Indiana Dunes State Park
Indiana Dunes State Park sits about an hour from downtown Chicago in Chesterton, Indiana, covering 2,182 acres along more than three miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. The park combines a guarded swimming beach with a full trail network through towering sand dunes, some rising nearly 200 feet, and a campground located within hiking distance of the dunes themselves. It's one of Indiana's oldest state parks, established in 1925, and remains a serious draw for both casual beach visitors and dedicated hikers tackling the multi-mile Three Dune Challenge.
What people praise
- Beach access is staffed with lifeguards and includes a pavilion with food and drink options
- Trail network is well marked and covers everything from short dune climbs to a 9-plus mile day hike
- Campground sits close enough to hike directly into the dunes from the tent sites
- Bathrooms and facilities described as large and cleaned regularly
Worth knowing
- Campsites book up roughly six months in advance, so last-minute trips are unlikely to land a spot
- Tent sites offer limited privacy compared to more spread-out private campgrounds
Our take: The deepest review history near Chicago by a wide margin, and the rating holds up at real scale. The default pick if beach access and serious hiking both matter to your trip.
