Paddling in Indiana Dunes National Park
- National Park
- Lakes
- 3
- Rivers
- 9
- Access
- 3
- Boat Ramps
- 0
- Shops
- 0
Indiana Dunes National Park sits on the south shore of Lake Michigan in northwest Indiana, where the Great Lakes meet the industrial edge of the Chicago metro.
The paddling here is defined by that geography: open Great Lakes water, a river corridor threading through wetlands, and a sheltered lagoon tucked against the dunes. These are fundamentally different water types, and they ask different things of the paddler.
Lake Michigan is the centerpiece and the most demanding water in the park. The lake is always changing — calm on a July morning, dangerous by afternoon when winds build and waves stack up.
Cold water is a year-round factor; even in summer, upwelling can push surface temperatures down to 50°F. Ore barges and freight vessels work the Port of Indiana, and they do not yield.
The NPS recommends sea kayaks for the Lake Michigan Water Trail and limits longer-distance travel to experienced paddlers. Stay within a few hundred yards of shore, know the forecast before you launch, and never go out without a PFD.
West Beach, off Mineral Springs Road in Portage, is the national park's most accessible Lake Michigan entry — a beach carry-in, no ramp.
The east branch of the Little Calumet River offers a different kind of challenge: moving water through wetland habitat, with sections requiring portage depending on where you put in.
The park has worked with the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association to open stretches of this river for recreation, and several public access sites have been developed along it. Skill and portage ability matter here.
Marquette Park Lagoons, a Gary park site adjacent to the national park, is the most forgiving water in the area — sheltered, accessible, and well-suited for watching birds and reading the dunes and oak savannas of Miller Woods from the water.
The lagoon has an accessible launch and dock. The park has its own rules that sit on top of state regulations. Personal watercraft — jet skis, Sea-Doos — are prohibited on all park waters.
Vessels must stay 500 feet from designated swimming beaches at West Beach and Indiana Dunes State Park Beach. A national park pass is required for boaters entering park waters; check with the park for current pass options.
One USCG-approved PFD per person is required on board.
Lake Michigan rewards the prepared paddler with a view that doesn't exist anywhere else in the national park system — dunes rising above the waterline, the Chicago skyline visible to the west on clear days, and the full weight of a Great Lake beneath you.
Earn it.
Top waters to paddle near Indiana Dunes National Park
Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to paddle Indiana Dunes National Park and check the forecast before you go.
No forecast data available.
Park alerts & road status
Closures and conditions Indiana Dunes National Park has posted, from the National Park Service.
Checking the park's alerts…
Hours & fees
When Indiana Dunes National Park is open and what it costs to get in, from the National Park Service.
Hours
The general areas of the park are open year-round. Please check individual areas for specific hours of operation.
Entrance fees
- Entrance - Motorcycle$20
- Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
- Entrance - Private Vehicle$25
- 7-Day Park Entrance Fee - Family-Size Vehicle Per private family-sized vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase).
- Entrance - Per Person$15
- 7-Day Per Person Entrance Fee (Organized, non-commercial groups) 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 Entrance - Sedan$25
- Entry for commercial sedans with 6 or less people. Cost is $25.00 plus $15 per person (not to exceed next highest rate).
- Commercial Entrance - Van$40
- Commercial Tour Fee - Van (7-15 persons) - $40.00 Entry for commercial vans with 7-15 people.
Parking & getting around
Where to leave the car in Indiana Dunes National Park. Lots fill early on busy days, so plan where you will park before you head for the water.
Central Avenue Beach
ClosedPaved parking lot with 68 parking spaces. 0 spaces are accessible. The beach is located 0.2 miles from the parking lot. 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.
Accessibility: The parking lot is paved. There are no accessible parking spaces.
Dunbar Beach
ClosedDunbar Beach parking lot is paved and has restroom and potable water facilities located within the parking lot. The beach is located across the street from the parking lot. 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.
Accessibility: The parking lot is paved, and the restroom and potable water facilities are accessible. The parking lot is on top of a hill and there are steps down to the beach.
Kemil Beach
ClosedThe parking lot is paved and there are restroom and potable water facilities located on site. The parking lot is located 0.2 miles from the beach. 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.
Accessibility: The parking lot is paved, and the restroom and potable water facilities are accessible. There is a paved sidewalk down to the beach, which is located 0.2 miles away.
Lake View
ClosedThe parking lot of Lake View is paved and accessible. Restroom and potable water facilities as well as a shelter are also accessible. There are stairs down to the beach. 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.
Accessibility: The parking lot, restroom and potable water facilities, and shelter are all accessible. There are steps down to the beach.
Mt. Baldy
ClosedThe parking lot is paved, and restroom and potable water facilities are located on site. The beach is located 0.33 miles from the parking lot via a rustic sandy trail. 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.
Accessibility: The parking lot and restroom and potable water facilities are accessible. The trail to the beach is not accessible.
Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk
ClosedPortage Lakefront and Riverwalk has 3 separate parking lots and has an accessible pavilion with restrooms and potable water facilities. 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.
Accessibility: The parking lot, pavilion, and restroom and potable water facilities are paved and accessible. There are some steep hills and stairs closer to the shoreline.
Porter Beach
ClosedPorter Beach has 2 parking lots. The North parking lot is closest to the Lake and has restroom and potable water facilities. The South parking lot is also paved. The North parking lot is located at the beach, and the South parking lot is located 0.15 miles from the beach. 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.
Accessibility: The North parking lot is paved and closest to the beach and accessible restroom and potable water facilities. The South parking lot is paved and is located 0.1 miles from the facilities.
West Beach
ClosedThe parking lot is paved and there are accessible restroom and potable water facilities located on site. The beach is located 0.3 to 0.5 miles from the parking lot via a paved access road. There are 12 accessible picnic shelters at the parking lot and an accessible bath house at the beach with a concessionaire. 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.
Getting around
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.
Directions on nps.govPaddle smarter with real-time insights
Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.
Paddling near Indiana Dunes National Park
Loading...
Gateway towns
Where to base yourself for paddling in Indiana Dunes National Park.
The main base town for the park, with lodging, dining, and the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center nearby.
- PorterIN
Sits close to park trail heads and beaches, with vacation rentals and quick access to multiple park entrances.
Eastern gateway to the park with the broadest range of hotels, restaurants, and shopping for visitors.
A small community inside the park boundary offering secluded lakefront vacation rentals steps from the beach.
Indiana Dunes National Park paddling rules
The park's own rules, on top of Indiana licenses and regulations. Limits, fees and closures change, so check the park's page before you go.
No Motorized Vessels from Park Beaches
Launching motorized vessels of any type from lands within Indiana Dunes National Park is prohibited. Only non-motorized boats like canoes, kayaks, and sailboats may launch from park beaches.
No Personal Watercraft Allowed
Jet Skis, Sea-Doos, and all other personal watercraft are prohibited within all waters and beaches of Indiana Dunes National Park. Park rangers patrol Lake Michigan by boat and enforce this rule.
Stay Clear of Swimming Beaches
Vessels must stay at least 500 feet from the shore of designated swimming beaches, including West Beach. Swimmers always have the right of way.
PFD Required for Every Passenger
Every person on board must have a US Coast Guard approved, properly sized personal flotation device. Never paddle Lake Michigan or park waterways without one.
Park Pass Required on the Water
A national park pass is required for boaters entering park waters for recreation. Check the park's site for current pass types and pricing.
West Beach Launch Restrictions
No boats may launch from West Beach's lifeguarded swimming area during the summer season. Outside that area, only non-motorized vessels without a mast may launch, and they must stay at least 100 yards from the swim zone.
Explore Indiana Dunes National Park
Top paddling waters
Popular Cities
Loading popular cities...
Smarter Paddling Starts in the App.
Paddleways gives you everything you need to plan smarter, paddle better, and own every trip from first launch to takeout.