Indiana Dunes Beaches to Check Out This Summer
Indiana is a great weekend getaway for anyone in the midwest looking for plenty of opportunities to build sandcastles on the beach, go swimming in the lake, or take a walk along the sandy beaches during sunset.
Around the Indiana Sand Dunes are several different beach-style lakes to visit with your family and friends, allowing you to make memories for years to come. Continue reading for a complete list of Beaches around the Indiana Sand Dunes.
Dunbar Beach
You can spend the day playing in the sand, throwing a frisbee, or tossing around a beach ball at Dunbar Beach. Spending the day next to the water is fun, especially while enjoying the sun.
Important Information: Dunbar Beach does not have a lifeguard, and you swim at risk.
Indiana Dunes National Park
View Photos of Indiana Sand Dunes
Sand between your toes, the sun’s heat hitting your skin, and the sounds of waves splashing along the beach while relaxing and reading a book. This sounds like the perfect summer day at the beach.
Indiana Dunes National Park is a perfect Midwest Weekend Getaway, especially if you are sitting at the office daydreaming about paradise. You no longer have to book a plane ticket and hotel to wait weeks to relax on the beach. All you have to do is hop in your car and drive to the Indiana Sand Dunes, where you can visit various beach-style lakes they offer.
The beaches along Lake Michigan feature sand with a zero-depth entry, and when the wind is strong enough, it creates waves that give you the feeling of being on a coastal shore. If you have kids, they will love playing in the sand, building castles, and digging for hidden treasures. When they are done playing in the sand, they can go swimming in the lake. Making it a fun and relaxing weekend for your entire family. Below we have a list of some of the best beaches in Indiana.
Kemil Beach
View Photos of Indiana Kemil Beach
Kemil Beach is another excellent beach located along Michigan Lake’s shoreline. Here you can enjoy the day relaxing with a book and listening to the water. You may be interested in swimming or floating in the lake. Either way, spending the day outside in the sunshine is wonderful.
Another significant aspect of Kemil Beach is the Dune Ridge Trail. The hike is less than a mile and is considered easy. Plus, it gives you amazing views of Indiana wetlands.
Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk
View Photos of Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk
Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk are located on 57 acres and have a beach, walking trail, fishing pier, and a 23,500-square-foot public pavilion.
The park is open every day from sunrise to dusk and during the summertime. With only 125 parking spots, the parking lot is often full by lunchtime.
Porter Beach
View Photos of Porter Beach
Porter Beach is another beach-style swimming lake located in the Indiana Sand Dunes. It is a beautiful beach to spend your day splashing around in the water, building sandcastles, or throwing a frisbee. Like many other beaches in the Indiana Sand Dunes, Porter Beach does not have lifeguards on duty. Therefore, you are swimming at your own risk.
Important Information: Restrooms are only seasonally. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash. Glass is not allowed on the beach. You may not remove any plants, shells, or fossils from the park.
Lake View Beach
Lake View Beach offers one of the most gorgeous views from the picnic area. The park picnic tables reside atop a hill giving a beautiful scenic backdrop of the lake while you enjoy a bite to eat before heading down to the beach to go swimming.
Be sure to pack up a picnic, bring your swimsuit, a towel, and sunscreen and enjoy your day at Lake View Lake.
Important Information: Do not park in the Town of Beverly Shores Beach Parking Lot. They are very strict and will ticket you. Please note there are no lifeguards on duty, so you are swimming at your own risk.
Central Avenue Beach
View Photos of Central Avenue Beach
Another great sandy beach along the Indiana Sand Dunes is Central Avenue Beach. Allowing your children to spend hours under the sun swimming in the lake. This brings the coastal feel to the midwest.
If you visit Central Avenue Beach during the spring or summer, keep an eye out for Bank Swallow. You may see them going from their nest in the dunes.
Central Avenue Beach is like many other beaches in the area, as they do not have a lifeguard on duty. Therefore, you are swimming at your own risk. Lake Michigan does have rip currents and waves that can make swimming dangerous.
Important Information: Visitors should only climb the dune slopes above the beach. Restrooms are only seasonally.
Mount Baldy Beach
Mount Baldy Beach offers a sandy swimming beach that is great for swimming in the summertime. Grab a towel, beach toys, and a beach ball, and head to Mount Baldy Beach for an action-packed day.
Just note that there are no lifeguards on duty, and you will swim at your own risk. Lake Michigan has rip currents and waves that can be potentially dangerous.
Another significant aspect of Mount Baldy is that you can take a hiking trail to access Lake Michigan. The path is approximately .75 miles and takes 1 hour to hike. It is an in-and-out trail. For this reason, it may be good to know that are steep inclines when leaving the beach.
If you get to the peak of the beach and feel that the hill is too steep, you can stay at the top and enjoy the views. Another good thing to remember is that the hill you will climb to leave the beach is sandy may make it challenging to bring coolers, floats, or anything else oversized and heavy you may need to haul up a hill.
When hiking at Mount Baldy, please use caution, as the dunes and shoreline constantly shift. In fact, Mount Baldy moves about 4 feet per year. Making it dangerous to hike if you do not stay on the designated trails.
However, they do mark the path to keep you safe. Pay attention to the trail marking and remain on the specified path.
West Beach
View Photos of West Beach
West Beach is located in Gary, Indiana, one of the many beaches along the Indiana Sand Dunes. West Beach has multiple picnic shelters you can reserve online at www.recreation.gov.
Having a picnic shelter is excellent if you plan on staying for most of the day. You can keep your stuff in one place and have a designated area to eat while the children play in the lake below.
Furthermore, picnic areas are great for family gatherings and birthday parties. Make sure to book in advance, as spots for the picnic area fill up quickly.
Another significant aspect of the beach is its lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Swimming is allowed during any other time of the year, but you are swimming at your own risk as there are no lifeguards on duty.
The beach does have rip currents, so please swim with caution. If you need to learn what rip currents are, then take some time to educate yourself about them.
In addition to a picnic area and a gorgeous swimming beach with seasonal lifeguards, you also have the West Beach Trails. The (3) three-loop trail is a total of 3.4 miles.
Important Information: There is a fee to park your car. Dogs are allowed on a leash. Glass, fires, littering, or removing any wildlife, plants, or shells from the beach is prohibited. If you are hiking, bring sunscreen and lots of water as the trail is not fully covered, exposing yourself directly to the sunlight.
Indiana Sand Dunes State Park
View Photos of Indiana Sand Dunes State Park
Indiana Sand Dunes State Park is on 2,182 acres of land and has over 3 miles of beautiful beach-style shorelines. The best aspect of the beach is that it has lifeguards on duty during summertime.
With lifeguards on duty, hours may vary due to the lifeguard’s availability. The beaches and pools may close early if a lifeguard is unavailable during the beginning and toward the end of the season.
Complete List of Check out the Beaches around Indiana Sand Dunes
- Dunbar Beach
- Indiana Dunes National Park
- Kemil Beach
- Lake View Beach
- Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk
- West Beach
- Porter Beach
- Central Avenue Beach
- Mount Baldy Beach
- Indiana Sand Dunes State Park
About Author, Sara Elizabeth
Writer, Amora V Lifestyle
Co-Owner of AmoraVBoutique.com
Sara is a writer for Amora V Lifestyle and is Co-Owner of Amora V Boutique. Sara previously worked as a Marketing Manager and has her Master’s from Lindenwood University.
Sara studies everything of interest, from psychology, recipes, finances, mental health, and travel, thriving to find happiness and to live a good life.
When not learning, Sara loves all things outdoors, food, and hanging around great company. Furthermore, Sara loves spending time with family, who she is blessed to have in her life.
Note from the author: Through my articles, I hope to bring you joy and peace and that you enjoy it!
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