Your national park adventure begins here!Get in the know with our current programs and events listed below, which is updated about mid-month. You can also check out our yearly main events listed near the bottom of this page. All events are subject to change without notice. March 2025 ActivitiesIndiana Dunes National Park has an entrance fee of $25 per car for a 1–7-day pass. A $45 annual pass for the national park is also available. Please purchase passes or pay the entrance fee at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, Paul H. Douglas Center, West Beach Entrance Station or at www.recreation.gov/sitepass/indu. Veterans/Military/Gold Star Family, Access, and 4th Grade passes are available for free. For more information on national park passes visit the fees & passes page. Chellberg Farm Open House at Chellberg FarmhouseSaturday, March 15, 22, & 29 Volunteering - Drop InTrash Trekkers at Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and Douglas CenterVisitor Center - Daily, 9:00 am–4:00 pm April 2025 ActivitiesIndiana Dunes National Park has an entrance fee of $25 per car for a 1–7-day pass. A $45 annual pass for the national park is also available. Please purchase passes or pay the entrance fee at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, Paul H. Douglas Center, West Beach Entrance Station or at www.recreation.gov/sitepass/indu. Veterans/Military/Gold Star Family, Access, and 4th Grade passes are available for free. For more information on national park passes visit the fees & passes page. FridayMusic Heritage Series Concert at Indiana Dunes Visitor CenterFriday, April 18 SaturdayChellberg Farm Open House at Chellberg FarmhouseEvery Saturday in April Stargazing at Kemil Beach Parking LotSaturday, April 5 Project 1966: Hike Every Trail in the Park Meet at the Trailhead Parking Lot
Hike all of the trails in the national park. The challenge will take place over the course of the summer with each week featuring a new trail. There will be a total of 19 hikes covering 66 miles to honor the year the park was established. Can’t make all of the guided hikes? Look on our website for a link to Project 1966. Rail Rangers South Shore Train Program on the South Shore Train
Join The Midwest Rail Rangers on the South Shore and learn about the sights outside the window, including the south side of Chicago, the historic steel-making area of Northwest Indiana, and the Indiana Dunes National Park. The program is provided at no additional cost to passengers, however those riding must purchase a valid train ticket. Passengers can hop on, or off, at various locations along the route. For more information visit railrangers.org. Train schedules may change, check mysouthshoreline.com for updates. Octave Chanute: A Flying Pioneer. Meet at Paul H. Douglas CenterSaturday, April 19 Native Plant Talk with Nathanael Pilla and Steve Sass at Indiana Dunes Visitor CenterSaturday, April 26 Woodland Wildflower Hike at Heron Rookery East Parking LotSaturday, April 26 SundayMigration Birding Hike at Paul H. Douglas CenterSunday, April 6 Chellberg Farm Open House at Chellberg FarmhouseEvery Sunday in April Woodland Wildflower Hike at Heron Rookery East Parking LotSaturday, April 27
Volunteering - Drop InTrash Trekkers at Indiana Dunes Visitor Center and Douglas CenterVisitor Center - Daily, 9:00 am–4:00 pm Porter Beach Restoration at Porter Beach Parking LotSaturday, April 5 Drop-in Volunteering Chellberg Farm Care at Chellberg Parking LotSaturday, April 19 Yearly Main EventsThese are our largest park events that encompass multiple ranger-led interpretive activities and presentations, which draw thousands of visitors each year. Maple Sugar Time Festival: First weekend in MarchEnjoy a sweet taste of spring during the annual Maple Sugar Time festival. Take a self-guided tour of the sugaring operation at historic Chellberg Farm which will be bustling with maple sugaring activities. Logs to Lustrons Tour: First Saturday in MayFrom rustic landmarks to Mid-Century Modern, experience a century of architecture at Indiana Dunes National Park (IDNP) on our Logs to Lustrons tour, including log structures of early settlement days, frame homes from the Victorian period, and mid-century homes of glass, stucco, and metal. Indiana Dunes Birding Festival: Third weekend in MayHosted by Indiana Audubon, the national park plays an important role in this the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival. This incredible four-day event showcases dozens of birding spots around the region with expert led outings. Indiana Dunes Outdoor Adventure Festival: Second week in SeptemberThe OAF showcases the region’s natural and cultural significance through activities such as hiking, paddling, biking, photography, birding, and others. Duneland Fall Festival: Second weekend in SeptemberCelebrate autumn with a festival at historic Chellberg Farm. Fun is the weekend theme interweaved with the celebration of the fall harvest. Learn about sustainable practices that you can do at home. Enjoy lots of seasonal activities such as tractor-pulled wagon rides, a Kid's Corner with games and crafts, and even apple pressing. Century of Progress Homes Tour: Last weekend in SeptemberJoin national park rangers for a two-hour tour of five historic homes from the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. Advance reservation only. There is a fee. Visit IndianaLandmarks.org or call (317) 822-7923. Tickets go on sale early in August and usually sell out within one hour. For more information on events and other programs at Indiana Dunes National Park, contact us or call (219) 395-1882.Park CalendarFor a different view of upcoming park events, visit our Calendar page.❤ Support your park.Donate to the Indiana Dunes National Park. Donations will be used to fund maintenance projects and enhance activities at the park. |
Last updated: March 25, 2025