Indiana Dunes National Park, located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, offers a unique landscape of dunes, beaches, wetlands, and forests. The park's 15,000 acres feature over 50 miles of trails through diverse habitats, including prairies, bogs, and the historic Hoosier Prairie. The shifting dunes, some rising nearly 200 feet above the lake, provide spectacular views and serve as a critical habitat for many species.
The park's biodiversity is remarkable, with over 350 species of birds and numerous plants that are not found anywhere else in the state. Indiana Dunes is not only a place for recreation and relaxation but also a vital area for research and education on ecological conservation and the dynamic dune environment.
Biome at Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park, located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan in Indiana, is home to uniquely diverse ecosystems that support a variety of biomes. The park's varied landscape, ranging from sandy beaches to wooded areas, fosters rich biodiversity. Keep on reading to learn more about the biomes at Indiana Dunes National Park
Airports Near Indiana Dunes National Park
This is a list of the closest airports to the park, if you plan on flying into Indiana Dunes click here to read our recommendations.
| Distance to Park | Drive Time | ||
| Michigan City Municipal-Phillips Field | 11.5 miles | 13 mins | Get Directions |
| La Porte Municipal Airport | 35.6 miles | 30 mins | Get Directions |
| Porter County Regional Airport | 35.7 miles | 32 mins | Get Directions |
| South Bend International Airport | 56.6 miles | 46 mins | Get Directions |
| Chicago Midway International Airport | 69.3 miles | 54 mins | Get Directions |
| Southwest Michigan Regional Airport | 69.5 miles | 51 mins | Get Directions |
| Lewis University Airport | 84.4 miles | 1 hour 1 min | Get Directions |
| Jasper County Airport | 87.0 miles | 55 mins | Get Directions |
| Chicago O'Hare International Airport | 87.4 miles | 1 hour 5 mins | Get Directions |
| Elkhart Municipal Airport | 93.1 miles | 1 hour 5 mins | Get Directions |
Cities Near Indiana Dunes National Park
Here are some of the closest cities and towns near the park, take a look at our recommendations for where to stay when visiting Indiana Dunes.
| Distance to Park | ||
| New Buffalo Township | 33.8 miles | Get Directions |
| New Buffalo | 34.0 miles | Get Directions |
| Michigan City | 35.0 miles | Get Directions |
| Chesterton | 43.3 miles | Get Directions |
| Portage | 48.3 miles | Get Directions |
| Saint Joseph | 48.6 miles | Get Directions |
| Chicago | 49.5 miles | Get Directions |
| Lake Station | 49.8 miles | Get Directions |
| Gary | 50.2 miles | Get Directions |
| Benton Harbor | 50.9 miles | Get Directions |
Indiana Dunes National Park TimeZone
The timezone at Indiana Dunes is America/Chicago, the current time here is:
Sunrise and Sunset Times at Indiana Dunes National Park
This table shows the sunrise and sunset times at Indiana Dunes for the next 10 days, use it to plan your day around Indiana Dunes stunning displays.
|
Date |
Sunrise |
Sunset |
| December 22, 2024 | 07:11 | 16:22 |
| December 23, 2024 | 07:12 | 16:22 |
| December 24, 2024 | 07:12 | 16:23 |
| December 25, 2024 | 07:13 | 16:24 |
| December 26, 2024 | 07:13 | 16:24 |
| December 27, 2024 | 07:13 | 16:25 |
| December 28, 2024 | 07:14 | 16:26 |
| December 29, 2024 | 07:14 | 16:26 |
| December 30, 2024 | 07:14 | 16:27 |
| December 31, 2024 | 07:14 | 16:28 |
Weather at Indiana Dunes National Park
This table shows weather averages around the year at Indiana Dunes National Park, it provides information on average rainfall, as well as maximum and minimum temperatures. Be sure to consult it when planning your trip.
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| January | -5.3 °C / 0.8 °C | 33.6mm | Bad Weather |
| February | -7.6 °C / 0.2 °C | 67.1mm | Bad Weather |
| April | 3.7 °C / 13.9 °C | 52.9mm | Good Weather |
| May | 9.0 °C / 19.5 °C | 65.9mm | Good Weather |
| June | 14.0 °C / 25.3 °C | 110.1mm | Good Weather |
| July | 16.5 °C / 26.1 °C | 112.4mm | Good Weather |
| August | 16.4 °C / 27.1 °C | 86.3mm | Good Weather |
| September | 13.9 °C / 24.0 °C | 41.1mm | Perfect Weather |
| October | 7.6 °C / 17.1 °C | 147.8mm | Good Weather |
| November | 2.2 °C / 10.5 °C | 23.2mm | Good Weather |
| December | -3.0 °C / 4.5 °C | 54.0mm | Bad Weather |