As a Midwesterner, I know the struggle: seeing all my coastal friends on social media enjoying days lounging at the beach, thinking “dang, I wish I could do that.” I love living in the Midwest, but our lack of access to Instagram-worthy beach outings puts a real damper on my summer.
But then I discovered the perfect solution: lake beaches.
I’m lucky enough to live two hours from the shores of Lake Michigan, and after some exploring, I discovered a national park with beautiful lakes that’s become my go-to destination for sunny summer days.
Below, hear why I love the beaches at Indiana Dunes National Park, and why I think they rival more well-known destinations on either coast.
In this article
Indiana Dunes National Park Has Everything I Love About Coastal Beaches
Growing up in Kansas, the lakes I visited were puny and murky, better suited to fishing up strings of algae than going for a swim.
So when I visited the lake beach at Indiana Dunes on a whim for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised.
You can see through the light teal water right to the bottom of the sand, with nary a plant or minnow in sight. I love swimming as far as I can go and then sitting and reading on the soft sand, just as I would on a coastal beach.
Between the lapping white-capped waves and the vast expanse of Lake Michigan, it’s enough to make you second guess if you’re really smack dab in the middle of the country.
The biggest difference I’ve noticed: Lake Michigan waters are cold. Even in summer, waters might only reach 65 degrees. If you run hot like me, that water feels refreshing. But if you tend to run cold, I recommend visiting during the warmest weeks of the year for more comfortable swims.
This One National Park Offers Eight Different Beaches
Spanning 15 miles on the coast of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park has eight different beaches to visit. That’s much more variety than I’m used to on a single beach day.
If you’re looking for the top spot with the best amenities, check out West Beach. It boasts a huge parking lot, locker rooms with showers, and hours staffed with a lifeguard.
For a peaceful, secluded spot, I recommend the lesser-visited beaches like Dunbar Beach or Kemil Beach, which are just as lovely but see fewer crowds due to more remote locations.
As someone who wants to avoid crowds as much as possible, I’ve staked out Porter Beach as my favorite spot. It’s pristine and peaceful, with views of the Chicago skyline and plenty of room for every beach goer. Plus, it’s pet-friendly, so my dog has had the chance to enjoy a beach day, too.
It’s Not Just Beach: You Can Also Check Out Massive Sand Dunes and Hike Diverse Trails
When you’re done hitting the beach, there’s plenty of sights to see, trails to hike, and places to visit.
And just like you’d have to visit the arches in Arches National Park, you simply must see the feature that gave this park its name: the sand dunes.
The largest living sand dune in the national park is Mount Baldy. Deemed “living” since it continues to move inland, this 4,000 year old dune is the most popular in the park. While access to Mount Baldy is limited due to restoration, I still think it’s worth a visit to see the wonder in person.
A hike is also a great choice. Since Indiana Dunes National Park is segmented and shares land with the state park of the same name, there are a variety of ecosystems to explore across the park’s acres. There are trails showing off sand formations, prairies, wetlands, and forests, with options for casual strollers and serious adventurers alike. During my next trip, I plan to hike the Dune Ridge Trail, which acts as a sampler of everything the park has to offer.
And of course, no trip to a national park is complete without a visit to the Visitor’s Center for a coveted stamp in your national park passport. The Indiana Dunes visitor center is small but educational, and I loved learning more about the ecology of sand dunes.
It’s an Hour Away From Downtown Chicago
Indiana Dunes National Park might get a bad rep from national park enthusiasts because its segmented design is situated in close proximity to the interstate, but that’s actually one of the reasons why I love it.
While the total distance differs based on whether you go to the west or east side of the park, Indiana Dunes is just about an hour away from downtown Chicago. This makes it incredibly convenient, especially for city dwellers.
So if ultimate seclusion isn’t as important to you, or you consider yourself more “outside-y” than outdoorsy, the dunes are a quick day trip from one of my favorite cities in the country. If I was designing a perfect day for myself, a trip to the beach followed by a Chicago dog would certainly be on the itinerary.
The Shortcut
Indiana Dunes National Park beaches rival coastal shores, with clear waters and soft sand.
With eight beaches to choose from, you can find a busy spot with lifeguards and showers (West Beach) or a quiet one with skyline views (Porter Beach).
Beyond the beach, hike ecologically diverse trails or check out Mount Baldy, the park's 4,000-year-old "living" sand dune.
The park is a quick hour-long drive to downtown Chicago.
