Special Use Permits

Gatherings and commercial activities in national parks often require a special use permit. The purpose of these permits is to ensure the protection of the park’s natural and cultural resources, as well as to minimize conflicts between park visitors and your guests.

Examples of permitted activities include:

• Commercial filming and photography
• Any ground-disturbing activities
• First Amendment events
• Weddings (and similar gatherings)

General information on acquiring permits:

• Permits must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the proposed event.
• The application must include a check or money order for $50 made out to "National Park Service". This is a non-refundable payment of permit processing costs.
• Additional charges, proof of liability insurance and payment of surety bond may apply.
• Submission of an application is not a gurantee that the activity will be approved.

If you are not sure that your event requires a permit or have other questions, contact:

Stephanie Purcell
Resource & Visitor Protection, 
Administrative Assistant
219 395-1644

Click here to download a special use application.

Powerless Flight/Hang-Gliding/Para-Gliding Permit

Permits are issued in by the Chief Ranger's Office of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. To obtain a powerless flight permit you need valid USHPA certification card and photo ID. There is a $25.00 application fee payable by check or money order made out to: National Park Service.

In Person: Bring certification card, photo ID and application fee to Chief Rangers Office 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday (excluding holidays) located in the Headquarters building at 1100 N. Mineral Springs Road, Porter, Indiana 46304. 219-395-1644

By Mail: Send copies of certification card and photo ID along with the application fee to: Chief Rangers Office, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 1100 N. Mineral Springs Road, Porter, Indiana 46304

Flights permitted from the second Saturday in September through April 30. The complete guidelines are outline in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's Superintendent's Compendium

Smelt Season Fire Permit

To make a fire while smelting during the smelt season, obtain a required smelt season fire permit at the Bailly Ranger Station during normal business hours. The Bailly Ranger Station is located at 1100 N. Mineral Springs Rd., Porter, IN 46403, 219-395-1077.

The smelting rules are:

• Closure hours are waived only for those actively engaged in smelt fishing.
• Vehicles must be parked in designated areas only.
• Wood gathering is prohibited.
• Fires are permitted in "approved containers" [see Section 2.13 for description] only. No ground fires are permitted. Warming fires are permitted only on the beach between the lake and the toe of the first dune. Warming fires shall not be placed within ten feet of flammable materials. 
• All trash, fire remains, and entrails must be carried out.
• A Smelt Season Fire Permit must be in the subject's possession while smelt fishing.
• All State fishing laws are applicable.

The areas where smelting can be done are:

• Miller Woods Beach west of Lake Street (Gary, Indiana);
• Ogden Dunes Beach;
• Bailly Beach;
• Porter Beach; and
• NPS beach areas from Kemil Beach, east to Lakeshore County Road, and associated NPS parking lots.