Indiana Dunes State Park

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Parks

Indiana

Nearby: Thomas Centennial Park Imagination Glen Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Indiana Dunes State Park is located in the state of Indiana, along the southern shore of Lake Michigan.

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Summary

The park covers over 2,000 acres of sand dunes, forests, and wetlands. The park is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching, fishing, and camping.

One of the main reasons to visit the Indiana Dunes State Park is to explore the diverse ecosystems that exist within the park. The park is home to over 350 species of birds, 45 species of mammals, and countless species of plants and insects. Hiking trails wind through the park, offering visitors the chance to explore the sand dunes, forests, and wetlands.

There are several points of interest within the park, including the Indiana Dunes Nature Center, which offers exhibits and educational programs about the park's ecology and history. Visitors can also explore the park's beaches, which offer opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing.

Interesting facts about Indiana Dunes State Park include that it was established in 1925 and is one of the oldest state parks in Indiana. The park is also home to Mount Baldy, a 126-foot sand dune that moves about four feet per year.

The best time of year to visit Indiana Dunes State Park is from May to September when the weather is warm and the park offers a range of recreational activities. However, the park is also open year-round, and winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Overall, Indiana Dunes State Park offers visitors the chance to experience the natural beauty of the Indiana Dunes and explore a range of ecosystems and outdoor activities.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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