May 2026 Activities
Indiana Dunes National Park has an entrance fee of $25 per car for a 1–7-day pass. A $45 annual pass for the national park is also available. Please purchase passes or pay the entrance fee at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, Paul H. Douglas Center, West Beach Entrance Station or at Rec.gov. Veterans/Military/Gold Star Family, Access, and 4th Grade passes are available for free. For more information on national park passes visit the fees & passes page.
Fee Free Day:
Monday, May 25, will be fee free at all National Park sites in celebration of Memorial Day. Fee free days only apply to locations within Indiana Dunes National Park, NOT Indiana Dunes State Park.
Fee free days only apply to locations within Indiana Dunes National Park, NOT Indiana Dunes State Park.
Special Event
Logs to Lustrons Historic Home Tour at Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
Saturday, May 2
All Day
Immerse yourself in the park’s rich history and step through time as you explore a handful of the historic sites that are left nestled among the sand dunes, from log cabins to Mid-Century Modern houses. Tickets are required and are available on www.indianalandmarks.org. This program is made possible through the support of Indiana Landmarks.
Art in the National Park with the Art Barn at the Paul H. Douglas Center
Saturday, May 9
1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Learn how to paint your own bird-inspired painting with local artists from the Art Barn. Reservations are required at www.recreation.gov. There is a $25 fee for the program.
Mary Ann Pals Artist-in-Residence Birding Presentation at the Paul H. Douglas Center
Saturday, May 16
1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Join Mary Ann Pals, a local pastel and charcoal artist, for a presentation on Mt Baldy Sentinel (Bald Eagle resting on a branch at the top of an oak tree) in honor of the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival. Learn about her experience while she was an Artist-in-Residence. The presentation will be followed by a birding hike with park rangers and Mary Ann.
Indiana Dunes Birding Festival at Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
Wednesday May 14 - Sunday, May 17
All Day
The Indiana Dunes Birding Festival is an annual event hosted by Indiana Audubon that showcases the abundance of migratory birds in the Indiana Dunes. Tickets are required and are available on www.indunesbirdingfestival.com. This program is made possible through the support of Indiana Audubon.
Weekday
Music Heritage Series Concert at Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
Friday, May 15
7:30 pm–9:00 pm
Immerse yourself in an unforgettable evening of music and melody with Save the Tunes, a dedicated collective of local musicians, passionate about keeping folk songs alive with an array of traditional instruments. Don’t miss this chance to experience the rich sounds and stories of our musical heritage!
Movie Screening: Memorial Day Movie at Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
Monday, May 26
1:00 pm–2:00 pm
Enjoy a special a screening of Vietnam Nurses in the Visitor Center’s auditorium. The documentary chronicles the important role that nurses played during the Vietnam war.
Saturday
Chellberg Farm Open House at Chellberg Farmhouse
Every Saturday in May
1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Stop by the historic Chellberg Farm to tour the farmhouse and visit the animals. Rangers and volunteers will be on site to share the area’s history. This program is sponsored by Friends of Indiana Dunes. For more information on how to join, visit dunefriends.org.
Stargazing at Kemil Beach at Kemil Beach Parking Lot
Saturday, May 2
8:00 pm–10:00 pm
Join Michiana Astronomical Society and fellow astronomy lovers to enjoy our night sky from one of the darkest spots in the Indiana Dunes National Park. Telescopes will be provided for your viewing pleasure. For safety purposes and to ensure parking, please arrive early.
1966 Hiking Challenge: Hike Every Trail in the Park — Meet at the Trailhead Parking Lot, All hikes start at 8:00 am
- Saturday, May 2 - Hobart Woodland Trail (from Robinson Lake) (2.2 miles)
- Saturday, May 9 - Great Marsh Trail and Beverly Drive to the west (4 miles)
- Saturday, May 16 - Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk (1.5 miles)
- Saturday, May 23 - Miller Woods (Paul H. Douglas Center) (3.4 miles)
- Saturday, May 30 - Pinhook Bog Trail and Pinhook Upland Trail (3 miles)
Hike all of the trails in the National Park. The challenge will take place over the course of the summer with each week featuring a new trail. There will be a total of 19 hikes covering 66 miles to honor the year the park was established. Can’t make all of the guided hikes? Look on our website for a link to 1966 Hiking Challenge.
Sunday
Chellberg Farm Open House at Chellberg Farmhouse
Every Sunday in May
1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Stop by the historic Chellberg Farm to tour the farmhouse and visit the animals. Rangers and volunteers will be on site to share the area’s history. This program is sponsored by Friends of Indiana Dunes. For more information on how to join, visit dunefriends.org.
Mother’s Day Woodland Wildflower Hike at Heron Rookery East Parking Lot
Sunday, May 10
1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Go explore the Little Calumet River flood plain and its great diversity of spring wildflowers. We’ll be listening to the spring songs of birds and frogs. Meet in the Heron Rookery parking lot. Be prepared for muddy conditions.
Music Heritage Series Concert at Chellberg Farm Chellberg Farm
Sunday, May 24
5:00 pm–6:00 pm
Come out for a night of music and song. The Save the Tunes Council is a group of local musicians devoted to preserving and passing on folk songs using a variety of traditional musical instruments.
Education and Outreach
Ranger-Guided Education and Outreach Programs Parkwide
Available dates and times vary and are listed on the website.
Is your school or organization interested in a ranger-guided program or outreach opportunity? Please visit Indiana Dunes National Park’s education webpage for more information and instructions on how to request these experiences.
Volunteering - Drop In
Volunteer Office Open Hours Volunteer Office
Tuesday-Saturday, Open by appointment
Thursdays, Open 9:00 am–3:00 pm
The Volunteer Office will no longer be open on Wednesdays and will be open on Thursdays. Appointments are still available Tuesday through Saturday. To set up an appointment, call or text us at (219) 221-7098, or email us at indu_volunteer@nps.gov.
Trash Trekkers Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and Douglas Center
Visitor Center
Daily 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Douglas Center – Wednesday-Sundays 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Lend a hand with our drop-in litter cleanup program. Simply check in at the Visitor Center to receive trash bags, then choose from one of our many beach areas or hiking trails to collect trash. Participants can earn a free, reusable water bottles for filling up their bags. Please leave trash at a trash can on the site you hiked.
Porter Beach Restoration Porter Beach Parking Lot
Saturday, May 2
9:00 am–12:00 pm
Team up with staff and fellow volunteers to give your local National Park some extra care and attention!
Equipment and protective gear will be provided - just bring your energy and love for the great outdoors. Let us know you’re coming by calling (219) 221-7098 or email us.
Drop-in Volunteering Chellberg Farm Care Chellberg Parking Lot
Saturday, May 16
9:00 am–12:00 pm
Work with a ranger and fellow volunteers to help care for the park’s historic farm. Dress comfortably and get ready to roll up your sleeves—work gloves and equipment will be provided.
*These programs are sponsored by the Friends of Indiana Dunes, a non-profit group that is dedicated to enhancing and foster understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the Indiana Dunes through the sponsorship of special educational programs and events throughout the park. For more information on how to get become a member, visit dunefriends.org
