Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$100.00Commercial Tour Fee - Motor Coach (26+ persons) - $100.00 Entry for commercial motor coaches with 26+ persons.
IN
Indiana Dunes National Park
Hours
Open daily · 6:00AM - 11:00PM
Entrance Fee
$25.00
Entrance - Private Vehicle
Trailie
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Indiana Dunes at a glance
- Best time
- February–May, September–December
- Trip length
- 1–2 days
- Don't miss
- 1966 Hiking Challenge
- Nearby city
- Porter, IN
Explore this park
About Indiana Dunes National Park
Lake Michigan beaches, dune climbs, and Chicago weekend access make it approachable.
Lake Michigan's might has influenced Indiana Dunes for millennia. Wind and waves have shaped the land, leaving a rich mosaic of habitats along these 15 miles of Indiana coast. Over 50 miles of trails lead through shifting sand dunes, quiet woodlands, sunny prairies and lush wetlands. Known for its striking plant and bird diversity, it's easy to find inspiration throughout the park’s 16,000 acres.
Weather Information
On average, the warmest month is July and the highest recorded temperature was 105F in 1934. The coolest month is January, with the lowest recorded temperature of -25F in 1985. June sees the most precipitation with an average rainfall of 4.66 Inches.
Entrance Fees
Commercial Entrance - Van
$40.00Commercial Tour Fee - Van (7-15 persons) - $40.00 Entry for commercial vans with 7-15 people.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$40.00Commercial Tour Fee - Mini Bus (16-25 persons) - $40.00 Entry for commercial mini bus with 16-25 people.
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$25.007-Day Park Entrance Fee - Family-Size Vehicle Per private family-sized vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from date of purchase).
Commercial Entrance - Sedan
$25.00Entry for commercial sedans with 6 or less people. Cost is $25.00 plus $15 per person (not to exceed next highest rate).
Entrance - Motorcycle
$20.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.007-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.
Operating Hours
Indiana Dunes National Park general areas
The general areas of the park are open year-round. Please check individual areas for specific hours of operation.
- Monday6:00AM - 11:00PM
- Tuesday6:00AM - 11:00PM
- Wednesday6:00AM - 11:00PM
- Thursday6:00AM - 11:00PM
- Friday6:00AM - 11:00PM
- Saturday6:00AM - 11:00PM
- Sunday6:00AM - 11:00PM
West Beach
West Beach hours of operation
- Monday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Tuesday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Wednesday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Thursday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Friday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Saturday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Sunday6:00AM - 9:00PM
Entrance Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$45.00Indiana Dunes National Park Annual Pass This pass provides entry for the pass owner(s) and passengers in a family-sized vehicle. This pass only works at the Indiana Dunes National Park and is not accepted at the Indiana Dunes State Park. Passes can be purchased from the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, seasonally at the West Beach kiosk, or online at recreation.gov.
Common questions
Planning Indiana Dunes
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 2 reservation types on the Permits tab, including Indiana Dunes National Park Programs and Tours and Art in the Park-All Ages. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
