• Heron Rookery Trail Auxiliary (West) Lot - The Heron Rookery Trail offers a serene 3.3-mile nature walk through a bird sanctuary. A rookery is a group of nests located high in the trees.

Although the Great Blue Herons have relocated, many other birds can still be spotted, such as:

Kingfishers
Warblers
Red-headed woodpeckers
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, and more.
In spring, ephemeral flowers like the Harbinger of Spring, with small white petals and dark purple stamen, can be seen.

Yellow Trout Lilies, resembling banana peels, also bloom here.

• Mt. Baldy - Mount Baldy stands as tall as a 12-story building and is a fascinating wandering dune.

This means it can shift up to ten feet annually. Previously, grass stabilized the dune, but tourist activity has led to its destruction.

Now, the wind moves the sand, causing the dune to change location. Mount Baldy is even encroaching on its own parking lot!

A half-mile roundtrip hike around the dune, including stairs, is required to reach the beach.

• Central Beach - Central Avenue Beach offers seasonal restrooms and potable water.

Two picnic tables are located at the west end of the parking lot, accessible via stairs.

The National Park advises visitors to stay on the beach and avoid climbing the dune slopes behind it.

Restrooms are wheelchair accessible, but the beach and picnic tables are not.

There are no lifeguards, so swimming is at your own risk; rip currents and waves can be dangerous.

In spring and summer, observe Bank Swallows nesting in the dunes.

• Great Marsh Trail - The Great Marsh Trail is an easy birding hike with views of the largest wetland complex in the Lake Michigan watershed.

The trail includes a separate wheelchair-accessible paved path leading to an observation deck. Look for:

Ducks
Geese
Herons
Egrets
Warblers, and
Red-winged blackbirds

• Lake View Beach - In spring, it’s a fantastic spot for catching smelt, a small, oily fish with a delicious taste. They are best enjoyed dusted with flour, shallow fried, and eaten whole.
• 1933 Chicago World’s Fair Century of Progress Homes - The five houses in the Century of Progress Historic District were first showcased at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.

The Homes of Tomorrow Exhibit, featuring 12 futuristic houses, was a major attraction.

After the fair, a developer bought five homes and relocated them here, naming the community Beverly Shores after his daughter.

Now owned by the National Park, the houses are leased to private residents who maintain them.

This means people live in these houses, so entry is not allowed unless you secure a ticket to the annual tour in September. Tickets sell out quickly, often within an hour.

• Dunbar Beach - This beach offers seasonal restrooms and potable water. The paved parking lot fills up quickly on summer weekends.

There are no lifeguards, so swimming is at your own risk; rip currents and waves can be hazardous.

• Kemil Beach - This beach is perfect for stargazing and observing nocturnal wildlife. It has year-round restrooms and potable water.

The paved parking lot fills up quickly on summer weekends. There are no lifeguards, so swimming is at your own risk; rip currents and waves can be hazardous.

The Dune Ridge Trail, possibly the most diverse short nature trail in the park, runs over forested sand dunes, through Black Oak Savannas, and offers stunning views of The Great Marsh and Lake Michigan. Highly recommended if time permits.

• Calumet Dunes Trailhead - This trail is popular with bird watchers in summer and cross-country skiers in winter.

Historically, the Calumet Dunes Ridge was the shoreline of Lake Michigan! Over the last 12,000 years, the water has receded about one and a half miles.

While hiking, imagine the Calumet Dunes when the lake was right there.

Consider the transformation of these ancient sand dunes through melting glaciers, wind, water, and time…

• Glenwood Dunes Trail - This trail system is favored by hikers, runners, horseback riders, and cross-country skiers. A trail map is essential.

Trail lengths vary from less than 1 mile to 6.8 miles, with extensions exceeding 15 miles.

There are 13 trail junctions, making the trail map crucial. At 13,000 years old, the Glenwood Dunes are the park’s oldest dunes!

• Indiana Dunes Visitor Center - At the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, explore educational displays, watch short films about the park, shop at the bookstore, and speak with a park ranger.

A highlight is the Indigenous Cultural Trail, which honors the Indigenous Potawatomi and Miami People who once lived here and educates visitors about their culture and contributions.

The trail showcases their connection to the park’s diverse ecosystems, offering a unique educational experience. For more information, ask a ranger!

• Indiana Dunes State Park - This popular location can get busy! Depending on the season or time of day, park rangers may direct traffic.

Expect to wait in line to enter. Note: the state park charges a separate fee.

For the 3-Dune hiking challenge, head to the Nature Center or go straight to the beach.

There, find a large art deco park pavilion with a general store and restaurants. A bird observatory is located west of the pavilion.

In winter, enjoy the 100-foot sledding hill near the pavilion, known as The Devil’s Slide.

History enthusiasts should not miss the historical marker on the way to the pavilion, marking the site of the 1780 Battle of Petit Fort.

• Porter Beach - Porter Beach is adjacent to the State Park beach but lacks amenities.

Parking is available, and visitors can walk a quarter mile along the beach to the state park.

There are no lifeguards at Porter Beach, so swimming is at your own risk. Seasonal restrooms are available at the parking lot.

• Indiana Dunes National Park Cowles Bog Trail - The Cowles Bog Trail is a moderate 4.7 miles with a 202-foot elevation gain. The trail is rugged, with steep dune climbs in loose sand.

Named after ecologist Dr. Henry Cowles, Cowles Bog is ideal for studying plant responses to environmental changes.

Dr. Cowles’ research led to the Indiana Dunes being recognized as the birthplace of ecology.

• Indiana Dunes National Park Bailly Cemetery - History enthusiasts or those intrigued by unique sites should not miss Bailly Cemetery. This place is truly one-of-a-kind.

Take a shortcut hike, less than half a mile roundtrip, to an old cemetery hidden in the woods. Discover the story of how one family took over the cemetery and made it their own.

• Indiana Dunes National Park Bailly Homestead - The Bailly Homestead, a National Historic Landmark, was home to Joseph and Marie Bailly.

Joseph, one of the first settlers in the area, established a trading post here in 1822.

At one time, the Bailly Homestead was the only stop for travelers between Chicago and Detroit.

The Homestead consists of five buildings, ranging from rustic log cabins and brick structures to the grand late 19th-century main house.

• Indiana Dunes National Park Chellberg Farm - The Chellbergs, Swedish immigrants, purchased this land in 1869.

After their original wooden farmhouse burned down in 1884, they built the brick house seen today.

In the 1930s, they began producing maple syrup. Visitors pass the syrup shack on the way to the farm.

Every March, the national park hosts a maple syrup festival, the only National Park in the country to produce its own maple syrup.

Check the national park website calendar for ranger programs offering tours of the old farmhouse and opportunities to feed the farm’s cows, chickens, and goats!

• Mnoke Prairie - The Mnoké Prairie is a restored pre-settlement tallgrass prairie.

Visitors can walk through this area to see what it looked like before European-American settlers arrived in Indiana.

The prairie is an excellent spot for birdwatching, with species like Double-Breasted Cormorants, Rock Pigeons, and Cooper’s Hawks.

• Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk - This beach and trail are ideal for birdwatching in spring and summer. In winter, observe the shelf ice on Lake Michigan.

The riverwalk is just under a mile and is considered easy. The beach pavilion offers snacks, gifts, restrooms, and ranger programs.

• Tolleston Dunes Trail - The Tolleston Dunes are nearly 5,000 years old. The trail is about three miles long and takes you through ancient sand dunes.

It’s moderately difficult due to the ups and downs of the dunes and can become soggy after rain, but the trees provide ample shade.

Look out for prickly pear cactus, sassafras, and the wild blue lupine flower.

• West Beach - Welcome to West Beach, the largest and busiest beach in the national park.

Located along Lake Michigan’s southern shore, this beach offers something for everyone:

Sunbathing
Swimming
Beachcombing
Birdwatching
A picnic area is near the parking lot, and there’s a designated spot for dune climbing.

Hiking trails, like the Long Lake Loop, wind through lush forests, wetlands, and rolling sand dunes. The Diana of the Dunes Dare is also available.

For those daring enough, the one-mile Dune Succession Trail includes a challenging climb up 270 steps to the top of Diana’s Dune.

• Marquette Park - Marquette Park, located in Gary, Indiana, is outside the National Park.

The park features a playground, concession stand, hiking trails, disc golf course, and more.

The beach is perfect for swimming, walking, and relaxing. It also boasts one of the area’s favorite buildings.

The Gary Bathing Beach Aquatorium, built in 1921, is a highlight.

• Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education - Situated in Miller Woods, just outside Gary, Indiana, is The Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education.

This National Park visitor center features exhibits on the park’s wildlife and offers excellent hiking trails.

The recommended Miller Woods Loop Trail is less than a mile long, winding through various habitats with incredible lake views.

• Tours never expire
• Offline map available
• Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
• Turn-by-turn GPS directions
• Hours of audio narration with stories, tips, and music
• Automatic audio narration while driving

• Private transportation
• Meals and refreshment
• Entrance Fees
• Parking Fees

Prepare for an exciting journey through Indiana Dunes National Park with our amusing and insightful audio tour! Explore sandy beaches, verdant forests, and undulating dunes as our humorous guides share fascinating insights about the park’s history, unique wildlife, and interesting facts. Visit essential locations like West Beach, Mount Baldy, and the Heron Rookery, all while enjoying our captivating stories. Learn about the park’s impressive conservation initiatives and meet the creatures that inhabit it. Ideal for families, nature enthusiasts, and anyone with a sense of humor, our audio tour guarantees an enjoyable and educational adventure. Download, plug in your headphones, and embark on a laughter-filled exploration of this Midwest gem!

Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours

• Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.
• Begin Your Journey: • Select Your Tour: Go to the My Stuff tab in the Shaka Guide app to launch the tour. • Start the Tour: Select the tour starting point and follow the GPS instructions. • Follow Shaka Guide: Stick to the suggested route and speed for the best experience.
• Why Choose Our Audio Tour: • Cost-Efficient: One tour for the entire vehicle—no per-person fees! • Ultimate Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume on your schedule. • Convenience: Use the tour any day, over multiple days if needed.
• Top Features: • Hands-Free: The tour works automatically - GPS-activated stories, directions, and music play as you drive for a seamless experience. • Works Offline: No need for continuous wifi or data. • Reliable Support: Get help via call, chat, or email.
• Private and Personalized: • Crowd-Free: Enjoy a private tour with just your group. • Customizable Stops: Pick the stops you want and skip the ones you don’t!
• The Ultimate Guided Tour: • Detailed Itinerary: Includes travel tips and recommendations. • Engaging Narration: Captivating stories and history.
• What Our Users Say: • “A fantastic way to explore! Easy to use and very informative.” • “Loved the flexibility to stop and go as we pleased. Highly recommend!”
• Additional Starting Points: New Buffalo and Sherwood Forest Paintball

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.