Mount Baldy is as tall as a 12 story building! And even more impressive, is that Mount Baldy’s what’s called a wandering dune. That means it can move up to ten feet per year. There used to be grass on the dune that held it in place. But after years of tourists climbing on it, the grass was destroyed. Now, the wind blows the sand around, causing the dune to change position. Mount Baldy is actually starting to overtake its own parking lot! Getting to the beach requires a half-mile roundtrip hike around the dune, and includes stairs.

Central Avenue Beach as seasonal restrooms and potable water. There are two picnic tables at the west end of the parking lot up the stairs. The National Park strongly urges visitors to remain on the beach area and not to climb up on the dune slopes directly behind the beach. The restrooms are wheelchair accessible. The beach and picnic tables are not wheelchair accessible. Ther are no lifeguards, so swim at your own risk; rip currents and waves can make swimming hazardous. During the spring and summer, watch the Bank Swallows come and go from their nests in the dunes.

This beach has covered picnic shelters with great views of Lake Michigan, and year-round restrooms and potable water. Cooking fires are permitted at the picnic shelters in the provided grills or an approved carry-in grill. An approved grill is a non-combustible container with an enclosed bottom and enclosed sides with a minimum depth of 2 inches. Charcoal must be cooled and safely disposed of in a non-combustible container or removed from the area. The picnic shelters and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. The beach is not wheelchair accessible. There is a very good view of Lake Michigan from the parking lot and picnic shelters. There are no lifeguards, so swim at your own risk; rip currents and waves can make swimming hazardous. In the spring, it’s a great spot for catching smelt; a small, oily fish that tastes fantastic. I’d say they’re best enjoyed dusted with flour, shallow fried, and eaten whole. Delicious!

The five houses that make up the Century of Progress Historic District originally debuted at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. The Homes of Tomorrow Exhibit, which consisted of 12 futuristic houses, was a particular crowd pleaser. After the fair, a developer purchased five of the homes and moved them here. He called his new community Beverly Shores, after his daughter. While the houses are now owned by the National Park, they’ve been leased to private residents on the condition that they keep them maintained. That means people live in these houses, so you can’t actually go inside. Unless you’re lucky enough to score a ticket to the annual tour every September. And we do mean lucky, because tickets usually sell out within an hour.

This beach has seasonal restrooms and potable water. The parking lot is paved and can fill up quickly on summer weekends. There are no lifeguards, so swim at your own risk; rip currents and waves can make swimming hazardous.

This is a great beach to enjoy the night sky and nocturnal animals. This beach has year-round restrooms and potable water. The parking lot is paved and can fill up quickly on summer weekends. There are no lifeguards, so swim at your own risk; rip currents and waves can make swimming hazardous. There's also the Dune Ridge Trail, which might just be the most diverse short nature trail in the park. It runs over forested sand dunes, through Black Oak Savannas, and has terrific views of The Great Marsh and Lake Michigan. Highly recommend it if you have the time.

At the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, you can check out the educational displays, watch a few short films about the park, shop the bookstore, and talk to a park ranger. But my favorite thing about the Visitor Center is the Indigenous Cultural Trail. The National Park wants to honor the Indigenous Potawatomi and Miami People who called this land home, and educate visitors about their culture and contributions. The Indigenous Cultural trail shows just how connected they were to the diverse ecosystems of the park, creating an educational experience like no other. If you wanna learn more, just ask a ranger!

This place is popular, and can get busy! Depending on what time of year it is, or even the time of day, the park rangers may be out directing traffic. You may have to wait in line just to get in! Heads up: the state park requires a separete fee. If you want to check out the 3-Dune hiking challenge, then make your way to the Nature Center. Or, head straight for the beach. There, you'll find a large, art deco park pavilion with a general store and restaurants. There’s also a bird observatory west of the pavilion. If it’s winter, there’s a fantastic, 100-foot sledding hill near the pavilion called, The Devil’s Slide. And for the history fans, don’t miss the historical marker on the way to the pavilion, that marks the site of the 1780 Battle of Petit Fort.

The Bailly homestead is a National Historic Landmark, and was the home of Joseph and Marie Bailly. Joseph was one of the first settlers in this region, and established a trading post here in 1822. At one point, the Bailly homestead was the only stopping point for travelers between Chicago and Detroit. The Homestead is a collection of 5 different buildings, ranging from rustic log cabins and brick structures, to the imposing late 19th century main house.

The Chellbergs were Swedish Immigrants who purchased this land in 1869. Their original wooden farm house burned down in 1884, and they replaced it the next year with the brick house you can see today. And in the 1930s, they started making maple syrup. You’ll actually walk past the syrup shack on your way to the farm. Every March, the national park holds a maple syrup festival! And this is the only National Park in the country that makes its own maple syrup. Check the national park website calendar, because there are ranger programs that allow you to tour the old farmhouse, and even feed the cows, chickens, and goats on the farm!

This is a great beach and trail to observe birds in the spring and summer. And in the winter, you can see the shelf ice on Lake Michigan. The riverwalk is just under a mile, and is considered easy. You’ll also find the beach pavilion, which has snacks, gifts, restrooms, and ranger programs.

Welcome to West Beach, the biggest and busiest beach in the national park. Nestled along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, this beach provides something for everyone: sunbathing, swimming, beachcombing, birdwatching… There’s also a picnic area near the parking lot, and even a designated spot for dune climbing. There are hiking trails, like the Long Lake Loop, which winds through lush forests, wetlands, and rolling sand dunes. And then, there’s the Diana of the Dunes Dare. If you dare, you can take the one-mile Dune Succession Trail, which includes a strenuous climb up two hundred and seventy steps to the top of Diana’s Dune. Year-round restrooms and potable water are available at the parking lot. Seasonal restrooms, potable water, showers, and lockers are available at the bath house, and seasonal restrooms and potable water at the picnic area. Lifeguards are stationed at the swimming area in front of the bathhouse in summer months. Lifegaurds are on duty 10:00 am - 6:00 pm including set up and take down of equipment. There are 8 covered picnic shelters near the West Beach parking lot that are wheelchair accessible. Cooking fires at the picnic shelters are permitted in the provided grills or an approved carry-in grill. The parking lot is paved and has spots for 600 cars and 20 buses and RVs.