Indiana Dunes Recreation Areas

According to the display at the Visitor Center, this park, among the smallest in the Park system at 15,000 acres, has 1,419 species of plants. The only parks with more species of plants than the Indiana Dunes are the Great Smoky Mountains (1,581), North Cascades (1,567) and the Grand Canyon (1,474), all with over a half a million acres each. Yellowstone, with two and a quarter million acres, is home to 1,102 different species of plant life.

While most of the park lies just across the County Line to the east of Miller, a corridor with hiking paths cuts west across Miller to the Paul Douglas Environmental Center on Lake Street, where there are displays and educational materials about the ecology and environment of the Dunes wetlands.

The Visitor Center off of Highway 12 in Porter County has many maps and directions to beaches, as well as other information about the park.

National Lakeshore Map

Guide: A. Miller Woods B. West Beach C. Inland Marsh D. Little Calumet River Trail E. Bailly Homestead / Chellberg Farm F. Cowles Bog G. LY-CO-KI-WE Trail F. Kemil Beach I. Central Beach J. Mount Baldy K. Pinhook Bog L. Heron Rookery M. Hoosier Prairie (Not on the map: a small section of virgin prairie land lies in Griffith, Indiana off of Main Street just east of Kennedy Avenue.) N. Campground

For more information on our parks visit the park's website:

The Park Rangers and staff have a year around schedule of events and educational activities. For more information about the National Park contact:


The Friends of the Indiana Dunes are committed to:
  • preserving the natural beauty of this special landscape;
  • encouraging an appreciation for the history and cultural diversity of the area;
  • ensuring ongoing scientific research education of the fragile dunes ecosystems;
  • assisting with environmental education programs for children and adults.

Membership in the Friends of the Indiana Dunes includes a mail subscription to the Singing Sands Almanac, advance notice of Friends-sponsored field study courses, special outings for members and their families, and many other activities. Contact:
Friends of the Indiana Dunes
P.O. Box 166
Beverly Shores, IN 46301

Other websites of interest:
  • The Save the Dunes Council has an extensive site on the Indiana Dunes and ecological matters.
  • The University of California at Davis maintains a database of species, plant and animal, in the National Parks. An incredible database, it can be accessed at Species in Parks Flora and Fauna Database. Scroll down to find Indiana Dunes, or whatever park you want!

Photo above of the dunes and the rainbow is courtesy of W. James Spicer and is copy written.
Use with permission of the photographer only.