Permits & Reservations

 

Rental on the Lake

Portage Lakefront Classroom Click Here for information

 

Fee and Reservation Information

Fees

A valid entrance pass or reciept is required for all visitors, including permit holders. For more information on fees and passes, including locations to purchase, go to the fees and passes page.

Reservations

Most common reservation inquiries:

• All 67 sites at the Dunewood Campground are reservable in advance at www.recreation.gov starting six months in before the check-in date. Sites are reservable beginning on November 15 for the following camping season. For more information call [phone].
• The Dunbar Group Site is reservable in advance at www.recreation.gov starting six months before the check-in date. The site can hold up to 30 people and 10 tents. For more information call [phone].

• Picinic Shelters have both reservable and first come, first served based locations. For more information call [phone].

 

Application Links

• Short Special Park Use Application
• Long Special Park Use Application
• Short Filming/Photography Application
• Long Filming/Photography Application
• First Amendment Application

Special Use Permits

Special Park Use Permits (SUP) are for activities that take place within a national park outside typical and ordinary visitor use. These events may include gatherings and activities such as sports events, pageants, regattas, public spectator attractions, entertainments, ceremonies, and other similar events. Special Park Use activities inside the park require written authorization from the National Park Service in the form of a Special Use Permit, or a Commercial Use Authorization before the event or activity takes place.

• Please contact the Permit Office by e-mailing us with any questions.
• A valid entrance pass or reciept is required for all visitors, including permit holders. For more information on fees and passes, including locations to purchase, go to the fees and passes page.
• Follow this link for the park's Special Park Use Freqently Asked Questions.

Permit Applications

Permit applications must be submitted at least 30 days, and up to twelve (12) months, before the proposed event. Your application must include a non-refundable payment for the costs of processing the application. Please submit your payment as a check or money order made out to the National Park Service. The payment is $65.00 for simple activities and $200.00 for more complex events. Additional charges may also apply. Submitting an application does not guarantee the activity will be approved.

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All completed permit applications, including film, photography, and special use requests can be sent either electronically to e-mail us or mailed to:
Indiana Dunes National Park
ATTN: Commercial Services Office
1100 N. Mineral Springs Road
Porter, IN 46304

 

Special Use Permits

Special Use Permit activities can include, but are not limited to:

Weddings

Whether you are planning a small intimate wedding or the extravagant wedding of your dreams, Indiana Dunes National Park offers many unique locations with one of a kind scenery.

Our park sites provide both an indoor and outdoor setting for magical moments while enjoying the beautiful vistas Lake Michian has to offer.

Persons interested in hosting a wedding ceremony will find answers to the most common questions on this link: Indiana Dunes National Park Wedding FAQ Link

Special Events

Special events include but are not limited to aid stations, corporate events, family gatherings, festivals, parties, large picnics, public spectator attractions, trail runs, basecamps or vehicle parking, car shows and other non-visitor activities on park land.

Additional Information

• A group size of 25 or more people and/or 10 vehicles requires a permit.

• Events with fewer than 25 people may require a permit.

• Any type of gathering with catering, or significant equipment will require a permit, regardless of size.
• You will require a permit If you want to enter a closed building.

• All picnic tables in the park are first come, first served and cannot be reserved.

• Same day set up and clean-up are required.

• If the requested dates and activity can be accommodated, the cost recovery will be based on the total number of people and complexity and time needed for the event, set-up and clean up.

• Sites are available from 8:00 a.m. until sunset.

• A ranger will be assigned to monitor the event. Depending on the size/complexity of the event additional monitors may be required.

• Rangers services are from $60.00/hr to $100.00/hr for one monitor plus administrative and maintenance recovery costs.

• The applicant is responsible for cleaning the event areas and parking lot at the event’s conclusion.

• Directional signs must be free standing and not interfere with traffic or safety signs.

Additional documents may be required for complex events:

• Traffic Control

• Emergency Medical Plan (EMS)

• Event Schedule

• List of vendors

• List of equipment and supplies

• List of event personnel (i.e. name, position, title, phone number)

• Event Plan
• Map of event setup (race course route, event layout, etc.)

Scattering of Ashes

The scattering of ashes requires a permit, there are no fees but the Office of Special Park Uses will set conditions according to 36 CFR §2.62(b) such as:

• Ashes from Cremated Human Cremains must be scattered in a manner so as to disperse their identity.
• Ashes must be pulverized before being scattered.
• The placement of any monument or marker recognizing the scattering of cremated human remains is prohibited.
•  must be away from developed areas (facilities, buildings, parking lots, trailheads, campgrounds, picnic areas);
  • cannot be on any trail or road;
  • must be at least 25 feet from any trail or road; and
  • must be at least 100 yards from any body of water including the Little Calumet River and Lake Michigan.
• You must provide the park's Permit Coordinator with the exact area where the cremated remains will be scattered (GPS Coordinates are preferred), as well as the date and time the activity will take place.
• Group size will be limited to no more than 25 people.
• You cannot go off trail/road to scatter cremated remains in park areas where Marram grass is planted.
• You cannot move or remove any park resources, including soil, rocks, branches, or plants, to scatter the cremated remains.
• Birds, butterflies, balloons, or other objects, either natural or artificial, may not be released in conjunction with the scattering of cremated remains within the park.
• 36 CFR §2.62(a) Authorization from the Director of the National Park Service is required to install a monument, memorial, tablet, structure, or other commemorative installation in a park area.

First Amendment/Demonstrations

First Amendment activities such as public assemblies, meetings, gatherings, demonstrations, parades and other public expressions of views and opinions are managed and regulated under 36 CFR § 2.51, DO/RM-53 and the Indiana Dunes National Park Superintendent's Compendium. Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are rights protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. People may exercise these rights peacefully in national parks, but the National Park Service retains as its highest priority the protection of park visitors and resources. Therefore, the National Park Service requires a permit for most First Amendment activities in order to establish the location, time, number of participants, and other general conditions under which such events may occur. Demonstrations are allowed within park designated areas. The content of First Amendment activities is not regulated, and the opinions expressed by permittees do not necessarily reflect the vision, mission and/or policy of the National Park Service.

Designated First Amendment areas are located within the Superintendent's Compendium.

Please email us regarding any questions or comments related to First Amendment permits.

A permit is required for First Amendment activities that meet any of the following criteria:

• Groups larger than 25 participants
• Utilizes significant equipment including generators, platforms, tents, etc.

A group of 25 people or less is not required to obtain a First Amendment Permit if they do not meet the criteria above, but they are encouraged to get one as a permit will prevent another group from reserving the area.

Examples of First Amendment Activities:

• Religious services
• Political speeches
• Press conferences
• Public demonstration, picketing, assembly or rally expressing opinions and views

Type of Activities Not Covered by the First Amendment:

• Church picnic or social gathering
• Wedding ceremonies or receptions
• Political fundraiser or other invitation-only political activity or event
• Solicitation of donations
• Community parades, athletics, or sporting events

First Amendment permits are issued at no cost to the permittee. Many of the activities not covered by the First Amendment can be accommodated through a Special Use Permit for which cost recovery will be charged.  Please fill out the First Amendment Demonstration and Distribution Application.

Powerless Flight / Hang-Gliding / Paragliding

Due to ongoing dune restoration efforts, flight permits are suspended. New permits are not available and current permits are suspended. We will post updated information as conditions change.

Smelt Season Fire

Smelt fishing fire permits are no longer available and fires are no longer allowed in the park except in places designated in the Superintendent's Compendium. Visitors are still able to smelt fish during posted hours at various locations throughout the park. 

 

Filming and Photography

Filming & Still Photography Permits

The NPS is evaluating the provisions of the recently enacted EXPLORE Act and will manage filming and photography in park areas consistent with the new law. Individuals and groups engaging in filming and photography remain subject to all other laws and regulations that protect resources and visitors in park areas. The NPS will be updating its filming and still photography website with the most current information about implementation of the EXPLORE Act.

Permit applications must be submitted at least 30 days, and up to twelve (12) months, before the proposed filming activity.

When is a permit needed?

Please contact the park for information about filming.

Price v. Barr had no impact on how the National Park Service regulates still photography, so there are no changes in how the National Park Service regulates that activity. Still photographers require a permit only when:

1. the activity takes place at location(s) where or when members of the public are generally not allowed; or

2. the activity uses model(s), sets(s), or prop(s) that are not a part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities; or

3. a park would incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity.

How do I apply for a permit?

You should submit a completed application along with the application fee to the park where you want to photograph as far in advance of your planned date as possible. In addition, you should request a meeting with park staff if your proposed activity is unusual or complex. Early consultation with park staff will help them process the submitted application in a timely manner.  Please send your completed application to e-mail us.

What fees will I have to pay?

Federal law requires the National Park Service to recover its administrative costs for filming and still photography activities that require a permit. Cost recovery includes an application fee and any additional charges to cover the costs incurred by the National Park Service in processing your request and monitoring the permitted activities. This amount will vary depending on the park and the size and complexity of the permitted activities. The application fee must be submitted with your application. 

In addition, Federal law also requires the National Park Service to collect a location fee that provides a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands for filming and still photography requiring a permit. The National Park Service uses the following fee schedules for filming and photography: 

Filming

• 1–2 people, camera & tripod only - $0/day 

• 1–10 people - $150/day 

• 11–30 people - $250/day 

• 31–49 people - $500/day 

• Over 50 people - $750/day 

Still Photography 

• 1–10 people - $50/day 

• 11–30 people - $150/day 

• Over 30 people - $250/day 

Are there other permit requirements?

You may be required to obtain liability insurance naming the United States as additionally insured in an amount commensurate with the risk posed to park resources by your proposed activity. You may also be asked to post a bond to ensure the payment of all charges and fees and the restoration of the area if necessary.

What about photography workshops?

If you are planning a photography workshop, you may need a commercial use authorization. See the commercial use authorization page for more information.

Should you wish to conduct other business in the park such as guided activities or services, please see commercial use authorization page for more information.

If you are not sure your activity needs a permit, which application to use or have other questions, please contact the Commercial Services Office by emailing us.

 

Waiver Requests

Requests submitted to reserve park facilities at no cost will only be approved if they align with the park mission and are authorized within existing Partnership Agreements. Approved uses would be resource-based, about the park, with a natural and/or cultural resource concentration. Programming conducted in full collaboration with National Park Service personnel shall be recognized as official park operations and, as such, exempt from any associated fees. Requests for the use of park facilities beyond programming as described above will be subject to applicable requirements, including but not limited to special use permits, reservation fees, or short-term lease fees, in accordance with policies governing those programs.