Visitors can access the national park via Interstate 94, the Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 80/90), U.S. Highway 12, U.S. Highway 20, Indiana State Road 49, and various other local roads. The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is located on Indiana State Road 49, between U.S. Highway 20 and Interstate 94 (1215 IN-49, Porter, IN 46304). For a driving map to the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center or other locations, check out our maps page.
The general areas of the park are open year-round. Please check individual areas for specific hours of operation.
Park Entrance - West Beach
Every Day:6:00 AM–9:00 PM
West Beach hours of operation
On average, the warmest month is July and the highest recorded temperature was 105F in 1934. The coolest month is January, with the lowest recorded temperature of -25F in 1985. June sees the most precipitation with an average rainfall of 4.66 Inches.
View lobby displays and pick up brochures about Porter County, Indiana, Dunes State Park, and Indiana Dunes National Park. Enjoy educational displays and watch two short orientation videos. Shop in the Eastern National bookstore. The visitor center is open everyday with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Current Hours (Winter Hours)
September 2–May 26
Every Day:8:30 AM–4:30 PM
The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center has reduced hours during the winter season, from the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend through the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend.
Standard Hours
Every Day:8:00 AM–6:00 PM
The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center is open daily with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Winter Hours
September 2–May 26
Every Day:8:30 AM–4:30 PM
The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center has reduced hours during the winter season, from the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend through the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend.
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is your gateway to the stunning Paul H. Douglas Trail through Miller Woods. This facility connects you to the natural environment through educational hands-on exhibits, ranger-guided hikes, lectures, animals, crafts, and a Nature Play Zone. Summer hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Time (Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Monday of Labor Day weekend). Winter hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Central Time.
Current Hours (Winter Hours)
September 2–May 26
Every Day:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education has reduced hours during the winter season, from the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend through the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend.
Standard Hours
Every Day:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education is open everyday with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Summer hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Time (Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday Labor Day weekend). Winter hours are from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Central Time (remainder of the year).
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Winter Hours
September 2–May 26
Every Day:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education has reduced hours during the winter season, from the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend through the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend.
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2026
9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Washington's Birthday
February 16, 2026
9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Memorial Day
May 26, 2025
9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Labor Day
September 1, 2025
9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Columbus Day
October 13, 2025
9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Veterans Day
November 11, 2025
9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
Public WiFi is available.
Free, public WiFi is available at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center located at 1215 North State Road 49, Porter, IN 46304. Cell service is dependent on the service provider throughout the park. There are some dead zones, especially along the shoreline and dunes, but generally service is good.
Stretching along 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan, this national park offers an incredible diversity of habitats and visitor experiences. Beyond the sandy beaches, explore rugged dunes, quiet forests and tranquil wetlands along 50 miles of hiking trails. World-class birding and over 1,100 native plant species makes this 15,000 acre park among the most biologically rich in the nation.
Browse through our helpful links to help you prepare for your visit:
Fees & Passes - Entrance fee information including options, prices, and how to pay.
Camping - Campgrounds at Indiana Dunes National Park.
Permits & Reservations - Fishing, boating, commercial use filming, photography, sound recording and special use activities such as weddings and First-Amendment activities.
Weather - Conditions from different locations in the park.
Pets - Information on authorized pet areas and equestrian information.
Goods & Services - Gas stations, medical services, post offices, etc.
Park Guide - Things to do, driving tours, beaches, maps, hiking, camping, FAQ’s and much more.
Safety - Important in any situation. Please visit our safety page to be ready and informed.
Trip Planning Guide - This guide will give you some key tips, links, and tools to help you "Plan like a Ranger" for your national park adventure!
