There is a beautiful National Park in northeastern Indiana called the Indiana Dunes National Park. It is a national park maintained by the National Park Service. It was established as the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore by Congress in 1966 and became the 61st national park on February 15, 2019.
It’s true that this National Park isn’t the most gorgeous compared to other national parks I’ve been to, but I’m pleased that the the National Park Service is conserving it.
As a family destination, the park is beautiful and ideal. On the beach, you could walk along its long shoreline and just enjoy the waves and sands on your feet. Tourists and visitors may flock the park during the summer season, but there is always plenty of space for everyone.
Where is it located?
1050 N Mineral Springs Rd, Chesterton, IN 46304
Click this link for Google Map directions.
What’s the admission fee?
Indiana Dunes National Park does not have an entrance fee. You do not need to purchase an America the Beautiful Annual Pass, Senior Pass, etc. to enter this national park. Indiana Dunes National Park does sell all federal passes for use at other federal areas that do have entrance fees.
The Indiana Dunes State Park’s only entrance is at the northern terminus of State Road 49. The state park charges a daily entrance fee per car for almost the entire year ($7 for Indiana plates, $12 for out of state plates). The state park does sell a state park annual pass that is accepted at all Indiana State Parks. The pass is not available for purchase at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, but can be purchased at the state park.
Indiana Dunes National Park’s West Beach does have a $6 per car parking fee which is collected from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend. The America the Beautiful Senior and Access Passes do provide a 50% discount. All other federal passes do not provide a discount. The state park’s annual pass does not provide a discount.
The national park’s America the Beautiful passes (Annual, Senior, Access, etc.) are not accepted at the Indiana Dunes State Park.
The state park’s annual pass is not accepted at any national park or federal land. Indiana Dunes National Park does not have an entrance fee.
Check out these photos I took.
