Best Beaches in Indiana

The crossroads state of Indiana borders Lake Michigan to the northeast and has an excellent selection of beaches along that shoreline to choose from. However there are hundreds of lakes across Indiana, may of which have beaches of their own and offer a great spot for many recreational activities like swimming, fishing, boating, and sunbathing.

Porter Beach

Located in Porter, Indiana and is absolutely stunning! You can watch boats cruise by as you swim or sunbathe on this beautiful beach. This is also a great beach for fishing or kayaking, exploring the large dunes, walking along the lake, and taking advantage of plenty of other recreational opportunities. It has become a popular spot for visitors looking to spend time relaxing on the beach or around the lake. If you’re in the mood for outdoor activities, you can use one of their paddleboats or kayaks to explore the coastline! Pack a lunch and take a walk on the wooded trails located near Porter Beach.

Indiana Dunes National Park

The famous Indiana Dunes National Park is home to over 15 miles of pristine, white sand beaches and three small lakes with a water sports rentals, concessions, and great facilities. This makes it the perfect place for those who want to enjoy some water activities on their next trip outside of the city!

Indiana Dunes National Park contains 4 distinct ecosystems: shoreline; dune; forest; swamps and other wetlands. There are also 1,831 acres (7.5 km²) of wetlands present here which make up the largest freshwater marsh in Indiana along with 500 acre (20 km²) wilderness area that is connected to the larger National Wilderness Preservation System.

Indiana Dunes National Park is a popular tourist attraction, with over 2 million visitors every year. Its most famous sights are the three towering dune ridges that form a “backbone” along the eastern half of the park. Historic wooden boardwalks and interpretive trails offer people access to natural wonders such as massive sand dunes, native plant communities, and migratory bird habitats.

Located in the northernmost part of Indiana, it spans across all of Porter County and parts of Lakes and LaPorte Counties. It’s about 20 miles south of Chicago, Illinois, but is close to Michigan City, Indiana to the east.

Lake Monroe Beach

Also known as Fairfax Beach, this beach lies along Lake Monroe’s shoreline in Bloomington. Fishing, kayaking, hiking and running trails, campgrounds, and vacation rentals make beach a popular destination for locals and out of town visitors.

Indiana and is an ideal place for boating, jet skiing, paddle boarding and kayaking as it is home to a nice inlet. Visitors can also enjoy some water sports at Inlet Beach as well as beach combing and bird watching.

Ogden Dunes Beach

One of the best places to visit in Indiana is Ogden Dunes Beach. This is located near Northeast Indiana along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. You’ll be able to take your kids for an awesome day at the beach that includes a lot of activities, like jet skiing, sailing, boogie boarding, volleyball tournaments, and more. Come late in the afternoon and stay for a beautiful sunset over the Chicago skyline.