Skip to content
Indiana Dunes State Park – people on beach during daytime📷 Photo by Steven Van Elk on Unsplash
Editor's pick

Indiana Dunes State Park

Chesterton, IN

Nature

Home of the Three Dune Challenge, a steep climb over three of the highest dunes, and a busy beach pavilion. Parking fills on summer weekends.

Nearest town
Chesterton, IN
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
41.6590, -87.0640
Editor's pick
★

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Indiana Dunes and northern Indiana’s Amish country – West Beach Dune P6080056© Chris Light · CC BY-SA 4.0
12
National park loops

Indiana Dunes and northern Indiana’s Amish country

136 mi7 stops2 days

Nearby

Mount Baldy at Indiana Dunes National Park© Indianadunes · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nature

Mount Baldy

Michigan City, IN
West Beach, Indiana Dunes National Park – West Beach Dune P6080056© Chris Light · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nature

West Beach, Indiana Dunes National Park

Portage, IN
Field Museum – FMNH Glyptodon© Zissoudisctrucker · CC BY-SA 4.0
History

Field Museum

Chicago, IL
Route 66 Begin Sign – DSCF1120 (3416016655)© Chris Lawrence from Blacksburg, VA, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
History

Route 66 Begin Sign

Chicago, IL

Campsites nearby

  • Indiana Dunes State Park CampgroundCampsite
    0 mi from Indiana Dunes State Park
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Dunewood CampgroundCampsite
    4 mi from Indiana Dunes State Park · 67 pitches
    TentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Sand Creek CampgroundCampsite
    6 mi from Indiana Dunes State Park
    TentsCaravans
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Michigan City CampgroundCampsite
    9 mi from Indiana Dunes State Park
    TentsCaravans
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Camp To-Pe-Ne-BeeCampsite
    10 mi from Indiana Dunes State Park
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • La Porte County Fairgrounds CampgroundCampsite
    17 mi from Indiana Dunes State Park
    TentsCaravans
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Indiana · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Indiana Dunes State Park?

Indiana Dunes State Park is in Chesterton, IN, at GPS 41.6590, -87.0640. It is about 9 mi from Michigan City.

Can you camp near Indiana Dunes State Park?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Nissaki Youth Tent Area 1, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 13 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Indiana Dunes State Park?

Indiana Dunes State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Indiana Dunes and northern Indiana’s Amish country.

What is there to see near Indiana Dunes State Park?

Places worth a stop nearby: Mount Baldy (8 mi), West Beach, Indiana Dunes National Park (8 mi), Field Museum (32 mi) and Route 66 Begin Sign (33 mi).

When is the best time to visit Indiana Dunes State Park?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)