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Become an Indiana Dunes Junior Ranger - Indiana Dunes National Park

Ranger talks to child while holding a Junior Ranger booklet
Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Become an Indiana Dunes Junior Ranger

Indiana Dunes National Park
30 Minutes
Spring · Summer · Fall · Winter
Pets: Yes
Fees: Yes

Visitor Dashboard

Current Alerts

13 active alerts
View current park alerts

Access Requirements

Unknown
View official access requirements

Weather forecast

64°F 18°C · Sunny
More weather details

Best Time to Visit

Spring · Summer · Fall · Winter
Based on official activity seasons

More Things To Do

Indiana Dunes National Park
Discover more activities

Current park status

13 active alerts
Park Closure

Partial Trail Closures on Bailly / Chellberg Trail

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Portions of Bailly / Chellberg Trail (with stairs) will be closed through October (10/30/26), to allow completion of boardwalk replacement project.
Caution

Road Blocked to West Beach

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The main road navigating to West Beach is now blocked due to construction at the railroad crossing near the intersection of North County Rd and Route 12 until September 19. Please use the alternative route to West Beach as described on the park's status page.
View official alert
Park Closure

Closure - Heron Rookery Trail

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Closed. The trail is undergoing tree removal and rerouting due to riverbank collapse. It is expected to reopen in the fall, after mosquito activity decreases.
Park Closure

Partial Closure - Upland Trail

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The middle boardwalk was lost due to a tree strike, making the full loop inaccessible. At this time, there is no timeline for replacement.
Park Closure

Closure - Tolleston Dunes Trail

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Closed. Chainsaw crews are actively working to clear the trail, with a projected reopening in the next 1-2 weeks.
Information

Other Park Conditions and Updates

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For more information on storm related repairs and other park conditions like beach and hiking safety visit our park status page.
View official alert
Park Closure

Closure - Hobart Woodland Trail

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Closed. The Woodland Trail is closed indefinitely, and no reopening date is available. However, the paved Oak Savannah Trail remains open.
Park Closure

Partial Trail Closure - Dunewood Trace

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Partially open. Persistent flooding west of the campground currently limits access to the entire trail. Hikers may not always be able to traverse the full length.
Caution

Water Safety Alert

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After recent storms, E. coli levels are likely to reach above safe swimming standards. Entering the water after heavy rainfall is never recommended. Know before you go and always check our Beach Safety page before heading to park beaches.
View official alert
Park Closure

Temporary Closure - Douglas Center

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The Paul H Douglas Center is closed until Wednesday 8/19, and all public programs are cancelled until further notice. Several parts of the park are inaccessible due to the weather event from August 11th. It is not advisable to go in the lake after a heavy rain. Use extreme caution when visiting as most locations have no power and are out of service.
View official alert
Park Closure

Visitor Center - Temporary Closure

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Attention: The Indiana Dunes Visitor Center building will be closed but will have outdoor limited staffing and restrooms available August 10, 11, and 12, due to construction efforts. Expect long lines and waiting outdoors. Visitors are encouraged to visit other locations throughout the park to purchase park passes. Passes, Jr Ranger books, badges and other activities are available at the Paul H Douglas Center for Environmental Education.
View official alert
Park Closure

Partial Closures to Little Calumet River Trail and Glenwood Dunes Trail

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Marquette Greenway construction will require closing sections of the Glenwood Dunes Trail (April–December 2026) and Little Calumet River / Mnoké Prairie Trail (May–December 2026). Closure dates may shift as work progresses. Please follow all posted closures and check the park website or NPS App for updates.
View official alert
Caution

Partial Trail Closure at Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk

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Closed portion of Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Trail along Burns Waterway due to unsafe conditions from erosional damage. This trail portion will remain closed while funding is sought for repair work. Pier access remains open on either side of closure.

About this activity

Indiana Dunes National Park has a lot to explore, both in the park and online. Check out this page for fun things to do to explore the park virtually. Become a Junior Ranger Today!

Junior Ranger Discovery Guides will open your eyes to the dunes as they have never been before. The guide, which has two activity levels, those younger than nine (9) and those over nine (9), can be picked up at the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center or the Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education. You can also print this guide by clicking the Junior Ranger Activity link below. When you complete the guide, bring it to one of these destinations to be sworn in as a Junior Ranger.

Use the suggested trails and beaches below to complete the Junior Ranger booklet.  

Activity details

Duration
30 Minutes
Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Pets
Yes
Fees
Yes
Accessibility

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Access requirement information

Not available

No additional access requirement details are available from the provider.

Official website

Official access information supplied by the provider for this activity. Requirements and availability may change, so always verify the latest details on the official website.
Visit official website

Weather forecast

Check the weather forecast before planning this activity.
Today
64°F18°C
Sunny
W 3 mph4 km/h
Tonight
47°F8°C
Partly Cloudy
E 3 mph4 km/h
Tuesday
66°F19°C
Sunny
E 3 mph4 km/h
Tuesday Night
47°F8°C
Mostly Clear
ESE 5 mph8 km/h
Wednesday
69°F21°C
Sunny
SSW 3 mph4 km/h
Wednesday Night
51°F11°C
Mostly Clear
0 mph0 km/h
Forecast data provided by the National Weather Service.
Last updated: Oct 19, 2026 at 1:46 AM
Official forecast
Forecasts can change and local conditions may vary. Check official weather alerts and park guidance before your visit.

More weather details

Today
64°F18°C
Sunny

Sunny. High near 64, with temperatures falling to around 62 in the afternoon. West wind 0 to 5 mph.

W 3 mph4 km/h
Tonight
47°F8°C
Partly Cloudy

Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. East wind 0 to 5 mph.

E 3 mph4 km/h
Tuesday
66°F19°C
Sunny

Sunny. High near 66, with temperatures falling to around 63 in the afternoon. East wind 0 to 5 mph.

E 3 mph4 km/h
Tuesday Night
47°F8°C
Mostly Clear

Mostly clear, with a low around 47. East southeast wind around 5 mph.

ESE 5 mph8 km/h
Wednesday
69°F21°C
Sunny

Sunny, with a high near 69. South southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

SSW 3 mph4 km/h
Wednesday Night
51°F11°C
Mostly Clear

Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

0 mph0 km/h
Thursday
66°F19°C
Sunny

Sunny, with a high near 66.

ESE 3 mph4 km/h Rain: 1%
Thursday Night
52°F11°C
Mostly Clear

Mostly clear, with a low around 52.

E 3 mph4 km/h
Friday
67°F19°C
Sunny

Sunny, with a high near 67.

SE 5 mph8 km/h
Friday Night
51°F11°C
Mostly Clear

Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

SE 8 mph12 km/h
Saturday
68°F20°C
Mostly Sunny

Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

SSE 5 mph8 km/h
Saturday Night
55°F13°C
Partly Cloudy

Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.

S 5 mph8 km/h
Sunday
68°F20°C
Partly Sunny

Partly sunny, with a high near 68.

SW 5 mph8 km/h Rain: 3%
Sunday Night
54°F12°C
Partly Cloudy

Partly cloudy, with a low around 54.

WSW 5 mph8 km/h Rain: 2%

Disclaimer

Check the weather forecast before planning this activity.

Weather, wind, precipitation and temperature can vary by location and time. Prepare appropriate clothing and equipment and check official alerts and park guidance.

Forecasts can change and local conditions may vary. Check official weather alerts and park guidance before your visit.

Location and map

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More Things To Do at Indiana Dunes National Park

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Great Blue Heron flies in for a landing at the Great Marsh with the setting sun in the background.
Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Explore Biological Diversity in the Park

The park is comprised of over 15,000 acres of dunes, oak savannas, swamps, bogs, marshes, prairies, rivers, and forests. It contains 15 miles of Lake...
Source: NPS
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