Indiana Dunes State Park Beach, Michigan City, Indiana, is part of a National Lakeshore that is operated and protected by the National Parks Service of the Department of Interior of the USA. Of the 19 sections of the park, 3 of them are directly accessed here at Michigan City.
The park is on the shore of Lake Michigan, the 3rd largest of the Great Lakes and the only one of the lakes that is entirely within the boundaries of the United States.
The Central Beach parking lot is one of those access points found at the end of Central Avenue which is off of US Highway 12. The parking lot has room for 100 vehicles. The beach here on Lake Michigan is open from 7 AM to dusk, 7 days a week from April 16 through November 14. There are restrooms here as well as an information board listing activities occurring throughout the park.
Despite being a lake there are waves and rip currents in the water, of which swimmers should beware. There are no lifeguards stationed here.
Indiana Dunes State Park Beach, Michigan City, Indiana, is also the access point to the River Trail at Heron Rookery, which is found at North Country Rd, 600 East, near US 20. The site is a nesting ground for the Great Blue Heron which have more than 100 nests located here.
In mid-March the birds can be seen initiating annual nest repairs. By May the nests are blocked by the tree foliage although the birds can still be seen feeding in shallow waters until the fall when they migrate to warmer southern climates.
From late March through early June, the wildflowers here can be seen in bloom.
There is also fishing permitted here along the Little Calumet River.
The area is also open from 7 AM until dusk.
There are no restrooms or other comforts in this section of the park.
The parking lot is small but it does have sufficient space for oversized vehicles like RVs to turn around in order to exit.
The third and final entrance to Indiana Dunes State Park Beach, Michigan City, Indiana, is at Kemil Beach, on East State Park Road (or Kemil Rd) east of Highway 12.
The area has the same hours as the other parts of the park accessible from Michigan City. There is a parking lot here with a billboard of information on activities occurring throughout the park. There are restrooms here that are open from April 2 through November 14.
Pets are allowed in this area of the park between Labor Day and Memorial Day.
Permit holders may engage in smelt fishing in this area of the park in the spring months only.
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