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West Beach Picnic Shelters
NPSNational Park Service — PORTER · Indiana · Indiana Dunes National Park
| Agency | NPSNational Park Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Indiana Dunes National Park |
| Location | PORTER · Indiana · Indiana Dunes National Park · 41.62553, -87.20760 · Map |
| Sites | 8 public sites counted from the federal listing — 8 shelter nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 8 sites Water hookups at 0 of 8 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 8 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 8 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | The West Beach picnic shelters are $25 each. A valid entrance pass or receipt is required for all visitors. You may pay upon arrival or purchase in advance. Indiana Dunes also honors Federal interagency passes (annual, senior, access, 4th grade, Golden Age, etc.). For more information, visit the Indiana Dunes Fees & Passes page. |
| Check-in / out | In 08:00 AM · Out 11:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 8 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 3 marked accessible in the listing |
| Amenities, as reported | Drinking water |
| Phone | 219-395-1882 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles (24 km) of the southern shore of Lake Michigan and has much to offer. Whether you enjoy scouting for rare species of birds or flying kites on the sandy beach, the national park's 16,000 acres will continually enchant you. Hikers will enjoy 50 miles (80 km) of trails over rugged dunes, mysterious wetlands, sunny prairies, meandering rivers and peaceful forests.
Recreation There is no one-size-fits-all trip to the dunes. Each season offers new and different ways to enjoy Indiana Dunes National Park. Spring splashes the river banks of the Heron Rookery with an abundance of colorful wildflowers in this birder's paradise. Lake Michigan summer sunsets paint the skies with vibrant rays that offer a picture-perfect picnic setting. In the fall, Maple trees burst with warm red and golden hues crafting a spectacular backdrop for a hike by the Chellberg Farm and winter brings a scenic canvas of virgin white snow begging for a cross-country skiing adventure in the Glenwood Dunes.
As the seasons change, so do the recreational opportunities, park facility operating hours and closures and safety concerns. Here is a list of some of the activities that occur in the National Park: Beach-going & Swimming, Biking, Bird Watching, Camping, Fishing & Boating, Hiking, Geocaching, Historical Sites, Horseback Riding, Interpretive Programs, Picnic, Winter Activities and Guided Tours. Check the Calendar page on our website for our list of Ranger-led programs.
Facilities West Beach offers eight universally accessible picnic shelters. Seasonal restrooms and potable water are available at the picnic area from mid-May through mid-October, while year-round restrooms and potable water are available at the contact station. A bathhouse with showers and lockers is open seasonally. The West Beach parking lot has 596 spots including 20 bus/RV parking sites. Please note the lot may fill up on holiday weekends.
Natural Features Indiana Dunes National Park is a treasure of diverse natural resources located within an urban setting. The national park features communities that have both scientific and historic significance to the field of ecology. In addition, four National Natural Landmarks (including Pinhook Bog and Cowles Bog ) and one National Historical Landmark (the Bailly Homestead ) are located within its boundaries.
The park is comprised of over 15,000 acres (6070 ha) of dunes, oak savannas, swamps, bogs, marshes, prairies, rivers, and forests. It contains 15 miles (24 km) of Lake Michigan shoreline spanning the distance from Gary to Michigan City. Lake Michigan is part of the largest complex of freshwater lakes in the world. The national park's beaches are the park's most significant recreational resource.
For more information on our natural features visit the Nature and Science page on the park website.
Nearby Attractions Visit the Nearby Attractions page on the park website.
Charges & Cancellations
Directions, from the listing
The address for West Beach is 376 North County Line Road, Gary, IN 46403
For more detailed directions for all areas of the park visit the Directions page on the park website.
Nearest federal campgrounds
6 mi straight-line · Porter IndianaNPSNational Park ServiceDunbar Group Site
11 mi straight-line · IndianaNPSNational Park ServiceDunewood Campground
12 mi straight-line · Beverly Shores IndianaNPSNational Park ServiceCentral Avenue Walk-in Sites
14 mi straight-line · Beverly Shores IndianaFSU.S. Forest ServiceBlackwell Campground
185 mi straight-line · Indiana
Trip Card — West Beach Picnic Shelters
PORTER · Indiana · Indiana Dunes National Park
| Agency | NPS · National Park Service |
|---|---|
| Location | PORTER · Indiana · Indiana Dunes National Park |
| Fees | The West Beach picnic shelters are $25 each. A valid entrance pass or receipt is required for all visitors. You may pay upon arrival or purchase in advance. Indiana Dunes also ho… |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 8 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10007207 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.