Thing to Do

Swimming at Indiana Dunes West Beach

Indiana Dunes National Park

Person surfing the waves around sunset at Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk.

Fifteen miles of sandy beach along the southern shore of Lake Michigan offer a wide variety of recreational activities. Whether it's enjoying a summer sunset stroll or marveling at the arctic beauty of Lake Michigan's shelf ice, you can enjoy the beach in all seasons.

There are several beach parking lots along the Indiana Dunes National Park. All beaches and parking lots are open daily, have restrooms, and potable water. Additionally, West Beach has showers and lifeguards from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through the Monday of Labor Day weekend.

Passes are required at all beaches. For more information, visit the Fees & Passes page.

Beach parking lots fill up very quickly on summer weekends and holidays. See below for information on parking lot busy times. Several lots including Lake View, Dunbar, Kemil, Porter and Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk fill up as early as mid-morning. It's best to arrive early or wait until late afternoon when parking spots become available as visitors depart. West Beach's lot holds nearly 600 cars and rarely fills up except on holiday weekends.

Tips

Prohibited Activities on the Beach

  • The removal of natural items such as rocks, shells, and fossils.
  • Wood and charcoal fires on the beach. West Beach and Lake View Beach do have dedicated grills in the picnic areas.
  • Glass containers on all beaches.
  • Pet rules differ for each beach area. Please visit the Pet Information Page.
  • Launching, landing or operating any unmanned aircraft (e.g. model airplanes, quadcopters, drones) on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Indiana Dunes National Park except as approved in writing by the superintendent.

Beach-going Tips

  • Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and insect repellent. Wear a hat, shoes and sunglasses.
  • Stay on marked trails to protect the plants and animals of the dunes.
  • Stay out of the water when rip current warnings are posted.
  • Stay off the shelf ice. It is full of hidden, thin spots and gaps that people can fall through.
  • Stay out of the water when signs are posted to alert you to high bacteria counts. The bacteria may harm your health.
  • Watch for strong winds blowing away from the beach that can hijack rafts and beach toys.
  • Do not feed the gulls or other birds. Human food is unhealthy and encourages them to flock. When they flock, they make the beach dirty.

Swimming Safety Tips

  • Use caution when swimming in Lake Michigan. The bottom is uneven with holes and deep drop-offs. These inshore holes are very dangerous to small children and non-swimmers.
  • The only beach with lifeguards is West Beach.
  • Parents and guardians must keep a constant watch of children in the water.
  • Stay out of the water when there are high, breaking waves and rip currents.
  • Rip currents are caused by a sudden break in an offshore sandbar that releases water rapidly back into the lake. Rip current conditions often occur when the wind is out of the north. These dangerous currents can also occur in waters adjacent to seawalls, artificial reefs, and erosion control structures; stay clear of these areas. Obey posted and verbal rip current warnings.
  • If being pulled out into deeper water by a forceful, unexpected rip current, DO NOT PANIC. Follow the rip current or try to swim out of it by swimming parallel to shore until the pull outward into deeper water subsides.
Details
These are suggested duration times and should not be used as personal measures of your time spent swimming. These are also not related to opening and closing times of the beach. 

Prohibited Activities on the Beach

  • The removal of natural items such as rocks, shells, and fossils.
  • Wood and charcoal fires on the beach. West Beach and Lake View Beach do have dedicated grills in the picnic areas.
  • Glass containers on all beaches.
  • Pet rules differ for each beach area. Please visit the Pet Information Page.
  • Launching, landing or operating any unmanned aircraft (e.g. model airplanes, quadcopters, drones) on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Indiana Dunes National Park except as approved in writing by the superintendent.

Beach-going Tips

  • Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and insect repellent. Wear a hat, shoes and sunglasses.
  • Stay on marked trails to protect the plants and animals of the dunes.
  • Stay out of the water when rip current warnings are posted.
  • Stay off the shelf ice. It is full of hidden, thin spots and gaps that people can fall through.
  • Stay out of the water when signs are posted to alert you to high bacteria counts. The bacteria may harm your health.
  • Watch for strong winds blowing away from the beach that can hijack rafts and beach toys.
  • Do not feed the gulls or other birds. Human food is unhealthy and encourages them to flock. When they flock, they make the beach dirty.

Swimming Safety Tips

  • Use caution when swimming in Lake Michigan. The bottom is uneven with holes and deep drop-offs. These inshore holes are very dangerous to small children and non-swimmers.
  • The only beach with lifeguards is West Beach.
  • Parents and guardians must keep a constant watch of children in the water.
  • Stay out of the water when there are high, breaking waves and rip currents.
  • Rip currents are caused by a sudden break in an offshore sandbar that releases water rapidly back into the lake. Rip current conditions often occur when the wind is out of the north. These dangerous currents can also occur in waters adjacent to seawalls, artificial reefs, and erosion control structures; stay clear of these areas. Obey posted and verbal rip current warnings.
  • If being pulled out into deeper water by a forceful, unexpected rip current, DO NOT PANIC. Follow the rip current or try to swim out of it by swimming parallel to shore until the pull outward into deeper water subsides.
For details about pets in the park, including our B.A.R.K. Ranger program, see our Pets Page.

7-Day Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle Pass - $20.00
Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase)

7-Day Park Entrance Pass - Family-Size Vehicle Pass - $25.00
Per private family-sized vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase).

7-Day Per Person Entrance Pass (Organized, non-commercial groups) - $15.00
Visitors 16 years of age or older who enter on foot, bicycle, boat, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.

Commercial Tour Fee - Sedan (1-6 persons) - $25.00
Entry for commercial sedans with 6 or less people. Cost is $25.00 plus $15 per person (not to exceed next highest rate).

Commercial Tour Fee - Van (7-15 persons) - $40.00
Entry for commercial vans with 7-15 people.

Commercial Tour Fee - Mini Bus (16-25 persons) - $40.00
Entry for commercial mini bus with 16-25 people.

Commercial Tour Fee - Motor Coach (26+ persons) - $100.00
Entry for commercial motor coaches with 26+ persons.


For the most current information on our fee program, see our Fees and Passes page. 
West Beach Parking Lot
376 North County Line Road, Gary, IN 46403
Reservations
No
Season
Summer
Time of Day
Day
Accessibility Information
The trail to the beach is paved. Beach sand wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis during the peak season. Let the staff know at the entrance kiosk that you require a sand chair.  

Indiana Dunes National Park

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Swimmers in Lake Michigan at sunset.
Swimmers at sunset.

NPS Photo Collection

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Lat: 41.622934 Long: -87.207747

Beaches

Showing results 1-9 of 9

  • Indiana Dunes National Park

    Porter Beach

    • Locations: Indiana Dunes National Park
    Beach scene on Lake Michigan. White caps roll into shore beneath a blue sky with white clouds.

    Porter Beach provides excellent swimming and sunbathing opportunities with access to two parking lots and facilities close to the beach.

  • Indiana Dunes National Park

    Dunbar Beach

    • Locations: Indiana Dunes National Park
    The sun sets along the lake. A range colors from golds to blue fill the sky.

    Dunbar Beach is a popular destination to go swimming, walking the shoreline, or sit and sunbathe. A paved parking lot and facilities are located one block away from the shoreline.

  • Indiana Dunes National Park

    West Beach

    • Locations: Indiana Dunes National Park
    Green blades of marram grass stick out of the yellow sandy beach near the shoreline.

    West Beach is the most popular destination in the National Park each summer. Lifeguards, a bathhouse, hiking trails, picnic shelters, and a large parking lot make this the idea destination on those hot summer days.

  • Indiana Dunes National Park

    Kemil Beach

    • Locations: Indiana Dunes National Park
    Snow covers the ground. Yellow blades of marram grass poke through.

    Kemil Beach is an excellent destination to swim, soak up the sun, or watch the stars at night. Facilities and a paved parking lot are located just a block away from the shoreline.

  • Indiana Dunes National Park

    Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Pavilion

    • Locations: Indiana Dunes National Park
    Photo of Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Pavilion.

    This 3,500 square foot public pavilion includes restrooms, a seasonal snack bar, and a glass walled classroom/meeting space.

  • Indiana Dunes National Park

    Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Beach

    • Locations: Indiana Dunes National Park
    Photo of canoes sitting on Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk shoretline.

    Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk was opened in October 2008. The redevelopment of the site, formerly used by a steel corporation as settling ponds for industrial byproduct and a sewage treatment facility, is a successful model of brownfield reclamation.The land, buildings, and facilities at the site are owned by the National Park Service and operated in partnership with the City of Portage.

  • Indiana Dunes National Park

    Lake View Beach

    • Locations: Indiana Dunes National Park
    View of Lake Michigan beach at sunset with a hazy red sun on the horizon with a blue cloudy sky

    Lake View provides excellent views of the Lake, shoreline, and on clear days, Chicago. There is a large covered shelter here overlooking the beaches. Facilities are located just steps away from the sand. Parking is limited, be sure to park in the National Park's parking lot.

  • Indiana Dunes National Park

    Mt. Baldy Beach

    • Locations: Indiana Dunes National Park
    A lone cottonwood tree with deep green leaves emerge from the yellow sand along the shoreline.

    Mt. Baldy is the tallest moving sand dune in the National Park. The dune itself is closed, but the beaches are open. Facilities and parking are located less than 0.5 miles from the beach. Walk along the shoreline, enjoy breathtaking views of the Lake, dunes, and Michigan City Harbor.

  • Indiana Dunes National Park

    Central Avenue Beach

    • Locations: Indiana Dunes National Park
    Waves crash against the shoreline. Green blades of marram grass grow in a large cluster feet away.

    Central Avenue Beach features towering sand dunes backed up against the shoreline. Parking is located just a couple blocks from the beach. The beachfront here is an excellent place to walk along the shoreline and take in the impressive dune formations.

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Beach Parking Lots

Parking lots can fill up fast during the peak summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day).

Parking Lot

Central Avenue Beach

  • 68 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 41.701488, -86.948473
Open
Usually Very Busy Now
Paved parking lot with 68 parking spaces. 0 spaces are accessible. An entrance pass, annual pass, or lifetime is needed to park in this lot. Visit https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/fees.htm for more information.

Parking Lot

Dunbar Beach

  • 24 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 41.683551, -87.002856
Open
Usually Very Busy Now
Dunbar Beach parking lot is paved and has facilities located within the parking lot.

Parking Lot

Kemil Beach

  • 96 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 41.677357, -87.00895
Open
Usually Very Busy Now
The parking lot is paved and there are facilities located on site.

Parking Lot

Lake View

  • 25 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 41.686222, -86.996077
Open
Usually Very Busy Now
The parking lot of Lake View is paved and accessible. Facilities and a shelter are also accessible. There are stairs down to the beach.

Parking Lot

Mt. Baldy

  • 89 total spaces
  • 3 oversized spaces
  • 41.706852, -86.929907
Open
Usually Very Busy Now
The parking lot is paved and facilities are located on site.

Parking Lot

Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk

  • 97 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 41.630994, -87.178383
Open
Usually Busy Now
Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk has 3 separate parking lots.

Parking Lot

Porter Beach

  • 65 total spaces
  • 0 oversized spaces
  • 41.660272, -87.069387
Open
Usually Very Busy Now
Porter Beach has 2 parking lots. The North parking lot is closest to the Lake and facilities. The South parking lot is gravel, which is closed for construction until further notice due to a paving project at the site.

Parking Lot

West Beach

  • 655 total spaces
  • 50 oversized spaces
  • 41.622934, -87.207747
Open
Usually Very Busy Now

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Last updated: June 27, 2022