Discover Porter: Dunes, Nature and Culture

Indiana Dunes National Park covers areas in Porter County and stretches for 15 miles along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. More than 1,100 native plant species contribute to the park’s diversity. In Porter County, interests range from beaches and rivers to historic architecture, model trains and regional culture. Each place and activity has its own focus.

Dunes and Shoreline Along Lake Michigan

Indiana Dunes State Park also offers a beach on Lake Michigan: it covers 2,182 acres and has more than three miles of beach. Porter Beach has seasonal restrooms and drinking water. Visitors interested in trails leading to the preserve can access park trails and hiking trails at Dunes Prairie Nature Preserve; Trail 3 runs through the preserve. It is located at the southwest corner of Indiana Dunes State Park, west of the access road. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Indiana Dunes National Park can be reached via Interstate 94, the Indiana Toll Road (Interstate 80/90), US Highways 12 and 20, and Indiana State Road 49. The Dunewood Campground offers overnight camping from April 1 through October 31. Fishing is available from the lakeside pier at Portage Lakefront Fishing Pier. Indiana Dunes State Park also offers cross-country skiing on existing trails; ski rentals are not available there.

Trails, Rivers and Diverse Landscapes

Wetlands, forests and prairies cover 157 acres at Coffee Creek Preserve. More than five miles of hiking trails and boardwalks pass through these environments; Coffee Creek runs through the preserve for approximately 2.5 miles. Visitors looking to explore different landforms rather than a single trail can find gently rolling ridges, steep hills, mud flats, water-filled depressions, a shallow pond and a mature beech-maple forest at Moraine Nature Preserve.

The Heron Rookery Trail offers a specific time estimate: the hiking trail is 3.3 miles long and takes about two hours to walk. It follows a section of the Little Calumet River. By contrast, the nearly seven miles of trails at Sunset Hill Farm County Park wind through forest, prairie and fields. The park covers 238 acres. Native deciduous forests and wooded wetlands sit alongside former farmland at Hawk Ridge County Park. In fall, the park can serve as a resting and refueling stop for more than 30 migratory bird species.

History, Culture and Visiting Hours

Bailly Homestead is a preserved example of a trading post and an early pioneer homestead. Its architecture combines timber and brick. For a different perspective on history, the two-acre Railway Garden at Gabis Arboretum features G-scale miniature trains that illustrate the history of American railroads. The model trains run Friday through Sunday, May through October, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check the schedule in advance if you’d like to plan your visit around the trains.

PoCo Muse is the oldest institution dedicated to the history and culture of Porter County. Memorial Opera House presents Broadway musicals, youth theater, concerts and special events throughout the year. The Indiana Dunes Arts + Culture Trail is a self-guided tour of 14 arts and cultural organizations in Porter County. Groups can also register for mural walk tours as field trips in Valparaiso. The Porter County Fair has been a summer tradition for more than 175 years.

Parks, Wildlife and Seasonal Activities

Ogden Botanical Garden, a four-acre park, features flower beds, a rose garden and a variety of tree species. The Japanese garden includes bridges, a koi pond, a teahouse and a fountain. Chickens, ducks, rabbits, goats and sheep are on display at Sunset Hill Farm County Park during regular park hours; admission is free year-round.

The season can also factor into your plans: Indiana Dunes State Park offers cross-country skiing on existing trails, while camping at Dunewood Campground is limited to April 1 through October 31. For walks through different habitats, explore the trails and boardwalks at Coffee Creek Preserve; the Heron Rookery Trail, by contrast, has an estimated walking time of about two hours.

Market and Regional Products

Chesterton's European Market is a regular arts and crafts and farmers market. It runs on Saturdays from May through October. Offerings include artisan cheeses and meats, produce, coffee, pastries and bread, as well as prepared street food. If the market is part of your trip plans, check the dates for your visit.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Chesterton, Porter, Valparaiso, Jennings County, Rush County, Pike, Carroll County, Tippecanoe.

For the main travel overview: Indiana.