Last updated: June 27, 2022
Thing to Do
Paddling Lake Michigan and Waterways at Indiana Dunes
Jeff Manuszak
Here are a few great places to paddle in Indiana Dunes National Park
Lake Michigan—the Big Water Experience:
Paddling a Great Lake is much different than any other type of water experience, because Lake Michigan is always changing. You have to be very cautious and concerned about the weather. On a calm July day, with little wind and no waves, a novice might feel comfortable paddling in the lake and hugging the shoreline. But out beyond the buoys, everything changes. Currents are stronger; the water is deeper and colder, and large boats are prowling —like really large boats—ore barges and freight vessels coming into the Port of Indiana. You don’t want to get in their way. Only experienced paddlers are encouraged to navigate longer distances of the Lake Michigan Water Trail. If you want to try it, be prepared. Know the weather forecast, and never paddle without a personal flotation device. It is recommended that paddlers use a sea kayak for navigating Lake Michigan’s waters.
Little Calumet River—A New Challenge
This is another waterway which requires some skill and portage abilities, depending on where you go. Working with partners, the park and the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association are working to make sections of the east branch of the Little Calumet River open for recreation. Along this section of the river, there are several new fully developed public access sites.
Marquette Park Lagoons—Great for All Abilities
This Gary Park site is adjacent to the national park and is an excellent spot for watching birds and seeing the dunes and oak savannas of Miller Woods from a fresh vantage point. The park has an accessible launch and dock. Visitors must park in the Marquette Park Beach parking lot, and in the summer, pay a nominal parking fee. These lagoons, which are the headwaters of the Grand Calumet River, are slow moving and relatively shallow lakes. They are great spots for novices, and more experienced paddlers will enjoy the scenery.
Lake Michigan—the Big Water Experience:
Paddling a Great Lake is much different than any other type of water experience, because Lake Michigan is always changing. You have to be very cautious and concerned about the weather. On a calm July day, with little wind and no waves, a novice might feel comfortable paddling in the lake and hugging the shoreline. But out beyond the buoys, everything changes. Currents are stronger; the water is deeper and colder, and large boats are prowling —like really large boats—ore barges and freight vessels coming into the Port of Indiana. You don’t want to get in their way. Only experienced paddlers are encouraged to navigate longer distances of the Lake Michigan Water Trail. If you want to try it, be prepared. Know the weather forecast, and never paddle without a personal flotation device. It is recommended that paddlers use a sea kayak for navigating Lake Michigan’s waters.
Little Calumet River—A New Challenge
This is another waterway which requires some skill and portage abilities, depending on where you go. Working with partners, the park and the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association are working to make sections of the east branch of the Little Calumet River open for recreation. Along this section of the river, there are several new fully developed public access sites.
Marquette Park Lagoons—Great for All Abilities
This Gary Park site is adjacent to the national park and is an excellent spot for watching birds and seeing the dunes and oak savannas of Miller Woods from a fresh vantage point. The park has an accessible launch and dock. Visitors must park in the Marquette Park Beach parking lot, and in the summer, pay a nominal parking fee. These lagoons, which are the headwaters of the Grand Calumet River, are slow moving and relatively shallow lakes. They are great spots for novices, and more experienced paddlers will enjoy the scenery.
Details
Activity
Paddling
Paddling the waterways of Lake Michigan in and around Indiana Dunes
Pets Allowed
Yes
Activity Fee
Yes
See our Fees and Passes page for more details.
Location
Indiana Dunes and Waterways
Shirley Heinze Land Trust has two new sites beginning at the Wykes Plampin Nature Preserve at the corner of Indian Boundary and Brummit Road. Additionally, a second site is located on the Keith Ricard Walner Nature Preserve on Taylor Street both in Chesterton. There are undeveloped launch sites at Waverly and Wagner, and Mineral Springs roads. Finally, the park has, as of May 2019, NW Indiana’s newest fully accessible launch site on Howe Road at the historic Camp Goodfellow canoe launch.
Reservations
Yes
See our Fee and Pass page for details.
Fees & Passes - Indiana Dunes National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Fees & Passes - Indiana Dunes National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Season
Year Round
Time of Day
Day, Dawn, Dusk
Accessibility Information
Fully accessible launch site on Howe Road at the historic Camp Goodfellow canoe launch.