated":"2026-09-04 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-3FA2F888-3536-4563-9736-899FC6AE0AF3"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Partial Closure - Upland Trail","text":"The middle boardwalk was lost due to a tree strike, making the full loop inaccessible. At this time, there is no timeline for replacement.","url":null,"updated":"2026-09-04 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-7B6E628D-9E79-4EB2-BA40-0FF2F62AD0A1"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Closure - Heron Rookery Trail","text":"Closed. The trail is undergoing tree removal and rerouting due to riverbank collapse. It is expected to reopen in the fall, after mosquito activity decreases.","url":null,"updated":"2026-09-04 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-9FDBCC12-8FC8-4944-A94F-DA7E5154E0BC"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Other Park Conditions and Updates","text":"For more information on storm related repairs and other park conditions like beach and hiking safety visit our park status page.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/indu/status.htm","updated":"2026-09-04 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-B6937245-8264-4E11-90C3-9FC102EA6850"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Caution","title":"Water Safety Alert","text":"After recent storms, E. coli levels are likely to reach above safe swimming standards. Entering the water after heavy rainfall is never recommended. Know before you go and always check our Beach Safety page before heading to park beaches.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/beach-safety.htm","updated":"2026-08-24 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-8DEF28E3-35C8-4A73-9B40-3C8E87E09AB1"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"Partial Closures to Little Calumet River Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail","text":"Marquette Greenway construction will require closing sections of the Glenwood Dunes Trail (April–December 2026) and Little Calumet River / Mnoké Prairie Trail (May–December 2026). Closure dates may shift as work progresses. Please follow all posted closures and check the park website or NPS App for updates.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/closuremaps.htm","updated":"2026-07-07 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-EA406564-A020-42F9-9315-861DBE0F29C2"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Caution","title":"Partial Trail Closure at Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk","text":"Closed portion of Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Trail along Burns Waterway due to unsafe conditions from erosional damage. This trail portion will remain closed while funding is sought for repair work. Pier access remains open on either side of closure.","url":null,"updated":"2026-06-30 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-8C499F6F-7F4F-4CC7-95BB-5E852B1FB836"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/indiana-dunes-national-park/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/indiana-dunes-national-park.geojson"}