Weekend escape from Louisville · Indiana Dunes

Indiana Dunes

Climb the dunes, swim the big lake

Start with day 1
Wind blowing sand across a rippled dune above a blue lake
Wind on the dunes

Towering sand dunes, fifteen miles of Lake Michigan beach and the Chicago skyline floating on the horizon on clear days. The 3 Dune Challenge gives kids a real goal, and the beach gives everyone the reward.

Great for Scenic Slow-RollerTrailhead Family
  1. Visitor Center
  2. 3 Dune Challenge
  3. State Park Beach
  4. Chesterton
  5. West Beach
  6. Portage Lakefront

Before you go

Rules and seasons checked October 2026

Two different parks

Indiana Dunes State Park (the 3 Dune Challenge) and Indiana Dunes National Park are separate, with separate fees.

National park fees

West Beach is the national park's only fee area: $25 per vehicle for 7 days. America the Beautiful passes are accepted.

Mount Baldy

Climbing it on your own isn't allowed. Access is by ranger-led tour only, and the area closed late March to mid-June 2026 for shoreline work.

Day 1 of 2

Saturday: the challenge

Climb the three tallest dunes, then cool off in the lake.

  1. Indiana Dunes Visitor Center

    In Porter, at the start of State Road 49. Get maps, ask about beach conditions, and come back later for your finisher sticker.

  2. 3 Dune Challenge

    Trail 8 at Indiana Dunes State Park: 1.5 miles and 552 vertical feet up the park's three tallest dunes, starting near the Nature Center.

    Alyssa's note The casual pace works for all ages. Take breaks on the stairs and bring water on hot days. Snap a summit selfie for the sticker.

  3. State park beach

    Picnic, then swim and dig in the sand. Watch wave and rip-current flags; Lake Michigan can be rough.

  4. Dinner in Chesterton

    A walkable small downtown a few minutes south of the dunes.

Day 2 of 2

Sunday: market, dunes and skyline

A morning market, a stair-climb through dune history, and a paved lakefront walk.

  1. Chesterton European Market

    A Saturday market from May into October, so swap Sunday's order if you're here on a Saturday morning: produce, baked goods, flowers and crafts.

  2. Dune Succession Trail at West Beach

    About a 1-mile loop with 250-plus stairs, climbing from beach to forest through each stage of dune ecology. Swim at West Beach afterward.

  3. Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk

    Paved, accessible paths and a breakwater walk. On clear days you can see the Chicago skyline across the water.

  4. Head home

    About 4.5 hours back to Louisville.

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Kid-tested trails on this trip

Distances are round trip. Times are estimates for a family with kids about 6 to 9; the Trail Finder adjusts them for your crew.

Open in the Trail Finder

3 Dune Challenge (Trail 8)

1.5 mi552 ftAges 6+

Up the three tallest dunes in Indiana Dunes State Park. Snap a summit selfie, then claim your sticker at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center.

Dune Succession Trail

1.0 mi~150 ftAges 5+

250-plus stairs from beach to forest through each stage of dune ecology. Swim at West Beach after.

Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk

1.0 mi~10 ftAny age

Paved paths and a breakwater walk. On clear days you can see the Chicago skyline.

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Sources

Restaurants, hours, fees and seasons change. Confirm before you go.